Thursday, May 25, 2017

Griffin Hospital in Derby honors nurses at 31st annual celebration

Contributed photo
Griffin Hospital Vice President of Patient Care Barbara Stumpo, left, presents Tammy Gray, RN, with Griffin Hospital’s 2017 Outstanding Nurse of the Year Award.

DERBY - Griffin Hospital recently held its 31st Annual Nurse Day Celebration to honor its more than 360 staff nurses and present awards to those nurses who delivered exceptional care during the year.

Tania Cote, RN, BSN, of Naugatuck, Diana Konecny, RN, BSN, of Beacon Falls, Karyn Spaulding, RN, BSN, of Seymour, and Tracy Volpe, RN, BSN, of Cheshire, were named 2017 Nightingale Award for Excellence in Nursing winners. 
Tammy Gray, RN, of Waterbury, received The Outstanding Nurse of the Year Award.

Originally developed by the Visiting Nurse Association of South Central Connecticut, the Nightingale Award celebrates outstanding nurses and elevates the nursing profession. 
The goals of the Nightingale Award program are to encourage retention, inspire future nurses, focus public attention, and recognize the breadth and scope of nursing practice at the local level.

As a nine-year employee and staff member of Griffin’s Respiratory Department and Wound Care Center, Gray has made a difference in many patients’ lives and has been a role model and mentor to countless nurses at Griffin. Her colleagues said she provides exceptional care by making sure patients understand their conditions and treatments, and have the supplies they need to heal. 

Physicians rely on Gray’s assessments and recommendation and she makes herself available to assist fellow nurses on a daily basis through email, cell phone, and text.

“Tammy is valued and appreciated by patients and caregivers alike,” said Griffin Hospital Vice President of Patient Care Barbara Stumpo. 
“She embraces the Planetree philosophy by providing exemplary care that is compassionate, non-judgmental and patient-centered. Her positive attitude, humor, dedication. and work ethic make her an outstanding nurse.”

The celebration also recognized Tracey Ragozzine, RN, of Oxford, with The Marie Santini Perioperative Nursing Excellence Award; Katherine Delvecchio, RN, of Newtown, with The Richard Stivala, M.D., Obstetric Nursing Excellence Award; Edward Valente, RN, of Naugatuck, with The Mary Schumacher Leadership Award; Kaitlyn White, RN, of Oakville, with the Donald Torok Memorial Scholarship; and Jeenet Reid, RN, of Bridgeport, with The Mary Nelligan Award for Continuing Education. 

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.


Congratulations to all the nurses on their awards!

2018 Teacher of the Year announced in Derby

Mike Gozzo
DERBY - Derby Middle School is proud to announce that Mike Gozzo is the 2018 Derby Public School District Teacher of the Year. 
As a former Marine, Gozzo has been an inspirational leader at Derby Middle School. 
On a daily basis, he exhibits professionalism to staff and students alike. He is always willing to help a colleague. He works with his peers to develop an understanding of students and the learning process. 
Besides teaching the students about history and running, Gozzo manages to instill life lessons to the students. He is admired by not only his colleagues, but also by his students. 
Superintendent Matthew Conway said, “Mr. Gozzo epitomizes what public school teachers in Derby, Ct., and across America represent. His selfless, kids first approach to everything he does is a model for every human being to follow. The evidence of Mr. Gozzo’s every day approach to teaching, to life, is expressed in his students', past and present, words when describing him. One could not ask for a more honest reflection than the ones shared by the lives he has touched.” 
When asking students about Gozzo, the common thread that was spoken was, “There is never a day I don’t look forward to going to his class. He is an amazing coach who motivates me. I have become a more confident and stronger runner and person because of him.”
Gozzo is not just a coach or teacher; he is a mentor to many of the students. They look to him for guidance and moral support. He has been a central figure in constructing the cross-country program, leading the newly formed track program, and is the volunteer leader of the Derby Running Club. 

In the fall he guided league-winning runners for the Cross Country team, while also inspiring many other students to achieve goals that they didn’t know were possible. 
Another student remarked, “Mr. Gozzo is my Social Studies teacher and my running coach. He is supportive and cares about what we are learning. He helps me learn and pushes me to do my best. Mr. Gozzo makes me look forward to class and to run. Mr. Gozzo pushes me to run my best and to have no limits.”
Gozzo is often seen providing a nutritious breakfast for those that need it, engaging in conversation with students while having lunch with them, and supplying running shoes and supplies to students in need. He dedicates his time past the school calendar, working with students 12 months a year.
Gozzo reaches all students and the bonds and connections he creates last beyond the students’ educational career. It is not uncommon to see Gozzo achieve success in every lesson, while also demonstrating a nurturing environment for each individual. 


This is a press release from Derby Public Schools.

Griffin Hospital in Derby to hold therapeutic touch workshop

Holly Major, Therapeutic Touch coordinator for Griffin Hospital, will conduct a two-day Basic Level Therapeutic Touch workshop June 16 and  June 17./ Contributed photo

DERBY - Griffin Hospital, 130 Division St., is offering a two-day Basic Level Therapeutic Touch workshop June 16 from 4-8 p.m. and June 17 from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. for individuals interested in learning about this healing method.

Therapeutic Touch (TT) is an energy healing technique that is derived from the ancient practice of laying on of hands. It has been taught to thousands of healthcare professionals and can help reduce pain and anxiety, expedite healing, and increase overall feelings of well-being.

The purpose of this Basic Level TT Workshop is to explain the concepts and practice of TT, allowing ample time for hands-on practice. Participants must attend both workshop sessions to receive credit. The workshop is open to the public and there are no prerequisites to attend.

The workshop instructor, Holly Major, NP, MSN, QTTT, is an adult nurse practitioner and the TT Coordinator for Griffin Hospital. Major has been teaching TT since 2000 and is a qualified TT instructor through Therapeutic Touch International Associates, the international association of Therapeutic Touch.
Fee for the workshop is $100, and includes all class materials. The deadline to enroll is June 9. 

For more information or to enroll, contact Laura Murphy, 203-732-7466 or lkmurphy@griffinhealth.org.


This is a press release from Griffin Hospital. 

Ansonia Police announce Sunday street closures for parade


ANSONIA - On Sunday, May 28 the City of Ansonia will hold its annual Memorial Day Parade. 

There will be no parking on the parade route from 7 a.m.-4 p.m. 
The parade route will be closed to all vehicular traffic from noon until 4 p.m.
This will affect the following streets;

Wakelee Avenue -- Franklin Street to Jackson Street
Jackson Street -- Wakelee Avenue to Franklin Street
Maple Street -- Franklin Street to Olson Drive
Main Street -- Maple Street to West Main Street.

Any cars parked along the parade route will be towed at the owner's expense.


This is a press release from the Ansonia Police Department. 

Learn to paint with water color at Derby Public Library

DERBY - The Derby Public Library will host another popular Water Color Painting Workshop at 6 p.m. June 26.  
Ages 18 and over are invited to enjoy this fun evening resulting in fabulous art!  

Participants will go home with new friends, great memories, and a newly-created masterpiece that will show off your “inner-artist.” 

No experience?  No problem!  

Local artist Rich DiCarlo, President of the Valley Arts Council, will guide you step-by-step on this creative journey as you learn the ins and outs of creating your own water color painting.  

No previous artistic experience necessary - the class is great for beginners or seasoned professionals. Snacks will be provided.  
It is promised to be a surprisingly easy and fun way to spend an evening!  
Registration is required.  

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. 

More on melatonin



I may have spoken too soon in yesterday's post about taking melatonin. 
I called it a miracle pill because it let me sleep almost five hours in a row, which was a treat.

Last night the pill only allowed me to sleep for three hours in a row. I may have jinxed myself!

* Thanks for following along with me on my post-transplant journey. It's therapeutic to write about my experience.