Torringford School Students Raise Money For Center for Cancer Care Fund

Students at Torringford School in Torrington recently held a “Cancer Stinks, But Smencils Don’t” fundraiser to benefit the area’s Center for Cancer Care Fund, Inc. The school’s student Senate raised $2,930 from several events, primarily the sale of scented pencils called “Smencils”. Students, along with the guidance of teachers Chris Marchand and Brooke Harris, presented a check to Ellen Ebbs, Executive Director of the Center For Cancer Fund, Inc. at a school assembly on June 17th.

The Fund supports cancer patients with care, treatment, education and prevention programs and awards financial assistance to patients. Funds may be utilized for emergencies such as food, rent, transportation, utilities, medication or other emergent needs as determined by clinicians and case managers.

Ellen Ebbs, Executive Director of the Center For Cancer Care Fund, Inc., is pleased by the student’s efforts. “We are moved and amazed at what these students have accomplished. Their donation will directly benefit cancer patients in our area. The children are truly a source of inspiration for the patients and families receiving treatment at The Center for Cancer Care”.

The Center for Cancer Care is an affiliation of The Charlotte Hungerford Hospital and Connecticut Oncology and Hematology Associates. The Center offers comprehensive cancer care services including radiation therapy, medical oncology, chemotherapy and other complimentary therapies. For more information on The Center for Cancer Care Fund, call (860) 567-0160.

The Charlotte Hungerford Hospital is a 109 bed, general acute care hospital located in Torrington, Connecticut, that serves as a regional health care resource for 100,000 residents of Litchfield County and Northwest Connecticut.

Charlotte Hungerford Hospital Recognizes Employee Service at Annual Awards Dinner

The Charlotte Hungerford Hospital (CHH) paid special thanks to its staff at its recent Employee Service Recognition Dinner held annually at the Torrington Elks Club. Each year, full-time, part-time, and per diem Hospital employees are selected and honored based on their years of service in 5-year increments, and are given special gifts including jewelry, crystal, and electronics. This year, the hospital recognized a total of 156 employees, including 25 with 20 years of service and 8 with 30 years of service.

Four employees were celebrated for their 35 years of service including Kathy Dombek, Roberta Lejeune, Margaret Bisciotti, and Linda DiMauro. All employees with 15 or more years of service are invited to attend the annual ceremony.

“It is great to see how proud the employees are to be honored together during this wonderful evening. Whether it is 5 years or 35 years of service, the smiles we see as employees are being recognized is priceless,” says R. James Elliot, Vice President, Human Resources.

The Charlotte Hungerford Hospital is a 109 bed, general acute care nonprofit organization located in Torrington, CT, serving thirteen towns and 96,000 persons. It provides inpatient and outpatient services including general medicine and surgery, oncology, pediatrics, obstetrics, and behavioral health. Affiliations include Connecticut Children’s Medical Center and Hartford Hospital.

Torrington High School classmates and Charlotte Hungerford Hospital employees Linda DiMauro (left) and Kathy Dombeck (right) are honored for 35 years of service to the Hospital at a recent recognition ceremony.

Charlotte Hungerford Hospital Employees Honored

Several Charlotte Hungerford Hospital employees were recently honored for their commitment to exceptional quality of care and service to hospital patients and family members. Alison Menniges, BSW, and Michelle Pennington, LCSW, were awarded the annual “Circle of Excellence” Award by their peers at a recent ceremony.

Individuals or groups are nominated by their peers for the award which highlights excellence in the areas of quality of care, service excellence, and financial improvement. Nominees may exhibit excellent care by advocating for patients and enhancing the healthcare environment. Additionally, candidates demonstrate service excellence by working with patients or customers in a tactful, cooperative manner and by building supportive relationships. Financial Excellence is shown by using innovative solutions in a fiscally responsible manner.

Alison and Michelle are both members of the Case Management Department and work directly with patients to ensure that all of their needs are met both at the hospital and following their discharge. “It is fitting that Alison and Michelle were presented with this honor. They both consistently treat all patients with compassion, dignity and respect. They are highly valued by clients and peers alike”, stated John Capobianco, VP of Patient Care Services and Administration.

Menniges and Pennington have been known to go above and beyond job expectations to meet client needs, whether it is for prescription medications, transportation, food, clothing, or money for basic needs. A colleague cited examples of them escorting an elderly woman with dementia to visit her recently discharged husband at his nursing home to ensure she would find her way, or donating their own clothing to patients who have nothing to wear home from the hospital.

Menniges and Pennington were chosen by a committee from a field of three other nominees. Others nominated included Susan Kellogg, RN, for exceptional service to the Surgical Services department, Ivy Almodovar, Sherrie Gioia, Aileen Popham and Sheri Symmonds for excellent accuracy and compliance in managing the Emergency Room Coding System, and Suzanne Fox, R.N., WOC, for excellent patient care in her position as Wound, Ostomy and Continence specialist.

The Charlotte Hungerford Hospital is a 109 bed, general acute care nonprofit organization located in Torrington, CT, serving thirteen towns and 10,000 persons in Northwest Connecticut.

Charlotte Hungerford Hospital employees Allison Menniges (left) and Michelle Pennington (right) are honored with "Service of Excellence Award".

CHH Honors Nurse Of The Year During Appreciation Week

The Charlotte Hungerford Hospital (CHH) is participating in National Nurses’ Week May 6 through 12 with a series of activities and celebrations to honor and show appreciation of its clinical nursing staff. Events being held during the week include an ice cream social, a showcase of Surgical Services area, and the distribution of special gifts, sponsored in part by Torrington’s new Panera Bread Company.

Brenda Sherman, RN, LCSW, LADC, was chosen as the hospital’s Nurse of the Year for 2008, an annual tradition during Nurses’ week. Brenda has been with CHH for over 30 years and is highly respected among physicians and nursing peers. She currently works in the Behavioral Health Department with patients dealing with mental health and substance abuse issues. Brenda was selected from over 25 other nominees by a committee of her peers and was honored at an awards breakfast held on May 7th at the hospital.

Colleagues and physicians who nominated Brenda commented that she works with a challenging population, but she is able to perform her “magic” with a compassionate, non-judgmental attitude and a wonderful sense of humor.

The American Nurses Association holds the week annually beginning May 6, also known as National Nurses Day, through May 12, the birthday of Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing. This year’s theme of “Making a Difference Everyday” highlights the work of America's 2.7 million registered nurses to save lives and to maintain the health of millions of individuals.

The Charlotte Hungerford Hospital is a 109 bed, general acute care hospital located in Torrington, Connecticut, that serves as a regional health care resource for 100,000 residents of Litchfield County and Northwest Connecticut.

CHH and Emergency Personnel Practice With New Fire Evacuation Sleds

The Charlotte Hungerford Hospital (CHH) staff conducted an Emergency Preparedness Exercise with members of Campion Ambulance Service, The Torrington Fire Department, West Side Fire Department of Harwinton, and other Volunteer Fire Departments on Wednesday, July 9th at the Hospital. The purpose of the exercise was to give CHH and local first responders the opportunity to train on five new “Paraslyde” evacuation sleds recently purchased by the hospital that would be used in the event that patients needed an emergency evacuation and the elevators were not functioning.

The exercise gave CHH and emergency responders an opportunity to experience hands on practice utilizing the sleds as part of the Hospital’s ongoing effort to maintain joint commission compliance and utilize the very latest in lifesaving equipment. The sleds enable “one-on-one” vertical evacuation control that allows lighter staff members and firefighters to have absolute control over heavier patients during evacuations. The sleds are designed and constructed with 8MM corrugated polypropylene material and have a weight capacity of 500lbs.

Paul Rabeuf, Emergency Medical Services and Emergency Management Coordinator at CHH comments, “this training exercise demonstrates the dedication that our Local EMS organizations and fire departments have to our community and the hospital. As with all training, I look forward to working together with the area’s first responders to improve our ability to care for our patients and residents during emergency situations.”

The Charlotte Hungerford Hospital is a 109 bed, general acute care hospital located in Torrington, Connecticut, that serves as a regional health care resource for 100,000 residents of Litchfield County and Northwest Connecticut.

7th Annual CHH Golf Tournament Raises $60,000 For Radiation Oncology Services

The results are in, and The Charlotte Hungerford Hospital’s 7th Annual Golf Classic raised $60,000 for the Hospital’s Radiation Oncology Department. This year’s tournament took place June 23rd at The Torrington Country Club in Torrington. The event hosted 136 golfers consisting of donors, supporters and business representatives from all over the state. Major sponsors included the Litchfield Insurance Group, O’Brien, Tanski & Young, LLP, MedConn, Campion Ambulance, and RJB Contracting, Inc.

Radiation Oncologist Elizabeth Whalen, MD, was pleased to accept this year’s proceeds that will be allocated to support outreach programs and equipment used for patient care and education. She added “We are thrilled to be the beneficiary of such a wonderful annual event at Charlotte, and appreciate all who contributed to the tournament’s success this year.” Marty Mancuso, CHH Development Director commented “Our special thanks to all the staff, sponsors, volunteers, and players for all their hard work again this year.”

The Charlotte Hungerford Hospital Radiation Oncology Department is located at The Center For Cancer Care at 200 Kennedy Drive, Torrington. The Department offers technically sophisticated medical care in an environment that supports both patients and families. A team consisting of Radiation Oncologist Elizabeth Whalen, M.D., radiation therapists, nurse practitioner, a dosimetrist, physicist, dietician and a case manager work together to provide a friendly, personalized atmosphere for patients.

The Charlotte Hungerford Hospital is a 109-bed, general acute care hospital located in Torrington, Connecticut, that serves as a regional health care resource for 100,000 residents of Litchfield County and Northwest Connecticut.

Golf Committee members Roland Young (left) and Marty Mancuso (right) present a check to Elizabeth Whalen, M.D. (center)