Soft touch training offered at Griffin Hospital in Derby

Griffin Hospital is offering training for basic level Soft Touch therapy June 10./ Contributed photo

DERBY - Griffin Hospital will offer a basic level Soft Touch workshop June 10 from 1 to 4 p.m. June 10 at the hospital, 130 Division St.

Soft Touch is a therapeutic, relaxing, and gentle massage that can be given to an individual's hands, feet, or back. Griffin Hospital offers variations of this therapy to patients and their caregivers as a way to reduce their anxiety, pain, and stress.

The workshop is led by Licensed Massage Therapist Joanne Halstead, R.N., BSN, and Physical Therapist Nancy Corvigno, MSPT, PRPC. 
This basic-level training includes a demonstration of various Soft Touch techniques as well as opportunity for hands-on practice.

The cost is $30. There are no prerequisites to attend the workshop and it is open to the public.

Space is limited and sign-ups are due by June 1.

Contact Laura Murphy, Planetree Services supervisor, at 203-732-7466 to enroll.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Wellness Committee at Griffin Hospital in Derby to honor volunteer, nonprofit

To present 9th annual Caring Heart Awards

Claudia Csuka of Beacon Falls

DERBY - Griffin Hospital Volunteer Claudia Csuka of Beacon Falls, and Marrakech, Inc., of Woodbridge, will be honored with the Caring Heart Award at The 12th Annual Women’s Heart Wellness and Caring Heart Award Brunch March 25.

The event will be held from 8:30 a.m.-noon at the Griffin Hospital Dining Room, 130 Division St.

The award recognizes individuals and groups that foster initiatives to promote and improve the general health and well-being of all. 
This is the ninth year the award will be bestowed.

Csuka has been a volunteer at Griffin for a little more than a year, but has already positively impacted many patients’ lives as part of the hospital’s vital patient stories and complimentary therapies programs. 
As a vital patient stories volunteer, Csuka meets with patients and talks with them to write a brief story about their lives. She focuses on memories or characteristics that are vital or sacred to the patient and the stories are shared with hospital staff so they can better know and understand their patients. 
Csuka is also trained in soft touch therapy, which provides stress relief and personal connection that can be critical to healing.

Csuka is also very involved in her community as a member of the Parish Council and Ladies Guild at St. Michael’s Church in Beacon Falls, and provides free rides to individuals needing transportation to their medical appointments.

About Marrakech, Inc.
Marrakech, Inc. is a private nonprofit organization that has provided person-centered, unique, and cost-effective human services for children and adults, with and without disabilities, in Connecticut for over 45 years. 
The services and individuals supported are diverse, but they have the common goal of assisting individuals with achieving greater self-sufficiency while they experience the best quality of life possible.
Marrakech's Health and Wellness Committee was formed in July 2012 and has implemented an annual weight loss challenge and a well-attended community health fair. Throughout each year, wellness information is shared in a variety of ways, including through a series of workshops planned in partnership with local wellness practitioners. Exercise challenges and team walks for other causes are also regularly coordinated.

The brunch will start with registration at 8:30 a.m. and the program will begin at 9 a.m. 
The theme of this year’s event is “What’s Your Shelf Life,” focusing on how healthy eating habits can help prevent heart disease. The event will feature a survivor speaker, a cooking demonstration and tips on healthy eating.

Tickets for the brunch are $25 and the event is open to the public. Proceeds benefit the Women’s Heart Wellness Fund, which supports heart wellness programs for women in the Valley.

Valet parking will be available.

Reservations are due by March 20. To reserve a seat, become a sponsor, or for more information, call Eunice Lisk at 203-732-7107 or whw@griffinhealth.org.


This is a press release from Griffin Hospital. 

Griffin Hospital in Derby to host talk on complementary medicine techniques

The Community Health Resource Center at Griffin Hospital will host a free discussion on complementary medicine techniques and a hands-on demonstration July 27./Contributed photo

DERBY - The Community Health Resource Center at Griffin Hospital, 130 Division St. will host a free discussion on various complementary medicine techniques applied at the hospital and a hands-on demonstration July 27 from 1:30-2:30 p.m.

Planetree Services Supervisor at Griffin Hospital Laura Murphy will host “Experience Complementary Medicine,” a conversational and experiential program about what complementary medicine means, how it works, and a demonstration of Soft Touch Therapy that includes hands-on training in the technique.

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 offer Soft Touch workshop

Griffin Hospital will offer training for basic level Soft Touch therapy April 16. / Contributed photo

DERBY – Griffin Hospital will offer a basic level Soft Touch workshop from 1-4 p.m. April 16 at the hospital, 130 Division St.

Soft Touch is a therapeutic, relaxing and gentle massage that can be given to an individual's hands, feet, or back. Griffin Hospital offers the therapy to patients and their caregivers as a way to reduce their anxiety, pain and stress.

The workshop is led by Licensed Massage Therapist Joanne Halstead, R.N., BSN, and Physical Therapist Nancy Corvigno, MSPT, PRPC. 
This basic-level training includes a demonstration of various Soft Touch techniques as well as opportunity for hands-on practice.

The cost is $30. There are no prerequisites to attend the workshop and it is open to the public.

Space is limited; sign-ups are due by April 8. Contact Laura Murphy, Planetree Services Supervisor, at 203-732-7466 to enroll.


This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Griffin Hospital in Derby to offer massage, Reiki workshops

Griffin Hospital will host workshops on the ancient healing art of Reiki, seen here, and Soft Touch Massage this February./ Contributed photo

DERBY - Griffin Hospital, 130 Division St., invites the community to learn how to perform the healing benefits of Soft Touch Massage and Reiki with two workshops at the hospital in February.

The Soft Touch workshop will be held from 1-4 p.m. Feb. 20. 
The Reiki workshop is scheduled from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Feb. 27. Both therapies are offered to patients and their caregivers at Griffin Hospital as a way to reduce their anxiety, pain and stress.

Soft Touch is a therapeutic, relaxing and gentle rub that can be given to an individual's hands, feet, or back. 
The workshop is led by Licensed Massage Therapist Joanne Halstead, R.N., BSN, and Physical Therapist Nancy Corvigno, MSPT, PRPC. 
This basic-level training includes a demonstration of various Soft Touch techniques as well as opportunity for hands-on practice.

The cost is $30 for the public and free to current Griffin Hospital volunteers and staff. The registration deadline is Feb. 6. To enroll, contact Laura Murphy, Planetree Services supervisor at 203-732-7466.

Reiki is a complementary healing method based on ancient healing practices. It involves the conscious direction of healing energy - through the practitioner's hands - to the patient. 
When channeled properly, this energy promotes healing by relieving energy blockages to the body. The practice of Reiki is intended to bring balance to the energy fields thereby promoting healing on all levels.

Reiki Masters Eileen Carino, R.N.-BC, MA, ADS, and Mark Sampieri, R.Ph., will teach the basic concepts of Reiki, allowing ample time for hands-on practice. 
The cost is $125, including certificate and Reiki book. 
Griffin Hospital employees and current volunteers can register at the discounted rate of $25.

Workshop space is limited; pre-registration is required by Feb. 13. 

To register, call Laura at 203-732-7466.


This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.