Griffin Hospital in Derby celebrates exceptional caregivers

DERBY - Griffin Health "showered" the April 2025 “I Take It Personally” (ITIP) winners with praise Wednesday at a Hop into Spring themed party in the Griffin Hospital Dining Room.

Celebrating the ITIP awards were, from left, ITIP Committee Co-chair Matthew Milardo; ITIP winner Michael Fusaro, Nursing; ITIP Committee Co-chair Richard Le Pera; ITIP winner David Godfrey, Environmental Services; ITIP winner Ariana Dipietrantonio, Radiology, ITIP winner Olivia Adcox, Employee Wellness; and Griffin Health President and CEO Patrick Charmel.

The ITIP program rewards Griffin caregivers who demonstrate a commitment to Griffin’s Planetree Philosophy, serve as role models for other caregivers, and practice our patient safety and patient-centered care tools in striving to provide an exceptional experience to patients, families, and/or fellow caregivers.

Shared from Griffin Hospital's Facebook page.

UMH honors Wesley Village employees for excellence and longevity

From left: David Lawlor (President & CEO, UMH), Andrea Winchester (Director of Human Resources), Lori Bauer, Marianella San Diego, Shelby Wenz, Dawn Supranovich, Jessica Scaife, Andrea Petillo, Hailey Monroe, Ali Alshabbah, Gracey Chamble, Bianca Turcotte-Reome, Lori Pisani, and David Fife. 

SHELTON - Members of the Wesley Village senior living campus recently gathered for United Methodist Homes’ annual employee recognition celebration at The Waterview in Monroe.

The event was hosted by UMH, the senior living provider organization that manages the campus. It featured a presentation of the organization’s “Values in Action” award and recognition for service milestones of five to 30 years.

Honorees from each Wesley Village community at Bishop Wicke Health Center, Crosby Commons, Wesley Heights, and Lifestyle Transitions were recognized with the Values in Action award, which is given annually to employees who reflect the organization’s five core values of Respect, Spirituality, Excellence, Collaboration, and Stewardship in an extraordinary way. 

Values in Action award winners are considered for their commitment to the Mission and Values of UMH and selected based on a peer nomination and leadership review process. Over 100 nominations are typically received each year from across the organization. 

Six outstanding team members at Wesley Village were selected to receive the award for 2024.

Recipients were nominated for their flexibility, dependability, collaboration, and unwavering commitment to supporting Wesley Village communities and the health and well-being of each resident.

Wesley Village is well-known for continuing UMH’s long legacy of caring in the community, and the longevity of the campus team reflects that. This year, eight team members were honored for reaching impressive milestones of twenty years or more. Thirteen team members were recognized for 10- and 15-year milestones and another 10 employees celebrated five years of service with the organization.

United Methodist Homes Director of Human Resources, Andrea Winchester and President and CEO David Lawlor shared words of thanks with the team before the award presentation. 

“So proud of our honorees and to see how our teams support one another in achieving great things,” said Lawlor. “It is a true reflection of a mission that is alive and well after 150 years!  We are so excited to carry this mission forward as we join forces with Masonicare to reinvent mission-based care for Connecticut seniors!”

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

The campus offers independent and assisted living, enhanced assisted living, early memory support, five-star skilled nursing care, 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.

This is a press release from United Methodist Homes.

Regional hiring event slated Aug. 9 at Trumbull Marriott Shelton

EMPLOYER REGISTRATION NOW OPEN

Are you entering or re-entering the workforce? Thinking about changing into a new career? 

Bring your resume or contact information and explore local opportunities at this multi-industry job and resource fair.

Connect, chat and engage with area employers from a variety of industries
Learn about resources available for childcare, transportation, job training and more
Workshops and resume assistance
Free parking
Close to bus routes
Walk-in Griffin Health Vaccination Clinic On-Site

Job seekers do not have to register to attend.

Event will follow current Health Department and CDC Guidelines.

Shared from a Facebook event page.

Save the date: Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce to host Job Fair in August

Details will be unveiled next week

Aug. 9 - 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Trumbull Marriott Shelton Are you hiring? Do you know someone who is looking to connect with talented prospective employees? Save the date and plan to join us for this in-person Job Fair. Details coming soon. If you are interested in reserving a table  contact us today. This is shared from the Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce.

UMH recognizes employees at annual celebration in Monroe

Contributed photo

More than 200 employees and invited guests gathered Oct. 10 at The Waterview in Monroe for United Methodist Homes’ Annual Employee Recognition Celebration. 
This event encompassed staff from Wesley Village and the Middlewoods properties. 

Thirty employees were recognized for 5-years of service, 10 for 10-years of services, six for 15-years of service, five for 20-years, three for 25-years, one for 30-years and one for 35-years!

Wesley Village 10-Years of Service

Jared Dick, Kevin DiMauro, Kathryn Haley, Tina Miller, Marcia Moss, Mittie Pettway, Mary Ann Porcadilla and Heather Scaife.

Wesley Village 15-Years of Service

Patricia Andes, Rose Bot, Nardia Jarrett and Susan Petruzzello

Wesley Village 20-Years of Service

Amy Broadbent, Lisamarie Grailich, Karen Hughes and Jacqueline Quiroz

Wesley Village 25-Years of Service

Debra Leibovitch, Debra Samorajczyk and Kathleen Vayda

Wesley Village 30-Years of Service

Dee Moses

Wesley Village 35-Years of Service

Jane Evans

Additionally, nine employees were selected by their peers for the prestigious Values In Action Award, given to those who embody the mission, vision and values of UMH:

• Excellence
• Respect
• Collaboration
• Spirituality 
• Stewardship

Values In Action Winners from Wesley Village:

• Christina Fraga, Nursing Services at Crosby Commons
• Lori Fredericks, Nursing Services at Bishop Wicke Health and Rehabilitation
• Maria Hughes, Housekeeping at Bishop Wicke
• Tina Miller, Dietician for Wesley Village
• Audrey Racaniello, Dining Services at Wesley Heights
• Leticia Santiago, Nursing Services at Bishop Wicke Health and Rehabilitation 
• Zita Tothne-Sebestyen, Finance for UMH

Keynote Speaker, Humorist Amy Dee shared funny and inspiring stories from her life as a parent and a caregiver. Her main message that when you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change, resonated with the audience.

The Wesley Village Campus is located at 580 Long Hill Ave., Shelton and includes: Crosby Commons Independent and Assisted Living Community, Wesley Heights Independent & Assisted Living Community, Lifestyle Transitions Assisted Living & Memory Support Community, and Bishop Wicke Health and Rehabilitation Center. 

The campus is owned and operated by UMH, a local, mission-based, not-for-profit organization. 

For more information, visit https://www.umh.org/wesley-village or call 203-225-5024. 

This is a press release from United Methodist Homes.

Griffin Hospital recognizes employees at awards dinner in Prospect

Edward Dzialo Jr. of Seymour was named Griffin Hospital Employee of the Year for 2019./ Contributed photo 

DERBY- Griffin Hospital recently honored more than 600 employees and physicians who reached service milestones of five  years and more, and announced the employee and department of the year award winners at its 49th Annual Service Awards Dinner at Aria in Prospect.

Respiratory Therapist Edward "Ed" Dzialo Jr. of Seymour was named Griffin Hospital’s 2019 Employee of the Year and the School of Allied Health Careers at Griffin won Department of the Year.

At an elegant “black and white” themed celebration, Griffin Hospital CEO and President Patrick Charmel personally presented gifts of appreciation to longtime employees and announced the winners.

Dzialo Named Top Caregiver

Dzialo has been a caregiver at Griffin for more than 35 years and is known throughout the hospital for his ability to connect with his fellow caregivers and for the exceptional care he provides for his patients.

He was nominated for the award by a patient who stated Dzialo’s expert care and encouragement helped him through an episode of respiratory distress while at the hospital. 

The patient referred to Dzialo as his “angel.”

Dzialo also sets an example for patient safety in his department by using and promoting techniques proven to improve communication between caregivers and for using checks that ensure accurate transfer of patient information during shift changes.

“I’m always impressed by Eddie’s commitment to safety and the warmth and support he displays when connecting with his peers while giving a complete and thorough hand-off of the patients he cared for,” said Liza Mecca, BA, RRT, AE-C, director of Respiratory Services. “His love for what he does and the care he provides cannot be measured as it is quite clearly limitless!”

Griffin’s Employee of the Year selection come from its monthly I Take It Personally (ITIP) program where employees are nominated by their colleagues for outstanding work. 

Each month, one employee is selected from the hospital’s four service divisions - Ancillary, Nursing, Service, and Support - for his or her efforts to improve patient satisfaction and promote Griffin Hospital’s commitment to patient-centered care. Of these employees, four are selected as finalists for the honor of “Employee of the Year.” 

In addition to Dzialo, Kojo Agyedu, Operating Room, Antonio Monteleone, Jr., Security, and Sean Hanlon, Engineering, were finalists for the top honor.

School of Allied Health Careers Named Department of the Year

Griffin Hospital’s School of Allied Health Careers was honored with Department of the Year for providing many community residents a fulfilling career in healthcare.

Founded 10 years ago, the school was the first Hospital Based Allied Health School in the state. Its curriculum currently includes Phlebotomy, a Patient Care Technician Program, a condensed Certified Nursing Assistant Program and a Medical Assistant Program. 

The school has graduated 893 students, and boasts a national exam pass rate of 100 percent for the past four years.

The school won Department of the Year in part due to a community partnership with Ansonia High School to help train patient care technicians, and a partnership with the University of New Haven where students can take the Patient Care Technician or Phlebotomy programs as a college elective and attain college credits.

“The School of Allied Health Careers has provided an opportunity for many community residents to transition into a career in health care, allowing them to make a positive change in their life and in the lives of their families,” Charmel said. “Many of the school’s students have overcome personal adversity and are now providing a stable, safe and nurturing environment for their family while doing important and meaningful work that makes a positive difference in the lives of others.”

The Department of the Year is selected from the four hospital departments selected as “Department of the Quarter” by the ITIP program. In addition to the School of Allied Health Careers, this year’s Department of the Quarter winners were Dining Services, Security & Telecommunications, and Community Outreach.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital. 

Greater Valley Chamber to host talk with The Workplace at Shelton office

Klarides, Klarides-Ditria support bill to aid CT federal workers

State Rep. Themis Klarides, left, and Nicole Klarides-Ditria.

HARTFORD - State Representatives Themis Klarides and Nicole Klarides-Ditria today voted in favor of public-private partnership with banks that will aid Connecticut federal employees who are currently not receiving pay because of the federal government shutdown.

Under the bill, affected employees are eligible for up to three loans from banks, each equal to their monthly after-tax pay, up to $5,000, less unemployment benefits. 

The bill prohibits interest on the loans for 270 days after the shutdown ends.

"Not paying federal workers who help protect our national security is something we can't just sit back and watch happen," Klarides-Ditria said. "I wish lawmakers in Washington, D.C. would open government back up, but in the meantime, Connecticut federal workers can be rest assured that they can pay their bills. We should continue to keep the pressure on our federal delegation to work together and compromise to locate a way to get our federal government open."

The bill also authorizes municipalities and municipal subdivisions to establish a tax-deferment program for such employees’ real and personal property or motor vehicles taxes, or water or sewer rates, charges or assessment payments; and if federal law or guidance allows them to do so, authorizes such employees to receive unemployment compensation benefits (generally, federal employees that must work without pay during a shutdown are ineligible for unemployment benefits).

This is a press release from the General Assembly.

American Heart Association recognizes Griffin Hospital in Derby

DERBY - The American Heart Association recently announced Griffin Hospital achieved Gold level recognition in its 2018 Workplace Health Achievement Index for taking significant steps to build a culture of health in the workplace.

The American Heart Association created the Index with its CEO Roundtable members, a leadership collaborative of more than 40 CEOs from some of America’s largest companies who are committed to applying evidence-based approaches to improve their employees’ overall health. 

The Index uses science-based best practices to evaluate the overall quality and comprehensiveness of their workplace health programs. 

A unique feature of the Index is that it calculates an average heart health score for employees of participating companies that securely submit aggregate health data.

More than 1,000 companies completed the Index assessment this year and, of those companies, 75 percent received either Gold, Silver, or Bronze recognition. 

Companies receive benchmarking reports, which allow them to identify potential areas of improvement so that they can advance their annual performance and recognition in the Index and help their workforce move toward ideal heart health.

“We are honored to have achieved this recognition from the American Heart Association,” said Griffin Hospital Director of Human Resources Stephen Mordecai. “A key strategy at Griffin Hospital is to build a supportive culture that engages employees in their health and well-being, and provides them with many choices for how they can help improve their health outcomes.”

The Association’s Workplace Health Achievement Index allows companies to measure the effectiveness of their workplace health programs as well as the overall heart health of their employees. Unlike other existing organizational scorecards, the Index also scores companies on the heart health of their employees based on Life’s Simple 7® – the Association’s scientifically validated definition of ideal heart health. 

The American Heart Association’s Workplace Health Achievement Index assessment is grounded in data-driven science and a quality improvement framework. According to the Nielsen 2016 Employee Health Survey, robust and comprehensive strategies for wellbeing are associated with positive impacts on employees’ health.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.