Griffin Hospital Offers Help with Managing Health Conditions

DERBY - Griffin Hospital will host a free six-week workshop starting March 22 to help individuals suffering from health conditions take back control of their lives.

 

The Live Well Chronic Disease Self-Management Workshop provides health information and strategies to help those with health conditions like pain, anxiety, diabetes, depression, heart disease, and arthritis increase their energy and take control of their health.

 

Along with clinical care, participants will learn ways to cope with difficult emotions, depression, and stress/anxiety, reduce pain, improve mobility, increase energy, increase physical activity, eat healthier, use medications appropriately, and solve everyday problems and communicate effectively with family and health care providers.

 

The workshop will be held from 3:30-6 p.m. on Wednesdays starting March 22 at the hospital, 130 Division Street, Derby.

 

The Live Well Chronic Disease Self-Management Workshop is sponsored by the Connecticut Dept. of Social Services Aging Services Division, Connecticut Dept. of Public Health and Griffin Hospital.

 

To register, call Esther Jones at Griffin Hospital’s Community Outreach and Valley Parish Nurse Program at 203-732-1523.

(This is a press release from Griffin Hospital)

Griffin in Derby to offer workshop on chronic conditions

DERBY - A free workshop series at Griffin Hospital aims to help individuals with an ongoing health conditions, or those caring for a loved one with an ongoing health condition, get their lives back.

In coordination with the Connecticut Department of Social Services Aging Services Division and Connecticut Department of Public Health, Griffin Hospital is offering the Live Well Workshop, a free, six-week program.

It provides health information and strategies to help those with chronic conditions like diabetes, depression, heart disease, arthritis, pain, and anxiety increase their energy and take control of their health issue.

For dates and to register for this self-management workshop, call Daun Barrett, 203-732-7584.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Fundraiser for Shelton family planned in Ansonia

Ava and Bella Corbesato are sisters who both suffer from a congenital heart disease.


This release is from Dick Lupkas of Derby.

Griffin Hospital in Derby to host 'Heart to Heart' talk

February is American Heart Month
DERBY - If you have questions about heart disease, treatment options and how to keep your heart fit and healthy, Griffin Hospital has the answers.

Griffin Hospital will host “Heart-to-Heart,” a free presentation by cardiologist Martin Plavec, MD, and Griffin’s Director of Cardiac Rehabilitation Eunice Lisk, at 6 p.m. Feb. 11 in the hospital’s Meditation and Learning Center, 130 Division St.

These two heart experts will provide easy-to-understand information about warning signs for heart problems and what you can do to help prevent them. They will also discuss common heart issues, like Congestive Heart Failure and high blood pressure, how to get tested for heart disease, and discuss the benefits and risks of treatment options.

In addition, attendees can receive free blood pressure screenings, Body Mass Index readings and medical consultation about their results.

The event is in recognition of American Heart Month.
Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women, but heart disease is preventable and controllable.

The presentation is part of Griffin Hospital's Healthy U “Tuesday Talks,” 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.

All Tuesday Talks are held in Griffin Hospital’s Meditation and Learning Center at 130 Division Street.
Light refreshments will be served.
To reserve a spot or for more information, call 203-732-1511 or visit griffinhealth.org/programsevents.


This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Yale-Griffin study: Walnuts help protect against diseases

Promising results from a new study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition provide convincing evidence that walnuts can help protect against heart disease.

This study, conducted by the Yale-Griffin Prevention Research Center in Derby, explored the health effects of daily walnut consumption by a group of adults at risk for developing diabetes or heart disease.

These results are consistent with findings of a prior study conducted by the Yale-Griffin Prevention Research Center team, which found a significant improvement in blood vessel function among people with diabetes who consumed two ounces of walnuts per day for eight weeks.

“Our work to date has shown clear benefits of adding walnuts to the diet for people with, and at risk, for diabetes,” said Dr. David L. Katz, director of the Yale-Griffin Prevention Research Center, and principal investigator of the study. 

“To some extent, this is because walnuts are concentrated in a variety of health-promoting nutrients, including omega-3 fat. The results are also probably due to the fact that eating more walnuts, which tend to help us feel and stay full, means eating less of other, less nutritious foods - so there are benefits both from what is added to the diet, and what is bumped out. We now move on to the next question: Do walnuts improve overall diet quality, and help with weight control, for healthy adults? I think so- but the study we are now running will tell us for sure.”

The adults who took part in the study were overweight, had an average age of 57 years, and had at least one of several conditions (high blood pressure, high blood glucose, high triglycerides, or low HDL cholesterol) that can raise the risk for diabetes or cardiovascular disease. Diabetes, in turn, can raise the risk for cardiovascular disease. 

Study participants were asked to practice their usual eating habits for one eight-week period called the control phase. 

Participants were then instructed to continue their usual eating habits for another eight-week period called the walnut phase, with one exception - eating two ounces of walnuts per day while adjusting for the extra calories from the walnuts so their daily calorie intake would be consistent with the control phase. The researchers found that after eight weeks of daily walnut intake, the study participants’ blood vessel function improved significantly compared to the control phase, their body weight and waist circumference remained stable, and they experienced a beneficial trend in reduction of systolic blood pressure (the upper number in a blood pressure reading), however that did not quite reach statistical significance.

The study results provide evidence that walnuts can play a role in protecting against heart disease in at-risk individuals.

The study was funded by the California Walnut Commission. The researchers are conducting another study to see if the beneficial health effects of consuming walnuts hold true for a six-month time period for adults who are at risk of developing diabetes.

About the Yale-Griffin Prevention Research Center

The Yale-Griffin Prevention Research Center was established in 1998 through funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The goal of the PRC is to develop innovative approaches to health promotion and disease prevention that will directly benefit the public's health, first locally, and then nationally. For information, visit www.yalegriffinprc.org.

Talks in Derby to focus on stroke awareness, diabetes

DERBY - In recognition of Stroke Awareness Month, the Diabetes Education & Support Group at Griffin Hospital will host two free presentations about diabetes and cardiovascular disease on May 14.
Dr. Shilpa Shetty, of the Griffin Faculty Physicians practice, will present “Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease” from 2:30-3:30 p.m. in the Griffin Childbirth Classroom A and from 6:30-7:30 p.m. at Griffin Hospital Dining Room Meeting Room.
Both rooms are located at 130 Division St. 

Diabetes is a risk factor for both heart disease and stroke.

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

No registration is required. Free valet parking is available for the 2:30 p.m. session.
For information, call Mary Swansiger, R.N., MPH, at 203-732-1137.

Mother's Day tea fundraiser planned in Derby

DERBY - Get a head start on Mother's Day by bringing your mother, daughter and perhaps your granddaughter to a Tea Party from 2 to 4 p.m. May 5 in the Dining Room at Griffin Hospital, 130 Division St.

Hosted by members of the Valley Women's Health Initiative, the Tea Party will benefit the Griffin Hospital Valley Breast Health Care Fund.
It is open to all: Men and women, wives and husbands; mothers, daughters and granddaughters.

A sophisticated assortment of savories will be served. There will be a contest for the “best” hat along with a variety of door and raffle prizes.
Cost is $30.  Reserve a seat by contacting Mariann at 203-732-1300  or mvallillo@griffinhealth.org, or Dorothy at 203-233-7639 or dott.g@comcast.net, or by sending a check to Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness at Griffin Hospital, 350 Seymour Ave., Derby, 06418 Attention: M. Vallillo

This year’s event is co-chaired by Pat Tarasovic and Kate Cosgrove.

The Valley Women's Health Initiative is comprised of members of the community working toward a common goal of addressing and improving women's health issues including breast cancer awareness and heart disease.
Established in 2001 to ensure that no person, regardless of age or socio-economic condition, is denied screening mammograms or diagnostic testing for breast cancer, committee members include co-chairs Kate Cosgrove and Dr. Stephanie Wain; Daun Barrett, Jack Betkoski, Carey Carpino, Dolores Chew, Karen Cusick, Dorothy Gandy, Elizabeth Johnson, Lauren Kazzi, Denise Kulas, Peggy Marlowe, Michelle Moore, Connie Nunez, Robin Smith, Mia Talamelli, Pat Tarasovic, and Mariann Vallillo.

The group also sponsors an Annual Women Making A Difference Tribute and Fundraiser each October in conjunction with National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

This information is taken from a press release from Griffin Hospital.    

Cardiologist to address Valley Heart Club today

DERBY - Dr. Kenneth Schwartz, Chief of Cardiology at Griffin Hospital, will address the Valley Heart Club at 7 p.m. today at the hospital, 130 Division St.

February is American Heart Month.

The Valley Heart Club is a heart disease support group that educates people through its monthly meetings. The group meets the third Tuesday of every month (excluding July and August).

Heart experts to speak at Griffin forum

DERBY - If you have questions about heart disease, treatment options and how to keep your heart fit and healthy, Griffin Hospital has the answers.

Griffin will host “Heart-to-Heart,” an open forum with cardiologist Martin Plavec, and Griffin Hospital’s Director of Cardiac Rehabilitation Eunice Lisk, at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 26 in the hospital’s Meditation/Learning Center at 130 Division St.
These two heart experts will provide easy-to-understand information about warning signs for heart problems and what you can do to help prevent them. They will also discuss common heart issues, like Congestive Heart Failure and high blood pressure, how to get tested for heart disease, and discuss the benefits and risks of treatment options.

The forum is in recognition of National Heart Awareness Month in February. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women, but heart disease is preventable and controllable.

The presentation is part of Griffin Hospital's Healthy U “Tuesday Talks,” 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.

All Tuesday Talks are held in Griffin Hospital’s Meditation and Learning Center. Light refreshments will be served.

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

Experts to discuss heart disease, treatment at Griffin

DERBY - If you have questions about heart disease, treatment options and how to keep your heart fit and healthy, Griffin Hospital has the answers.

Griffin will host “Heart-to-Heart,” an open forum with Cardiologist Martin Plavec, MD, and Griffin Hospital’s Director of Cardiac Rehabilitation Eunice Lisk, MS, at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 26 in the hospital’s Meditation/Learning Center, 130 Division St.

These two heart experts will provide easy-to-understand information about warning signs for heart problems and what you can do to help prevent them.

They will also discuss common heart issues, like Congestive Heart Failure and high blood pressure, how to get tested for heart disease, and discuss the benefits and risks of treatment options.

The forum is in recognition of National Heart Awareness Month.
Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women, but heart disease is preventable and controllable.

The presentation is part of Griffin Hospital's Healthy U “Tuesday Talks,” 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.

All Tuesday Talks are held in Griffin Hospital’s Meditation and Learning Center.
Light refreshments are served.

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

Talk to focus on spirituality, heart health link

Griffin committee plans annual program Feb. 7 
 
DERBY - The 8th Annual Women and Heart Disease program will feature a talk about connections between spirituality and heart health.

The Reverend Jo Clare Wilson will present “A Heart with Soul is a Healthy Heart” at this annual event hosted by Griffin Hospital’s Women and Heart Disease Committee. 

The dinner will be held Feb. 7 at Grassy Hill Lodge. Registration and a silent auction will start at 5 p.m., followed at 6 p.m. by dinner and the program.

An ordained clergy in the Disciples of Christ Church and an ACPE, Inc. Supervisor, Wilson serves as director of Pastoral Care and Education at Griffin Hospital. 
 She began her professional career at a mental health center in Scottsbluff, Neb., working as a therapist for individuals, families and groups as well as supervising Clinical Pastoral Education students at the local hospital. She later worked at healthcare institutions in Michigan, Georgia and South Carolina before coming to Griffin in 2000.

Wilson's focus in pastoral care has been in mental health, addiction and spirituality. She has been particularly invested in the Planetree philosophy of understanding the connection and influence in health and healing between mind, body and spirit.

The event will also feature ceremonies for the Community Caring Heart Award. This year, The Valley Women’s Health Initiative/Women Making a Difference and Naugatuck Mayor Robert Mezzo, will receive the award in recognition of their initiatives that promote and improve the general health and well-being of all.

Tickets are $35 and the event is open to the public. To make a reservation or for more information, call 203-732-1137. Proceeds benefit the Women and Heart Disease Fund. Reservations are due by Jan 31.

According to the American Heart Association, heart disease kills nearly twice as many women in the United States than all types of cancer combined, yet fewer than one out of four women think heart disease is a threat to their health. 
In recognition of this fact, Griffin Hospital's Women and Heart Disease Committee - consisting of members of the Community Outreach and Valley Parish Nurse Program, nursing and other healthcare professionals, and volunteers from throughout the community - hosts the annual event to better educate women about heart disease.

Daun Barrett and Dee Klingaman are co-chairs of the Women and Heart Disease Committee for 2013. 
Additional committee members include Lisa Bisson, Laura Bracci, JoAnn Brejwo, Luisa Canestri, Laurie Casey, Maureen Coffey, Jeannette Connelly, Dorothy Gandy, Joanne Halstead, RN, Anita Jain, RN, Bev Kondor, RN, Eunice Lisk, Laurene Schultz, Maria Silvestre, RN, and Mary Swansiger, RN.

Program to highlight heart disease awareness, prevention

Annual event slated in February 

DERBY - The Women and Heart Disease Committee of Griffin Hospital's Valley Parish Nurse Program will hold its eighth annual Women and Heart Disease program starting at 5 p.m. Feb. 7 at Grassy Hill Lodge.

Guest speaker will be the Rev. Jo Clare Wilson, chaplain, Griffin Hospital. The topic of her talk is "A Heart with Soul is a Healthy Heart."

The committee will present its fifth annual "Caring Heart" awards. The community award will go to "Valley Women's Health Initiative" Valley Breast Cancer Committee and the individual award will go to Naugatuck Mayor Robert A. Mezzo.

This special award recognizes community and individual initiatives that promote and improve the general health and wellbeing of all.

There will be a dinner and silent auction.
Tickets are $35; RSVP by Jan. 31 to 203-732-1137.

The goal of the Women and Heart Disease Committee is to increase awareness among women, empower them to love and save their hearts, and ensure women are provided the means to protect their heart health through education and awareness.