Monday, November 30, 2015

Griffin Hospital Receives High Marks for Quality and Patient Safety

DERBY- Griffin Hospital in Derby, CT was recently recognized by two national healthcare organizations for continued excellence in quality and safety.
 
Griffin Hospital was named a 2014 “Top Performer on Key Quality Measures®” this month by The Joint Commission, the leading accreditor of health care organizations in America, and was honored with an “A” grade in the Fall 2015 update to the Hospital Safety Score by The Leapfrog Group, an independent hospital safety rating organization whose Hospital Safety Score is the gold standard rating for patient safety.
 
Griffin is the only Connecticut hospital to be named a Top Performer by The Joint Commission four times, and it is the third consecutive time the hospital earned top Hospital Safety Score. Griffin is one of only 1,043 hospitals out of more than 3,300 eligible hospitals in the United States to achieve the 2014 Top Performer distinction, and one of an even more select group of 773 hospitals nationwide receiving a Leapfrog Group A grade.
 
“As a patient-centered care hospital, Griffin Hospital is focused on doing what is best for patients, caregivers and our community,” said Griffin Hospital President and CEO Patrick Charmel. “These recognitions are a tribute to the staff at Griffin Hospital who work together to make sure patient-centered care starts with high-quality, safe care.”
 
Top Performer
As a 2014 Top Performer on Key Quality Measures®, Griffin was recognized as part of The Joint Commission’s 2015 annual report “America’s Hospitals: Improving Quality and Safety,” for attaining and sustaining excellence in accountability measure performance for heart attack, heart failure, pneumonia and surgical care. The Top Performer program recognizes hospitals for improving performance on evidence-based interventions that increase the chances of healthy outcomes for patients with certain conditions. The performance measures included in the recognition program are heart attack, heart failure, pneumonia, surgical care, children’s asthma, inpatient psychiatric services, stroke, venous thromboembolism, perinatal care, immunization, tobacco treatment and substance use.
To be a 2014 Top Performer, hospitals had to meet three performance criteria based on 2014 accountability measure data, including:
  • Achieve cumulative performance of 95 percent or above across all reported accountability measures;
  • Achieve performance of 95 percent or above on each and every reported accountability measure with at least 30 denominator cases; and
  • Have at least one core measure set that had a composite rate of 95 percent or above, and within that measure set, achieve a performance rate of 95 percent or above on all applicable individual accountability measures.
“Delivering the right treatment in the right way at the right time is a cornerstone of high-quality health care. I commend the efforts of Griffin Hospital for their excellent performance on the use of evidence-based interventions,” said Mark R. Chassin, MD, FACP, MPP, MPH, president and CEO, The Joint Commission.
 
For more information about the Top Performer program, visit jointcommission.org/accreditation/top_performers
 
“A” Grade for Safety
The Leapfrog Group is an independent hospital safety rating organization whose Hospital Safety Score is the gold standard rating for patient safety. The score is compiled under the guidance of the nation’s leading patient safety experts, rating hospitals on errors, injuries, accidents, and infections. The first and only hospital safety rating to be peer-reviewed in the Journal of Patient Safety, the Hospital Safety Score is published widely to give consumers information they can use to protect themselves and their families when choosing a hospital stay.
 
“Griffin Hospital’s A grade is a powerful reminder of its commitment to putting patient safety above all else, and we are pleased to recognize the persistent efforts of your clinicians and staff to protect your patients,” said Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group, which administers the Hospital Safety Score.
 
Developed under the guidance of Leapfrog’s Blue Ribbon Expert Panel, the Hospital Safety Score uses 28 measures of publicly available hospital safety data to produce a single A, B, C, D, or F score, representing a hospital’s overall capacity to keep patients safe from preventable harm.
More than 2,500 U.S. general hospitals were assigned scores in October 2015, with Griffin Hospital among only four Connecticut hospitals in the select group of 773 hospitals nationwide receiving an A grade.
 
The Hospital Safety Score is fully transparent, offering a full analysis of the data and methodology used in determining grades on the website. Patients can also review their hospital’s past safety performance alongside its current grade on the Hospital Safety Score site, allowing them to determine which local hospitals have the best track record in patient safety and which have demonstrated consistent improvement.
 
To see Griffin’s full score, and to access consumer-friendly tips for patients and loved ones visiting the hospital, visit www.hospitalsafetyscore.org or follow The Hospital Safety Score on Twitter or Facebook. Consumers can also download the free Hospital Safety Score mobile app for Apple and Android devices.
(This is a press release from Griffin Hospital)

Wednesday, November 25, 2015

Ansonia Inauguration set for Nov. 30

(This is from City of Ansonia's Facebook page)

 

Osborne Homestead Museum Announces Holiday Events

Osborne Homestead Museum


500 Hawthorne Avenue
Derby, Connecticut
Contact Us and Directions

Museum Holiday Hours 2015

"Holiday at the Farm"

Friday, November 27 - Saturday, December 19 
Thursdays thru Sundays 10 AM - 4 PM

Holiday Twilight Tours
Fridays - December 4, 11 and 18
4 to 6:30 PM (last tour 6:15 PM)

We request groups of more than 8 people to call 203-734-2513
to reserve a tour date and time. 

Donations are gratefully accepted for museum tours.

**CT Holiday Market**  Friday, December 4, 3:00 PM - 7:00 PM 
Saturday, December 5, 10 AM - 4 PM
CT Grown farm products available for purchase in time for holiday gift giving.

Monday, November 23, 2015

Teens Invited to Bake Holiday Treats at Derby Library


DERBY- The Derby Public Library invites young adults ages 12 to 17 to Teen “Baker” Space, a Holiday Treats Decorating program on Tuesday, December 15, from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM.

Participants’ creativity will be applied to a variety of baked goods. All materials will be provided. Registration is requested.

For more information, stop by the Library at 313 Elizabeth St., call 203.736.1482, or visit www.derbypubliclibrary.org
(This is a press release from Derby Public Library)

Valley Council to hold Annual Meeting Dec. 1


SHELTON- The Valley Council for Health & Human Services will hold its Annual Meeting and Community Awards Presentation on Tuesday, December 1, 2015.  The event will feature keynote presenter Maura Cook. The breakfast meeting and awards presentation, which is sponsored by the Valley Community Foundation, will be held from 7:45-10:15 am at Brownson Country Club in Shelton, CT.  All Valley residents and community partners are welcomed.

We’re very excited to have the opportunity for Maura Cook to present “Making Choices” an interactive exercise to help the Valley community relate to what it is like to be “ALICE” an acronym for Asset, Limited, Income, Constrained Employed which represents a study of Financial Hardship in CT., states Diane Stroman, Valley Council Chairperson. “We’re also delighted to highlight the valuable work that Valley groups and individuals are doing to improve the health and quality of life of residents.”
 
On the occasion of its Annual Meeting, the Valley Council will present three community service awards. 
 
The Agency/Program of the Year Award recognizes a nonprofit agency that has made a significant and lasting contribution to the health and well being of Lower Naugatuck Valley residents.  This year’s award will be presented to Master’s Table Community Meals for providing services that make significant and lasting contributions to the well being of Lower Naugatuck Valley residents. Master’s Table Community Meals mission is to feed all who are hungry and offer hope for a better future.

The Lewis Savitsky Staff Excellence Award, named in honor of a long-time Valley United Way employee and community leader, is presented to individuals for excellence in their roles as employees in the nonprofit community.  This year’s honoree is Nick Gentile, Work force Specialist for the Supportive Services for Veteran Families Program, of The WorkPlace. He is being honored for his commitment to helping homeless, unemployed and under-employed veterans find stable housing.

The Richard O. Belden Community Service Award, named in honor of late State representative Richard O. Belden, is given to an individual or group whose efforts have made a significant contribution to improving the quality of life of Valley residents.  The Council will present the 2015 Belden award to Harry Burlakoff, for his tremendous work assisting countless Non-Profits in our region. Harry is a member of the Valley United Way’s Corporate Volunteer Council. 
 
A full invitation and registration information for the Valley Council Annual Meeting and Awards presentation is available online at www.valleycouncil.org or by calling the Valley United Way at (203) 926-9478.  Registrations will also be accepted at the door.  Registration and breakfast will begin at 7:45 am.  The registration fee is free for Valley Council Members, $20 per person for additional staff and $25 per person for non-council members. 
 
For more information about our Award Winners, please visit www.valleycouncil.org.
(This is a press release from the Valley Council)

Ansonia Dedication of Cold War Monument set for Nov. 28



Derby/Shelton Rotary Club to Deliver Free Sand & Salt to Seniors, Disabled

The Derby-Shelton Rotary Club will once again be delivering five gallon buckets of sand and salt mixture to seniors and disabled individuals residing in Derby and Shelton on December 15th to spread on walkways and driveways during the winter.  
 
If you are interested in receiving a bucket, please sign up a the Derby or Shelton Senior Centers or contact Rotarian  Kim Ryan, Club Service Chair, at Curtiss Ryan Honda.
 
Please call  (203) 929-15484 X227 or email kim@curtissryan.com. Individuals residing in housing developments that already provide sand are not eligible.
 
The Rotary motto is Service Above Self. Rotarians are involved in projects such as curing the world of Polio and providing a dictionary to every third grader in Derby and Shelton. Visit our website at www.Derby-SheltonRotary.org to learn more.
 
Sign up deadline is November 30th, 2015.
 
(This is a press release from Valley United Way) 

Seymour Teens Get Schooled in Driver Safety

SEYMOUR - Teen drivers at Seymour High School recently had a special opportunity to utilize the school's virtual interactive full-cab driving simulators which are part of the "Wildcat Teen Driving Center" at the school.  
 
Seymour is the only school in Connecticut with Virtual Interactive Full-Cab Driving Simulators available to its students. 
This was all part of a teen safe driving initiative held at the school. 
It was coordinated by Rich Kearns, Seymour Public Schools Director of Security.
From left: Lucas Brown, Jaylin Kelly, Tamar Coverson-Epps.

Teens who signed-up for a special event appointment to use the Center were put through hands-on driving experiences showing the dangers of texting while driving. 

Students who participated were given certificates of safe driving to present to their insurance companies for potential safe driving discounts as well as gift cards for participating.   
 
To cap off the week the nationally-known teen safe driving program "Save a Life Tour Distracted/Texting Awareness  Program" from Grand Rapids, Mich. was invited back to make a stop at Seymour High School.  
Ashley Bercier, left, and Kayla Christansen


The program travels across the country educating teens in the responsibilities of safe driving focusing on the dangers of distracted/texting while driving. 
 
The Connecticut Department of Transportation provided the funding for the "Save A Life Tour Distracted/Texting Awareness Program" at 60 more high schools in Connecticut beginning in the fall of 2015 at no cost to the hosting schools. 
Seymour was one of the lucky schools to be able to capture the experience for its students. 
 
The "Save A Life Tour" is a high impact distracted driving program that demonstrates to students the potential deadly consequences of this dangerous behavior. Utilizing distracted driving simulators, videos, speakers, and surveys; students experience first-hand the impacts of distracted driving.
 
More than 200 students from Seymour High School participated in this life changing experience.  Kearns was joined by School Resource Officer Corey Tomasella, and Physical Education/Health Teachers Nick Aprea and Paul O'Connor who teamed up to help run the program.

(This is a press release from Richard Kearns, Director of Security, Seymour Public Schools.)

Spector Furniture in Ansonia raises funds, awareness for Valley Goes Pink

ANSONIA - Spector Furniture & Home Décor, of Ansonia, recently donated $1,000 to improve breast cancer services in the Lower Naugatuck Valley and helped spread the word about breast health this October.
 
The $1,000 donation was collected throughout October as a portion of the store’s sales for the month was set aside for The 6th Annual Valley Goes Pink, a Valley-wide campaign to support the Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness at Griffin Hospital.
 
In addition to the donation, Spector Furniture Co-owner Howie Kreiger served on the Valley Goes Pink Committee and assisted in securing media sponsorships from The Connecticut Post and WPLR. Kreiger also collected auction and raffle prizes from area businesses for Valley Goes Pink events.
 
The Valley Goes Pink brings together schools, organizations and businesses to hold fundraising events throughout October to increase awareness about breast cancer and the importance of early detection, support the Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness at Griffin Hospital, and to celebrate the charitable spirit of the region’s businesses and organizations.
 
For more information about The Valley Goes Pink and how to get involved, visit griffinhealth.org/pink or contact the Griffin Hospital Development Fund at 203-732-7504.
(This is a press release from Griffin Hospital)

Friday, November 20, 2015

Valley Interfaith Thanksgiving Service Set for Sunday, Nov. 22

ANSONIA - The Valley Interfaith Thanksgiving Service is scheduled for 7 p.m. Sunday.

The worship service will be held at the First United Methodist Church, 47 Franklin St.

The celebration will include familiar hymns, readings, and music from several faith traditions and a reading of the President's Thanksgiving Day proclamation.

Everyone is welcome. Donations of non-perishable food items to support area food banks
are requested. 

The sponsoring houses of worship are:
Al-Aziz Islamic Center, Bridgeport; Bahai' Group of Oxford; Christ Episcopal Church, Ansonia; Clinton AME Zion Church, Ansonia; First Congregational Church, Ansonia; First Congregational Church, Derby; First United Methodist Church, Ansonia, Phuoc Long Buddhist Temple, Ansonia.

Thursday, November 19, 2015

Derby Welcomes The Hops Company

DERBY Derby Mayor Anita Dugatto was among those in attendance on November 10, 2015 for the ribbon cutting of one of Derby’s newest businesses, The Hops Company, located at 77 Sodom Lane.
 
The business occupies the former Grassy Hill Lodge, a catering and banquet hall that served the area for many years.

Patrons of The Hops Company will have the opportunity to enjoy food and drinks in a casual beer garden setting that includes a 40-seat bar, couches in front of the building’s two fireplaces, and an outside bar.

Owners Umberto Morale and his wife Lisa plan to highlight Connecticut-made beers among some of the 36 beers on tap. However, beer will not be the only offering. In addition to a full bar, The Hops Company will feature casual food from in-house vendors including Zuppardi’s Apizza and Ricky D’s Rib Shack.

"We know a lot of communities would have loved to lay claim to this exciting new business. We’re proud that Umberto and Lisa have chosen Derby to be their home. We wish them the best of luck," Dugatto said.

For more information about The Hops Company, please visit their website at www.thehopscompany.com.

Additionally, the Valley Chamber Chamber of Commerce will host their monthly networking event "Jingle & Mingle Annual Holiday Gathering" at the The Hops Company on Tuesday December 1, 2015 from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. The event is sponsored by People’s United Bank. The event will also collect new unwrapped toys for TEAM Inc Annual Toys for Kids project.
(This is a press release from Derby City Hall)
 



Wednesday, November 18, 2015

Bungay School Students Pay Homage to Veterans

SEYMOUR- On Wednesday, November 11, 2015, Bungay Elementary School celebrated Veterans Day and honored those who have served and are serving our country. 
 
Throughout the week students from all grades created posters to hang on our Wall of Honor – featured in the main hallway of our school.  Here, students were able to write about a Veteran that is special to them. 
 
Additionally, Bungay C.A.R.I.N.G. Student Council Members braved the rain and placed flags along the entry way of our school. During our Veteran’s Day assembly students were able to share some of these posters as well as trivia facts about Veteran’s Day and the fifth grade chorus sang “The Armed Forces Salute.” 
 
Kristen Graves, State Troubadour, enlightened students with her “Just Be Nice Party” which included traditional folk songs, while sharing stories.  The students were encouraged to sing along and some children were invited on stage to sing with her. Thank you again to all the Veterans who have served and are serving our country!
(This is a press release from Bungay School)

Sunday, November 15, 2015

Small Businesses Invited to help 'Put Valley on the Map'

Shelton - The Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce and Pepperland Marketing, a Google Partner agency, have teamed up to help small businesses in the Lower Naugatuck Valley region grow their presence online by hosting a Let’s Put Our Valley on the Map workshop, featuring two interactive sessions: “How To Reach A Local Audience Through Google Search and Google Maps” and “An Introduction To Inbound Marketing.”  The free workshop will be held on on Thursday, November 19th at the Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce office, 10 Progress Drive, Shelton, CT, from 7:30 am to 9:00 am.
 
 
Let’s Put Our Valley on the Map is part of Google’s Get Your Business Online program and aims to bring community members, business owners and civic leaders together to help small businesses succeed on the web.
 
“4 out of 5 consumers use search engines to find local information nearby, yet only 37% of businesses have claimed their listing on a search engine,” says Soo Young Kim, Head of Small Business Engagement at Google. “Small businesses are the engine of local economies and when they flourish, their communities do as well.”
 
“Closing this gap presents a huge opportunity to boost the local economy,” said Bill Purcell, President of the Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce. “This is a chance for Valley area businesses to collectively expand their online presence and further promote the region as the premier destination for business and leisure.”
Anyone interested in reaching a local audience online to grow their business is encouraged to attend, regardless of their company size or industry.  Attendees will be treated to coffee and light refreshments.Advanced registration is required.

“Consumers now begin their holiday shopping online as early as August. If you can’t be found on Google, you’re missing out on a valuable opportunity,” says Sean Henri, founder of Pepperland Marketing. “In partnering with Google for this workshop, we hope to give Valley businesses a competitive advantage as we approach the busy holiday shopping season.”

Let’s Put Our Cities on the Map is a program designed to empower communities to support their local businesses and encourage them to get on the map. Local businesses keep our communities strong; when we help them succeed on the web, they make our communities even stronger. The Let’s Put Our Valley on the Map workshop is a Google presentation hosted by Pepperland Marketing and the Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce. Visit www.gybo.com to learn more about the program and get involved.
(this is a press release from Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce)

Thanksgiving Food Drive Nov. 20


Thursday, November 12, 2015

Griffin Hospital Presents Social Security Q & A Nov. 16

DERBY – The Community Health Resource Center at Griffin Hospital, 130 Division St., Derby, will host a free educational workshop on Social Security on Monday, Nov. 16 at 6:30 p.m.
 
Michael Alimo and David Weyner, of U.S.A. Financial & Tax Services, will host “Strategies For Maximizing Your Social Security Benefits,” a free workshop about ways to boost benefits and substantially enhance lifetime retirement income.
 
Discussion highlights will include:
•Strategies to maximize Social Security benefits
•How benefits are calculated and simple strategies available to increase them
•Coordinating benefits: Why married couples have added options for when to apply
•How Social Security benefits are taxed
•What are the taxable implications of collecting benefits and continuing to work part-time
 
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.

Monday, November 9, 2015

Catholic War Veterans Install Officers

DERBY - Installation of officers for Catholic War Veterans and Auxiliary Post 1562 recently took place at the Post followed by a group photo and refreshments.  The Post is always looking for new Veteran and Auxiliary Members, so stop by after 1 p.m. to see if eligible.
 
 In photo, front row, from left: Aux Dawn Kramer 3rd VP, Aux Sue Ranno 2nd VP, Loretta Budd 1st VP, Vet Tom Budd 1st VC, Aux Maxine Sember Welfare Officer, Aux Evelyn Browning President, Aux Jill Bellao Treasurer, Aux Margaret Mattei Ritual Officer;
Second row, from left: Vet Tony Bellao Trustee, Vet Tom Gabianelli Trustee, Vet Bettyann Peck 3rd VC, Vet Tom Owen Service Officer, Vet Mike Kasinskas Treasurer, Vet Tom Voytek Post 1562 Commander, Vet Randy Bruce Adjutant, Vet Evelyn Conroy 2nd VC, Vet Andy Wysowski O.O.D.& 1st Year Trustee, Aux Markanthony Izzo Historian, Publicist& 2nd  Year Trustee. Missing from photo: Veterans Joseph Palmucci, Welfare Officer, Stephan Stockmal, Historian, Auxiliary Members Carolyn Duhaime and Tina Rano, bot h Trustees.
Photo by Jeffrey Sember
(This is a press release from the CWV Post)

Thursday, November 5, 2015

Griffin Hospital to Host Interactive Women’s Health Forum Nov. 11

DERBY- Griffin Hospital and Women’s Health Center of Shelton are helping women get expert answers to their health questions with a free Women’s Health Forum on Wednesday, Nov. 11 at 6:30 p.m. at Scinto Auditorium, 3 Corporate Dr., Shelton.
 
Hosted by Dr. Denise Barajas, breast surgeon and medical director of the Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness at Griffin Hospital, this interactive, informative and supportive community health event will feature a panel of health experts who will provide a complete picture — from prevention to diagnosis to treatment — for a wide range of women’s health topics, including breast health, pelvic floor dysfunction, colon cancer, gynecologic wellness, cardiac rehabilitation and heart health, diabetes and hypertension.
 
Attendees will be invited and encouraged to ask health questions to the panel (anonymously, if preferred) and join in the discussion.
 
Panelists include: Dr. Elizabeth Arbia, primary care physician; Dr. Xiaolan Fei, OBGYN; Dr. Julia Zakhaleva, colorectal surgeon; Dr. Andrea Silber, hematologist and oncologist; Dr. Joyce Chung, radiation oncologist; Dr. Stacey Bass, interventional radiologist; Nancy Corvigno and Lauren Toth, physical therapists; Eunice Lisk, cardiac rehabilitation specialist; and Melissa Mitri, registered dietician-nutritionist.
 
To register, call 203-732-1511 or visit griffinhealth.org/events.

Health Insurance Enrollment Help Available at Griffin Hospital



DERBY- Individuals interested in enrolling in Access Health CT can get free, one-on-one help from a certified assister at Griffin Hospital in Derby.

The Rev. Esther Jones, of Griffin Hospital’s Community Outreach and Valley Parish Nursing Program, is available by appointment to offer guidance for selecting health care coverage, verify that all paperwork is completed properly, check for financial aid opportunities, and help complete enrollment.

Appointment times and dates are flexible to work with busy schedules, however appointments are required to receive assistance.

Call 203-732-1523 or email ejones@griffinhealth.org for more information and to set up an appointment.

Wednesday, November 4, 2015

Derby Mayor Dugatto Thanks Voters

To the Residents of the City of Derby,

I want to thank each and every one of you who worked so hard delivering our message to the voters.  It was a message proudly framed in accomplishments, accomplishments that were reflective of promises kept.
I will continue my work to fulfill our collective vision for a prosperous, thriving Derby that is responsive to the needs of its citizens today, while remaining ever attentive to the needs of tomorrow.

Sincerely yours,

Anita Dugatto

(Dugatto was re-elected Nov. 3 to a second term as Mayor of the City of Derby)

Valley Community Foundation Awards $170,000 in Scholarships

    Valley Community Foundation Awards $170,000 from Scholarship Funds to Support Educational Pursuits of Local Students   DERBY, CT (Octobe...