Griffin Hospital in Derby launches Sleep Bound program

DERBY - The Sleep Wellness Center at Griffin Hospital recently launched a new “Sleep Bound” program to provide comprehensive care that may include GLP-1 weight-loss medication to address both obstructive sleep apnea and obesity.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Zepbound (tirzepatide) for the treatment of moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea in adults with obesity when paired with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity. Griffin’s Sleep Bound program will work with patients to develop an individualized treatment plan that could include Zepbound.

As a Planetree certified patient-centered hospital, Griffin is committed to offering access to innovative healthcare services and trusted health information in a kind and compassionate manner. Griffin is one of the first hospitals in the state to offer this type of revolutionary treatment for obstructive sleep apnea.

“We see that individuals diagnosed with obesity struggle with sleep apnea and CPAP adherence, leading to daytime fatigue, high blood pressure, and Type 2 diabetes” said Dr. Marya Chaisson, medical director of the Sleep Wellness Center at Griffin Hospital.

To qualify for the program, individuals will need to a have a qualifying baseline sleep study (preferably within the last two years), demonstrate moderate to severe sleep apnea, and meet a certain Body Mass Index (BMI) threshold. 

After significant weight loss, participants will repeat their sleep study to re-evaluate the status of their obstructive sleep apnea.

Eligible patients may qualify for Zepbound with insurance authorization. Patient exclusions from the program include current use of other GLP-1 agonist medications, and insulin-dependent diabetes.

For more information on how to qualify for Sleep Bound, visit griffinhealth.org/sleepbound or contact Pulmonary Specialties at 203-732-7573.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital. 

Griffin Hospital in Derby to host free talk on diabetes, fall risk

Griffin Hospital will host a discussion Feb. 11 on diabetes and fall risk./ Contributed photo

DERBY - The Diabetes Education & Support Group at Griffin Hospital will host a free discussion on diabetes and fall risk at 2:30 p.m. Feb. 11 at the hospital.

Studies have shown that older adults diagnosed with diabetes have a higher risk of falling and fall more often. They are also more likely to suffer a serious injury from a fall, including a broken hip.

Lifeline Program Coordinator at Griffin Hospital Vanessa Shimer will talk about why individuals diagnosed with diabetes are at a higher fall risk and what they can do to help protect themselves from debilitating fall injuries.

No registration is required. 

For more information, call Mary Swansiger, 203-732-1137.

The Diabetes Education & Support Group meets September-June on the second Tuesday of each month to discuss the management of diabetes, challenges, and day-to-day dietary concerns. Individuals with diabetes and their caregivers are welcome to attend. 

The support group is part of Griffin’s ongoing effort to transform health care by not only treating illness, but also helping people stay healthy. 

Griffin actively empowers individuals to play an active role in their health and well being by providing them with information, tools and support to prevent, or proactively manage chronic diseases, such as diabetes, obesity, heart disease, depression and stress.

The hospital is at 130 Division St.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Students take part in cooking contest at Griffin Hospital in Derby

From left: Anthony Nakis, Derby Middle School, Victoria Caiza, Seymour Middle School, Emma Jackson, Western Elementary School, Naugatuck, Kayla Kilincoglu, Perry Hill School, Shelton, and Colin Cepeda, Mead School, Ansonia, competed in the 4th Annual Valley Initiative to Advance Health and Learning in Schools Healthy Cooking Competition Finals at Griffin Hospital./ Contributed photo

DERBY - Derby Middle School eighth grader Anthony Nakis was top chef at the 4th Annual Valley Initiative to Advance Health and Learning in Schools (VITAHLS) Healthy Cooking Competition.

Nakis’s Tex-Mex Bison Burger Sliders were named best by a panel of judges that included elected officials and representatives from Ansonia, Derby, Seymour, and Naugatuck at Griffin Hospital in DerbyMay 23. Nakis’s recipe beat out tasty and healthy entries by Colin Cepeda, of Mead School in Ansonia, Kayla Kilincoglu, of Perry Hill School in Shelton, Victoria Caiza, of Seymour Middle School, and Emma Jackson, of Western Elementary School in Naugatuck.

“Each year, the contest provides a fun and exciting way for local students to showcase their talents for cooking, and to encourage a passion for both healthy eating and cooking within the local community,” said Kim Doughty, MPH, PhD, VITAHLS Coordinator at The Yale-Griffin Prevention Research Center.

The five contestants advanced to the finals by winning regional competitions in their school district. 

All finalists received a personalized apron, a gardening basket from Massaro Community Farm, a $25 gift card to Sports Center of Connecticut, and other items. 

As the grand prize winner, Nakisalso received a basket and gift card from Common Bond Market in Shelton and passes to Monster Mini Golf in Orange, Rockin’ Jump Trampoline Park in Trumbull, and “IT,” the ropes course at Jordan’s Furniture in New Haven.

The event was emceed by John Vazzano, chef and owner of Vazzy’s restaurants.

VITAHLS is a childhood obesity prevention initiative collaboration between Griffin Hospital, Yale Griffin PRC, and the Ansonia, Derby, Seymour, Shelton, and Naugatuck school districts. 

Since 2011, VITAHLS has integrated a variety of nutrition and physical activity programs into the existing school structure to help reduce childhood obesity.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital. 

Griffin Hospital in Derby to offer 'Wellness for Life' program

Griffin Hospital is offering its 12-week lifestyle change program starting Sept. 15.

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. 15 from 6-8:30 p.m., the program offers a custom fitness evaluation, individual nutrition guidance, one-on-one coaching, and small, interactive health small 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.
“Health and happiness go hand-in-hand,” said Wellness for Life Program Director Eunice Lisk. “This program helps people assess their lifestyle and provides them a personalized plan to increase vitality and support that is with them every step of the way to better health.”
Wellness for Life focuses on hands-on learning, featuring an activity monitor, a personal health coach, and weekly group sessions to establish healthy weight control, lowered cholesterol and blood pressure, better sleep and energy, and increased personal strength and resilience.

A pilot of this program run at Griffin Hospital succeeded in significant weight loss and reductions in blood pressure for participants, receiving a 96 percent rating in meeting expectations and an A grade for all of the presentations by the expert speakers.
Wellness for Life meets on Tuesday evenings from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at the Hewitt Ambulatory Pavilion (located in the Center for Cancer Care at Griffin Hospital) at 350 Seymour Ave.

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

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.