CHH Diabetes Center Sponsors “Boot Camp”
Weekend Retreat Teaches Diabetes Lifestyle Management

The Charlotte Hungerford Hospital’s Diabetes Center held its first “Diabetes Boot Camp” this past weekend where sixteen Type 1 Diabetes patients learned and experienced everything they needed to know about managing their health and disease. The objective of the Boot Camp is to educate and motivate persons with Diabetes in a "real life setting" to help improve their Glucose control and gain a better understanding and management of Diabetes.

This intensive, highly programmed, three-day weekend retreat was held at Litchfield’s Wisdom House Retreat Center and featured a series of lectures, equipment demonstrations, interactive group sessions, Glucose monitoring, and the development of individualized exercise and meal plans. It was developed and presented by staff members at the Hungerford Diabetes Center including Endocrinologist and the Center’s Medical Director Egils Bogdanovics, M.D., Certified Diabetes Nurse Educator Lois Pelletier RN, CDE, Christine Pinette, APRN, BC-ADM, CHH Chief Dietician Carla Angevine, and social worker Karen Cornell, MSW. Equipment specialists also offered valuable information and demonstrations throughout the weekend.

Dr. Bogdanovics and staff have been working on the original concept and development of the Boot Camp for three years, and were very pleased how the program came together for the patients. “Our hope is that this program will be an enlightening and motivating experience for those involved and will lead to the critical lifestyle changes needed to ensure good health and nutrition. We felt a weekend away for patients to allow them to solely concentrate on the latest in Diabetes education and management was the best approach.” he said. “A key to success in managing diabetes is education and awareness.” added Diabetes Nurse Educator Lois Pelletier RN, CDE.

Six men and 10 women all with Type 1 Diabetes (formerly referred to as Juvenile Onset Diabetes which requires insulin) that are current and past Diabetes Center patients were chosen to participate at no cost. Some are seasoned at controlling their disease, and others are recently diagnosed patients. Some patients wanted to be trained on insulin pump therapy and desired a weekend "trial" of insulin pumping practice.

Weekend lectures included the History of Diabetes, Exercise and Insulin, Coronary Artery Disease prevention, Carbohydrate Counting, Pump Initiation, and Hypoglycemia treatment for Type 1 Patients. The spouses of the participants attend a Saturday afternoon educational session to learn how to recognize the symptoms and challenges of their partner’s diabetes. That evening, keynote motivational speaker Marine Officer Norman Meikle of the Coventry Police Department addressed the gathering.

Participants learned rowing techniques on Bantam Lake courtesy of Litchfield Hills Rowing Club and took a hike through Topsmeade State Forest. Exercise instructor and CHH Chief Dietician Carla Angevine led calisthenics after which finger stick glucose tests were conducted to demonstrate the effect of physical activity. Specialized rowing equipment was brought to the Wisdom House for rowing exercise and training.

Throughout the weekend, participants wore continuous blood glucose monitors that record blood glucose every 5 minutes for up to three days. The data was then reviewed in a group setting. Organizers agreed that reviewing the various factors influencing the individual’s blood glucose benefitted the entire group. Participants were very receptive to the weekend retreat, stating it was a great opportunity for them meet others with Diabetes who are going through similar challenges. Many also noted it was helpful to be away from the house and work for the weekend to concentrate solely on their health without interruption. Some made new friends and all learned something new.

Follow-up and future monitoring of the attendees will be a key aspect of ensuring that the camp was a success. Patients began the program by completing a pre-assessment that asks about their exercise habits, nutritional habits and taking a baseline Hemoglobin A/C blood test. In three months, participants will repeat the assessment and blood test. Then at 6 months and 9 months, additional assessments and blood tests will be repeated to evaluate if the Boot Camp had a positive behavior change on their life and their diabetes control.

The Center is planning to offer future Boot camps that will also involve patients with Type 2 Diabetes, formerly referred to as "Adult Onset Diabetes". Organizers would like to seek support from alternative funding sources and insurance companies to help defray the costs of the future programs. This program was supported by funding and in-kind gifts from The Charlotte Hungerford Hospital and the Litchfield Hills Rowing Club and corporate support and grants from NovoNordisk, Lifescan, and Medtronic that provides CHH with insulin pumps and continuing glucose monitors.

Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin. Insulin is a hormone that is needed to convert sugar, starches and other food into energy needed for daily life. According to the American Diabetes Foundation, there are 23.6 million children and adults in the United States, or 7.8% of the population, who have diabetes. While an estimated 17.9 million have been diagnosed with diabetes, 5.7 million people (or nearly one quarter) are unaware that they have the disease.

“One in every three children born in the United States will develop Diabetes in the future. This is why it is imperative that we all develop a better awareness and understanding of this serious healthcare problem and its correlation to healthy weight maintenance.,” said the Center’s Medical Director Egils Bogdanovics, M.D.

The Hungerford Diabetes Center offers a comprehensive multi-disciplinary approach to diabetes treatment and management. The team of board certified diabetes physician specialists, certified diabetes educators, registered dietitians, and social workers are specifically trained to help people with diabetes avoid complications and maintain better health throughout their lifetime. For more information about The Hungerford Diabetes Center services, please call (860) 489-0661.

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.

200 Attendees Come Together For 17th Annual Cancer Survivors Day

Over 200 attendees including over 80 Cancer Survivors came together Sunday, June 7th at Torrington’s Eastwoods Country Club for The Center for Cancer Care’s celebration of Cancer Survivors Day. This annual event brings together cancer survivors, their families, and friends to celebrate and honor those living with and beyond cancer and share inspirational stories. The event was sponsored by Anne MacDonald Borghesi, Maria Borghesi, and The Center For Cancer Care Fund, Inc.

The reception featured brunch by P’Sam’s Bar and Grille at Eastwoods Country Club, music from Downright Music, an interactive drum circle, and survivor portraits provided by The Charlotte Hungerford Hospital.

Attendee and Cancer Survivor Pam Stark was the winner of a new diamond necklace donated by Michael’s Jewelers located in the Avon Marketplace. Only survivors were eligible for this special door prize.

Speakers included Goshen resident and Cancer Survivor Ed Davidson who shared his personal journey, and Humorist Joyce Saltman, Ph.D., referred to as the “Guru of Laughter”, Saltman is a professor of Special Education at Southern Connecticut State University whose innovative teaching style has led to the development of a graduate course entitled “The Enhancement of Learning Through Humor.”

Since 1993, a small group of dedicated nurses from Connecticut Oncology and Hematology, visiting nurse agencies, and The Charlotte Hungerford Hospital have joined together to organize this annual event in conjunction with National Cancer Survivors Day. The program has grown from a very small hospital ceremony to a catered community celebratory event. Torrington joins over 700 communities around the world in celebrating life as part of National Survivor’s Day.

The Center for Cancer Care is an affiliation of The Charlotte Hungerford Hospital and Connecticut Oncology and Hematology Associates offering comprehensive cancer care services including radiation therapy, medical oncology and chemotherapy, massage, art, yoga and other complementary programs. The Charlotte Hungerford Hospital is a 109-bed, general acute care non-profit Hospital located in Torrington, CT, serving fifteen towns in northwest Connecticut.

Charlotte Hungerford Hospital Honors Nurse Of The Year During Appreciation Week

The Charlotte Hungerford Hospital (CHH) is participating in National Nurses’ Week May 6-12 with a series of activities and celebrations to honor and show appreciation of its clinical nursing staff. Events planned during the week include an ice cream social, a showcase of Surgical Services area, an essay contest, and the distribution of special gifts.

Mary Timm, RN, was chosen as the hospital’s Nurse of the Year for 2009, an annual tradition during Nurses’ week. Mary has been with CHH for 35 years and is highly respected among physicians and nursing peers. She currently works on the Inpatient Medical Unit (5th Floor) caring for patients with medical and oncology issues. Mary was selected from 25 other nominees by a committee of her peers and was honored at an awards breakfast held on May 6th at the hospital. Colleagues who nominated Mary commented that she exemplifies the expert, professional nurse who constantly delivers high quality care to her patients. Her co-workers on the unit describe her as “hard-working, professional, helpful, compassionate, fair, caring, and calm—a modern-day Florence Nightingale”.

“Mary is an extremely dedicated nurse always willing to lend a helping hand to her patients and colleagues. She is a true inspiration to our entire staff.” comments John Capobianco, Vice President, Patient Care Services and Administration.

Kimberly Howe, RN, was this year’s winner of the personal essay contest. She submitted an essay detailing her experiences as a nurse at Charlotte for the past 20 years. Helen Simmons, a long time volunteer at the Hospital’s Hungerford Emergency and Medical Care in Winsted and the Auxiliary For Community Health, addressed the gathering with enlightening stories from her experience as a nurse’s aide during the WWII era through the 1990s.

The American Nurses Association holds the week annually, this year 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 “Building a Healthy America” 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.

Center for Youth and Families Staff Given 2009 Circle Of Excellence Award by Peers

The Charlotte Hungerford Hospital (CHH) Center for Youth and Families (CYF) staff was recently honored for their exceptional performance in serving area children and families. The entire team of 19 was given the hospital’s 2009 “Circle of Excellence Award” by their fellow doctors and nurses at a reception on June 3rd. Much praise and a monetary gift were awarded to be shared amongst all the winners.

“I am very proud of this group and their dedication to our programs and the families we serve. Their teamwork and their support to each other is an inspiration.” says Joan Neveski, Clinical Manager for the CHH Center for Youth and Families."This team clearly demonstrates the idea that together everyone achieves more.” she added.

The Center serves the communities of Northwestern Connecticut through an interdisciplinary approach with licensed professional counselors, psychiatric social workers, marriage and family therapists and many more. The CYF team encourages local families in need to partner with them to work on ways to improve the quality of their lives. The Center works closely with schools, guidance counselors and local area pediatricians to ensure the "whole" child is treated and receives the care and support services they need.

Members of the staff that were recognized include Jennifer Boden Gaumer, Louise Brockway, Maureen Bruce, Jocelyn Bush, Debra Cohen, Rebecca Daley, Renee DeSimone, Jeremy Driscoll, Melanie Fitzgerald, Ruth Greenberg, Carol Lucia, Kathleen Mancini Alison Milano, Kim Monahan, Dawn O’Neill, Omayra Rodriguez, Karen Stevens, Christine Talbot, and Deborah Savanella.

“The CYF staff truly deserves Charlotte’s Circle of Excellence Award this year.” says Tom Narducci CHH Director of Behavioral Health. “From the initial phone call to our office, they treat the child and family with the utmost respect and courtesy.” He added.

At CHH, each year individuals or groups are nominated by their peers for the award which highlights excellence in the area of quality 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.

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.

The entire staff of The Charlotte Hungerford Hospital Center For Youth and Families received the hospital’s 2009 Circle of Excellence Award in honor of their outstanding work with area families and children.