Griffin Hospital in Derby to host talk on post-discharge health, safety

The Community Health Resource Center at Griffin Hospital will host a free talk on what patients and caregivers need to know when they leave the hospital./ Contributed photo

DERBY - The Community Health Resource Center at Griffin Hospital will host a free presentation about what patients and caregivers need to know when they go home from the hospital at 6:30 p.m. June 15.

“Here to Home” is a comprehensive overview of information and the important safeguards patients and their loved ones need to consider when transitioning back home from a hospital stay. The presentation will help keep patients and caregivers safe and healthy as well as provide the confidence needed to navigate this relatively difficult time in the healing process.

The presentation will feature experts speaking about Case Management, Home Safety, Medical Alert Services, Medications, and Nutrition. 

The discussions will also highlight Griffin’s instructional videos about this transition, which can be found at griffinhealth.org/inpatient-care.

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.

Griffin Hospital in Derby to host meditation program

Contributed photo

DERBY - Griffin Hospital’s Community Health Resource Center will host a free program on meditation at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 24.

Janice Lautier, director of Spiritual Care and Education at Griffin Hospital, will present "Finding Peace," an interactive demonstration of how meditation can help individuals achieve tranquility.

There also will  be an opportunity to participate in a group meditation.

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, 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.

Learn skills for special education advocacy at Griffin Hospital in Derby

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. Oct. 23.

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 over 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.

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 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.

Griffin Hospital in Derby to host free talk on Medicare

The Community Health Resource Center at Griffin Hospital will host a free presentation on Medicare and related health care decisions Sept. 25./ Contributed photo

DERBY - The Community Health Resource Center at Griffin Hospital will host a free presentation on Medicare and related health care decisions from 10-11:30 a.m. Sept. 25.

Joe Deegan, a counselor for Connecticut’s programs for Health insurance, Outreach, Information and Eligibility Screening (CHOICES), will host “Medicare CHOICES,” a presentation to help older adults and those eligible for Medicare and their caregivers make informed health insurance decisions and to help prevent, detect and report health care fraud and abuse. There will be information on Medicare, Medigap, Medicare Managed Care, Medicaid, Long Term Care Insurance and other related state and federal programs.

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 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.

Griffin Hospital in Derby to host free talk on child safety

The Community Health Resource Center at Griffin Hospital will host a talk about child safety July 31./ Contributed photo

DERBY - The Community Health Resource Center at Griffin Hospital will host a free talk about child safety at 10:30 a.m. July 31.

Safe Kids Greater Naugatuck Valley Coalition Coordinator Cathi Kellett will present “Keeping Your Kids Safe,” a discussion about water safety, car seat safety, and poison prevention (medication safety).

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, 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.

Learn stress-relieving technique at Griffin Hospital in Derby

Contributed photo

The Community Health Resource Center at Griffin Hospital will host a talk June 7 about a stress-relieving Emotional Freedom Technique known as “tapping."

DERBY - The Community Health Resource Center at Griffin Hospital will host a free talk about a stress-relieving Emotional Freedom Technique at 10:30 a.m. June 7.

Stacey Altomari, a certified EFT Level 1 & 2 practitioner, will discuss how EFT, also known as “tapping,” can help individuals lower stress, and improve focus and sleep. 

EFT is a non-invasive and painless technique that combines acupressure and modern psychology to help a person feel calm and safe.

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 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.

Talk at Griffin Hospital in Derby to help caregivers of special needs children

DERBY - The Community Health Resource Center at Griffin Hospital will host a free talk about resources for caregivers of children and youth with special needs at 10 a.m. May 24. 

Carmina Cirioli and Nanfi Lubogo, co-executive directors of PATH Parent to Parent/Family Voices CT, will present their programs and provide resources and knowledge for families and caregivers of children and youth with special care needs.

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.

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, 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.

Advance care planning topic of talk at Griffin Hospital in Derby

The Community Health Resource Center at Griffin Hospital will host a talk April 18 on how to plan for future medical decisions./  Contributed photo

DERBY - The Community Health Resource Center at Griffin Hospital will host a free talk on how to plan for future healthcare and medical decisions at 10 a.m. April 18.

Griffin Hospital Advance Care Planning Coordinator Lynn Aiksnoras will present “Advance Care Planning: Honoring Health Care Choices,” an open discussion on the three stages of Advance Care Planning in which individuals discuss and decide their future health care wishes in the event that they are unable to speak for themselves.

ACP is a process of understanding, reflecting on and discussing individual goals, beliefs and values to determine a person’s overall wishes, should a time come when he or she cannot make them for him or herself. ACP ensures that patients’ healthcare wishes are respected by loved ones and health care providers. 

This process also gives comfort and reassurance to healthcare representatives, enabling them to clearly understand patients’ end-of-life preferences.

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 Community Health Resource Center at Griffin Hospital, 130 Division St., 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.

Staying active through gardening topic of talk at Griffin Hospital in Derby

Experienced horticulturalist Francine Vallillo will present “Constant Color in the Garden” March 20 at Griffin Hospital./ Contributed photo

DERBY - The Community Health Resource Center at Griffin Hospital will host a free talk about getting active through gardening March 20 at 6 p.m.

Experienced horticulturalist Francine Vallillo will present “Constant Color in the Garden,” providing tips for planning and planting a perennial flower garden that will bloom from spring to fall. 
The talk will include a list of perennials with the color, time of bloom, growth habits, unique foliage, and uses for each species, design elements for short to tall flowers and balancing the space, and a complete list of the plants suitable to take with you when purchasing plants.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention gardening is a moderate-intensity level activity, which the CDC recommends two and a half hours of each week to help prevent chronic health conditions.

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 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.

Podiatrist to speak about foot care at Griffin Hospital in Derby

Griffin Hospital to host a free talk on foot health March 1./ Contributed photo

DERBY - Griffin Hospital will host a talk on foot health and the benefits of seeing a podiatrist at 6 p.m. March 1 at the hospital.

Podiatrist John D. Schwerdt of Yale Podiatry Group in Shelton and Ansonia, will present “The Community Podiatrist: The Extraordinary Benefits of our Ordinary Services.” 

The talk will cover who podiatrists are and their training, routine foot care, diabetes and foot health, age-related foot problems, and other common foot issues such as plantar fasciitis, plantar warts, and neuromas.

This talk is part of Griffin Hospital's Healthy U program, a series of free wellness talks featuring Griffin Hospital medical experts and community partners providing trusted health information and answers to questions on a wide range of topics. 

Light refreshments will be served.

To reserve a spot or for more information, call 203-732-1511 or visit the calendar at griffinhealth.org.

The hospital is at 130 Division St. 

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Talk about low vision slated at Griffin Hospital in Derby

Griffin Hospital and Lions Club of Connecticut will host “Taking a Look at Low Vision,” a free talk, on Feb. 21./ Submitted photo 

DERBY - The Community Health Resource Center at Griffin Hospital will host “Taking a Look at Low Vision,” from 11 a.m.-noon Feb. 21.

The free talk will discuss Low Vision, its causes and therapy options. 

Low Vision is a chronic medical condition affecting one in six adults over 45 years of age in which an individual has a degree of vision loss that can no longer be corrected by eye glasses, medicine or surgery. 
Individuals with low vision are not blind; however, they often have difficulty using their remaining vision efficiently and effectively enough to complete needed activities.

Leslie Prescott, MS, OTR/L, Griffin Hospital Occupational Therapist Specializing in Low Vision Rehabilitation, will explain Low Vision and its causes, discuss rehabilitation options, and provide information about Griffin Hospital’s Lions Low Vision Center, which provides free adaptive equipment and devices.

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, 203-732-7399. The hospital is at 130 Division St.

For more information about the Lions Low Vision Center at Griffin Hospital’s Rehabilitation Services Department, call 203-732-7445 or visit griffinhealth.org or lionslowvisioncenters.org.

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.

Griffin Hospital in Derby to host talk on hypnosis, pain relief

The Community Health Resource Center at Griffin Hospital has slated a talk on hypnosis and pain relief Jan. 16./ Submitted photo

DERBY - The Community Health Resource Center at Griffin Hospital will host a free educational presentation on hypnosis and pain relief at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 16.

Ryan Jett, of Empowering the Mind Hypnosis, will present “Hypnosis & Pain,” a discussion of how hypnosis works and how it can help relieve pain, which can help keep individuals from treating pain with unhealthy methods such as drinking and drug abuse.

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

To register or for more information, call Kerry or Deborah, 203-732-7399.

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. 

The hospital is at 130 Division St.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Griffin Hospital in Derby to host talk about retirement planning

The Community Health Resource Center at Griffin Hospital will host a free presentation about retirement planning Nov. 14./ Contributed photo

DERBY - The Community Health Resource Center at Griffin Hospital, 130 Division St., will host a free presentation about retirement planning at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 14.

Michael Alimo and David Weyner of USA Financial and Tax Services, LLC, will host “Income Planning for Retirement,” a free presentation that helps individuals make a plan which will prevent them from outliving their money in retirement once the safety net of a job and salary is gone. 

Discussion topics include: How to calculate retirement needs; guaranteed sources of income; how to maximize Social Security to improve cash flow; pension options; and the acceptable rate of draw-down on retirement savings.

Educational forum

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

To register or for more information, call Kerry or Deborah at 203-732-7399.

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. 

Learn health benefits of volunteering at Griffin Hospital in Derby

Griffin Hospital to host a presentation about volunteering, such as shuttle driving./ Submitted photo

DERBY -The Community Health Resource Center at Griffin Hospital, 130 Division St., will host a free presentation about how volunteering can help individuals get or stay healthy from 1:30-3 p.m. Nov. 9.

Laura Murphy, Planetree Services Supervisor, will host “Realizing the Health Benefits of Volunteering,” a free presentation on how and why helping others can have a direct effect on a person’s physical, emotional and social being.

There also will  be information about the many volunteer opportunities at Griffin Hospital.

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

To register or for more information, call Kerry or Deborah at 203-732-7399.

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.

Griffin Hospital in Derby slates talk on staying healthy during holiday season

Submitted photo

DERBY - The Community Health Resource Center at Griffin Hospital, 130 Division St., will host a free presentation on taking control of your weight and health this holiday season and beyond Oct. 10 at 6:30 p.m.

Health & Weight Management Coach Sara Bye will present “Have Happy & Healthy Holidays,” an open discussion of seven tips to help manage stress and unhealthy temptations throughout the holiday season and stay on track for successful health and weight management for years to come. 

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

To register or for more information, call Kerry or Deborah at 203-732-7399.

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.

Griffin Hospital in Derby to host workshop on healing power of art

Griffin Hospital’s Community Health Resource Center to host “Unlock the Healing Power of Art”July 27./ Contributed photo



DERBY - Griffin Hospital’s Community Health Resource Center will host a free program on art and healing from 1-2 p.m. July 27 at the hospital, 130 Division St.

Melissa Healey, Planetree Services volunteer, will host “Unlock the Healing Power of Art,” a hands-on workshop about how to draw, its health benefits and what drawing can be used for in everyday life.

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 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.

Griffin Hospital in Derby to present 'Mindfulness and Meditation'

DERBY - Griffin Hospital’s Community Health Resource Center will host a free program on meditation from 12:30-1:30 p.m. July 17. 

The program will be held at the hospital, 130 Division St.

Laura Murphy, Planetree Services Supervisor, will host “Mindfulness and Meditation,” a discussion of these therapeutic practices and their health benefits. 

There will also be an opportunity to participate in a group meditation and mindfulness session.

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 for the program or for more information, call Kerry or Deborah at 203-732-7399. 

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.

Griffin Hospital in Derby to host workshop about reading

DERBY - Griffin Hospital’s Community Health Resource Center, 130 Division St., will host a Read to Grow workshop from 9-10:30 a.m. June 16 at the hospital.

Read to Grow Books for Babies Associate Diane Visconti, will present “Family summer reading workshop - funny, sunny and not a lot of money!” 

This workshop will explain how parents are their child’s first and most important teachers and how to prevent the “summer slide” (losing reading skills over the summer). Participants will have fun making books and will receive a free book as well. Parents and children of all ages welcomed.

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 for the program or for more information, call Kerry or Deborah, 203-732-7399. Please be sure to provide the age of your child when you register so they will receive a book for their age group.

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. 

Griffin Hospital in Derby to offer 2 programs on mental health

Griffin Hospital’s Community Health Resource Center will offer two programs on mental health in June. /Contributed photo

DERBY - Griffin Hospital’s Community Health Resource Center, 130 Division St. is offering two programs on mental health in June.

Dr. Ben Zigun, JD, MBA, chair of Griffin's Psychiatry Department, and Susan Cutillo, LCSW, LADC, MBA, director of Psychiatric Services will present “Let’s stamp out stigma: an overview of behavioral services at Griffin Hospital” on June 13 at 6 p.m. 

This talk is open to the community and will cover general topics in mental health as well as behavioral health services offered at Griffin Hospital.

On June 24 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., John Saccu, director of the Derby Bureau of Youth Services, and Lorrie McFarland, master level prevention educator with the Alliance for Prevention & Wellness, will present “Mental Health First Aid,” an eight-hour training course for those caring for individuals with behavioral health issues. 

The program teaches: 

Risk factors and warning signs of mental health concerns; Information on depression, anxiety, trauma, psychosis, and substance abuse; A five-step action plan to help someone developing a mental health concern or crisis; and Available evidence-based professional, peer, and self-help resources.

These programs are 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, 203-732-7399.

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.

Griffin Hospital In Derby to host forum on advance care planning

Griffin Hospital to host a workshop on how to plan for future health care./ Contributed photo 

DERBY - The Community Health Resource Center at Griffin Hospital, 130 Division St., will host a free presentation on how to plan for future health care and medical decisions at 5:30 p.m. April 6.

Diane Betkoski, MS, RD, director of Planetree Programs and Services at Griffin Hospital, will present “Advance Care Planning,” an open discussion of the process in which individuals discuss and decide their future health care wishes in the event that they unable to speak for themselves while at a health care facility.

“In life, we plan for our careers, our families, and for retirement,” Betkoski said. 

“In an effort to honor one’s health care wishes, to promote quality of life and provide peace of mind, it is important to begin these conversations about how we want live sooner rather than later to ensure one’s wishes are honored.”

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, 203-732-7399.

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.