Griffin employee to receive Caring Heart Award at ceremony in Woodbridge

Honoree Betty Montefusco 

DERBY - The Women’s Heart Wellness Committee will honor Elizabeth “Betty” Montefusco of Beacon Falls with the Caring Heart Award at the 14th Annual Women's Heart Wellness Caring Heart Award ceremony April 24 from 5:30-8:30 p.m. 

The event will be held at the Birchwoods at Oak Lane Country Club, 1027 Racebrook Road, Woodbridge.

The Caring Heart Award recognizes individuals who promote and improve the general health and well-being of all.

This year’s recipient has been a valued member of Griffin Health for more than 45 years. Montefusco started her career as a nurse’s aide working in the Emergency Department and in Griffin Hospital’s Critical Care Unit, tending to many patients suffering from heart conditions and other life-threatening ailments. 

Today, Montefusco serves as the Executive Administrative Assistant to the Vice President of Patient Care Services and manages the Griffin Nursing Administration Office, which oversees more than 350 nurses and 130 Multi-Skilled Technicians.

In addition to her professional duties at Griffin, Montefusco is chairperson of the Griffin Recreation, Entertainment & Arts Team (G.R.E.A.T.), which organizes events for Griffin staff and their families to promote comraderie. 

She is an elected member of the Parish Council at Assumption Church in Ansonia where she serves as a Eucharistic Minister, and is called upon to administer the sacrament to Griffin patients when needed. She also helped to organize weekly celebrations of the Mass at the hospital.

Outside of work, Montefusco volunteers her time with several community organizations. She is a Spooner House Team Captain, organizing and cooking meals for the residents of the homeless shelter in Shelton. 

She volunteered as a religious education teacher, and is a volunteer member of the Connecticut ACTS chapter, an organization where she is responsible for organizing and leading religious retreats for women.

Montefusco has organized a food drive for St. Vincent DePaul in Derby and has donated Christmas gifts and Easter baskets to families and children through St. Vincent DePaul. 

She makes necessity bags for the homeless through the Brian O’Connell Homeless Project. 

In her most recent volunteer project, she teamed up with the Knights of Columbus to make baby blankets for cribs being donated to a community organization that supports mothers and babies.

The Caring Heart Award Ceremony is open to the public. 

The event will feature an interactive presentation by Griffin Faculty Physicians cardiologist Dr. Sayena Azarbar. There will also be a health fair with information on overall wellness and more.

Tickets for the dinner are $35 per person and includes plentiful hors d'oeuvres, dessert and a complimentary glass of wine. To reserve a seat, visit griffinhealth.org/whw. Deadline for reservations is April 17.

For more information, contact Eunice, 203-732-7107 or elisk@griffinhealth.org.

The Women’s Heart Wellness Committee consists of health care professionals, heart patients, and women from throughout the Valley communities. 

The primary focus of the group is to increase heart health awareness among women, empower them to love and save their hearts, and ensure they are provided the means to do so through education and rehabilitation. Membership is open to all interested persons.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Griffin Heart Wellness Committee to hold ceremony in Woodbridge

The Women’s Heart Wellness Committee to host its 13th Annual Women's Heart Wellness & Caring Heart Award Ceremony April 26 at Oak Lane Country Club, Woodbridge./ Submitted photo

DERBY - The Women’s Heart Wellness Committee at Griffin Hospital will host its 13th Annual Women's Heart Wellness & Caring Heart Award Ceremony April 26. 
The event will be held from 6-8:30 p.m. at the Birchwoods at Oak Lane Country Club in Woodbridge.

The theme of the dinner will be “Who’s That Woman in the Mirror?” featuring a panel of health experts discussing women’s health and answering questions related to healthy aging. 

There will also be a health fair with information on overall wellness and more. 

WTNH Health Reporter Jocelyn Maminta will be emcee.

The event will honor Barbara Casagrande, of Oxford with the Caring Heart Award. 

The Women’s Heart Wellness Committee will also present its Caring Heart Award to an individual from the Lower Naugatuck Valley who made significant contributions to the heart wellness of an individual or the community at large by his or her actions and/or volunteerism.

Tickets for the dinner are $35 per person and includes plentiful hors d'oeuvres and a complimentary glass of wine. 

To reserve a seat, visit griffinhealth.org/whw and click the event link at the bottom of the page. 

The deadline for reservations is April 22.

For more information, contact Eunice, 203-732-7107 or whw@griffinhealth.org.

The Women’s Heart Wellness Committee consists of healthcare professionals, heart patients, and women from throughout the Valley communities. 

The primary focus of the group is to increase heart health awareness among women, empower them to love and save their hearts, and ensure they are provided the means to do so through education and rehabilitation. Membership is open to all interested persons.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital. 

Griffin Hospital in Derby seeks nominations for Caring Heart Award

DERBY - The Women’s Heart Wellness Committee at Griffin Hospital is seeking nominations for its Annual Caring Heart Award.

This award is presented to an individual who lives or works in the Lower Naugatuck Valley and has made significant contributions to the heart wellness of an individual or the community at large, and demonstrates a “Caring Heart” by his/her actions and/or volunteerism.

For a nomination form or information on how to make a nomination, contact Eunice Lisk at 203-732-7107 or whw@griffinhealth.org. Nominations must be received by March 16 to be eligible.

The award winners will be announced in April and presented at the Annual Women's Heart Wellness & Caring Heart Award Dinner April 26.

The Women’s Heart Wellness Committee consists of health care professionals, heart patients, and women from throughout the Valley communities. 

The primary focus of the group is to increase heart health awareness among women, empower them to love and save their hearts, and ensure they are provided the means to do so through education and rehabilitation. Membership is open to all interested persons.

Tickets for the Annual Women’s Heart Wellness Dinner and Awards Program will go on sale in February. 

To learn more, become a sponsor or make a donation, contact Eunice at 203-732-7107 or whw@griffinhealth.org.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

DeLauro visits TEAM in Derby, Caring Heart awards presented at Griffin Hospital

Dear readers,

The latest Valley Voice newsletter is now available. 
Please check it out here. 

U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro

We feature U.S. Rep. Rosa L. DeLauro's visit to TEAM offices in Derby Monday to talk about proposed cuts to heating assistance.

Thanks for stopping by!

~ Patti and Ralph

Brunch at Griffin Hospital in Derby offers health info, recognizes 'Caring Hearts'

Eunice Lisk, Director, Cardiac Rehabilitation at Griffin Hospital in Derby, introduces the Women's Heart Wellness Committee Saturday at the 12th annual Women's Heart Wellness and Caring Heart Award Brunch at the hospital.

Dr. Victoria Costales, Director, Griffin Hospital Center of Prevention and Lifestyle Management, talks about living a long and healthy life at the brunch Saturday. 

Costales referred to a book, The Blue Zones by Dan Buettner, (pictured at right) about places in the world where people live longer, what she called "longevity hotspots."


Please stay tuned for more in an upcoming issue of The Valley Voice newsletter.

Wellness Committee at Griffin Hospital in Derby to honor volunteer, nonprofit

To present 9th annual Caring Heart Awards

Claudia Csuka of Beacon Falls

DERBY - Griffin Hospital Volunteer Claudia Csuka of Beacon Falls, and Marrakech, Inc., of Woodbridge, will be honored with the Caring Heart Award at The 12th Annual Women’s Heart Wellness and Caring Heart Award Brunch March 25.

The event will be held from 8:30 a.m.-noon at the Griffin Hospital Dining Room, 130 Division St.

The award recognizes individuals and groups that foster initiatives to promote and improve the general health and well-being of all. 
This is the ninth year the award will be bestowed.

Csuka has been a volunteer at Griffin for a little more than a year, but has already positively impacted many patients’ lives as part of the hospital’s vital patient stories and complimentary therapies programs. 
As a vital patient stories volunteer, Csuka meets with patients and talks with them to write a brief story about their lives. She focuses on memories or characteristics that are vital or sacred to the patient and the stories are shared with hospital staff so they can better know and understand their patients. 
Csuka is also trained in soft touch therapy, which provides stress relief and personal connection that can be critical to healing.

Csuka is also very involved in her community as a member of the Parish Council and Ladies Guild at St. Michael’s Church in Beacon Falls, and provides free rides to individuals needing transportation to their medical appointments.

About Marrakech, Inc.
Marrakech, Inc. is a private nonprofit organization that has provided person-centered, unique, and cost-effective human services for children and adults, with and without disabilities, in Connecticut for over 45 years. 
The services and individuals supported are diverse, but they have the common goal of assisting individuals with achieving greater self-sufficiency while they experience the best quality of life possible.
Marrakech's Health and Wellness Committee was formed in July 2012 and has implemented an annual weight loss challenge and a well-attended community health fair. Throughout each year, wellness information is shared in a variety of ways, including through a series of workshops planned in partnership with local wellness practitioners. Exercise challenges and team walks for other causes are also regularly coordinated.

The brunch will start with registration at 8:30 a.m. and the program will begin at 9 a.m. 
The theme of this year’s event is “What’s Your Shelf Life,” focusing on how healthy eating habits can help prevent heart disease. The event will feature a survivor speaker, a cooking demonstration and tips on healthy eating.

Tickets for the brunch are $25 and the event is open to the public. Proceeds benefit the Women’s Heart Wellness Fund, which supports heart wellness programs for women in the Valley.

Valet parking will be available.

Reservations are due by March 20. To reserve a seat, become a sponsor, or for more information, call Eunice Lisk at 203-732-7107 or whw@griffinhealth.org.


This is a press release from Griffin Hospital. 

Heart Wellness Committee to present awards at brunch at Griffin Hospital in Derby

The Women’s Heart Wellness Committee (formerly Women & Heart Disease) will host its 12th annual Women's Heart Wellness & Caring Heart Award Brunch March 25 from 8:30 a.m.-noon in the Griffin Hospital dining room.

DERBY - The Women’s Heart Wellness Committee will host its 12th annual Women's Heart Wellness & Caring Heart Award Brunch March 25 from 8:30 a.m.-noon at the Griffin Hospital Dining Room, 130 Division St.

The theme of the event is “What’s Your Shelf Life,” focusing on how healthy eating habits can help prevent heart disease. 

The event will feature a survivor speaker, a cooking demonstration, and tips on how to shop for healthier food.

The Women’s Heart Wellness Committee will also present its Caring Heart Awards to an individual and a group, organization or business from the Lower Naugatuck Valley who have made significant contributions to the heart wellness of an individual or the community at large by their actions and/or volunteerism.

Tickets are $25 per person. 

To reserve a seat, become a sponsor, or for more information, call Eunice Lisk, 203-732-7107 or whw@griffinhealth.org.

Heart health awareness

The Women’s Heart Wellness Committee consists of health care professionals, heart patients, and women from throughout the Valley communities. 

The primary focus of the group is to increase heart health awareness among women, empower them to love and save their hearts, and ensure they are provided the means to do so through education and rehabilitation. 

Membership is open to all interested persons.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.