Public Health Committee approves Conroy's bill to combat opioid epidemic

HARTFORD - Legislation (HB5053) sponsored by state Rep. Theresa Conroy (D-Seymour, Beacon Falls, Derby) aimed at combating the growing opioid epidemic in Connecticut was unanimously approved by the General Assembly’s Public Health Committee. 

Theresa Conroy

The bill instructs cities and towns to ensure first responders are equipped and trained to administer the drug naloxone when encountering a person experiencing an opioid overdose. Naloxone has a proven record of quickly reversing the effects of an overdose. 

“This is a statewide crisis that needs to be addressed in a non-judgmental, humane manner,” said Conroy, an advanced practice nurse and member of the legislature’s Public Health Committee. 
“Naloxone is effective and fast-acting, and it is important to get it out on the streets in our towns so lives can be saved.”       

According to the Department of Public Health, naloxone was administered by paramedics over 2,000 times per year in the state from 2012-14.  

Also under the bill, commercial health insurers would be prohibited from requiring prior authorization for coverage of naloxone. In addition, a provision in the bill helps protect a provider who administers an opioid antidote from civil liability.

The bill will now go to the House of Representatives for the consideration of the full General Assembly.  

This is a press release from Conroy's office.

Colonial life is focus of Derby Public Library program in March

To mark Women's History Month
DERBY - The Derby Public Library will host a presentation, The Not-So-Good Life of the Colonial Goodwife, at 6:30 p.m. March 21.

In recognition of March as Women’s History Month, participants will learn what life was really like for New England women in Colonial times.  

Topics covered will include sex and birth control, childbirth, sickness, and medicine.  

This program will make you laugh and grimace while also honoring our foremothers.  

Presenter Velya Jancz-Urban’s interest in this topic was sparked when she was researching her book, Acquiescence, after her family moved into a 1770 farmhouse in Woodbury.

Even history buffs will learn a thing or two about the little-known issues faced by these women during this entertaining and informative presentation.

Copies of the book will be available for purchase.

Registration is requested.  
For more information, stop by the Library at 313 Elizabeth St., call 203-736-1482, or visit www.derbypubliclibrary.org. 


This is a press release from Cathy Williams, Director, Derby Public Library.   

Photo shared of Derby dentist from days gone by

This week's "Turnback Tuesday" photo shows local dentist Dr. Frank P. McEnerney in his office that was located on Elizabeth Street across from the Commodore Hull Theater. Dr. McEnerney was born in Derby and graduated Derby High School, Holy Cross College as well as the University of Pennsylvania College of Dentistry. 
His framed credentials hang on the wall behind him in the photo's background. Dr. McEnerney was also an active member of the Elks Lodge in Derby plus many other civic-minded groups in the Valley. 

Note: this photo was donated by Dr. McEnerney's granddaughter, Geraldine Fallon, who currently serves on the Derby Public Library Board of Directors. Geraldine's mother, Frances Fallon, previously served on the Library Board for 50 years.


*This is shared from a Derby Public Library Facebook post. 
I hope you enjoy photos from a simpler time in the Valley as much as I do.

Ansonia mayor jokes around at radio station

Ansonia Mayor David S. Cassetti showing off his Presidential trivia skills this morning with Chaz and AJ on WPLR.


This is reprinted with permission from the City of Ansonia Facebook page.

Ansonia offers vendor applications for bicycle festival

Griffin Hospital in Derby to present Caring Heart Awards

Cheryl A. Santiago, RN, left, and Linda Stochmal, right, will be honored with the Caring Heart Award for their work at The Heart Wellness Center at Griffin Hospital in Derby./ Contributed photo

DERBY - Shelton resident Susan DeLeon, former director of The Umbrella, and The Heart Wellness Center at Griffin Hospital will be honored with the Caring Heart Award at the 11th Annual Women’s Heart Wellness and Caring Heart Award Brunch March 12. 

The event will be held from 8:30 a.m.-noon at the hospital Dining Room, 130 Division St.

The award recognizes individuals and groups that foster initiatives to promote and improve the general health and well-being of all. 

This is the eighth year the award will be bestowed.

Susan DeLeon

DeLeon served as director of The Umbrella, a domestic violence shelter in Ansonia, for more than 25 years. 
She is a marriage and family therapist who has received many community recognitions for her work with The Umbrella and BHCare including the Lillian Chrostowski Award from TEAM, Inc., the Silver Seal Award from the Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce, and Outstanding Community Service Award from Gateway Community-Technical College.

Griffin Hospital’s free Heart Wellness Clinic helps those with congestive heart failure stay well by giving them regular screening and support and providing a better understanding of their condition by equipping them with skills and strategies to stay healthy and avoid preventable hospital admissions.

Increase disease awareness

The Caring Heart Award is presented by the Women’s Heart Wellness Committee, which consists of healthcare professionals, heart patients, and women from throughout the Valley. 
The primary focus of the group is to increase heart disease awareness among women, empower them to love and save their hearts, and ensure they are provided the means to do so through education and rehabilitation. 
According to the American Heart Association, heart disease kills nearly twice as many women in the United States as all types of cancer.

The brunch will start with registration at 8:30 a.m. and the program will begin at 9 a.m. 
There will be presentations by Griffin Hospital’s Department of Radiology Chair Dr. Devika Jajoo on ways to take care of your health, and by certified diabetes educator Mary Swansiger on diabetes prevention and management. There will also be blood pressure and diabetes testing and consultation. 

Tickets for the brunch are $25. The event is open to the public. 

Proceeds benefit the Women’s Heart Wellness Fund, which supports heart wellness programs for women in the Valley.

Valet parking will be available.

Reservations are due by March 4. 
To make a reservation or for more information, email whw@griffinhealth.org.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.