Griffin Health honors caregivers, announces Employee of the Year

Judith Abaidoo

DERBY – Griffin Health recently honored more than 900 employees and physicians who reached service milestones of 5 years and more, and announced its 2026 Employee of the Year and Department of the Year at its 54th Annual Service Awards celebration at Aria in Prospect.

At a “Broadway Bash” themed celebration, Griffin Hospital President and CEO Patrick Charmel personally presented gifts of appreciation to longtime employees and announced Mammography and Breast Sonography Technologist Judith Abaidoo of West Haven as the 2026 Employee of the Year and the Griffin Hospital Central Processing Department as the 2026 Department of the Year.

Abaidoo named Top Caregiver
A caregiver at The Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness at Griffin Hospital since 2023, Abaidoo regularly receives thankful comments from patients that describe her as professional, kind, calm, and reassuring.
“Guided by the belief in serving something larger than herself, Judith’s impact is seen in the experience she creates for every patient,” Charmel said. 

“Even in situations where patients arrive anxious or uncomfortable, Judith creates a sense of trust. Her colleagues recognize her steady presence under pressure and view her as a role model who leads by example.”
Griffin’s Employee of the Year selection come from its monthly I Take It Personally (ITIP) Award program where employees are nominated by their colleagues. Each month, up to four Griffin Health caregivers are selected for their efforts to improve patient satisfaction and promote Griffin’s commitment to person-centered care. Of these ITIP winners, four are selected as finalists for the honor of Employee of the Year.

Central Processing Department Named Department of the Year
The Griffin Hospital Central Processing Department was honored with Department of the Year for disciplined execution, consistent process control, and an unwavering focus on clinical safety.
Central Processing achieved a high level of performance this year, showing meticulous attention to detail during several HVAC infrastructure upgrades in which there was not a single surgical case delay. 

The department also improved instrument processing and the availability and readiness of surgical instruments through staff education, workplace safety, and innovative technologies that have elevated both employee performance and service quality.
“The team’s responsiveness to clinical needs, including the development of specialized emergency instrument trays and additional safety testing protocols, reflect their spirit of collaboration and accountability,” Charmel said. “Their consistency, coordination, and control flawlessly support exceptional surgical patient care every day.”
The Department of the Year is selected from the four hospital departments selected as “Department of the Quarter” by the ITIP program.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

DHS teams raise $3K for Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness at Griffin Hospital

DERBY - The Derby High School softball and baseball teams recently “went to bat” for breast health in their community.

Members of the teams presented a $3,000 donation to The Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness at Griffin Hospital. 

The funds were raised at Derby High School’s 15^th Annual Pink Games April 17 and 18. 

Initiated by Derby High Athletic Director and Assistant Derby High Softball Coach Jenn Moffat for former Griffin Hospital employee, Derby High Softball Coach, and Derby Mayor Joe DiMartino, the fundraisers are held in honor of DiMartino’s wife, Lori, a breast cancer survivor.

Overall, the annual event has raised more than $46,000 to help breast cancer patients in the greater Valley community.

The Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness at Griffin Hospital offer patients a comprehensive range of personalized breast care and wellness services. For more information about The Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness, call 203-732-1300 or visit griffinhealth.org/breast-wellness.

This is a press release from Griffin Health.

SIS students donate funds to Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness at Griffin Hospital

The SIS Teen Community OutReach Program members at Shelton Intermediate School presented a check for The Hewitt Center For Breast Wellness at Griffin Hospital from the proceeds raised from their Pink Volleyball game and Pink table fundraisers during the month of October.

Thank you so much for your continued support!

Shared from The Valley Goes Pink Facebook page.

Hope Lives donates $8,500 to Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness at Griffin

Maria Ammar, second from right, presents a $8,500 donation from the Hope Lives fundraiser to, from left, Griffin Health Director of Radiology, Cardiology & Neurology Kristi Popescu, Griffin Health Diagnostic Imaging Outpatient Manager Cindy Madsen and Griffin Hospital Development Fund Executive Director Kristy Jelenik.

DERBY - The 22^nd Annual Hope Lives event raised $8,500 for breast cancer screening services at The Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness at Griffin Hospital.

Hope Lives is a non-profit organization associated with Horizon of Hope, a national campaign by Longaberger Baskets to raise funds for the American Cancer Society’s breast cancer research and local breast cancer services.

Maria Ammar, a Longaberger Stylist Consultant for more than 25 years, has organized the luncheon fundraiser as part of the campaign, raising over $138,000 for the Center.

“Hope Lives is devoted to making a difference in the Valley for breast health, and early detection is the key,” Ammar said.

Hope Lives has been raising funds for the Center for more than two decades, and the Horizon of Hope program has raised over $20 million for breast health, education, awareness. The donation will be used to help local women pay for breast cancer screening services.

About The Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness

The Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness at Griffin Hospital opened in 2011 and primarily serves the Lower Naugatuck Valley and surrounding communities. 

It combines state-of-the-art technology, a team of highly trained physicians and staff, and a Planetree healing environment to offer patients a comprehensive range of personalized breast care and wellness services.  

The Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness features two new, state-of-the-art digital mammography suites with 3D mammography (tomosynthesis) capability, a breast ultrasound suite, and the most advanced system available to perform stereotactic biopsy. 

The Center also utilizes a rapid diagnostic model where patients are often given test results the same day imaging tests are performed, and if indicated, follow up testing (ultrasound, breast biopsy) and even consultation with a breast surgeon are often available the same day if the patient’s schedule permits. 

For more information, call 203-732-1300 or visit griffinhealth.org/cbw.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital. 

Valley Goes Pink slates fundraisers for Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness at Griffin

 

Ansonia, Derby teams raise $4K for Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness at Griffin

From left: Derby Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Matthew Conway Jr.; Derby High Softball Coach Angela Grindrod; Derby High Baseball Coach Robert Swierbitowicz; Derby High Softball captains Emma DeSanty and Kaelyn DiMartino; Derby High Athletic Director Jenn Moffat; Dr. Barajas; Lori DiMartino; Derby Mayor Joe DiMartino; Breast Center Manager Ashley Schneider; Derby High Trainer Dan Perillo; Griffin Health President and CEO Patrick Charmel.

DERBY -  The Ansonia and Derby high school softball and baseball teams recently presented Dr. Denise Barajas, medical director of The Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness at Griffin Hospital, with a donation of $4,000.

The funds were raised at a special pink baseball game on May 16 and at Derby High School’s 14^th Annual Pink Softball Game May 17. 

Initiated by Derby High Athletic Director and Assistant Derby High Softball Coach Jenn Moffat for former Griffin Hospital employee, Derby High Softball Coach and City of Derby Mayor Joe DiMartino, the fundraisers are held in honor of his wife, Lori, a breast cancer survivor.

Overall, the annual event has raised more than $43,000 to help breast cancer patients in the greater Valley community.

Located at 300 Seymour Ave. The Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness at Griffin Hospital offer patients a comprehensive range of personalized breast care and wellness services. 

For more information call 203-732-1300 or visit griffinhealth.org/breast-wellness.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Griffin Health to hold Par for Pink fundraiser at Oxford Greens

OXFORD - Griffin Health’s Valley Goes Pink initiative will host its 4th Annual Par for Pink golf fundraiser May 20 at The Golf Club at Oxford Greens.

The fundraiser will feature a 9-hole round of golf starting at 9 a.m. and lunch. Proceeds will benefit The Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness at Griffin Hospital.

Sponsorship opportunities range from $100 to $5,000, and foursomes start at $460. In-kind donations are welcome. 

To register or for more information, visit https://onecau.se/parforpink.

Valley Goes Pink is a dynamic initiative supporting The Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness at Griffin Hospital. 

Through engaging fundraising events, we unite individuals, schools, organizations, and community groups passionate about breast health. More than just a campaign, Valley Goes Pink is a movement that empowers our community to take action, raise awareness, and make a real impact on the lives of those affected by breast cancer and other breast health concerns.

For more information about upcoming events and about joining the campaign visit griffinhealth.org/pink.

This is a press release from Griffin Health.

Nonprofit donates $5K to Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness at Griffin Hospital

Maria Ammar, center, presents a $5,000 donation from the Hope Lives fundraiser to, from left, Laura Howell, director of The Center for Cancer Care at Griffin Hospital, and Cindy Madsen, Griffin Health Diagnostic Imaging Outpatient manager./ Contributed photo

DERBY - The 21^th Annual Hope Lives event raised $5,000 for breast cancer screening services at The Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness at Griffin Hospital.

Hope Lives is a non-profit organization associated with Horizon of Hope, a national campaign by Longaberger Baskets to raise funds for the American Cancer Society’s breast cancer research and local breast cancer services.

Maria Ammar, a Longaberger Stylist Consultant for more than 25 years, has organized the luncheon fundraiser as part of the campaign, raising over $130,000 for the Center.

“Hope Lives is devoted to making a difference in the Valley for breast health, and early detection is the key,” Ammar said.

Hope Lives has been raising funds for the Center for more than two decades, and the Horizon of Hope program has raised over $20 million for breast health, education, awareness. The donation will be used to help local women pay for breast cancer screening services.

About The Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness 

The Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness at Griffin Hospital opened in 2011 and primarily serves the Lower Naugatuck Valley and surrounding communities. 

It combines state-of-the-art technology, a team of highly trained physicians and staff, and a Planetree healing environment to offer patients a comprehensive range of personalized breast care and wellness services.  

The Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness features two new, state-of-the-art digital mammography suites with 3D mammography (tomosynthesis) capability, a breast ultrasound suite, and the most advanced system available to perform stereotactic biopsy.  

The Center also utilizes a rapid diagnostic model where patients are often given test results the same day imaging tests are performed, and if indicated, follow up testing (ultrasound, breast biopsy) and even consultation with a breast surgeon are often available the same day if the patient’s schedule permits. 

For more information, call 203-732-1300 or visit griffinhealth.org/cbw.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Bingo at The Hops Company in Derby to benefit The Valley Goes Pink

Tickets went on sale Wednesday, Aug. 28.

Event sells out quickly - tickets MUST be purchased online. Get more info and tickets here: https://VGPOctoberBingo.givesmart.com

Event supports The Hewitt Center For Breast Wellness at Griffin Hospital

This is shared from the Valley Goes Pink Facebook page.

Pink Game in Derby to benefit Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness at Griffin Hospital

 

Valley Goes Pink to host Par for Pink fundraiser at Oxford Greens

OXFORD - Griffin Health’s Valley Goes Pink initiative will host its 3rd Annual Par for Pink golf fundraiser May 21 at The Golf Club at Oxford Greens.

The fundraiser will feature a 9-hole round of golf starting at 9 a.m. and lunch. 

Proceeds will benefit the Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness at Griffin Hospital.

To register or for more information, visit https://ParforPink24.givesmart.com.

Sponsorship opportunities range from $500 to $5,000, and foursomes start at $460. In-kind donations are welcome.

The Valley Goes Pink is a grassroots, community-wide effort to increase awareness about breast cancer and the importance of early detection, support the Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness at Griffin Hospital, and to celebrate the charitable spirit of the region’s businesses and organizations.

For more information about upcoming events and about joining the campaign visit griffinhealth.org/pink.

This is a press release from Griffin Health.

Seymour Pink donates $80K to Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness at Griffin Hospital

From left: Seymour Pink former Treasurer Chris Vartko, Hewitt Center Manager Tori Kochiss, Griffin Hospital Chairman of Radiology Dr. Devika Jajoo, Seymour Pink Treasurer Tina Godkin, Seymour Pink President/Founder Mary Deming, and Griffin Health Diagnostic Imaging Outpatient Manager Cindy Madsen./ Contributed photo

DERBY - Seymour Pink recently helped to enhance the accuracy of breast ultrasound screenings at The Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness at Griffin Hospital.

The community breast cancer fundraising organization donated $80,000 to the Center for the purchase of an advanced RS85 Prestige ultrasound system which provides images with superior quality and other technological advances, including elastography, an emerging sonographic imaging technique that provides information on breast lesions in addition to conventional ultrasonography and mammography. 

Recent studies show that ultrasonographic elastography (USE) provides higher diagnostic accuracy compared with conventional ultrasonography during breast cancer diagnosis, which eventually helps to reduce false-positive results and therefore is useful in avoiding breast biopsy.

Breast ultrasound uses sound waves to produce images of the inside of the breast. It can show certain breast changes that can be harder to see on mammograms. Ultrasound can be especially helpful in women with dense breast tissue, which can make it hard to see abnormal areas on mammograms.

“The Valley is very near and dear to us and they have supported Seymour Pink for all these years, so this is how we give back to the community,” said Seymour Pink Board of Directors President Mary Deming. “We’re also very tied into helping women with dense breast tissue and this precise technology will help find cancers more easily before they spread.”

For more information about Seymour Pink, visit seymourpink.com. 

For more information about The Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness, visit griffinhealth.org/breast.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

D'Addario Automotive Group supports The Valley Goes Pink at Griffin Hospital

 

D’Addario Automotive Group President Tom D’Addario presents a more than $3,000 donation to Janet Hall, Executive Director, Griffin Hospital Development Fund. /Contributed photo

DERBY - D’Addario Automotive Group of Shelton recently donated more than $3,000 to The Valley Goes Pink Campaign to support breast health services in the area.

The donation will support education and outreach efforts to increase awareness about the importance of early detection and technology upgrades at The Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness at Griffin Hospital.

About The Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness 

The Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness at Griffin Hospital opened in 2011, combining state-of-the-art technology, a team of highly trained physicians and staff, and a Planetree healing environment to offer patients a comprehensive range of personalized breast care and wellness services.  

The Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness features two state-of-the-art digital mammography suites with 3D mammography (tomosynthesis) capability, a breast ultrasound suite, and advanced stereotactic biopsy. 

The Center also utilizes a rapid diagnostic model where patients are often given test results the same day imaging tests are performed, and if indicated, follow up testing (ultrasound, breast biopsy) and even consultation with a breast surgeon are often available the same day if the patient’s schedule permits. 

For more information, call 203-732-1300 or visit griffinhealth.org/cbw.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Derby, Ansonia athletes donate $3K to Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness at Griffin

 Members of the Derby and Ansonia high school softball and baseball teams presented Griffin Health CEO Patrick Charmel with a $3,000 donation to The Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness at Griffin Hospital. 

From left: Charmel; Director of Radiology, Cardiology and Neurology Kristi Popescu; Diagnostic Imaging Outpatient Manager Cindy Madsen; Derby High Athletic Director Jenn Moffat; former Derby High Softball Coach Joe DiMartino; Derby High Softball Coach Carlin Ali; Asst. Derby High Baseball Coach Sal Frosceno; Derby High Asst. Principal Ray Coplin; Ansonia High Softball Coach Roger Diagle; Derby High Baseball Captain Ryan Slack; Ansonia High Softball captains Jackie Brown and Brooke Yezik; Ansonia High Softball Asst. Coach Monica Fasciano; Hewitt Center  radiologist Dr. Devika Jajoo; Hewitt Center Manager Tori Kochiss.

DERBY- The Ansonia and Derby high school softball and baseball teams recently presented Griffin Health President and CEO Patrick Charmel with a $3,000 donation to The Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness Center at Griffin Hospital.

The funds were raised at Derby High School’s 12th Annual Pink Softball and 2nd Annual Pink Baseball games held in May. 

Initiated by former Assistant Derby High Softball Coach Jenn Moffat, who is now Derby High Athletic Director, for former Griffin Hospital employee and Derby High Softball Coach Joe DiMartino, the fundraisers are held in honor of his wife, Lori, a breast cancer survivor.

Overall, the annual event has raised a total of more than $36,000 to help breast cancer patients in the greater Valley community.

Located at 300 Seymour Ave. The Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness at Griffin Hospital offers patients a comprehensive range of personalized breast care and wellness services.

For more information about The Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness, call 203-732-1300 or visit griffinhealth.org/breast-wellness.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

 

Griffin Health to host Par for Pink fundraiser at Hop Brook Golf Course in Naugatuck

NAUGATUCK - Griffin Health’s Valley Goes Pink initiative will host its 2nd Annual Par for Pink golf fundraiser May 23 at Hop Brook Golf Course.

The fundraiser will feature a 9-hole round of golf starting at 10 a.m. and lunch. Proceeds will benefit the Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness at Griffin Hospital.

To register or for more information, visit https://ParforPink.givesmart.com.

Sponsorship opportunities range from $500 to $5,000, and foursomes start at $400. In-kind donations are welcome.

The Valley Goes Pink is a grassroots, community-wide effort to increase awareness about breast cancer and the importance of early detection, support the Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness at Griffin Hospital, and to celebrate the charitable spirit of the region’s businesses and organizations.

For more information about upcoming events and about joining the campaign visit griffinhealth.org/pink.