Monday, July 29, 2013
Fairfield, CT – Cindi Bigelow, President of Bigelow Tea, visited the Norma F. Pfriem Breast Care Center in Fairfield, to discuss the programs and services supported by the Bigelow Tea Community Challenge run. The run raises over $800,000 each year and supports more than a dozen organizations. Since its inception, the run has raised more than $800,000.
In addition to visiting the acute care facilities at the Breast Care Center, Bigelow toured the organization’s new wellness center, where classes and services are offered in meditation, naturopathic medicine, acupuncture, yoga, Pilates, nutrition and more.
“Patients experience a real benefit from health and wellness programs, which alleviate the symptoms of treatment and enhance healing,” says Dr. Donna Twist, Executive Director of the Norma F. Pfriem Breast Care Center.
As the cost of healthcare continues to rise, many companies are encouraging their employees to take a preventive approach to health. Bigelow Tea is exploring a partnership with the Norma F. Pfriem Breast Care Center to build their employee health and wellness program.
“We are developing a point system to reward employees for healthy lifestyle choices,” says Bigelow. “Employees who eat healthy, exercise regularly and visit the doctor will earn benefits, such as credit toward a yoga or other wellness class at the Norma F. Pfriem Breast Care Center.”
Information sessions, held at Bigelow’s headquarters, will introduce employees to classes and services that can help them manage common health problem. Doctors and nurses will conduct mini-sessions in their specialty areas.
“Employees will learn about wellness services that can have a long term impact on their health,” says Bigelow. “We want to make it easy for employees to access services that can help them stay well at any age.”
The Norma F. Pfriem Breast Care Center’s offers a comprehensive line-up of health and wellness programs. The programs have been very popular, and the Breast Care Center is opening them up to the community. A series of information sessions held in partnership with community groups is helping to get the word out.
Nancy Church, the Breast Care Center’s Community Education Coordinator, says, “At the Norma Pfriem Breast Care Center we believe that education and prevention are the best means to staying healthy. Our newly expanded facility on Beach Road offers a comprehensive approach to wellness. Our Wellness Information events are a way of getting our message out to people in the community, who, due to hectic family lives or business schedules, don’t often take the time to focus on their own health.”
Groups interested in scheduling an informational night can call Church at 203.255.5300.
Part of Bridgeport Hospital and the Yale New Haven Health System, the Norma F. Pfriem Breast Care Center has served more than 20,000 women and their families since it was established in 1999. One of only 200 sites accredited by the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC), the Center provides a wide range of diagnostic care and treatment at its Bridgeport Hospital and Fairfield locations, including medical oncology, surgical and chemotherapy services, plastic surgery, mammography and radiation therapy, and genetic risk assessment as well as opportunities to participate in clinical trials.
The Breast Care Center office at 111 Beach Road in Fairfield also provides comprehensive women’s wellness services, including nutrition counseling, massage and Reiki therapy, wig and prosthesis fitting, counseling, yoga, Pilates, naturopathic medicine, and other patient support activities. The Center has a satellite office on Park Avenue in Trumbull. The Center is a member of the prestigious National Consortium of Breast Care Centers.
For more information call 203.255.5300 or visit the Center online.
Bridgeport Hospital, part of Yale New Haven Health, is a non-profit 501-bed acute care hospital with two campuses (plus 42 beds licensed to Yale New Haven Children's Hospital). Its Bridgeport and Milford Campuses serve patients from across the region. The hospital admits more than 23,000 patients and provides nearly 350,000 outpatient treatments annually. The Connecticut Burn Center at Bridgeport Hospital is the only burn center in the state and one of only 64 verified burn centers in the United States. Bridgeport Hospital is committed to providing safe, compassionate and cost efficient care to its patients and the community. www.bridgeporthospital.org
