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.

Griffin Health caregiver honored with inaugural Guiding Light Award

Christine Halkiopoulos

DERBY - Christine Halkiopoulos of Shelton, a Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer at Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness at Griffin Hospital, was recently honored with the National Consortium of Breast Centers inaugural Guiding Light Award.

Awarded on Dec. 9, National Oncology Navigator’s Day, the NCBC Guiding Light Award is a tribute to those who illuminate the path for patients, breaking down barriers to care and ensuring no one navigates their journey alone.

“Navigators make the cancer journey less overwhelming and more hopeful—this is 

about celebrating their extraordinary impact,” said NCBC Executive Director Kimberly Samuels.

A caregiver at Griffin for three years, Halkiopoulos was nominated by both a colleague and her supervisor to spotlight the exceptional empathy and support she gives to all of her patients.

“Christine is known for her warmth, empathy, and ability to turn even the most anxious biopsy day into one filled with ease, connection, and laughter,” said Griffin Health Diagnostic Imaging Site Manager Ashley Schneider. “Her rare clinical expertise, paired with her gift for making people feel seen and safe, makes her a standout in every sense."

Oncology navigators are essential in the cancer care continuum. Whether bridging gaps in care, connecting patients to critical resources, or providing emotional and psychosocial support, their role is vital to improving outcomes and ensuring that no one faces cancer alone. Navigators play an important role in improving access to timely, quality care, reducing healthcare disparities, promoting patient-centered outcomes, and in elevating the standard of cancer support services.

About The Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness at Griffin Hospital

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.

Griffin Hospital in Derby recognizes health care heroism of nurse

DERBY - Griffin Health Nurse Michael Fusaro, LPN, of Fairfield, was recently recognized for his heroic actions to save a life with the 2025 Connecticut Healthcare Association’s Healthcare Heroes Award.

The Award celebrates and recognizes the invaluable contributions of exceptional health care workers, both to their field and to the community at large.  

After finishing an overnight shift at Griffin Hospital, Fusaro was headed home when he saw a car crash near the hospital entrance. 

Without hesitation, he ran toward the wreck. Seeing that the driver was unresponsive, he pulled the man from the car, checked for a pulse, and immediately began CPR in the hospital driveway. 

As the Griffin Hospital Emergency Department team rushed a gurney to the scene, Fusaro never stopped performing CPR, climbing onto the gurney and continuing chest compressions while the patient was being moved through the parking lot, the hospital lobby, and into the ED.

The team fought to stabilize the patient’s failing heart. When several interventions didn’t restore the patient’s heartbeat, they made one final effort - administering medication to dissolve clots blocking blood flow. Moments later, the patient’s heart began to beat again.

“Mike’s actions, driven by compassion and instinct, were not part of his shift that day - they are part of who he is,” the nomination for Fusaro stated. “Mike’s commitment to putting patients first doesn’t end when he’s off the clock, or even when help arrives on the scene.

“Thanks to Mike, and the dedicated caregivers who continued his heroic work in the ED, a family was able to share the holidays. As the patient’s wife said, ‘Because of Griffin, we were able to celebrate Christmas together as a family. You saved my soulmate.’”

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Griffin Health caregiver receives Spirit of Planetree Award honor

DERBY - Griffin Health caregiver Kimberly Kozlowski of North Haven was recently awarded the 2025 Spirit of Planetree Award at the organization’s 53^rd Annual Employee Service Awards.

The Griffin Health Spirit of Planetree Award honors caregivers whose attitudes and deeds inspire others to greater heights and have advanced Griffin’s person-centered care efforts. Kozlowski will also be recognized at Planetree’s annual conference to be held in Baltimore, Md, this fall.

A licensed clinical social worker at Griffin for more than seven years, Kozlowski serves as the lead crisis clinician and advocate for Griffin’s Population Health Department. 

Known for her exceptional compassion and dedication to her patients, she recently went above and beyond to care for a young patient with disabilities in the Griffin Hospital Emergency Department, ensuring the patient felt loved, protected, and comforted during a very challenging and prolonged stay.

“Kimberly’s leadership has transformed Griffin’s pediatric/adolescent ED protocols to better address patient’s social determinants of health, positively impacting Griffin and its community,” the nomination for Kozlowski stated. “She also founded a kindergarten Girl Scout troop and launched a project to create touching “get well” cards for our patients, helping to empower the next generation of leaders.”

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 health care 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. 

For more information, visit www.planetree.org.

This is a press release from Griffin Health. 

Masonicare at Wesley Heights in Shelton to offer Alzheimer’s Association series

SHELTON - Masonicare at Wesley Heights is proud to partner with the Alzheimer’s Association this spring to offer "The Empowered Caregiver," an educational series designed to empower caregivers in navigating the responsibilities of caring for someone living with dementia. 

Attendees will receive valuable tips on understanding key aspects of caregiving, managing finances, supporting independence, communicating effectively, responding to dementia-related behaviors, and exploring available care and support services.

Join us for this three-part series on Tuesday evenings in May from 5:30-7 p.m.

• Tuesday, May 13: Supporting Independence

• Tuesday, May 20: Communicating Effectively

• Tuesday, May 27: Exploring Care and Support Services

  All sessions will take place at Masonicare at Wesley Heights, an independent and assisted living community, located at 580 Long Hill Ave. A light dinner will be provided. Attendance at all three sessions is encouraged but not required. Register for one, two or all three sessions by contacting Lisa Bisson at lbisson@masonicare.org or 203-225-5027. RSVPs are required; space is limited.

  Individuals interested in learning more about Masonicare’s memory support community, Lifestyle Transitions at Wesley Heights, are invited to arrive early on May 20 for a brief tour and an introduction to the community’s dementia care program. Please note your interest in this option when replying to reserve your tour.

  About the Alzheimer's Association

  The Alzheimer’s Association is a worldwide voluntary health organization dedicated to Alzheimer’s care, support and research. Our mission is to lead the way to end Alzheimer’s and all other dementia by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support. Our vision is a world without Alzheimer's and all other dementia®. 

  About Masonicare:

  Masonicare is Connecticut's leading not-for-profit provider of senior living and healthcare services, offering a complete continuum of care tailored to meet the diverse needs of older adults. Visit alz.org or call our 24/7 Helpline at 800.272.3900 for more information.

• Services range from independent and assisted living and memory care to skilled nursing, rehabilitation, senior behavioral health, medical and non-medical home health care, hospice, and palliative care. 

• Driven by a mission devoted to service excellence, Masonicare is committed to providing compassionate, personalized care that evolves with the needs of the seniors they serve. To learn more, visit masonicare.org or call 888.332.0033.

This is a press release from Masonicare at Wesley Heights in Shelton.

Griffin Health caregiver named to prestigious 40 under 40 list

Bryan Bostic

 DERBY - Griffin Health caregiver Bryan Bostic of Ansonia was recently named to the 2024 Westfair Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 list for his compassion and devotion as a health care professional and for commitment to his community.

The 40 under 40 recognition is given to individuals between the ages of 25 and 40 years old who are leaders in Fairfield County’s business growth.

Bostic has been a caregiver at Griffin Health for 16 years, starting as a patient transport dispatcher. 

While working at Griffin, Bryan enrolled at Southern Connecticut State University and proudly earned a BA in Business Administration in May 2016.

When the COVID-19 pandemic struck, Bostic was called to serve as Griffin’s Laboratory Call Center Lead, where he helped maintain 126 skilled nursing facility accounts during Connecticut Department of Public Health COVID-19 Testing Program. 

This career move led to Bostic becoming a laboratory account representative, managing 50 accounts for skilled nursing facilities. In January of 2024, he was elevated to employee wellness navigator, providing fellow Griffin caregivers with guidance on high-quality health care options to maximize their savings.

For his exemplary patient-centered work during the COVID-19 pandemic, Bostic was named Griffin’s 2020 Employee of the Year. The award was the culmination of several Employee of the Month awards and a Planetree Spirit of Caring Award in 2018 that reflect Bostic’s leadership at Griffin, including serving on Griffin’s Planetree Steering and Thankful Thursdays committee.

Bostic is also a distinguished 2022 Graduate of the Leadership Greater Valley Program, an 8-week intensive community leadership program sponsored by the Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce, where he was a great contributor. He currently serves on FUEL, the Advisory Board of the Chamber's Young Professionals Group.

“Bryan is truly a devoted, compassionate and award-winning health care professional who has made an indelible mark on all those that he comes in contact with,” the nomination for Bryan stated. “Bryan is deeply admired and respected by his colleagues at Griffin Health and serves as a model for others to emulate. His warm smile and engaging personality sets Bryan apart and has endeared him to others.”

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Wesley Village in Shelton to host living with dementia caregiver series

About Wesley Village: Wesley Village senior living campus is located at 580 Long Hill Ave., Shelton and is part of United Methodist Homes, a local not-for-profit organization. 

The Wesley Village campus offers independent and assisted living, enhanced assisted living, early memory support, skilled nursing and short-term rehab. 

To learn more about Crosby Commons, Wesley Heights, Lifestyle Transitions, or Bishop Wicke Health Center, visit our website or contact us at 203.225.5024. 

To become part of the Wesley Village team, visit our website at: https://www.umh.org/career-opportunities-at-umh.

Alzheimer’s Association CT Chapter:

The Alzheimer's Association leads the way to end Alzheimer's and all other dementia — by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support. 

For more information about the Alzehimer’s Association or to find community resources, click here or visit https://www.alz.org/ct. 

This is a press release from Wesley Village.

Oxford Public Library to host program on dementia care home safety

 

Relay for Life to host survivor, caregiver luncheon at Nolan Field in Ansonia

 

Seymour Community Services to host virtual caregiver support group

Shared from Seymour Community Services' Facebook page:

"Everyday millions of Americans do the incredibly important but undervalued work of caring for aging parents, grandparents, spouses, siblings, and loved ones with illness or disability.
According to research studies, the two most commonly cited needs of caregivers are someone talk with who will listen to them non-judgmentally and time for themselves." 

Taking Names for Interest List - Group to start in January. 

During the pandemic meetings will take place virtually. Group will be surveyed for best date and time. Minimum of 6 people to run group.

Everyday millions of Americans do the incredibly important but undervalued work of caring for aging parents, grandparents, spouses, siblings and loved ones with illness or disability.  According to research studies, the two most commonly cited needs of caregivers are someone to talk with who will listen to them non-judgmentally and time for themselves.

Learn more and click here to register 

About the Group
* During the Pandemic meetings will take place virtually.
* Group will be surveyed for best date and time.
* Minimum Of 6 people to run group 
* A Free, monthly program for Caregivers of any age 
* Learn Valuable tips to make everyday life a bit easier 
* Socialize and talk with other family caregivers
* Recreation & Educational programs by guest speakers and instructors
About the Facilitator:
* Ann (Nancy) Rhodes APRN -BC Author / Speaker
* Author of Caregiver Success    
* Owner of Mobile Family Health Nurse
* Follow her on YouTube, Twitter, and Instagram at CaregiverSuccess how to videos
Facebook.com/caregiversuccess for teaching aids and speaking event.

This group is made possible through the Community Service Department and a grant from the Matthias Foundation. Once we understand the interest a survey will be sent to determine the best day and time for the participants. 

Ann Rhodes, APRN-BC, Bio

Ann (Nancy) Rhodes, APRN-BC, is a nurse practitioner who has worked in home care and house calls for over 40 years. She saw the need to organize a book that could provide practical medical tips and tools to solve common medical problems she regularly encountered in the home that could prevent unnecessary hospitalizations and suffering.

In the self-published book "Caregiver Success", available on Amazon.com and at www.caregiversuccess.com, released on February 20, 2020, Rhodes offers information to empower you or your lord one so you can stay out of the hospital possibly helping to reduce medical crises, and have a better quality of life.

Preliminary Agenda

• January - Meet and greet, Tips for Managing through COVID-19
• February- Taking Care of the Caregiver
• March- Fall Prevention. Tips and tools
• April- Advanced Directive- do you have one?
• May- Finding resources in your community
• June- Open Forum 

Griffin Hospital in Derby to host talk for caregivers of special needs students

DERBY - The Community Health Resource Center at Griffin Hospital will host a free talk to help caregivers of students with special needs advocate for their loved ones' education at 6:30 p.m. May 9.

Kevin Daly, Health Care Information Specialist with PATH Parent to Parent/Family Voices of Connecticut, will lead “The ‘Soft Skills’ of Special Education Advocacy,” a presentation for parents of students with disabilities who want to sharpen their advocacy skills. 

Topics include: best practices for school-home communications; how to get involved in the decision making process; how to prepare for school meetings (including PPT and 504); obtaining a free copy of your child’s school records; where to find help when you need it.

Daly has worked as a special education advocate with hundreds of Connecticut families for more than 20 years.

PATH/FVCT is a statewide grassroots parent organization that has been around for over 30 years. 

PATH/FVCT is dedicated to offering excellence in emotional and informational support to families, promote partnerships with families of diverse backgrounds and collaborate with healthcare providers and community organizations to improve services and policies that serve our children. 

PATH/FVCT has the support of two of the largest networks of families of children with unique abilities and special health care needs.

Free educational forums

This program is part of a series of free, educational forums hosted by the Community Health Resource Center in an effort to help improve the health of the community. 

To register or for more information, call Kerry or Deborah at 203-732-7399. The hospital is at 130 Division St.

The Community Health Resource Center at Griffin Hospital is a traditional library that provides an array of medical and health information, including a large collection of easy to read health and lifestyle related materials. 

The Center is open to the public to educate themselves on ways to enhance their well-being, prevent illness, and play an active role in decisions about their health.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Recuperation journey: Sleep, glorious sleep

As the saying goes, laughter is the best medicine.

I do agree, and add that sleep is a close second.
I've been really tired lately - medication interrupts my sleep - and the exhaustion kinda caught up with me. 
I'm sure many readers can relate. Children, work, stress, worry, can really hinder our all-important sleep. 

This week I was lucky enough to able to take afternoon naps as a way to revive myself. And today I finally feel more normal.

As a full-time caregiver for husband Ralph I know I won't be able to properly take care of him if I'm not feeling up to par. 
And then, of course, there is our needy cat. It seems Linus always needs something from me.  

So I let myself take the time to rest instead of crossing things off my daily to-do list. And I didn't even feel guilty about it!