Healthy Cooking Topic Of Fibromyalgia Support

DERBY — Greg O’Gorman, director of food services at Griffin Hospital, will offer an overview of “Healthy Cooking” including some dos and don’ts, fallacies and tips at the May 26 meeting of the Fibromyalgia Support & Education Group. The talk will begin at 2 pm and is open to all interested persons.

Fibromyalgia is a widespread musculoskeletal pain and fatigue disorder which can interfere with all aspects of a person’s life. The fibromyalgia support group meets on the last Tuesday of each month at 2 pm in Griffin Hospital conference rooms, giving people affected with this condition the opportunity to share information, offer encouragement, and learn coping techniques.

A graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, Mr O’Gorman joined the Griffin Hospital staff in 2008. He has spent 23 of his 30 years of experience in food services in management, including ten years as executive chef at Sloan Kettering Cancer Center where he implemented a hotel-style room service delivery system for patients.

Since joining the Griffin staff he received the Spirit of Planetree award for nutrition in recognition of Griffin’s healthy vending and farmers market initiatives.

Health & Wellness Fair

In related news, the 4th Annual Community Health and Safety Fair for children and adults will be held on Saturday, May 30, from 10 am to 2 pm, at the Ansonia Armory, 5 North State Street.

Sponsored by the Griffin Hospital, the Valley Parish Nurse Program, the Valley NAACP, the Valley YMCA, the City of Ansonia, and the Community Foundation of Greater New Haven Neighborhood Small Grants, the free event will feature health screenings for adults and children, including cholesterol, diabetic, osteoporosis, blood pressure screenings, and stroke assessments.

Fitted bike helmets will be given to the first 250 children and there will be a bike rodeo and car seat safety checks and installation. 

Volunteers will be on hand to register youngsters for CHIPS (Childhood Identification Program), which provides families with free identification kits for their children, including fingerprinting, dental impressions, and a video interview.

The fair also features health, wellness, and safety displays and a variety of educational materials. It is open to all interested members of the community. Attendees may park in the Assumption Church school lot.

For more information about these and other Griffin events and classes call 732-7584.

Desserts for the Heart

The Griffin Hospital Dining Room will again serve as the setting for the 2nd Annual “Desserts for the Heart” program sponsored by the Women & Heart Disease Committee. The event will take place Thursday, May 28, at 6:30 pm. 

This year’s program features Griffin’s newest cardiologist, Dr Lavanya Bellumkonda, a specialist in heart failure, cardiac imaging, and women’s heart disease. In addition, in conjunction with Stroke Awareness Month, free stroke assessments will be offered from 5 to 6:30 pm and immediately following the program. 

A variety of desserts and heart-healthy treats will be served. 

Dr Bellumkonda is affiliated with Doctors Anthony D’Souza, Martin Plavec, and Stephen R. Woodworth at Heart Specialists PC of Southern Connecticut in Oxford and Shelton. 

The Women and Heart Disease Committee is focused on increasing heart disease awareness among women, empowering them to love and save their hearts, and ensuring that they are provided the means to do so through education and rehabilitation.

Tickets are $15.  To purchase a ticket, call the Valley Parish Nursing Office at 732-7548.