Griffin Health Cardiac Rehab in Derby to mark National Wear Red Day

DERBY - Happy Heart Month!

Griffin Health Cardiac Rehabilitation is celebrating National Wear Red Day Friday, Feb. 7 to raise awareness about cardiovascular disease in women and help save lives.

Cardiovascular disease is the No. 1 killer of women.

Members of the Cardiac Rehab team will be accepting $5 donations for red dress pins, red dress magnets, and Wear Red bracelets on Feb. 7 outside the Griffin Hospital Dining Room from 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

All proceeds will benefit the American Heart Association. If you can’t make a donation at Griffin, you can donate directly to the American Heart Association at www.goredforwomen.org.

For more information about Griffin's Cardiac Rehabilitation program visit https://www.griffinhealth.org/trea.../cardiac-rehabilitation.

For more information about Griffin Faculty Physicians Cardiology Specialists, visit https://gfp.griffinhealth.org/specialty-care/cardiology.

#goredday #griffinhealth #cardiovascularhealth #goredforwomen

This is shared from Griffin Hospital's Facebook page.

Griffin Center for Healthy Living in Shelton offers weight-loss tool kit

Weight-Loss Toolkit - A Well-Being Program is a free, evidence-based healthy eating and active living curriculum for adults based on Eating Smart, Being Active ©.
Curriculum content is based on the latest research findings from the American Dietary Guidelines and was written by educators at Colorado State University. 

The lesson content emphasizes tools for sustained weight loss, such as creating individualized meal plans and viewing weight loss exercises.

The program is designed to ensure participants learn what it means to lead a healthy life, including concepts like physical activity, food preparation, cooking and shopping skill development, and food safety. Nutrition education for chronic disease management is integrated into every class.

This session at Griffin Faculty Physicians Family Health Care Center, 110 Commerce Drive,  Shelton includes virtual and in-person classes. 

The session runs from 7-8:30 p.m. Thursdays, Jan. 19 and 26, and Feb. 2, 9, 16, and 23.

To register or for more information, contact The Griffin Center for Healthy Living Coordinator at 203-732-1369.

This is shared from Griffin Health's website. 

Grateful for my kidney transplant on PKD Awareness Day (and every day)

I have Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease - it runs in my father's family. He and four of his five siblings suffered from it; he was on dialysis for five years back in the 1970s. 

From the PKD Foundation website:

"ADPKD is one of the most common, life-threatening genetic diseases. 

"In ADPKD, fluid-filled cysts develop and enlarge in both kidneys, eventually leading to kidney failure. It’s the fourth leading cause of kidney failure, and more than 50% of people with ADPKD will develop kidney failure by age 50. Once a person has kidney failure, dialysis or a transplant are the only options.

"Unlike some genetic diseases, ADPKD doesn’t skip a generation, meaning it often affects many people in one family."

In May 2017 I was extremely fortunate to receive a kidney from an altruistic donor, Robin Gilmartin of West Hartford. At that time I was very close to starting dialysis treatments. 

I can never thank her enough for her wonderful gift! Ever grateful!

Connecticut offers coronavirus information call center

Sharing information from state on coronavirus

For the latest info here's a link to the state's website: https://portal.ct.gov/coronavirus

Bike night at Valley Diner in Derby to raise funds for girl with rare disease

Yale, Griffin receive funding from CDC for Prevention Research Center

Rafael Pérez-Escamilla, Ph.D. 

DERBY - The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has awarded the Yale School of Public Health and Griffin Hospital up to $3.75 million over the next five years for its Prevention Research Center.

This award will help the PRC continue its mission to prevent chronic disease, while expanding to include prevention research in the digital age. In the next five years, the PRC will assess the feasibility and health impacts of offering a technology-based application of the Diabetes Prevention Program facilitated by community health workers and hospital-based community nurses to low-income adults at risk for type 2 diabetes in New Haven and the Lower Naugatuck Valley towns of Ansonia and Derby.    

The PRC’s founding director, Dr. David L. Katz, said the funding will allow the PRC’s vital work in the greater New Haven area to continue. The award begins Sept. 30.

“We have been honored to work these past 20 years not just for, but with our community partners, exploring ways to prevent chronic disease and promote health both here in Connecticut, and around the country and world,” Katz said. “We couldn't be more delighted that this renewal of CDC's support allows us to continue this important work - and we are excited about the promise of new advances to come.”

The Yale-Griffin PRC was established in 1998 as a partnership between the Yale School of Public Health and Griffin Hospital located in Derby, Conn. Over the past three years, the PRC has expanded that partnership to include Southern Connecticut State University’s School of Health and Human Services.

The new PRC Principal Investigator, Professor Rafael Pérez-Escamilla from the Yale School of Public Health said he is very proud of this CDC award “as it represents a very unique opportunity to understand how to best empower low-income individuals manage their type 2 diabetes through trusted community health workers with support from information technology,” Pérez-Escamilla said.

The Yale School of Public Health/Yale-Griffin PRC is one of 25 CDC-funded PRCs nationwide working as a network to conduct disease prevention research focused on addressing underserved, minority, and other populations with diseases, health hazards, and risk factors that could benefit from prevention programs and strategies.  

In addition to its community-based health promotion and disease prevention research funded by the CDC and other sources, the Yale-Griffin PRC also conducts clinical research to investigate the role of nutrition in promoting health and preventing chronic diseases.

Since its inception, the Yale-Griffin PRC has played a role in securing at least 113 grants, totaling at least $25 million from federal, state, foundation, and industry sponsors. 

For more information, see the Yale-Griffin PRC and the Yale School of Public Health. 

Authorized by Congress in 1984, the Prevention Research Centers are a network of research centers that are university-based and serve a vital role within the public health system. The 2019-2024 PRC network includes 25 funded institutions. PRCs are leaders at the scientific forefront of translating and implementing evidence-based programs. 

To learn more, visit the CDC’s Prevention Research Center website at www.cdc.gov/prc.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Shelton woman, 32, seeks liver donor to help save her life

Colon cancer is topic of March 25 talk at Griffin Hospital in Derby

DERBY - Griffin Hospital will host an in-depth overview on colon cancer prevention and treatment options from 7-8:30 p.m. March 25 at the hospital. 

Gastroenterologists Dr. Harold Schwartz and colorectal surgeon Dr. Daniel Lavy will present “Colon Cancer: From Prevention to Cure,” a comprehensive presentation on colon cancer including the extent of the disease, risk factors, prevention and screening, and therapeutic and surgical options. 
Both doctors will be available for questions at the end of the presentation.

Colorectal cancer is the third most commonly-diagnosed cancer and the second leading cause of cancer death - colon cancer. 
Colorectal cancer affects men and women equally, and people of all races and nationalities, and the lifetime risk of being diagnosed with colorectal cancer is about one in 20. 
With early screening and testing, colon cancer is preventable, treatable and beatable.

Refreshments will be served. The hospital is at 130 Division St.

For more information or to reserve a spot, contact Donna SanGiovanni, at dsangiovanni@griffinhealth.org or 203-736-9919.


This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Shelton woman with liver disease seeks living donor

Sharing message from Kimberly Zito of Shelton: 
Did you know that you can donate a part of your liver and help save a life? 
It is also the only organ in the human body that can fully regenerate on its own. 

Kimberly Zito

I unfortunately need a liver transplant at the age of 32. 
I was born with a liver disease that has unfortunately become worse in the past year and am looking for someone who might be a match and willing to help save my life. 

There would be no cost to you as my insurance will take care of the medical bills. 
If interested please call the center for living donors at Yale New Haven Hospital at 866-925-3897 and reference my name. 
Please share with your family and friends to help spread the word. Thank you!

Griffin Hospital in Derby to host program for Alzheimer's caregivers

DERBY - Griffin Hospital and the Alzheimer’s Association will host a free two-part series for caregivers of those with late-stage Alzheimer’s on Oct. 9 and Nov. 13 at the hospital, 130 Division St.

In the late stage of Alzheimer’s disease, caregiving typically involves new ways of connecting and interacting with the person with the disease. 

This two-part series will feature stories of caregivers and professionals about resources, monitoring care, and providing meaningful connection for the person with late-stage Alzheimer’s and their families.

All talks will be from 6-7:30 p.m. in the hospital dining room. A light dinner will be served.

Space is limited and registration is required for each talk. 

To register, call Esther Jones, of Griffin Hospital’s Community Outreach and Valley Parish Nursing Program, at 203-732-1523.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Griffin Hospital in Derby to host free 'Mini-Med School'

Learn anatomy, disease prevention, more

Griffin Hospital will offer its free “Mini-Med School” starting Sept. 6./ Contributed photo 

DERBY - Griffin Hospital is accepting registrations for its free, 10-week “Mini-Med School” course that begins Sept. 6.

Specifically designed for the layperson with little or no medical background, Mini-Med School provides a unique opportunity to gain a greater understanding of how the human body works, insight into common disorders of the various organ systems, as well as information about disease prevention.

This free course will be conducted over 10 consecutive weekly sessions. 

Griffin Hospital physicians serve as faculty, covering a wide range of topics, including: Anatomy and Physiology; Primary Care; Cardiology; Endocrinology; Orthopedics; Pulmonology; Gastroenterology; Nephrology; Neurology; Oncology and Hematology; Cardio-Thoracic Surgery; Ophthalmology; Gynecology; Urology; Rheumatology; Dermatology; and General Surgery. 

Each weekly session will be divided into two hour-long presentations on different medical topics, with a refreshment break between presentations and ample time for questions and answers.

The program meets Thursdays from 6:30-9 p.m. in the hospital’s Meditation and Learning Center, 130 Division St. 

The Mini-Med School will culminate with a “graduation” ceremony for participants Nov. 15. 
The course is comprehensive and the knowledge base is cumulative, so those participants who attend all sessions will gain the most benefit.

There is no fee to enroll in the Mini-Med School, but space is limited; early registration is encouraged. 

To register, visit the events calendar at griffinhealth.org or call 203-732-1511.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital. 

Bike night fundraiser for local child slated at Valley Diner in Derby

Recuperation journey: Spreading awareness of 2 disorders

I decided to post the above chart that delineates between Muscular Dystrophy and Multiple Sclerosis because my husband Ralph suffers from a form of MD, Limb Girdle. 
And there are more than 30 kinds of Limb Girdle. 

Often when people meet Ralph they mistakenly think he has Multiple Sclerosis. 
I hope this chart helps to raise awareness of both of these disorders.

Griffin Hospital in Derby seeks volunteers for retinal study

Yale-Griffin Prevention Research Center is seeking volunteers for retinopathy study./ Contributed photo

DERBY - The Yale-Griffin Prevention Research Center, located at Griffin Hospital, 130 Division St., is seeking volunteers for a study on retinopathy.

The study open to anyone over 18 years of age who has not had an eye exam for a year. Further eligibility will be assessed before the eye screening.

Participants will have a free eye exam in which images of their eyes are taken and an eye specialist reviews the images for any signs of diseases or conditions, specifically retinopathy, which usually does not have any symptoms. Retinopathy is a common eye disease in the United States and is a leading cause of blindness. 
People with certain conditions are at risk for developing retinopathy and should be screened every year.

To see if you qualify or for more information, contact Aisha Khan at 203-732-1265 ext: 223 or akhan@griffinhealth.org.

About The Yale-Griffin Prevention Research Center
The Yale-Griffin Prevention Research Center is committed to research pertaining to the primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention of chronic disease that is responsive to the priorities of the Lower Naugatuck Valley residents, the residents of Connecticut’s major cities, and other communities throughout the state. 

The center is dedicated to participatory research methods, to a robust research agenda inclusive of developmental/determinant, intervention, and translational research; to community involvement in public health; to the eradication of disparities in health and health care in the communities served; and to the dissemination of effective interventions in support of the national objectives of Healthy People 2010.


This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Saturday is Limb-Girdle Muscular Dystrophy Awareness Day

I'm sharing because Saturday is a meaningful day for me and my husband, Ralph, since he suffers from this debilitating disease. 

Although it's hereditary he is the only one of seven siblings to be afflicted. 
Thankfully Ralph's five sisters and one brother escaped it.  

Over the years people have asked why Ralph needs to use a wheelchair. Many assume he was in an accident. 
But no, the truth is he has a progressive disease that brings with it a whole different, unique way of life.

Raising awareness is always a good thing to do.

Recuperation journey: PKD Awareness Day

I received an email this morning that reminded me today is PKD Awareness Day, so of course I had to post about it.

Polycystic Kidney Disease is a genetic, life-threatening illness that affects about 600,000 Americans. There is currently no cure.

I inherited PKD from my father's side of the family. I've named the disease "the curse of the McDonalds."

In addition to my father, four of his siblings and many of my cousins have suffered with PKD.

A cousin and a first cousin once removed have had successful transplants, and since May I've become part of that exclusive family club.

I was extremely fortunate on May 9 to have received a kidney from an altruistic donor and lovely person, Robin Gilmartin.

As I've said more than a thousand times, I can't thank her enough! 

Griffin Hospital in Derby to offer Mini-Med School course

DERBY - Griffin Hospital is accepting registrations for its free, 10-week “Mini-Med School” course that begins Sept. 14.

Specifically designed for the layperson with little or no medical background, Mini-Med School provides a unique opportunity to gain a greater understanding of how the human body works, insight into common disorders of the various organ systems, as well as information about disease prevention.

This free course will be conducted over 10 consecutive weekly sessions. 

Griffin Hospital physicians serve as faculty, covering a wide range of topics, including: Anatomy and Physiology; Primary Care; Cardiology; Endocrinology; Orthopedics; Pulmonology; Gastroenterology; Nephrology; Neurology; Oncology and Hematology; Otolaryngology; Ophthalmology; Gynecology; Urology; Rheumatology; Dermatology; and General Surgery. 

Each weekly session will be divided into two hour-long presentations on different medical topics, with a refreshment break between presentations and ample time for questions and answers.

The program meets Thursdays from 6:30–9 p.m. in the hospital’s Meditation and Learning Center, 130 Division St. The Mini-Med School will culminate with a “graduation” ceremony for participants Nov. 16. 

The course is comprehensive and the knowledge base is cumulative, so those participants who attend all sessions will gain the most benefit.

There is no fee to enroll in the Mini-Med School, but space is limited, so early registration is encouraged. 

To register, visit the events calendar at griffinhealth.org or call 203-732-1511.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Griffin Hospital in Derby offers Wellness for Life program

Griffin Hospital is offering its 12-week lifestyle change program starting Sept. 26./ Contributed photo

DERBY - Griffin Hospital is helping individuals make the change for a healthier life this fall with its Wellness for Life program.

Wellness for Life is a 12-week, evidence-based lifestyle change program that helps prevent and treat many chronic diseases. 

According to a report by the US Department of Health and Human Services, 80 percent of chronic diseases, like obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and high cholesterol, can be prevented with better lifestyle choices in nutrition, activity, and emotional health.

Starting Sept. 26 from 6-8:30 p.m., the program offers a custom fitness evaluation, a wellness visit with a physician, individual nutritional guidance, one-on-one coaching, group physical activity, and small, interactive health seminars and discussions so participants can make a commitment to a healthier life. 

Each participant also receives a Fitbit, which helps track participants’ activity, sleep patterns and food intake.

“Making changes for a healthy lifestyle isn’t easy – it requires one-on-one guidance and on-going support,” said Wellness for Life Co-Director Eunice Lisk. “This program helps people assess their lifestyle, provides them with a personalized plan to increase vitality and gives one-on-one and group support every step of the way to better health.”

Wellness for Life focuses on hands-on learning, featuring an activity monitor, behavioral change coaching, and weekly group sessions to promote healthy weight management, better sleep and energy, chronic disease prevention/management, and increased personal strength and resilience.

Since its start in 2015, Wellness for Life graduates have reported increased knowledge, skills, and confidence in making lifestyle changes (physical activity, stress management, nutrition, resilience), and the program has received high satisfaction scores from participants in meeting expectations and for presentations by the expert speakers.

Wellness for Life meets on Tuesday from 6-8:30 p.m. at The Center for Cancer Care at Griffin Hospital, 350 Seymour Ave.

For more information about Wellness for Life, visit griffinhealth.org or call Program Director Eunice Lisk, MS, at 203-732-7107. 

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Wellness for Life program slated at Griffin Hospital in Derby

Griffin Hospital is offering its lifestyle change program Wellness for Life starting June 13./ Contributed photo

DERBY - Griffin Hospital is helping individuals make the change for a healthier life this summer with its Wellness for Life program.

Wellness for Life is a 12-week, evidence-based lifestyle change program that helps prevent and treat many chronic diseases. 
According to a report by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 80 percent of chronic diseases, like obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and high cholesterol, can be prevented with better lifestyle choices in nutrition, activity and emotional health.

Starting June 13 from 1-3:30 p.m., the program offers a custom fitness evaluation, individual nutritional guidance, one-on-one coaching, and small, interactive health seminars so participants can make a commitment to a healthier life. 

Each participant also receives a Fitbit, which helps track participants’ activity, sleep patterns and food intake.

“Making changes for a healthy lifestyle isn’t easy – it requires one-on-one guidance and on-going support,” said Wellness for Life Program Director Eunice Lisk. “This program helps people assess their lifestyle, provides them with a personalized plan to increase vitality and gives one-on-one and group support every step of the way to better health.”

Wellness for Life focuses on hands-on learning, featuring an activity monitor, health coaching, and weekly group sessions to establish healthy weight control, lowered cholesterol and blood pressure, better sleep and energy, and increased personal strength and resilience.

Since its start in 2015, Wellness for Life participants have seen significant weight loss and reductions in blood pressure, and the program has received high satisfaction scores from participants in meeting expectations and for presentations by the expert speakers.

Wellness for Life meets on Tuesdays from 1-3:30 p.m. at the new Occupational Medicine and Rehabilitation Center, 10 Progress Drive, Shelton.

For more information about Wellness for Life, visit griffinhealth.org or call Program Director Eunice Lisk, MS, at 203-732-7107.


This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.