President of Griffin Hospital in Derby named CT 2018 Grassroots Champion

Griffin Hospital and Griffin Health Services President and Chief Executive Officer Patrick Charmel, right, receives the Connecticut 2018 Grassroots Champion award Thursday from Connecticut House Republican Leader Themis Klarides and state Sen. George S. Logan./ Contributed photo

The American Hospital Association and Connecticut Hospital Association Thursday recognized Patrick A. Charmel, President and Chief Executive Officer of Griffin Hospital and Griffin Health Services Corporation, as Connecticut’s 2018 Grassroots Champion at its 100th Annual Meeting at Aqua Turf Club in Southington.

The AHA Grassroots Champion Award, given annually to one person in each state, was created to recognize hospital leaders who effectively educate elected officials about how major issues affect hospitals’ roles in the community, who have expanded the base of community support for hospitals, and who have been advocates for hospitals and patients.

The award recognizes Charmel’s exceptional leadership in advocating for hospital priorities. He is an active and engaged advocate, speaking at press conferences at the Capitol, and educating legislators on major issues impacting hospitals today. 

“Pat Charmel is a vocal advocate for hospitals,” said Jennifer Jackson, CEO, CHA. “He speaks eloquently and passionately with legislators about the importance of policies that improve patient care and adequately fund Medicaid. In partnership with the AHA, we are pleased to honor him with the 2018 Grassroots Champion Award.”

Charmel is a member of the CHA Board of Trustees and Executive Committee, and a former Chairman of the CHA Board. 
He is the current Chairman of CHA’s Diversified Network Services Board, a member of the Financial Oversight Committee, and a member of the Committee on Hospital Finance. 
Over the years, he has served on many CHA committees, subcommittees, and work groups. 
Additionally, he was an American Hospital Association Regional Policy Board 1 Member from 2003–2006. 

He is also Chairman of the Board of Planetree International, Chairman of the Value Care Alliance of Connecticut, Chairman of the Central Connecticut Board of Directors for the American Heart Association, Member of the Connecticut State Innovation Model Initiative, Member of the Health IT Advisory Council, and Member of the Board of Directors of the Valley United Way.

Charmel, who has led Griffin Hospital since 1998, developed and implemented consumer-driven, person-focused services that result in high patient satisfaction, while maintaining high operational efficiency.

About the CHA

The Connecticut Hospital Association has been dedicated to serving Connecticut’s hospitals since 1919. 

Through state and federal advocacy, CHA represents the interests of Connecticut’s hospitals on key healthcare issues in the areas of quality and patient safety, access and coverage, workforce, community health, health equity, and hospital reimbursement.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Gentile named to state legislator committees

State Rep. Linda M. Gentile

HARTFORD - State Rep. Linda M. Gentile, D-Ansonia, Derby, has been appointed to the newly formed State Coordinators Committee of National Conference of State Legislators by Speaker of the House Joe Aresimowicz, D-Berlin/Southington. Aresimowicz also appointed Gentile to the Labor & Economic Development Committee of NCSL.

"I am grateful for Speaker Aresimowicz's confidence in my leadership and organizational skills and I am honored to be his appointment on these important and busy committees,” Gentile said. “I look forward to this new challenge. NCSL is a premier organization that provides valuable research and legislative information to legislators from all major parties all over the country."

“I’m so glad Representative Gentile has accepted this appointment,” said Aresimowicz. “Linda is extremely hardworking and well respected by her peers. With her many years of experience as a legislator she has a wide array of knowledge about the legislative process and is a strong leader. I know she will be an asset to this committee.”

In her role as a State Coordinator, Gentile will work closely with the administration and staff of NCSL to promote the committee’s mission to fellow legislators in Connecticut as well as legislators in other states in the Northeast.  

The NCSL’s mission is to improve the quality and effectiveness of state legislatures, to promote policy innovation and communication among state legislatures, and to ensure the state legislature remains a strong, cohesive voice in the federal system.

This newly created leadership role is essential in strengthening NCSL’s work in states across the country.

As part of her new role, Gentile will be developing legislative leaders from both parties, providing them with knowledge on how to access NCSL’s research, training services, and website. 

She will additionally be giving legislators in and out of state a better understanding of all the standing committees, including the Labor and Economic Development Committee, as well as policy process.  

Gentile will be attending the NCSL Capitol Forum in San Diego, California from Dec. 10-13 with travel and conference attendance being paid for by scholarship and personal funds. The Capitol Forum is where legislators and staff together to tackle critical state-federal issues, gain insight from national experts, and work with committees to craft the States’ Agenda.

This is a press release from Gentile's office.

Cyclists associated with Derby's sister city in Italy to visit City Hall today

Sharing a message from Derby Town/City Clerk Marc J. Garofalo:

"The City of Derby just received notice today that two Italian residents, in association with the Town of Puglianello (BN), sister city of Derby, CT, will be visiting Derby City Hall today at 5 p.m. before they depart on a 78-day bicycle journey along the famous Route 66 enroute to Los Angeles, CA.

Giuseppe Campchiaro and Giovanna Napolitano are finalizing their preparations to depart the East Coast to California on their bicycles.  
They started their journey in their Town of Amorosi (BN), next town neighbor to Puglianello and about 30 miles northeast of Naples. They pedaled through North through Italy through France, Spain, and Portugal.  They recently arrived in Connecticut and are staying with relatives in Southington.  They will depart for the West coast in the next few days.

Their project “Love Wheels – 2 hearts, 2 bikes, 6 years, 6 continents” can be view at their website http://www.lovewheels.it/web/ .  They also have a Facebook page Love Wheels 646.  Giuseppe and Giovanna said, “We designed a new journey, cycling, starting April 17, 2016.

Our route will see all the Via Francigena in Italy, go to Lourdes and retrace the Way of Santiago De Compostela reaching Fatima and finally Lisbon .

From there they fly to New York to take the Route 66 . The main cities that cross are New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington, Chicago, Kansas City, Las Vegas, Los Angeles. 
The project will focus on meeting the Italian community who are in America and create a sort of documentary collecting their testimonies: the reasons for the transfer, the difficulties encountered, their history and bring them back to our reality.”

The happy couple will be greeted by city officials led by Mayor Anita Dugatto where they will be presented with proclamations from the City of Derby with good wishes for a safe and exciting trip.

The entire City of Derby is invited to bring greetings to Giuseppe and Giovanna at 5 p.m. today, June 16, 2016 in the Aldermanic Chambers at Derby City Hall.

Please spread the word."

Community in Shelton recognized for innovative program

Crosby Commons Activities Director Mary Ann Milano, right, poses with colleagues Ginny Brown, center, of Middlewoods of Farmington, and Marissa Salvesen, left, of United Methodist Homes, after receiving awards at the CALA 19th Annual Awards Program. / Contributed photo


SHELTON - Crosby Commons Assisted Living Community at Wesley Village has received another prestigious Connecticut Assisted Living Association Award for Best Practices in Managed Residential Services. 

The award was presented at CALA’s 19th Annual Meeting and Awards Program held Dec. 3 at the Aqua Turf Club in Southington.

The Best Practices Award is presented to an assisted living provider who creates innovative programs or unique approaches in the area of managed residential services which exemplify excellence and are worthy of sharing with others. 

The community was recognized for its program, “The Crosby Commons Express,” which featured an unforgettable New York City experience for Crosby residents, with opportunities for shopping, education, fine dining, arts, entertainment and more, in the comfort of their home.  

The program was organized by Activities Director Mary Ann Milano and the entire Crosby team. 

Crosby Commons is owned and operated by United Methodist Homes, a local, mission-based, not-for-profit organization based in Shelton. In addition to Crosby Commons’ award, UMH was also the recipient of the 2014 CALA Media Award for their e-book resource, The ABC’s of Assisted Living, and received an award for their Middlewoods of Farmington community as well.

For more information about the award-winning community of Crosby Commons, call 203-225-5000 or visit www.crosbycommons.org. 

For information about UMH, visit www.umh.org.

This is a press release from United Methodist Homes.