Griffin Hospital in Derby offers disease management workshop

Griffin Hospital is hosting a Live Well Chronic Disease Self-Management Workshop./ Contributed photo

DERBY - Griffin Hospital will host a free six-week workshop starting Dec. 6 to help individuals suffering from health conditions take back control of their lives.

The Live Well Chronic Disease Self-Management Workshop provides health information and strategies to help those with health conditions like pain, anxiety, diabetes, depression, heart disease, and arthritis increase their energy and take control of their health.

Along with clinical care, participants will learn ways to cope with difficult emotions, depression, and stress/anxiety, reduce pain, improve mobility, increase energy, increase physical activity, eat healthier, use medications appropriately, and solve everyday problems and communicate effectively with family and health care providers.

The workshop will start from 1-3:30 p.m. Dec. 6 at the Center for Cancer Care at Griffin Hospital, 350 Seymour Ave. 

Following sessions will be on Wednesdays Dec. 13, and 20 and Jan. 3, 10, and 17 at the Center for Cancer Care.

The Live Well Chronic Disease Self-Management Workshop is sponsored by the Connecticut Department of Social Services Aging Services Division, Connecticut Department of Public Health, and Griffin Hospital.

To register, call Esther Jones at Griffin Hospital’s Community Outreach and Valley Parish Nurse Program at 203-732-1523.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Author/illustrator to read his children's book at Ansonia Library

Recuperation journey: Morning meditation

I opened the door this morning and saw one of my nutty friends meditating as his colleague scampered up a nearby tree trunk.

Not the clearest picture ever, but I took it with my phone through the front door window. And he posed long enough for me to get a good capture!

May we all find a minute to meditate like this little one did this Friday morning.

Local lawmakers to hold coffee hour at Valley Diner in Derby

Derby Public Library to host YA Wednesdays

DERBY - The Derby Public Library hosts YA Wednesdays every month from 6-7:30 p.m.  

All young adults ages 12 to 17 are invited to join the fun each Wednesday in December with Nintendo Wii, board games, and Legos. 
Light refreshments will be provided. 

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


This is a press release from Tony DeLos, young adult librarian, Derby Public Library.

PCRC welcomes new medical director

  Dr. Sandra Gomez Luna/Contributed photo

The Parent Child Resource Center, a division of BHcare, is pleased to announce Dr. Sandra Gomez Luna has joined the organization as Medical Director. 

Dr. Gomez Luna is responsible for the administrative and clinical leadership at PCRC in Derby and Shelton. 

She will also work with adults through the new Medically Assisted Treatment program at BHcare’s Ansonia location.

“I am excited to help PCRC and BHcare expand their range of services to include the entire family,” said Dr. Gomez Luna. “Closing the gap between children’s services and adult services is important for long-time recovery.” 

Dr. Gomez Luna is a board certified Child and Adolescent, Adult, and Addiction Psychiatrist.  She has a wide range of expertise in direct service, program development and clinic administration. 

She has consulted for several school districts, she was the founder and service chief of an adolescent transitional living program and was medical director of an inpatient adolescent unit at a private hospital.  

Most recently, Dr. Gomez Luna served as Chief Medical Officer for a DMHAS-operated facility.

About PCRC

PCRC provides hope and help for children, adolescents, teens, and families struggling with emotional and behavioral issues.  

Each year PCRC provides children’s mental health services for more than 1,200 children and families. 

Visit www.bhcare.org for more information.

Ansonia Library to hold 'Magic of Communication' presentation

ANSONIA - The Ansonia Library will host Greg Dwyer as he presents "The Magic of Communication: Influencing Yourself and Others to Live the Life of Your Dreams" at noon Dec. 2 at the library, 53 S. Cliff St.

Photo from website

Are you frustrated with others and would like to improve your relationships?  How one communicates with self and others is the key to a fulfilled life.  

Former illusionist Greg Dwyer will share secrets with you on how to create real magic in your life. 
Dwyer will teach you three powerful secrets to live the life of your dreams: 
discover the secret power of focus; discover the secret power of non-verbal communication; and to discover the secret of written goals.

This information is shared from the Library website.