Griffin Hospital names Ansonia woman Employee of the Year

Jackie Hoyle of Ansonia was named Griffin Hospital's 2015-16 Employee of the Year. / Contributed photo

DERBY - Griffin Hospital recently honored more than 135 employees who reached service milestones of five years and more and announced its employee and department of the year award winners at its 45th Annual Service Awards Dinner at the Crowne Plaza in Southbury.

Jackie Hoyle, RN, of Ansonia, was named Griffin Hospital’s 2015-16 Employee of the Year, and the hospital’s Business Services was named Department of the Year. 

At a Monte Carlo Casino inspired celebration, Griffin Hospital CEO and President Patrick Charmel presented gifts of appreciation to employees who worked at Griffin for more than 20 years before announcing the winners.

The celebration is held each year during National Hospital Week to recognize employees and physicians for years of service and for outstanding performance.

Hoyle Named Top Employee

Hoyle is a nine-year employee of the hospital and coordinator of The Sleep Wellness Center at Griffin Hospital.

In her nomination for Employee of the Year, fellow employees said Hoyle has proven to be a gifted and extremely motivated individual who puts her heart and soul into everything she does to provide an exceptional patient experience. 
They also praised her for volunteering in several hospital programs and community activities, her excellent patient care, and for providing a calm environment at The Sleep Center through meticulous maintenance of scheduling and providing quick follow-up information for patients who may be anxious about their results.

“Jackie is bright and willing to take on any challenge or function to better the organization, and she is known to be a powerful force, who steps forward as a volunteer in our community,” Charmel said in presenting the award. 
“She is - without a doubt - 100 percent dedicated to our patients, her coworkers, The Sleep Center, the hospital and the community we serve.”

The hospital's Employee of the Year selections come from its monthly I Take It Personally program where employees are nominated by their colleagues for outstanding work. Each month, one employee is selected from the hospital’s four service divisions - Ancillary, Nursing, Service and Support - for his or her efforts to improve patient satisfaction and promote Griffin Hospital’s commitment to patient-centered care. Of these employees, four are selected as finalists for the honor of “Employee of the Year.” 
In addition to Hoyle, Ashley D’Agostino, RN, of the hospital’s nursing unit on 1 North, Justin Pereiras, of the hospital’s Valet Service, and Christian Meagher, of the Communications and Public Affairs Department, were finalists for the top honor.

Business Services Named Department of the Year

Griffin Hospital’s Business Services was honored with Department of the Year for adopting best practices for billing and improving department efficiency and effectiveness that has helped improve the financial standing of the hospital.

In its nomination for Department of the Year, Business Services staff was recognized for enthusiastically embracing change despite the fact that it came with greater individual performance monitoring and a much higher level of individual and collective accountability.

“Business Services streamlined billing and cash review process and implemented a more efficient customer service process that has resulted in improved customer satisfaction and has increased teamwork with other departments to insure appropriate, correct and timely billing,” Charmel said.

The Department of the Year is selected from the four hospital departments selected as “Department of the Quarter” by the ITIP program. In addition to Business Services, Department of the Quarter winners were Engineering, Cardiac Rehabilitation, and Patient Safety and Care Improvement.


This is a press release from Griffin Hospital. 

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Former Ansonia fire chief recognized for his service

Ansonia Mayor David S. Cassetti presents former Fire Chief Joseph Kingston with a certificate of appreciation for his dedicated years of service./ Contributed photo

DERBY - Former Ansonia Fire Department Chief Joe Kingston was honored June 7 at a testimonial dinner at Grassy Hill Lodge.

Kingston was succeeded by Fire Chief Scott Trembley in January following his two-year term. 
Prior to his departure as Chief, Kingston completed 10 years of service in all four Assistant Chief positions and had been a fireman for many years prior. 

The event was presided over by Master of Ceremonies Joe Kingston Jr. who also serves as a firefighter alongside his father. Both are members of the Hilltop Hose Company 5 firehouse.

Kingston's service was lauded by representatives of all five Ansonia firehouses who honored him and thanked him for his service to Ansonia and the Valley.

Mayor David S. Cassetti thanked Kingston on behalf of Ansonia’s residents, thanking him for his past and continued service as one of Ansonia’s bravest.

Also on hand were Fire Commissioners Pat Henri and Phil Tripp who were moved by the display of brotherhood within the department.

Kingston wholeheartedly thanked all in attendance. He gratefully recognized the fire department and his family for all the time and commitment they put in, and for all the help they provided while he was chief.


This is a press release from Mayor David S. Cassetti's office.