Tips for training for 5K Sept. 30 in Derby, Ansonia

Sharing from the Griffin Hospital Walk/Run Facebook page:

"Have you been wanting to run the 5K, but weren't sure if you could make it? We've got you covered!

"Griffin Hospital Cardiac Rehab Exercise Physiologist Eunice Lisk and Health Coach Laura Murphy will be sharing tips to get you running in this year’s 5K.

"We have 7 weeks until the event, so each week we'll set new training increments for you, and get you up to running it straight through! Aim for 3-4 training days per week.

"Week one of training: Jog for 2 minutes, walk for 3 minutes, repeat 6 times.

"Happy training, and keep an eye out next Monday for Week 2 training tips!"

Heart health support group to meet Thursday at Griffin Hospital in Derby

DERBY - Griffin Hospital’s Sharing Hearts Support Group will meet at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at The Center for Cancer Care at Griffin Hospital, 350 Seymour Ave.

The Sharing Hearts Support Group aims to lower the anxiety and stress that comes with a heart condition diagnosis by offering monthly education on heart health and area resources, as well as the support of fellow individuals with heart conditions.

Future meetings will be held April 27, May 25, and June 22.

Caregivers are also invited to join. 

For more information and to reserve your spot, contact Maria Cantito at Griffin Hospital’s Cardiac Rehabilitation Department, 203-732-7106.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Griffin Hospital cardiac rehab in Derby offers support group

DERBY- Griffin Hospital’s Cardiac Rehabilitation is offering free heart health education and support to individuals diagnosed with a heart condition.

The Sharing Hearts Support Group aims to lower the anxiety and stress that comes with a heart condition diagnosis by offering monthly education on heart health and area resources, as well as the support of fellow individuals with heart conditions.

The group starts its 2017 series of meetings with a new date and location at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 23 at the Center for Cancer Care at Griffin Hospital, 350 Seymour Ave.

Caregivers are also invited to join. 

For more information and to reserve your spot, contact Maria Cantito at Griffin Hospital’s Cardiac Rehabilitation Department, 203-732-7106.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital. 

Griffin Hospital exercise physiologist from Ansonia honored with caregiver award

At Planetree International conference in Chicago

Griffin Hospital Exercise Physiologist Richard Le Pera, BS,EP, of Ansonia, right, celebrates receiving the 2016 Spirit of Planetree Caregiver Award with Eunice Lisk, MS, director of Griffin Hospital Cardiac Rehabilitation, and Todd Liu, vice president of Accountable Care and Griffin Hospital General Counsel. /Contributed photo

DERBY – Griffin Hospital Exercise Physiologist Richard Le Pera, BS, EP, of Ansonia, was recently honored with the Spirit of Planetree Caregiver Award at the 2016 Planetree International Conference in Chicago.

The Caregiver Award recognizes Le Pera’s commitment to both Planetree’s and Griffin Hospital's patient-centered approach to providing care. 

In approximately two years as a member of Griffin Hospital’ Cardiac Rehabilitation service, Le Pera has become an essential member of the staff and manages the hospital’s weight loss exercise and free smoking cessation programs. He is respected by co-workers for his attention to detail and commitment to teamwork.

His friendly demeanor and focus on health education is appreciated by his patients and has earned him many compliments on his care.

“The Spirit of Planetree Award Ceremony is always a highlight of our annual conference,” said Planetree President Susan B. Frampton. 

“At the heart of the Planetree model are the human interactions between patients and caregivers. With the Spirit of Planetree Awards, we celebrate individuals like Ricky who, with their compassion, empathy, and simple human kindness, are improving the patient experience, and that is most definitely worthy of recognition."

About Planetree
Founded in 1978 by, Angelica Thieriot, a San Francisco patient who endured a traumatic healthcare experience, Planetree is an internationally-recognized not-for-profit organization that partners with health care providers around the globe to advance patient-/resident-centered approaches to care. 

Planetree has been at the forefront of the effort to personalize, humanize, and demystify the healthcare system for more than 30 years. With its model of patient-/resident-centered care being implemented in a diverse range of hospitals, continuing care facilities, outpatient clinics, and consumer health libraries across North America, Canada, Brazil, The Netherlands and Japan, Planetree is demonstrating that patient-centered care is not only an empowering philosophy, but a viable, vital, and cost-effective model of care.


This is a press release from Griffin Hospital. 

Women's Health Forum slated in Shelton

Denise Barajas, M.D.

SHELTON - Griffin Hospital and Women’s Health Center of Shelton are helping women get expert answers to their health questions with a free Women’s Health Forum at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 11 at Scinto Auditorium, 3 Corporate Drive.

Hosted by Dr. Denise Barajas, breast surgeon and medical director of the Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness at Griffin Hospital, this interactive, informative and supportive community health event will feature a panel of health experts who will provide a complete picture — from prevention to diagnosis to treatment — for a wide range of women’s health topics, including breast health, pelvic floor dysfunction, colon cancer, gynecologic wellness, cardiac rehabilitation and heart health, diabetes, and hypertension.

Attendees will be invited and encouraged to ask health questions to the panel (anonymously, if preferred) and join in the discussion.

Panelists include: Dr. Elizabeth Arbia, primary care physician; Dr. Xiaolan Fei, OBGYN; Dr. Julia Zakhaleva, colorectal surgeon; Dr. Andrea Silber, hematologist and oncologist; Dr. Joyce Chung, radiation oncologist; Dr. Stacey Bass, interventional radiologist; Nancy Corvigno and Lauren Toth, physical therapists; Eunice Lisk, cardiac rehabilitation specialist; and Melissa Mitri, registered dietician-nutritionist.

To register, call 203-732-1511 or visit griffinhealth.org/events.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Griffin Hospital in Derby marks cardiac rehab week

This week, Feb. 8-14, is Cardiac Rehabilitation Week.