News Releases

InterStim® Therapy now available at Griffin Hospital

DERBY, CT (July 28, 2011) – Board Certified colorectal surgeon John Aversa, MD was the first surgeon in New England to implant a pacemaker-like device to help control fecal incontinence following the April 2011 approval of this new treatment by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The FDA approved the treatment after a 12-month, 120-patient study that proved its effectiveness.

Dr. Aversa, who practices with Ciardiello, Bonadies & Aversa Surgery Group, PC, with offices in Derby, Hamden and Guilford, was one of the first surgeons in the United States to perform the life-altering InterStim® procedure off-study since the FDA approval. He...

DERBY, CT (July 7 2011) - Griffin Hospital launched the "Health Initiative for Men" (HiM) in June to help inspire men to have an annual physical and raise awareness about men's health issues, such as prostate cancer and colorectal cancer.

"We're off to a great start, in large part due to the leadership and generosity of Ansonia businessman Frank Michaud and his wife, Judy, who have established a special "Health Initiative for Men Fund" at the Valley Community Foundation (VCF) to support our efforts," said Patrick Charmel, Griffin Hospital President and CEO.

Women's Day of Health, a day FOR women, BY women, is being co-sponsored by Griffin Hospital and the Women & Heart Disease Committee on Saturday, May 7, from 9 AM- 2 PM.  The half-day event, which takes place at Griffin Hospital, will feature keynote addresses by Center for Breast Wellness Medical Director, Dr. Zandra Cheng, and Center for Cancer Care Dietician, Samantha Heller. Activities include breakout sessions on health and well-being issues, free health screenings, and informational resource tables to...

DERBY, CT (October 14, 2010) - Learn from the experts at the Health Empowerment Series designed to encourage attendees to be active participants in their health care and to educate them on some of the latest treatments and procedures being used at Griffin Hospital. All sessions begin at 6:30 p.m. To register, call Griffin Hospital Infosource at 203.732.1511 or register online at www.griffinhealth.org. Click on Programs & Events.

The upcoming Health Empowerment Series includes:

Wednesday, Oct. 20 - “Trouble Going: A Surgical Approach to Constipation and Incontinence.” Constipation and incontinence are common medical conditions; however, many people choose not to seek the assistance of their doctor. Careful evaluation by a qualified specialist is essential to achieving effective treatment. In this talk, Dr. John Aversa,...

DERBY, CT (AUGUST 19, 2010) - The first two offerings in the fall/winter Health Empowerment Series at Griffin Hospital have been announced.

"Behind the Pain: A Close Look at Hemorrhoids and Fissures," will be presented on Wednesday, September 15, at 6:30 p.m. by John M. Aversa, Jr., D.O. Dr. Aversa is a board-certified colo-rectal surgeon with offices in Derby. In this talk he discusses causes, symptoms and treatment of hemorrhoids, fissures and similar ailments and the many forms of treatment including a minimally invasive surgical approach. "Arthritis and Join Pain" is the topic for Ignatius Komninakas, M.D.,...

DERBY, CT (August 16, 2010) - Griffin Hospital will offer a Fall session of its free 10-week “Mini-Med School” course beginning Thursday, September 16, 2010. The free course, which will be conducted over 10 consecutive weekly sessions by various Griffin Hospital physicians who serve as faculty, will meet Thursdays from 6:30 – 9:00 pm in the hospital’s Meditation and Learning Center. The Mini-Med School will culminate with a “graduation” ceremony for participants on November 18.

The course is specifically designed for the layperson with little or no medical background, providing a unique opportunity to gain a greater understanding of how the human body works, insight into common disorders of the various organ systems, as well as information about disease prevention. Each weekly session will be divided into two hour-long presentations on different medical topics with a refreshment break between presentations and ample time for questions and answers.

This is the seventh time Griffin Hospital has offered...

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DERBY, CT (February 26, 2010) - Snoring, chronic knee or hip pain, hospitalization of the elderly and deep vein thrombosis (DVT) are the focus of an upcoming series of free talks for the general public by Griffin Hospital physicians and professional staff. Part of the hospital’s ongoing Health Empowerment Series, all programs take place at 6:30 pm (unless otherwise specified) at Griffin Hospital, 130 Division St., Derby, CT. Register online or by calling (203)732-1511.

The current series includes:

Thursday, March 11, "Snoring - It's No Laughing Matter!" with Dr. Marya Chaisson, Medical Director...

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DERBY, CT (December 15, 2009) - If you are one of the millions of Americans who suffer from sleepless nights due to snoring or obstructive sleep apnea, blurred vision due to cataracts, or painful joints due to arthritis, here's an opportunity for a face-to-face discussion with an expert in the field. Griffin Hospital's ongoing Health Empowerment Series - presented by Griffin Hospital physicians to empower people to make informed decisions about their health care - offers the latest information on the diagnosis and treatment of these and other topics.

Upcoming sessions include:

"Snoring - It's No Laughing Matter!" on January 7, featuring pulmonologist and sleep specialist Dr. K. Marya Chaisson "Is Your Best Vision Ahead of You?", on January 13,...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DERBY, CT (August 3, 2009) - The Fall 2009 session of Griffin Hospital's popular "Mini-Med School" course will begin Thursday, September 17, 2009. The free course, which will be conducted over 10 consecutive weekly sessions by various Griffin Hospital physicians who serve as faculty, will meet Thursdays from 6:30 - 9:00 pm in the hospital's Meditation and Learning Center. The Mini-Med School will culminate with a "graduation" ceremony for participants on November 19.

The course is specifically designed for the layperson with little or no medical background, providing a unique opportunity to gain a greater understanding of how the human body works, insight into common disorders of the various organ systems, as well as information about disease prevention. Each weekly session will be divided into two hour-long presentations on different medical topics with a refreshment break between presentations and ample time for questions and answers.

This is the sixth time Griffin...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DERBY, CT (June 19, 2009) - Griffin Hospital is hosting a 100th Birthday Party on Saturday, June 27, from 11 am to 3 pm and the entire community is invited. Attendees will have an opportunity to tour Griffin Hospital's new Clinical Laboratory and the completed Phase I of the Emergency Department. The final phase of this three-year project, which began in 2007 and included the opening of the Hewitt Ambulatory Care Services Pavilion and the Center for Cancer Care last October, will coincide with the centennial celebration at the end of the year.

Meanwhile, the move into the new Clinical Laboratory was completed this week along with Phase I of the Emergency Department expansion including the new Emergency Department lobby and half of the treatment rooms. When fully completed, the Emergency Department expansion will increase the size...

DERBY, CT - Interested individuals will be able to learn more and sign up for a 12-week phlebotomy course at Griffin Hospital during an open house on Saturday, June 27, from 11am to 3pm. On that date, Griffin Hospital will host a birthday party to celebrate a century of caring for its community. Valley residents are invited to "come back where it all began."

The phlebotomy course will begin on Tuesday, Sept. 8, and run for 12 consecutive weeks with both morning and evening schedules. The course is open to anyone age 18 or older with a High School Diploma or GED. Tuition includes CPR certification, a 40-hour externship, national certification, lab coat and books.

Griffin Hospital's 100th Birthday Party promises to be a fun-packed event. Free cake and ice cream, kids' activities, musical entertainment and "behind the scenes" tours of the Operating Room, Childbirth Center, Digestive Disorders Center and Health Resource Center are...

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DERBY, CT (June 5, 2009) - Griffin Hospital will be 100 years old this year, and it is looking for other Centenarians to join in the celebration. On Saturday, June 27, from 11 am to 3 pm Griffin Hospital will host a birthday party to celebrate a century of caring for its community. Valley residents are invited to "come back where it all began" and celebrate with the Griffin Hospital Family of caregivers. During the event, the hospital plans to give special recognition to anyone who is 100 years old or older. All those born in 1909 or earlier with an interest in attending should contact the Griffin Hospital Development Fund at 203.732.7504.

Griffin Hospital's 100th Birthday Party promises to be a fun-packed event. Free cake and ice cream, kids' activities, musical entertainment and "behind the scenes" tours of the Operating Room, Childbirth Center, Digestive Disorders Center and Health Resource Center are...

DERBY, CT - Griffin Hospital's Digestive Disorders Center nurses have been recognized as New England's Best Nursing Team by ADVANCE for Nurses, the biweekly magazine of the nursing profession.

Griffin Hospital's Digestive Disorders Center nurses were pictured on the cover of the ADVANCE for Nurses New England Region's May 5 edition, and featured in an article titled "Easy to Stomach", which details why Griffin Hospital's 15-person staff was recognized as the magazine's "Best Nursing Team for 2008."

"This is a unique group of nurses," said Barbara Stumpo, MPA, BSN, RN, Vice President of Patient Care Services at Griffin Hospital, "and typically it's included senior staff members who come from the Emergency Department, critical care and other...

DERBY, CT: Griffin Hospital recently named its 2007 Employee of the Year and Department of the Year at its 37th Annual Service Awards Dinner, with Griffin Hospital President and Chief Executive Officer Patrick Charmel handing out the accolades to Diane Wood, a Respiratory Supervisor in the hospital's Pulmonary Department, and hospital's Digestive Disorders Center.

Wood, a Naugatuck resident, was recognized as Employee of the Year for being a conscientious caregiver dedicated to Griffin Hospital's Planetree philosophy of patient-centered care throughout her 26-year career with Griffin Hospital, as well as for holding herself to high personal standards and always working diligently to be better. "I have been lucky enough to spend my entire career at a facility I've come to think of as a second home, doing a job I love, with amazing people...