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contents JAN/FEB 2022 vol. 24 | issue 1
features
departments
43
by diane talbot sembrot
10 EDITOR’S LETTER 13 STATUS REPORT
TOP DOCTORS Start the year off right by having the right health professionals in your corner. Here’s the guide you need.
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THE FAMILY DOCTOR Has medical care changed? Just ask Dr. Bob Altbaum, who retired after forty years. by ja m e s vose
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THE OTHER EPIDEMIC Understanding mental health is one thing, especially among young people. Knowing how to help is another.
right: Dr. Robert Altbaum reflects on his career in medicine.
BUZZ Dr. Scott Gottlieb; Adam Kaplan; Stars on Stage; Builders Beyond Borders; YMCA celebration; CAMP Gallery; mental wellness during Covid SHOP Layer up, the cool way DO Revving up your metabolism; eco choices at Artistex Salon & Spa; Tony Molina on New Year’s Resolutions; book picks; Salon 293 east EAT Organic Krush 79 INDEX OF ADVERTISERS 80 POSTSCRIPT by d onna mof f ly
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PAST AS PASTIME Digging into your family roots is more than learning about your ancestors; it’s also about learning history. by robe rt l i ftig
on the c over dr. scot t got tlieb photo gr aphy jen goldberg of jen goldberg photo gr aphy
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editor’s letter
JAN/FEB 2022 / DIANE TALBOT SEMBROT
SPOTLIGHT A
HOW TO SCAN: OPEN, AIM & TAP
eye. But there is also a story in here that needs attention, because it focuses on people who might be suffering in silence—it’s about teenagers and children and their mental wellbeing during the ongoing Covid-19 crisis. Wherever we are in the crisis when this magazine hits newsstands, we can be sure that there will be lasting repercussions. We’ll have to face them. I’m thinking of the children and teens who are experiencing significant anxiety and depression. The signs may not appear as we expect them to, or, if they do, we may not know exactly how to help. Our story asked a few local families to share their experience with us, for the sole purpose of helping others. While the answers are not easy, perhaps there is at least comfort in knowing you or someone you care about is not alone in this. One thing I will always bet on is that this community will face difficult and complex challenges—you’ll see them, you’ll address them, you’ll talk about them in some way. This is the beginning of just such a conversation. At the start of the new year, we don’t know what to expect. Whether you’re in the spotlight (metaphorically or literally) or simply looking forward to helping others from the wings (count me in), together we benefit from, and contribute to, one another. Every page we pull together gives proof. We’re here for one another, and in the new year we’ll handle the challenges and celebrate the good together.
diane.sembrot@moffly.com
WILLIAM TAUFIC
SCAN TO VISIT US
nyone who knows me at all knows that I was not made for the spotlight. Is that odd for an editor, who’s supposed to know everyone in town and everything that’s going on? No. My role, after all, is to focus on you, not have you focus on me. I am absolutely made for that role—I love finding out what other people are doing, what they think, what their plans are and so on. I share their stories with others. However, a few of the people in this issue are perfectly at home at center stage or are completely at ease being on TV. Take, for example, Dr. Scott Gottlieb. A former commissioner of the FDA, board member of Pfizer and author of Uncontrolled Spread, he is often on news programs to offer his thoughts about the direction of the Covid pandemic and vaccinations. On any given week, you might find him in a live interview on Face the Nation or quoted in a national newspaper, giving us his take on travel restrictions, antiviral pills to treat Covid or vaccinating children. In this issue, we talk to him about his experience giving just-the-facts advice throughout this health crisis and ask him about his new book and on preparing for the next pandemic (really). We also catch up with a few shining stars in our midst, including Adam Kaplan. He’s a New Yorker now, but Westport will always be home. He toured with Kinky Boots and then went to A Bronx Tale, a Broadway musical. Now he’s in a television series called The Big Leap. If anyone knows about that, it’s this performer who was born to take the spotlight. There’s more—just check the table of contents to see whose shimmer catches your westportmag.com
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buzz STATUS REPORT
CANDID ON COVID
SCOTT GOTTLIEB, MD, ON UNCONTROLLED SPREAD AND PREPARING FOR THE NEXT PANDEMIC b y j i l l j o h n s o n m a n n
W
JEN GOLDBERG OF JEN GOLDBERG PHOTOGRAPHY
estporter Dr. Scott Gottlieb has written the most important book of the year—or decade. In Uncontrolled Spread, the former FDA commissioner (2017–19) outlines in meticulous detail where our nation went wrong with this pandemic, why, and how we can avoid being caught off guard again. Gottlieb’s tome cuts out the political noise, providing a clear-headed insider’s perspective on a pandemic that left us stumbling around in the dark, grasping for a light switch. Uncontrolled Spread flips that switch. Even if some of what is illuminated is scary, it’s a relief, and readers will understand why Fortune magazine included Gottlieb in its “World’s Fifty Greatest Leaders.” Here’s our conversation with him. Before Covid-19, what should the U.S. have been doing to prepare for a pandemic of this kind? “We had sort of a monocular focus on preparing for a pandemic involving a novel strain of flu, particularly bird flu. Even for that, our preparations were inadequate, and only preparing for a flu left us even more vulnerable because this coronavirus behaved very differently than influenza. I had been a part of that planning in the Bush and Trump administrations. For example, we were not worried about diagnostic testing. In a flu pandemic, a diagnostic test isn’t a critical feature. One, flu has a very short incubation period so you’re not going to get people diagnosed before they go on to treat the infection. Two, most
It didn’t have the properly trained staff. It was kept warm but wasn’t hot and operational when we needed it.”
above: Dr. Scott Gottlieb, former FDA commissioner, is now serving on the board of Pfizer and is an author of a new book. below: Gottlieb’s book, Uncontrolled Spread
people aren’t contagious until they are symptomatic. Three, the diagnostic test for flu inside every doctor’s office would be sufficient. So we never thought about the need to scale deployment of a test. We also operated on an old notion of keeping a ‘warm base’ of preparedness. We should stockpile certain things and have manufacturing capacity we can scale up. But we found in this pandemic that if you merely keep a base warm, it’s not there when you need it. The best metaphor for this was the emergent facility charged with manufacturing the J&J vaccine. It was undercapitalized.
Once Covid-19 became a known virus, how was our government’s response lacking or misguided? “The first critical mistake was not scaling deployment of a diagnostic test and relying on the CDC to develop and roll it out. Even if the CDC hadn’t contaminated its own lab and botched the rollout, we still wouldn’t have had enough testing capacity to keep up with a fast-moving epidemic. We needed to engage the private sector in developing tests on a mass scale. In retrospect, it seems hard to see how we didn’t realize this was going to move quickly. Once we got behind the curve, there was no way to catch up. The Chinese locking down the Hubei province and destroying their economy to get control of the virus should have been a good indication to us that this was not a garden-variety virus. The U.S. didn’t show real concern until March, and by then the virus was everywhere. My first phone call to the White House was the weekend of Martin Luther King Day in January. I had been tracking this since late December, but I became alarmed and made that call when the number of reported cases in Wuhan jumped from 50 to 200. Clearly, the Chinese government had been withholding data. All 200 cases were people critically ill with pneumonia. It’s very unusual for a respiratory disease to only present with severe pneumonia, so that suggested there were hundreds, maybe thousands, who had been infected.” What should we be doing now to help snuff out this pandemic? “If Delta remains the dominant
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buzz variant, then in early 2022 we should be getting past the pandemic phase of this virus. It’s going to feel unsatisfying because we’ve gone through this tremendous ordeal and there’s not going to be a mission-accomplished moment. Prevalence will start to decline after this Delta wave runs its course. In spring/summer, this will largely dissipate, and we will have to deal with it next fall but in a much different way. With a largely immunized population, effective oral therapeutics, antibody-based drugs and widely accessible diagnostic tests, we have a much different toolbox and can turn this virus into a manageable risk. The big unknown is whether the new strain first identified by South African scientists, the Omicron variant, is going to become a global risk and displace Delta as the predominant strain. If it does, and if it’s able to pierce the immunity we’ve acquired through infection from the Delta strain, it could mean that prevalence remains high through the spring, and we are dealing with another wave of this virus, perhaps not as steep as the Delta wave, but persistent. The other unknown is how virulent the new Omicron strain is and whether it causes the same severity of symptoms.” What is your advice to parents who are hesitant about vaccinating their kids? “Look, this is still a serious infection in kids. We’ve seen 8,300 five- to eleven-year-olds hospitalized with Covid. We’ve seen 150 kids in that age group die from Covid. Over 700 under eighteen have died. There are a lot of childhood diseases we immunize for that are less severe and we don’t even question them. Covid was the eighth-leading cause of death among children in 2020.” And for adults? “We’ve done a good job vaccinating adults: 81 percent are vaccinated. That’s very high. We might get close to 90 percent but not much above that. I wish we would, but many who have chosen not to probably had Covid and have some immunity.” Who should be getting boosters and any input on the brands?
“Depth of vaccination matters just as much as breadth. We need to be equally focused on getting people boosted. Clearly, vaccination effectiveness declines over time, particularly in older individuals. Data shows mixing and matching is safe and effective. People should take the vaccine that’s available to them.”
Do you think students in school should still be in masks? “It’s not imprudent that schools are the last place to lift requirements. We want to keep kids in class and keep schools safe. We don’t want outbreaks disrupting school, so I can understand being more conservative than in a store or commercial setting.”
Do you think the Covid vaccine will ultimately become routine for children? “I think we are a long way from it being mandated as part of the childhood immunization schedule. The CDC will want to understand fully what the post-pandemic phase looks like and what the risk is to children when more of the population has immunity. They will want to see many vaccines on the market, including a protein-based vaccine. It will be a recommended vaccine, much like the flu vaccine.”
Do you expect we will face worse strains than the Delta variant in the near future? “One possibility is that future mutations will be within the Delta lineage. It will remain the dominant strain, so we may eventually reformulate the vaccines using a Delta backbone. But the Omicron strain represents divergent evolution. It’s a strain that has mutated along a completely separate evolutionary tree, and so the immunity we’ve acquired through past waves of infection may not be as protective. The hope is that, if it spreads globally, that properly boosted vaccines will still afford a meaningful level of protection.”
Are we at a point where we can strike a happy balance between safety and sanity? “We need to be willing to pull away some of these public health measures as conditions improve, even if it causes a slight uptick in cases. Policy makers and public health officials need to show we are adaptive. Westport’s decision to lift the mask mandate in November, given that prevalence was five cases per 100,000 people, was exactly what they should do. Conditions improve, people comply, you lift the requirement. If conditions worsen, you may need to reimplement. We need to accept this flexible approach and not see it as a failure if measures are lifted and infections pick up. Conditions change. This virus is going to come and go.”
How prevalent will masks be in our future? “I think masks will become more culturally acceptable. Even if we get past this Delta wave and Omicron doesn’t become a persistent risk or a new wave of infection, Covid is going to remain a seasonal threat and I believe people will use masks more routinely, voluntarily, when prevalence levels are high, to reduce their risk in public settings. One of my favorite medical studies from years ago showed that if you wore a mask in public, on average people stayed a farther distance from you because they presumed you were sick. Now it’s the exact opposite; people presume you are healthy and want to stay that way. I can envision myself wearing a mask going through a public airport next winter. In Asia, wearing masks became normalized after SARS and MERS. It wasn’t always that way. It took a pandemic with a deadly respiratory pathogen to change culture in Asia. I think the same thing can happen here.”
Are there other places where we should still be cautious? “What makes a place unsafe: a lot of people in a confined space, with poor air circulation, who are exuding a lot respiratory droplets— talking loudly, singing—such as at restaurants or in social halls with older air-filtration systems and poor air circulation. There are ways to improve those environments, but those are more conducive to spread.”
What should we be doing to prepare for the next pandemic?
“This pandemic represented an asymmetric risk for our nation. We were hurt a lot worse than many other nations. We need agencies with a logistical capacity to mount a response to a public health crisis of this magnitude. The CDC clearly didn’t have the capacity to scale testing. We are going to need domestic capacity to scale the production of antibody drugs and vaccines. We got lucky that we were able to manufacture these vaccines on relatively small platforms. If these had been vaccines requiring traditional biotechnology techniques, we wouldn’t have had the capacity to manufacture billions of doses. We need better tools for gathering information that can form our response. It took far too long to learn critical features of how this virus spread and what measures we could take to mitigate the spread. What was the appropriate distance for people to stand apart; what were the social and geographic compartments in which spread was occurring; how much asymptomatic spread was occurring? It took us months to get answers that we should have had in weeks. There were a lot of failures on the part of the CDC. We need to think about how we fundamentally reform that agency.” What inspired you to write your book, Uncontrolled Spread? “I thought this book would come out when we were having a robust national debate about how to prevent the next pandemic, and that needs to be our goal. At some point Congress and policy makers will take up that question, and hopefully this book becomes part of that discussion.” How long did it take? “I started in July of 2020 and turned in the first draft seven months later.” Do you sleep at all? “It was a much bigger lift than I thought it would be!” NOTE: Gottlieb’s book is available in bookstores and on Amazon. There is an audiobook and e-book as well. To keep up with him, follow him on Twitter @scottgottliebmd.
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buzz
above: Adam Kaplan in the new series The Big Leap
Adam Kaplan by jill johnson mann
B
roadway actors know the Great White Way is not really the road to riches. At some point most try to make the leap to more lucrative TV/film gigs. Westport’s Adam Kaplan, who had an impressive theatrical streak on Broadway straight out of college— Newsies, Kinky Boots (national tour), A Bronx Tale—has made that leap in a big way. The thirty-one-year-old actor plays Simon Lovewell on Fox’s hilarious and heartwarming new dramedy The Big Leap. Simon is one of the more polished dancers among the motley down-on-their-luck characters brought together on the reality show within a show. The group, of all ages and sizes, is tasked with rehearsing for a live production of Swan Lake (a concept inspired by the British documentary
above: Owner of MPR Fitness, Tony Molina
above: Adam Kaplan in Staples Players’ Mystery of Edwin Drood
Big Ballet). “Simon pulls on heart strings and makes you laugh,” says Kaplan. Simon is unabashedly gay and uber confident but struggles to unhitch himself from his ball and chain: his toxic twin-sis dance partner and cutthroat stage mom (who makes the Dance Moms look like kittens). “The Big Leap audition popped up, and I remember reading the script and thinking it was so unique,” recalls Kaplan. “Even on the page, it read to me as Modern Family meets This Is Us or Ted Lasso meets Glee. And I remember thinking, Oh God, I want this one so badly, but you don’t want to get attached.” Kaplan submitted his self-tape audition (the norm in Covid times) and had a callback via Zoom. “It was the same casting office
STAPLES PLAYERS BY KERRI LONG; OTHERS BY GEORGE BURNS/FOX
On Taking THE BIG LEAP
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KAPLAN IN WESTPORT MUST EATS Fortuna’s, Sherwood Diner, Chef’s Table
WHERE TO RELAX
PHOTOS BY GEORGE BURNS/FOX
above and below: In The Big Leap, Kaplan’s character rehearses for the show’s unconventional production of Swan Lake, bringing in moments of humor.
that cast me in Newsies and Kinky Boots so I didn’t have to do a dance audition, but in true Simon fashion, I slated in front of my Newsies poster just to be a little cheeky,” he says with a chuckle. It worked. Kaplan booked the role, shot the pilot a year ago in Chicago and wrapped the first season—eleven episodes— last November. “The wonderful thing about this show is a lot of it is on the fly, which contributes to the reality-show nature they’re trying to capture,” says Kaplan, in comparing acting in film versus on stage. “At the beginning and end of takes, we are encouraged to do some improv. And when we are not filming, we are in rehearsal learning dance numbers, so there is some overlap. Nothing is going to replicate live theater and that connection with a live audience, but I’m having the best time.” Kaplan honed his skills in Staples Players’ shows. “Adam’s work ethic never flagged—both on stage and off—and he was always the type of student you wanted to spend more time with,” says Director David Roth. Kaplan graduated from Staples in ’08 and took his first formal dance class as a freshman at Elon, studying musical theater. “It is wild to think that my Broadway debut was in such a heavy dance show and then this role, which is such a huge turning point in my career is on a dance-centric TV show,” says Kaplan. “What I will say is: It’s never too late to do anything, which ties into the theme of
Compo Beach or Burying Hill Beach
WHAT TO DO Take a bike ride, hang with family
FAVORITE STAPLES PLAYERS SHOWS (He Did): Romeo & Juliet, Children of Eden
TEACHERS TO THANK David Roth Kerry Long
the show. It’s all about second chances. It really resonates with my trajectory in my career. In my Elon audition, I got a three out of ten in dance! But I worked my butt off. I took four years of ballet, tap, jazz. Post Newsies, I really haven’t had to dance much, so revisiting those skills has been a reminder of how hard it is and how hard you have to work.” Watch Adam making dance look easy— not to mention nailing a nuanced portrayal of surprisingly complex Simon Lovewell—in The Big Leap, streaming on Hulu or the Fox Now app. What’s next for Adam? Possibly a musical version of the S.E. Hinton book The Outsiders. Stay tuned!
Alice Lipson Kevin Slater
SMALL WORLD When he was twenty-four, Adam was in Andrew Wilk’s production of Showboat at Lincoln Center (read about Wilk’s recent Stars on Stage series, shot at Westport Country Playhouse for PBS, on the next page.)
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above: Shoshana Bean flanked by Luke Edgemon and Melanie Nyema at the Westport Country Playhouse
STARS ON STAGE
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hat happens in a theater usually stays in the theater—and with the audiences who were fortunate enough to experience the magic of a live show. But those who missed the spectacular Stars on Stage concert series at the Westport Country Playhouse are in luck: the three concerts were produced by Westporter Andrew Wilk for PBS, where they will air this month. Hundreds of people witnessed Gavin Creel, Shoshana Bean and Brandon Victor Dixon live, elevating the music scene in Westport to Lincoln Center standards; now millions can tune in to see these Tonywinning and chart-topping stars performing on our Playhouse’s stage. In creating this series, Andrew Wilk, former Executive Producer of Live from
Lincoln Center, pulled off the ultimate Covid commute adjustment. Rather than taking Metro-North to the city, where he masterminded televised productions of Broadway musicals, the New York Philharmonic, and his Stars in Concert series (winning his fifth Emmy along the way), Wilk left his suburban cul-de-sac, drove up Compo Road and found himself the perfect intimate venue for bringing pandemicfrazzled PBS viewers a juicy bite of the Big Apple. “With 10 million viewers, these broadcast specials will put a national spotlight on the Playhouse—one of our town’s most important artistic assets,” says Wilk. His high-tech production required stripping the Playhouse of its lights and putting in his own,
creating temporary flooring on the stage, and bringing in top-flight sound engineers as well as a production control truck in the parking lot from which directors Wilk and Annette Jolles called the shots (literally). Securing top talent—with the lure of a PBS viewership— was a cinch. “I’d always had a dream of getting to do a special on PBS,” says Gavin Creel, who grew up watching the channel in the Midwest. “Patti Lupone singing ‘Being Alive’ in the Sondheim celebration in ’92 on PBS—that was the definitive moment when I was like: I want to do that for a living! I got a glimpse of something that felt so far away but because of PBS it was brought close to me in Findlay, Ohio.” Creel went on to win a Tony (Hello, Dolly!) and Olivier Award (The Book of
PHOTOGRAPHY BY CAROL ROSEGG
LANDMARK PBS SPECIALS FILMED AT THE WESTPORT PLAYHOUSE AIR THIS MONTH b y j i l l j o h n s o n m a n n
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PERFORMANCES BY CAROL ROSEGG; WILK, CONTRIBUTED
Mormon) and his concert includes a hilarious and touching medley tracking his journey from Ohio to award podium. Sporting a “dusty rose” tuxedo and hair coiffed pandemic-style in a bleached mullet, Creel injects enough joy to make the C-word disappear—at least for the hour. “This thing went into our bedrooms, bathrooms, hearts, homes— it touched all of us,” he says of Covid. “Art is the only way forward.” Creel was thrilled to have his PBS dream realized at “such a legendary theater.” Recording artist/Broadway star Shoshana Bean also aspired to perform in PBS’s spotlight. “I have long admired the PBS concert series so it was a dream come true to be gifted a concert special of my very own,” says Bean, who replaced Idina Menzel as Elphaba in Wicked and recently starred as Jenna in Waitress. Rather than hogging that spotlight, Bean invited several guest artists to perform with her, including Avery Wilson. She introduced him as “one of the most extraordinary living vocalists walking this planet.” After a duet that proved she was right, the crowd had to wonder if the walls of our Playhouse had
ever heard anything so exquisite. “It was a beautiful experience to get to perform some of my favorite music with some of my very favorite people,” says Bean. Known for his portrayal of Judas in NBC’s Jesus Christ Superstar and Aaron Burr in Hamilton, Brandon Victor Dixon “is soft-spoken, extremely thoughtful about his set list and phenomenally talented,” says Wilk. As the final performer in the series, Dixon’s closing concert was followed by a wrap party, outside, at the tail end of summer, with the star graciously greeting the guests he’d just wowed inside. “I had a wonderful time performing at the Playhouse,” says Dixon. “It’s a lovely venue and what stood out to me was the time I got to spend with the patrons afterwards celebrating music, the Playhouse and each other. It was a reminder of how meaningful communal artistic sharing can be.” Echoing his fellow stars, he adds, “PBS basically raised me, so it’s a great pleasure to join the PBS family in this way.” The concerts will air on PBS on three consecutive Friday evenings: January 7, 14 and 21, each at 9 p.m.
R AV ES My wife, Roz, is a big fan of theater and cabaret, and I thought this series was a great idea. If anyone could pull this off, I knew Andrew could. While the live performances were terrific, with the skill set and team Andrew brings, I think the broadcasts will be even better. —Bud Siegel, donor I saw this series as a way the Westport community could be a leader in presenting high quality, in-person programming as the nation began to emerge from a long Covid-related theater hiatus. It was truly inspiring to see a live, appropriately masked and vaccinated audience enjoying three great musical performances that now the whole world can see. —Jim Marpe, donor The shows were the culmination of over a year’s worth of work, and it took a monumental effort to pull this off during a pandemic. When the performances actually happened, I was really
above: Andrew Wilk left: Gavin Creel below: Brandon Victor Dixon
excited by the work of the directors, truly experienced veterans at this kind of thing. They made the broadcast version look just as exciting and elegant as the shows actually were before audiences at the Playhouse. —Mark Lamos, artistic director, Westport Country Playhouse As America’s largest stage, PBS is delighted to celebrate the return of live musical performance with these three unforgettable concerts filmed at the Westport Country Playhouse. —Zara Frankel, director of programming & development, PBS
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BRIGHT HORIZON BUILDERS BEYOND BORDERS ON THE POWER OF SCHOOL-AGE VOLUNTEERISM by judith marks-white
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3 WAYS TO JOIN B3 (grades 9–12) A student-led, year-round organization, it promotes leadership skills through positions as advisors, board members, interns and more. Participants work in teams, including abroad, on volunteer projects. Student volunteers work on local B3 projects throughout the fall. During mid-year school above: With Builders Beyond Borders, the participants do hands-on work in other countries.
breaks, students travel to a country in Latin America to live and physically help build a
privilege to be part of this organization.” Says student Jack Moley: “B3 has been the best experience of my life and has changed me for the better.” Parent Deborah Schaefer: “B3 has been an extremely positive experience for both of my children. Not only have they been exposed to vast needs of people from other countries and communities, also they have made lasting relationships. We are a family.” Alumn and advisor Michael Pavlis: “I love witnessing B3 student volunteers become the best versions of themselves.” At its core, B3 is about kids and their homage to humanity at a time when we need it most. It is about the gathering of these unique youngsters, who move not just “beyond borders” but “beyond themselves” to bring comfort and hope to families locally and across the globe. Passions are ignited with the goal of embracing cultural immersion, and inspiring volunteerism that will last for a lifetime. It is through these dedicated teenagers’ efforts, and their hands-on participation in work projects, that lives are enriched and personal growth is inevitable, and, with one “builder” at a time, our world evolves and expands.
new facility—such as a school, aqueduct, medical clinic—with a community. The program costs between $3,300 and $3,600, which students can cover through fundraising (B3 guides students through that process).
B3 LOCAL (grades 8 and up) Through B3LOCAL, students can volunteer for local community service projects. This offers a chance to try volunteer work closer to home and support B3 events, such as its awards program Despedida.
B3 Advisor (adults) Wish you had done B3 as a teen? Try the next best thing: Helping teens appreciate the opportunity. Serve as an advisor. It means participating in local B3 events and team meetings throughout the year. B3 hosts a three-part Leadership Workshop to support the advisors.
CONTRIBUTED
hen you stop to pause, and wonder what our world is coming to, there is light amidst the chaos by way of the good people doing good things. Consider, as an example, the organization Builders Beyond Borders (also called B3; buildersbeyondborders.org). The B3 nonprofit organization—headquartered in Norwalk and lead by Executive Director Amy Schroeder-Riggio and Program Director Cindy Wormser—is celebrating its thirtieth anniversary. It has an outstanding record of accomplishment, having mobilized more than 7,175 volunteers to build much-needed projects for communities in the Caribbean, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Cuba, Ecuador, Guyana, Honduras, Nicaragua, Peru and Tobago. Some of these volunteers began their stints as early as eighth grade by working locally. These teenagers, recruited from both public and private schools in Fairfield County and beyond, set exemplary examples. Working collaboratively, B3 creates an atmosphere of giving, and each volunteer serves as a proud ambassador of the United States. Summing it up best is B3’s promise: To stand against discrimination, violence and prejudice; to listen and learn; to be honest, empathic and compassionate; and to continue to take every opportunity to make our communities a better place to build a better world. B3 shapes leaders and fosters personal development. Volunteers work locally through the fall, and they travel globally during school breaks in February, March and April by living in a community abroad to construct much-needed facilities. As a result, friendships are cultivated and leadership skills are developed as B3 volunteers create an atmosphere of teamwork and congeniality. Past advisor and past board member Kathy Jamison says: “B3 offers a uniquely valuable opportunity for high school students to discover who they are through service. It’s a
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Why the YMCA W above: The Wilton Family YMCA
Robert C. McDowell Chief Executive Officer
Jarred S. Barnes Chief Development Officer
hen I was little, I was a guppy. I stayed one for months as my sister, just a year older, evolved into a shark. Our swimming groups—from water treaders to water predators (my sister could be tough)—took place at our local YMCA. Undeterred, I kept at it and finally clued into the idea that I was meant to make progress, not just enjoy a good splash about. In fact, as with many of locals, swimming became a lifelong activity and always at the YMCA. When not swimming, we’re taking classes, from dancing in our teens, weight training in our twenties, spinning in our thirties. The YMCA has plenty of classes to try, as well as a chance to zone out on a treadmill to our favorite songs. There is always more to try, beginner or competitive, as each new generation joins in, with summer day camp, sports clinics and, of course, swim lessons. The YMCA is more than staying in shape or learning healthy habits. It’s also a chance to meet people. Every visit, whether at the break of dawn or as the sun is setting, you’ll run into people you know. We all have good memories of learning new skills, getting in shape and making new friends at our neighborhood YMCA. A lot of good memories, actually, as the Wilton Family Y (404 Danbury Rd., Wilton; 98 S. Main St. Y, Norwalk; Y Gymnastics Center, 644 Danbury Rd., Wilton; riverbrookymca.org), part of the
by diane sembrot
Riverbrook Regional YMCA Association, is celebrating its fiftieth anniversary—and they’re taking a moment to celebrate. To be more accurate, they’re taking the whole year to enjoy the big milestone. Things kick off this January. To find out more about the mission of the YMCA over time and what to expect going forward, we threw some questions to its leadership: CEO Bob McDowell and Chief Development Officer Jarred S. Barnes. Here’s what they shared. The Wilton YMCA is turning fifty this year. What does that mean to you? Bob: “I look back with a tremendous amount of respect for the foresight and energy of those who voluntarily worked to bring a YMCA to the Wilton Community. I recognize through the years the exceptionally selfless groups of community-minded people who continued to build upon the foundational wisdom of those who generously came before them to ensure the continued meaningful and impactful success of this YMCA. I also think of how our YMCA continues to meet the ever-changing community needs, which has helped to enhance the quality of life in Wilton, Redding and Norwalk. My prayer is that we will continue to grow and remain as relevant as we have been in our community over the past fifty years, for the next fifty years.” What are some of the biggest changes in recent years? Jarred: “The biggest change that the Y has
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Celebrating a golden anniversary throughout the year
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buzz gone through in the past two years, other than the pandemic, was the renovation of our Wilton Family Branch. We ran a successful $7.5 million Capital Campaign and were able to refresh our building. Cutting the ribbon in March and welcoming our community back was such a rewarding feeling. However, a few days later we had to shut down! There are so many new things to see at our Y now and we welcome everyone to come take a look as we start our Fiftieth Anniversary Celebration in January.”
What can we expect for 2022? Jarred: “In January we plan to start strong with a membership drive, followed by events such as Swamp Romp, the celebration of the Wahoos Swim Team Fiftieth Anniversary in June, Rock at The Y benefit concert returning for its second act in September and then our Fiftieth Anniversary Celebration on November 5. We will have several other surprises throughout the year, so stay tuned to our website and social media for more details.”
How has programming changed over the years or even decades? Bob: “Programming has always been at the heart of the YMCA. We have always been a leader in aquatic and day camping experiences for children and remain in that expected leadership position today. Over the years, we have added licensed programming in the realm of pre-school education and after-school childcare. Over the past ten years, we have developed and continued our capacity to provide Evidence Based Health Intervention Programming, such as diabetes prevention, cancer survivor exercise, Parkinson’s disease balance and strength enhancement classes and ‘Healthy Eating for Children’ programming. Our Y has grown to serve many more active older adults through the years and is now offering a couple of dozens hours of specialized programming for them on a weekly basis. We recently added pickleball and badminton and the Race 4 Chase Triathlon Camp to our program schedules, which have been greatly received by our community.”
Norwalk is also part of the YMCA family. Do you have changes planned for it in 2022 and beyond? Bob: “We have been successfully serving the community of Norwalk through many ‘Y without-walls’ programs since 2015 when we completed a merger with the Norwalk YMCA after its Board needed to close their building on West Avenue. Hundreds of children and families have been served through our two Norwalk-based daycamp programs, our inbuilding before- and after-school childcare programs and ‘Swim Access’ program, which transports children to our Wilton Facility for aquatic experiences over the summer. We are currently occupying, under a lease agreement, a city-owned property at 98 South Main Street in South Norwalk and have plans to completely renovate the facility by the end of 2023. This newly renovated facility will become a center of the community, featuring a community teaching kitchen, a STEM lab, a visual arts lab, an audio and visual learning center and several other multipurpose rooms that will be used for various program opportunities that are relevant and will meet the community needs that have been emerging in South Norwalk. The YMCA will also be collaborating with the Americares Free Health Clinic, The Norwalk Housing Authority and UCAN within the facility. This facility will not be your traditional YMCA and will not include a pool, gym or locker rooms.”
Has the mission changed? Jarred: “Our mission as a charitable organization dedicated to maximizing the personal potential of all the individuals in the communities we serve has not changed over the years. The faces, the building, the programs that we run among other things may have changed, however, our mission has not.”
A conceptual rendering of the 98 S. Main Street YMCA in South Norwalk—this facility will be undergoing renovations starting in 2022 and will serve the community starting in 2023.
How has the YMCA handled Covid and its restrictions? Bob: “Our approach has been to follow all the local, state and federal mandates and guidelines and, with that said, we were very successful with our programming and facility use and did not experience any direct incidence of Covid exposures resulting from someone being infected while at the YMCA. We were closed from March to mid-June of 2020 and since been robustly operating within the Covid guidelines. During the height of the pandemic, our Y successfully pivoted to additionally providing live-stream and on-demand fitness programming in which hundreds of our members took part in daily.” Can you share any plans for Riverbrook Regional YMCA over the next few years? Jarred: “Over the next few years, the Riverbrook Regional YMCA is going to look at who we are and the people we serve and comprehensively work toward those goals. Our Fiftieth Anniversary in Wilton and the renovation and reopening of the 98 S. Main Street Y in Norwalk will be only a part of our plans for the next five years, fifty years and beyond.” Why did you decide to work for the YMCA? Jarred: “I am so lucky to be a part of the YMCA Family. I worked for the Greater Philadelphia YMCA for little over two-and-a-half years and then left the Y for a small time. I am blessed to be back with an organization that means so much and so many different things to the communities of Wilton, Redding and Norwalk. It’s much more than a ‘gym and swim,’ it’s a place to meet, workout, see friends and do greater good.” Bob: “I consider myself a Y-lifer as I started in the Y as a youth-program participant in 1966 in my hometown of Hatboro, Pennsylvania, and became a lifeguard at that same Y in 1978. My YMCA employment career has spanned over the past forty-three years with the past fifteen being here at the Riverbrook Regional YMCA. I am truly blessed to be able to serve in a mission-driven, socially oriented agency. I love that each Y that I have been a part of has always responded to the needs of the communities that they serve. I love that we have a team approach through employees and volunteers who work together to organize and deliver critical programs that help to change people’s lives for the better.”
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Anything else you want to add? Bob: “We want everyone to come visit The Riverbrook Regional YMCA or their local Y facility, such as the Westport Weston YMCA at 14 Allen Raymond Lane in Westport. At the Y, we are about healthy living, social responsibility and youth development.”
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left: Idris Habib, Globetrotter M (2017), oil pastel on 100 percent cotton map fabric (exhibit planned for February) right: Dominik Schmitt, Dog (2018), acrylic and oil on canvas
HAPPY CAMPERS
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f you know the art world at all, you may be aware that artists have their share of challenges breaking into the biz, but, surprisingly, some of their struggles are with the very galleries they populate. “Unfortunately, there are some elements of this industry that are unethical and artists are often taken advantage of,” asserts Melanie Prapopoulos, founder of The Contemporary Art Modern Project. Prapopoulos started her art career in 2000, while living in Greece and exhibiting in the U.S. “It was remarkable how many galleries asked me to pay to exhibit when I was just starting out,” she remembers. Emerging artists may be contacted by galleries who promise the world, then don’t deliver, and Prapopoulos explains that sometimes a gallery will buy an
left: Founder Melanie Prapopoulos above: The showing of Nicaraguan artist Franck de las Mercedes
artist’s work, mark it up significantly, then take an egregious cut that leaves the artist with barely any profit. Other galleries may “lose” an artist’s work and never return it or return the piece in damaged condition. Some galleries, she adds, don’t ever pay up for works sold. “Being an artist, I know the business, and I also know I don’t produce art just for the money, so it’s terrible knowing that many artists feel the same way and are being underrepresented, overcharged and mistreated,” she says. With the weight of this injustice on her mind, Prapopoulos decided to take action. During the early Covid lockdowns, she amicably ended her previous art venture and decided to open The CAMP Gallery, using her late father Constantine’s initials (CA) and
ALL IMAGES COURTESY OF CAMP GALLERY
NEW CAMP GALLERY OPENS IN WESTPORT WITH ARTISTS’ INTERESTS AT HEART b y m a l i a m c k i n n o n f r a m e
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buzz her own (MP) for the acronym. Her Miami CAMP location opened on April Fool’s Day of 2020 and, just recently, she launched a Westport CAMP Gallery in late September 2021. “We really wanted to create a business that considers artists above all else,” she says, “and the people that work with me all have the same goals of cleaning up this industry a little.” GIVE ME SPACE CAMP Gallery specializes in contemporary art (loosely defined as works painted by a living artist), but all of Prapopoulos’s artists take unique approaches to the treatment of their pieces. One example is African mixedmedia artist Idris Habib, who uses colorful acrylic paints and waxed African fabrics. Habib paints abstracts but is perhaps better known for his composite portraits, which he paints on the floor with either a brush or his hands. “Idris creates a stark contrast between the bright hues of his fabrics and the faces of his subjects, painted with a black paint devoid of dimension,” explains Prapopoulos. She goes on to say that Habib’s view is that everyone is beautiful, and through his work he tries to change the perception of color while simultaneously glorifying it. Another CAMP artist, Dominik Schmitt, employs
left: Dominik Schmitt, Oasis (2019), mixed media on canvas below: Idris Habib, Malie Aissa (2021), acrylic, Dutch wax (African fabric) on 100 percent cotton fabric
traditional portrait techniques yet exposes areas of his subjects’ bodies to reveal their innards or organs. “This artist is making a statement that we are all more than we appear on the surface,” she says. The CAMP Gallery offers ultracontemporary works as well, featuring artists who create everything from video art projected onto walls, to temporary installations that involve placing giant pieces of inflated fabric in certain locations in order to change the landscape for a short period of time. Later, these remnants are removed without affecting the environment. “All of my artists have something special about them and they’re super loyal and creative,” she says proudly. LET’S TALK The main trait, however, that sets this gallery owner’s venture apart from other sellers is that she takes a layered approach to her work. “Everything we do comes from an interdisciplinary point of view,” she explains. “Before I moved to Connecticut, I taught literature at a few colleges in Miami, and I knew I wanted to incorporate my love of thoughts and thinking with art.” How does this translate day to day in the office? She employs staffers from all backgrounds, including psychology majors and anthropologists, and every statement
they write involves more than one academic opinion or viewpoint. “Art is so similar to literature, and no artist is just making pretty pictures,” she states, “so I want to present a more global, interactive approach where people see art and then always have conversations about it. Sometimes this part for me is more enjoyable than anything else.” Prapopoulos currently works with about 133 artists, and, in addition to infusing a modern, dynamic element into downtown Westport, she’s looking to join forces with other local organizations. One possible future project includes a quilt exhibition sewn by sixty-eight artists in collaboration with the Westport Museum for History and Culture. She’s also agreed to partner with Fashion Fights Cancer, a nonprofit that raises money for cancer care and research, and she’s pledged to donate a percentage of her commission from every gallery sale. As if this isn’t enough, Prapopoulos is renovating her home and turning the basement into an artist’s residency for traveling artists who come to town. “Ultimately, with CAMP, I want to take care of people. I’m transparent with the artists, and the best news is that, based on feedback so far, we’re doing the right thing.” Artwork may be viewed and purchased at either CAMP Gallery Westport or Miami, or online at campgallery.com, artsy. net and artspace.net.
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THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC HAS TAKEN A TOLL ON OUR MENTAL HEALTH. HERE’S WHAT THE EXPERTS ARE DOING TO HELP IN THE CRISIS b y l i z ba rron
PRISCILLA DU PREEZ/UNSPLASH
YOU W ARE NOT ALONE
hen we hear about Covid, most of us think about the severity of physical symptoms that the virus has caused. What we might not think about as much are the countless invisible emotional symptoms that have also accompanied this crisis. The extraordinary toll that Covid-19 has taken on mental health has created its own separate pandemic of sorts. We spoke with area experts in the field to gain a better understanding of the depth of the struggles that might be harder to spot. “This particular crisis hit so many triggers for people: social isolation, fear of illness and death, economic worries, parenting concerns,” explains Dr. Danielle Thau, Psy.D, licensed clinical psychologist, specialist with Medical Crisis Therapy in Stamford. “The number of ways that Covid has had an impact helps to explain why so many people are struggling.” And indeed it does. Experts agree that the need for mental health services has increased dramatically over the past 20 months. Emergency rooms across the state have seen record numbers of patients in emotional distress, and the number of opioid overdoses in the U.S. hit an all-time high this year at over 96,000. “Opioid overdose numbers can be one of the best indicators of mental health,” says Dr. Charles Herrick, chair of psychiatry at Nuvance Health. “People are trying to medicate away the terrible distress that they have experienced and Covid has magnified the social consequences of this disease. Our brains are constructed biologically to be socially connected.”
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Big Challenges One of the biggest challenges that healthcare providers have faced with Covid is the very real and viable fear of the unknown. Virtually every aspect of our lives has been disrupted and everyone’s struggles are personal and unique. For some, grief and loss have been unbearable. For others, the stress of trying to maintain jobs/working from home while caring for their children and homeschooling wreaked havoc on their emotional health. “The parents and caretakers of young children who could not be in school and needed constant supervision also struggled,” says Bill Blank, Psy.D, high school psychologist at the Leffell School in Hartsdale, NY, and in private practice at The Riverwalk Group in Stamford. “One professional told me, ‘It has been so difficult being a professional in a Zoom meeting and taking care of a fiveyear-old at the same time. I often feel overwhelmed and I know that I am not doing anything to the best of my ability. I feel like a failure at my job and as a parent.’”
A New Level of Anxiety Social isolation and lack of connection grew fears among those of all ages, but particularly hard hit were older adults living alone and teenagers who rely so heavily on feedback from their peers. Young children faced unprecedented fears and their parents have been critically challenged by trying to help dispel their worries while also struggling with concerns of their own. Not being in school or able to have normal social experiences caused a tremendous amount of new and worsening anxiety. “For many practitioners it has become more difficult to
Emergency rooms across the state have seen record numbers of patients in emotional distress, and opioid overdoses have hit an all-time high this year.
sitting next to dying patients because their loved ones weren’t allowed into the hospital. “I worry about the mental health of my peers and our caregivers; I hope people in the community keep that in mind,” says Amir Garakani, MD, psychiatrist and medical director of the Addiction Recovery Center at Greenwich Hospital. “The nurse treating you might not have taken a vacation since the beginning of the pandemic. There is an alarming number of healthcare providers suffering from PTSD, depression and suicides.”
challenge anxieties felt by their patients in the ways that they may have in the past,” explains Lauren Riordan, Ph.D. licensed clinical psychologist and director at The Waverly Group. “The fear can be quite real, so rather than dispel those fears, it may be a matter of accepting them and finding a way to live with them so that it doesn't completely undo the person.” Finding stability and balance is key and experts agree that in order to achieve that, healthy sleep patterns are necessary. “In daily routines increased anxiety, reduced exercise and increased alcohol consumption can all negatively influence sleep patterns,” says Dr. Thau. “When sleep is disrupted it can cause increases in anxiety and depression and generally diminished coping resources; it can become a vicious cycle. Helping people to get back on track with healthy sleep patterns is important across all age groups right now.” When it comes to mental wellness, healthcare workers in particular have been challenged in ways that they never could have imagined. At the peak of the pandemic, ICU doctors and nurses could often be found
Seeking Help While the strain on the system is substantial, a common message among experts is that there is a great deal of help available. Seeking support, taking care of ourselves, assisting others and being kind are more important than ever. The introduction of telepsych has allowed providers to drastically expand their reach for those seeking both individual and group treatment. And, while for some, particularly younger children, remote therapy isn’t always as effective, for others it has been a game changer for the better. “It has allowed us to maintain a continuity in care that we couldn’t before,” says Michael Groat, chief clinical officer at Silver Hill Hospital in New Canaan. “In many cases, we’ve been able to continue our work after discharge. Patients have appreciated being able to stay connected through teletherapy.” The convenience of being able to talk to a doctor remotely has not only allowed providers to see more patients, it has given patients more access to help by removing physical proximity from the equation.
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“The parents and caretakers of young children who could not be in school and needed constant supervision also struggled.” —bill blank, psy.d, the riverwalk group in stamford JANUARY/ FEBRUARY 2022 WESTPORT
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buzz KNOW THE SIGNS AND WHEN TO SEEK HELP RED FLAGS Sudden changes in behavior are key when identifying signs of mental-health needs in children, tweens and teens. Here, some signs of what to look for: • Poor grades • Missing assignments for school • Teacher reporting attention issues at school • Difficulty concentrating • School avoidance • Irritability • New or extreme fixations on scary topics • Loss of interest in extracurricular activities and/or playdates • Clinginess with parents and/or caregivers • Spending more time in their rooms rather than in common spaces at home • Sleep issues • Eating issues • Somatic complaints • Substance use • Preoccupation with social media • Excessive TV watching or gaming • Eating issues • Sleep issues • Isolation/withdrawing
Visit the CDC’s mental health page for numerous links for support and resources cdc.gov/ mentalhealth/
HOW TO FIND HELP Knowing where to go for help is key. Here’s where to start: * Consult your insurance plan’s
mental-health provider directory
* Talk to your doctor about your struggles, just like you would about physical symptoms * Use an online database search such as The American Psychological Association at apa.org or The American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists at aamft.org
CHUA TRAN/UNSPLASH
* Ask someone you trust for a recommendation
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Everyday Gourmet The chef creates a true culinary experience and I love dining with my neighbors and friends every day. Seymour Founding Resident
at Westport Westport’s Only Independent, Assisted & Memory Care Community 203-303-9223 residencewestport.com
Select apartments available. Ask about our Emerald Suite concierge.
An LCB Senior Living Community. Over 25 years of excellence in New England
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shop by janel alex ander
LAYER IT ON!
Form and Function
D
Accessorize your hands but keep your fingers accessible with these “glittens” to keep your digits handy for incoming messages. Ribbed knit glittens, $34.50. J.Crew; jcrew.com
esigners are taking the guesswork out of styling by creatively pre-layering wardrobe staples. These styles, with accessories and elements built into them, are a fashionable way to add some dimension to your look. And don’t stop there! Use your favorite sweater as that needed pop of color or layer your favorite lightweight vest under your puffer coat. The options (and warmth!) are endless when you just keep layering it on like a high-style pro.
Feet First Double down on cozy with a shearling slipper and cashmere sock combo. Slipper, $295; Cashmere Sock, $65. Jenni Kayne, Greenwich; jennikayne.com
IMAGES: MODEL SHOT COURTESY OF NO6STORE.COM; OTHERS, COURTESY OF DESIGNERS/BRANDS
ACCESSORIES
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SWEATERS
JACKETS Blazer Bomb
The Beard sisters are queens of layered chic. This mixedmedia bomberblazer hybrid is the perfect combo of casual meets tailored chic. Larkin Mixed Media Puffer Jacket, $898. Veronica Beard; veronicabeard.com
Dicky Do Layer this turtleneck dicky over a buttondown or sweater to jazz up your everyday look or layer it under a jacket to provide some much-needed and colorful warmth. Airy Extra-fine wool turtleneck Dicky, $255. Tibi; tibi.com
SKIRT Crochet Mash Up
Got You Covered
Yarns saw a resurgence during the pandemic, and this crochetadorned jacket loves everything about the trend. Bette Fleece and Crochet Jacket by Sea NY, $545. Darien Sport Shop; dariensport.com
It’s all business casual in this cotton poplin pleated skirt that is masterfully covered in a crisp wool suiting. The contrast of the two gives it a beautiful drape as you move and transition easily from work to play. Suiting mix pleated wrap skirt by Sacai, $825. Saks; saks.com
Style Note
Chic Bundle Two-in-one styling from this layered sweater-and-scarf set from newcomer Le17Septembre. Never loose your accessory and enjoy the cozy blanket layer as the temperatures drop. Ribbed Wool Turtleneck Sweater and Scarf Set, $600. Net a Porter Le17Septembre; netaporter.com
IMAGES COURTESY OF DESIGNERS/BRANDS
Convertible Cover
Two in One Channel your inner designer by layering your favorite
go-to sweater with a matching scarf for a sleek effect—or go tonal and layer a second sweater as a scarf stand-in. Cashmere Crewneck Sweater, $328; Recycled Cashmere Scarf, $188. Unsubscribed; unsubscribed.com
This turtleneck vest is begging to be layered over your favorite top to give it life and keep you warm. But you can wear it solo and layer your favorite blazer over it. The options are endless. Tie Back Turtleneck Sweater by Vince, $325. Vince; vince.com
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do COUNT ON IT WHY WE CAN’T KEEP WEIGHT OFF, AND WHY THIS YEAR CAN BE DIFFERENT
In America, we don’t actually have a weight loss problem. In fact, we’re really good at the diet thing—Atkins, Paleo, Keto, or whatever the fad diet of the year seems to be. What we do have is a weight regain problem. We diet until we reach our goal weight, or the date of this wedding or that vacation, or until we get so tired of being
restricted from enjoying life that we eventually call our diet to an end. So why do we gain back the weight once the diet is over? There’s actually a physiological reason why this happens that has nothing to do with your love of pizza or lack of willpower. In order to drop body fat, we need to eat in a caloric deficit (meaning we need to consume fewer calories than we burn every day). But after prolonged periods of under-eating, or an extensive dieting history, our metabolism adapts to the fact that it’s consistently getting fewer calories. So it slows down the metabolism and downregulates the thyroid to make up for the fact that it’s just not getting enough calories. This is called “metabolic adaptation.” Our bodies have one job—to survive— and sometimes that means protecting us from ourselves. But your metabolism can be rejuvenated.
A few signs you may be metabolically adapted You have a hard time shedding body fat or putting on muscle You’re low energy You’re injury prone Insatiable hunger or no hunger response at all Period irregularity Lack of sex drive Digestive irregularity (constipation) Poor sleep quality or inability to fall asleep If more than two of those things sound familiar, it may be worth digging in and potentially working with a professional to help you rejuvenate your metabolism so you can look, feel, and perform your best.
OLGA YASTREMSKA, NEW AFRICA, AFRICA STUDIO - STOCK.ADOBE.COM
I
t’s “New Year/New You” time. You know what that means. Jumping on another diet. But if you’re not seeing results (again), it may be for a reason you don’t realize. We asked one of our longtime contributing writers and founder of fuel your fitness (FYF), Georgette Yacoub, about rejuvenating your metabolism and how to keep it functioning at a high level. Read on for her highlights, and see her website fyfnutrition.com for on her e-book Metabolic Jumpstart.
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Clean Style The choice is yours at ARTISTEX, a certified sustainable salon
PHOTOGRAPHY: DAVID WEBBER FOR AHPR GROUP
S
o you want to try a new look—haircut, color, style—for 2022? Good for you. How about a new way of getting that look—one that’s good for the earth? We stopped into Artistex Salon & Spa (artistexsalon.com). Odete Dasilva launched her business in 1999 and, twenty years later, moved to 260 Post Road East to stretch out in a 4,000-square-foot space—large enough to include a hair salon, a barbershop, a luxury beauty and wellness spa and a private VIP room. It’s also eco-conscious. For example, she doesn’t use metal foils for highlighting and responsibly disposes of salon waste. “Unrecyclable metal foil contributes 196 tons of landfill waste per year, just from salons in North America,” she says. “Salons in North America create over 877 pounds a minute of unrecyclable waste.” Beauty may be personal, but its impact is global.
amount of plastic needed to bottle it. And we have the most amazing organic spray-tanning product, Emma and Zoya 10 Free nontoxic and vegan nail products and polish, and all-natural and organic skincare, massage and haircare products. With every company we do business, we first consider how responsible it is and if it has greenconscious options. Our product refill station is the greatest benefit to being environmentally friendly, clients can bring their own bottle or purchase one from us to refill with their chosen shampoo and conditioner.”
How is your salon eco? “We recycle all of our metal, cardboard and plastic. Also, we repurpose our chemicals, hair clippings and PPE through Green Circle Salons [greencirclesalons .com], a company dedicated to repurposing salon and spa waste. They do amazing work to repurpose, like using hair clippings to create booms that clean our earth’s fresh and saltwater supplies. The booms are placed into the water and, with the concentration of hair, able to absorb oil spills and other wastes naturally—without chemicals that hurt our plant and wildlife.”
How has Covid changed business? “It’s obvious clients look for Covid safety and we have gained many new clients based on how Covid safe we still are. This is in line with clients wanting to become more green conscious and having a healthier mindset. It is unavoidable to need items such as plastics or disposables, especially since Covid-type viruses have elevated the sanitation concerns, but we use as many biodegradable solutions as possible or, at the very least, recyclable. To clean, we use Microban and Rejuvenate—both are eco-friendly, hospital-grade disinfectants.”
Do your clients ask for environmentally friendly options? “Yes, all of the time! We offer choices. For example, we use Goldwell hair color as a traditional hair color choice known for its very low ammonia content. In addition, we offer an all-natural ammonia-free hair color, and we even have a chemical-free hair color, which is green and nontoxic but also has no ammonia or peroxide—and the shine on this product, especially for blondes, is amazing. We also use and retail organic and/or all-natural products, such as Oribe Haircare, which is concentrated to reduce the
by diane sembrot
3 Eco-Friendly Habits FOILS One example is we do not use metal foil to do our color or highlighting services. It can’t be recycled after chemical use. We use alternatives that are biodegradable and/or a recyclable solution, such as thermal foils. PRODUCTS Our product refill bar is a cost-effective way to purchase shampoo or conditioner while reducing the use of plastic bottles. We’re moving in this direction with product choices for skincare and haircare. REDUCE We didn’t use of real pumpkins in our window display this past fall because we learned they end up in landfills, releasing methane, a harmful greenhouse gas.
left:The welcoming entry middle: The renovated salon space right: Odete Dasilva, owner of Artistex Salon & Spa
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Let's Work This pro will help you GET FIT THIS YEAR (REALLY) by diane sembrot
T
ony Molina is owner of mpr fitness. MPR stands for Multiple Planes of Resistance, his trademarked conditioning system, which he designed for results. Along with personal training that focuses on strength, balance, endurance and body composition (hello, old jeans), it offers an initial online health-and-fitness review, plus two forty-five-minute sessions to establish goals and a baseline workout to further customize your program design—and, as needed, they collaborate with nutritionists, physical therapists and chiropractic and orthopedic practitioners to create a coordinated client-care plan for you.
above: Owner of MPR Fitness, Tony Molina
N EW Y E A R / N EW YO U New Year’s Resolutions, love them or hate them, aren’t going anywhere, because they seem to be as old as time. And even if you say you’re not going to set any resolutions or intentions, most likely, you’re thinking about a change you’d like to make—lose five pounds, run a faster mile, lift more weight. We weren’t sure what a professional trainer would think about the tradition of setting new goals at the start of the year. Turns out, Molina is a fan. Here, he tells you why.
New Year’s Resolutions are a great tradition, anything that encourages people to start the journey to being an even better version of themselves has to be a winner. The first step toward making a change is always the hardest, so I love that at New Year’s, people can feel the support and excitement from everyone around them embarking on change too. Tap into that support around you and let people help you succeed while you get the chance to help them as well. New Year’s is a reflective time when we all stop to consider our past and look forward to how we can improve our future. It’s not important if past resolutions have failed; you can learn from them to achieve a better outcome on the next one. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that the most common New Year’s resolutions relate to your health: losing weight, doing more exercise and quitting smoking. Whether physical or psychological, the top resolutions connect back to being a healthier you. — Tony Molina
Tony's Tips for Top Results SET REALISTIC GOALS “If you don’t work out at all, plan for two days a week to start; set yourself up for success. You can always add more days into your schedule. It’s more important to just get started.” REVIEW TO MOVE AHEAD “Look back at your last resolutions and figure out what obstacles threw you off track so you can plan a solution for that problem in advance. Also, make sure you have carved out specific spots for exercise that will actually work with your schedule and book that time into your calendar so you can make it a real achievable habit.” ENGAGE YOUR NETWORK “You’ll find that many people you know are looking to make a new habit a part of their life too— support one another. Whether it’s through a weekly phone call or a workout buddy, talking about it with others and sharing the journey works.” GET TO WORK “Change requires you to spend time and energy to make it happen. If you go into it with that expectation, you will have a much better chance of making it stick. Change gets easier as you go and the intrinsic rewards of making the effort alone are worth starting the journey.”
ALL PHOGRAPHY CONTRIBUTED
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do G E T F I T I N ST U D I O O R YO U R OW N H O M E GY M Molina’s new Westport business, MPR Fitness, can help you train at home, by live streaming classes at home (or office/corporate gym) or having a personal trainer come to your home to work with you one-on-one. If you’re going to do the work, and set transformational goals for the new year, you might even consider going the extra mile by hiring MPR to help design your custom home gym. They’ll even work with an architect and interior designer to make sure that your space is outfitted with the right equipment, lighting, flooring, sound, the all-important mirror, and everything you need to get moving. For more info on how to get started, prices and other inquiries, visit tonyamolinampr.fitness and check out the MPR Youtube channel for a variety of full-body workouts you can do at home.
A Pro's Must-Haves for Your Home Gym SPACE “The room or space should be easy to access and inviting.” LIGHT “Natural lighting if possible; a well-lit blue hue in the 200–300 lux range is recommended; and avoid fluorescent lighting.” SETTING “Workout floor mat, the size and type depend on the room, but minimum individual size is 23" x 48" x .5" ”
above: Clients workout following Tony Molina's program, MPR (Multiple Planes of Resistance), which targets muscle groups while challenging the body to support itself.
The perfect home gym is personal, and the ultimate luxury, but there are a few things everyone should have that will help in making today’s home gym work out,” says Molina. “When we design a custom home gym, we consider the fitness goals, habits, hobbies and histories of our clients to create a customized experience that will both support and motivate you to success. Today’s home gym should be your personal boutique fitness center where lighting, interior design, equipment and audio/visual components combine to create the most inviting space to encourage you to work out regularly and supplement your activities outside of the gym. Incorporating the wide variety of fitness content online into your home gym gives you the added inspiration and motivation to get in that workout and make it count. Whether it’s converting an existing room or building a new personal studio, engaging a professional gym designer who can collaborate when needed with an architect, interior designer and audio/visual technician, you can create a space that you will look forward to working out in. Consistency is the key to working out, so a home gym that supports and improves your experience counts. — Tony Molina
GEAR “Set of dumbbells, resistance bands, medicine balls, Olympic rings or suspension training system, such as TRX.” ORGANIZATION “Your equipment should be accessible and not be an obstacle to your movement.” AUDIOVISUAL “WiFi/Bluetoothenabled speakers and WiFi television.” BELIEF “Motivational wall art or quote.”
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RING IN THE NEW READS
WELCOME TO 2022! A CRIME BOSS IS MURDERED, THREE FRIENDSHIPS ARE JEOPARDIZED, A SWEET PUP PASSES AND A POWERFUL WOMAN SAVES THE DAY IN THESE FOUR CAPTIVATING BOOKS THAT WILL START YOUR YEAR OFF RIGHT
CONTRIBUTED
by emily liebert
THE ROYAL CORRESPONDENT BY ALEXANDRA JOEL
WOODROW ON THE BENCH BY JENNA BLUM
AND THE BRIDGE IS LOVE BY DAVID BIRO
THE POSTMISTRESS OF PARIS BY MEG WAITE CLAYTON
Set in Sydney and London, this glamorous novel follows Blaise Hill, an emerging Australian reporter, with a fatal secret, who’s trying to break into the male-dominated newspaper industry of the 1960s. On the personal side, Blaise is also intent on helping her sister Ivy, whose life has been impacted by polio. When she witnesses the murder of a Sydney crime boss and finds out that the handsome and inscrutable Adam Rule helped cover it up, she moves to England to write about the British royal family and leave the harrowing homicide behind her...until she runs into Adam. Will Blaise’s past come back to haunt her? Or is something even more perilous in store for her?
From the New York Times bestselling author of Those Who Save Us, Blum delivers this beautiful homage to her cherished black Lab, Woodrow. The breathtaking memoir, which recollects the final six months of his life, also details how he taught her to live. Known for his handsome appearance and trademark charm, Woodrow’s affable and loyal nature makes him a standout in any pack. And his special bond with Blum, a divorcée who’s endured plenty of sadness and loss, reminds her of the meaning of true love. Woodrow and Blum navigate their precious concluding days together with compassion, laughter and dignity. While this one is heartbreaking at times, it will also buoy your spirit.
Every week for the past two decades, Gertie, Maria and Corinna have been meeting under the Verrazzano Bridge to watch the ships (and their lives) pass them by. Until, on the eve of Gertie’s eightieth birthday, they realize there’s still time to fulfill their dreams. For Gertie that means traveling the world. For Corinna, love is in the air. Then there’s Maria whose goal is to stealthily reunite Gertie and Corinna with their estranged families. As these inspiring women follow paths of their own, the one thing that ends up being threatened is their friendship. The question is, will they ever find their way to forgiveness?
This evocative novel, inspired by Chicago heiress Mary Jayne Gold, reexamines the early days of the German occupation in France and focuses on Naneé, a wealthy, beautiful and fictional American heiress, who helps artists escape from the Nazis. Known as the Postmistress, Naneé proves her courage, strength and penchant for danger by delivering information to those in hiding in this unforgettable story of hope, romance and bravery. Prepare to be transported to another time and place as you root for the good guys—or, in this case, woman—to prevail.
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left: Keep the length, just style it. middle: The new look for the salon right: Finding the right hair color makes a big impression
THE MAKEOVER M A S T E R I N G C H A N G E A T S A LO N
SALON BY PAMELA EINARSEN ; OTHERS, CONTRIBUTED
W
hen Shannon Dery and Jennifer Sollenne took ownership of the former Rick Garcia hair salon in Playhouse Square, they chose Salon 293 east (salon293east.com) as the new name. It’s not only informative, telling the client the address on Post Road, but the “east” conveys direction, a new one for the salon, founded in 1990. In 2019 Justan Garcia, the late founder’s son, decided to take his career in a different direction. Dery and Sollenne had worked together for twenty-five years, as the head colorists and managers, and had always wanted to own a salon of their own. When the opportunity presented itself, says Sollenne, “It was full speed ahead. This is coming to us for a reason.” Utilizing Dery’s eye for design, the two revamped the salon, giving it a clean, simple, beachy aesthetic. Sinks were updated, floors replaced, and walls removed or repainted using calming colors. The grand re-opening and ribbon-cutting was February 7, 2020. Yes. That year. A month and ten days later, the salon shut down. Dery describes feeling “gutted.” She explains, “We had the highest point in our career and then it was the
293 EA S T
by brigit te quinn
lowest…it was ripped out from underneath us.” Sollenne says their focus on regrowing the business turned to “plastic gloves, plastic shields and disinfectants.” Appointments were shifted, reopening dates changed and bills started accumulating. The stress, the worry
above: Shannon Dery and Jennifer Sollenne, owners of Salon 293 east in Westport
was constant. And, yet, they never felt their new beginning was going to end. The banks and government stepped in. Loyal clients helped out by not only masking up and lining up curbside to collect color kits, but also by purchasing gift certificates to be used in happier times. They texted and called and, of course, wondered when the salon would open again. Sollenne notes, laughing, they did want “to get their gray hair taken care of.” For these salon owners who color that silver hair, the pandemic proved to have a silver lining. They re-opened with restrictions in June 2020 and by October of that year opened a new spa within the salon, a current client favorite. The pandemic also brought them a stylist who had been living in Canada but moved back to her home in Connecticut. The pandemic flight from cities brought new residents to Westport and, therefore, new business. Now, all their clients, old and new, can relax and enjoy the services at Salon 293 east, says Dery, and “feel like they feel when they’re in their beautiful home.”
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eat
Scan here for more great places to EAT & DRINK!
left: Michelle Walrath and Fran Paniccia, owners of Organic Krush right: Organic Krush Signature Krush Your Own
Good Food Now EATING WELL, even when your day is packed minute to minute
W
in the food industry with GMOs, toxins, pesticides and animal cruelty. Once you know that, you can’t unknow it,” said Michelle. “You look at chronic health issues and our food quality and you connect the dots. When you’re a mother, you’re in charge of the health of yourself and your kids. If you can put clean food in their bodies, that adds up to them feeling a lot better and living a lot healthier.” Organic Krush’s menu was purposefully designed to accommodate all tastes and dietary restrictions. Fran, the self-proclaimed “official taste tester,” loves to create her custom Krush Bowl with grilled chicken or shrimp, roasted carrots, celery, feta and figs. Michelle loves the Mexican coffee smoothie and also loves making
different custom bowls with the organic salmon. It serves everything from family-style meals to gluten-free baked goods to cold-pressed juices. To add to all they are contributing to their community, Organic Krush has a hefty philanthropic arm, working with Filling in the Blanks to help kids who are food insecure, as well as Pink Aid, a nonprofit dedicated to getting funds into women’s hands who are going through cancer to ensure they have enough money to get a taxi ride to and from chemo, or a babysitter, or even to help pay for wigs. Organic Krush has ten open locations, including a storefront in Westport, with a healthy growth trajectory. They plan to have thirty storefront opens in the next few years.
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BOB CAPAZZO/MOFFLY MEDIA’S BIG PICTURE.
I
n August 2014 Michelle Walrath and Fran Paniccia were with their kids, driving home from a Taylor Swift concert in Boston. Frustrated with the unhealthy road-trip food options, they asked each other how could no one be putting out good food? Then the thought came to them: Maybe we should do it ourselves. Eight months later, organic krush was born. “We were sort of joking about building a restaurant near us,” they said of the totally organic, fast-casual lifestyle eatery. But what they found as their kids got older and everyone’s lives got busier, was that it was really difficult to find high-quality food when eating out. “The world is getting sicker, not healthier, over the years. We learned what was happening
HEADSHOT, SUSAN AURIEMMA; FOOD, CONTRIBUTED
by georget te yac oub
12/20/21 12:06 PM
2022 G
RESTAURANT WEEK RUNS MARCH 7-13 7TH ANNUAL
RESTAURANT WEEK Get Your Ticket to the Hottest Foodie Event in Town…
Sample tasty light bites. Sip creative cocktails. Mingle with top Greenwich chefs.
OPENING NIGHT PARTY
BOB CAPAZZO/MOFFLY MEDIA’S BIG PICTURE.
Wednesday, March 8 • 6 - 9 p.m. • $75/Ticket
Hotel | Restaurant | Spa |Coffee Bar
Hotel Restaurant Spa Coffee Bar
Visit GreenwichRestaurantWeek.com to Purchase Tickets and a List of Participating Restaurants A portion of ticket proceeds from OPENING NIGHT PARTY benefiting
greenwichrestaurantweek
To become a particpating restaurant or sponsor the opening night party, contact Andy Amill at andrew.amill@moffly.com
40_41_WPT_FOB_EAT_JAN_FEB 2022.indd 41 2022 Greenwich Restaurant Week Ad copy[86].indd 2
12/20/21 12:06 PM 12/8/21 4:47 PM
Here’s to all our Top Docs who treat Fairfield County with the greatest of care. At Yale New Haven Health, we’re proud to recognize all of the doctors representing Bridgeport Hospital, Greenwich Hospital, Northeast Medical Group, and Yale Medicine who’ve been named Top Doctors. Their compassion, talent, and dedication are exceeded only by their tireless commitment to treating each and every patient with the greatest of care.
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Fairfield County’s
2022
PHOTOGRAPH: ADOBESTOCK.COM / ©IPOPBA
TOP DOCTORS
H
ealth and wellness have never been more important, and they continue to be a global priority. Locally, we’re fortunate to have access to so many leading practitioners and highly ranked hospitals throughout Fairfield County. Finding the right doctor can be an overwhelming process, so we turned to the experts at DataJoe Research to compile a guide of nearly 700 physicians. The firm evaluated everything from skills and peer-voting to public perception in order to select this year’s much-anticipated group of top doctors. »
Scan here to view our digital TOP DOCTORS LISTING!
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ADOLESCENT MEDICINE Sara B. Levine
Greenwich Adolescent & Young Adult Medicine Greenwich, 203-532-1919 HOSPITAL: Greenwich
Marcie B. Schneider
Greenwich Adolescent & Young Adult Medicine Greenwich, 203-532-1919 HOSPITAL: Greenwich
Joanna ZolkowskiWynne
Northeast Medical Group Bridgeport, 203-384-3235 HOSPITALS: Bridgeport, Yale New Haven
ALLERGY & IMMUNOLOGY Aimee AltschulLatzman
Allergy & Asthma Consultants of Fairfield County Fairfield, 203-955-1461 HOSPITAL: St. Vincent's Medical Center
Kenneth S. Backman Allergy & Asthma Care of Fairfield County Fairfield, 203-259-7070 HOSPITALS: Bridgeport, St. Vincent's Medical Center
Jonathan B. Bell
Advanced Specialty Care Danbury, 203-830-4700 HOSPITAL: Danbury
Katherine A. Bloom
Allergy & Asthma Care of Fairfield County Fairfield, 203-259-7070 HOSPITALS: Bridgeport, St. Vincent's Medical Center
Ora Burstein
Allergy & Asthma Center of Stamford Stamford, 203-978-0072 HOSPITAL: Stamford
Leslie R. Coleman
Allergy & Asthma Associates of Stamford Stamford, 203-324-9525 HOSPITAL: Stamford
Yogen Dave
Advanced Specialty Care Ridgefield, 203-830-4700 HOSPITAL: Danbury
Philip H. Hemmers
Allergy Center of Connecticut Norwalk, 203-870-8731 HOSPITALS: St. Vincent's Medical Center, Norwalk
Richard J. Lee
Advanced Specialty Care Danbury, 203-830-4700 HOSPITAL: Danbury
Mitchell R. Lester
Fairfield County Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Associates Norwalk, 203-838-4034 HOSPITALS: Norwalk, Greenwich, Stamford
Paul S. Lindner
Allergy & Asthma Center of Stamford Stamford, 203-978-0072 HOSPITAL: Stamford
Mark D. Litchman
Adam T. Lottick
Fairfield County Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Associates Norwalk, 203-838-4034 HOSPITALS: Norwalk, Greenwich, Stamford
CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE Charles Augenbraun
Cardiology Associates of Fairfield County Norwalk, 203-845-2160 HOSPITALS: Norwalk, St. Vincent's Medical Center
Cardiac Specialists Danbury, 203-794-0090 HOSPITALS: Bridgeport, Danbury, Milford
Gregory S. Bloom
Yale New Haven Health Heart and Vascular Center Greenwich, 203-863-4210 HOSPITALS: Greenwich, Yale New Haven
Joseph Sproviero
Vein Clinics of America Wilton, 203-762-2800
Robert D. Winslow
Aymeric E. Louit
Fairfield County Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Associates Greenwich, 203-869-2080 HOSPITALS: Greenwich, Norwalk, Stamford
Christos G. Pappas
Cardiology Associates of Fairfield County Stamford, 203-353-1133 HOSPITALS: Norwalk, Stamford
CARDIOLOGY
Agnieszka Matczuk
Stamford Health Medical Group Stamford, 203-276-4404 HOSPITALS: Stamford, NY-Pres Columbia
Michael R. Pittaro
Fairfield County Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Associates Greenwich, 203-869-2080 HOSPITALS: Greenwich, Stamford, Norwalk Fairfield County Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Associates Stamford, 203-357-1511 HOSPITALS: Stamford, Greenwich, Norwalk
Michael I. Ebright
Connecticut Heart and Vascular Center Trumbull, 203-333-8800 HOSPITALS: Bridgeport, St. Vincent's Medical Center
Connecticut Heart and Vascular Center Trumbull, 203-333-8800 HOSPITALS: Bridgeport, Griffin
Margaret Bond
Nuvance Health Danbury, 203-739-7000 HOSPITAL: Danbury
Linda R. Casale
Alexander Delvecchio
Cardiac Specialists Trumbull, 203-385-1111 HOSPITALS: Bridgeport, Milford
Venu Channamsetty
Cardiology Physicians of Fairfield County Trumbull, 203-445-7093 HOSPITALS: St. Vincent's Medical Center, Hartford
Ira Galin
Nuvance Health Danbury, 203-739-7155 HOSPITALS: Danbury, New Milford
Joonun Choi
Stamford Health Medical Group Stamford, 203-348-7410 HOSPITAL: Stamford
Jeffrey A. Green
The Heart Center Stamford, 203-674-1810 HOSPITAL: Stamford
Evelyn J. Cusack
Robert L. Labarre
Stamford Health Medical Group Stamford, 203-348-7410 HOSPITAL: Stamford
Cardiology Physicians of Fairfield County Stamford, 203-353-1133 HOSPITALS: Stamford, St. Vincent's Medical Center
Lawrence I. Fisher
Cardiac Specialists Danbury, 203-794-0090 HOSPITALS: Danbury, Bridgeport
Michael A. Logue
ANESTHESIOLOGY David Shapiro
Greenwich Anesthesiology Associates Greenwich, 203-863-3390 HOSPITAL: Greenwich
CARDIAC ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY Murali Chiravuri
Cardiac Specialists Danbury, 203-794-0090 HOSPITALS: Danbury, Bridgeport
Sandhya Dhruvakumar
Stamford Health Medical Group Stamford, 203-276-2321 HOSPITAL: Stamford
Nuvance Health Danbury, 203-739-7155 HOSPITAL: Danbury
Ram Gordon
Cardiac Specialists Trumbull, 203-385-1111 HOSPITALS: Bridgeport, Milford
David J. Lomnitz
Cardiology Associates of Fairfield County Norwalk, 203-855-3680 HOSPITAL: Norwalk
David H. Hsi
Stamford Health Medical Group Stamford, 203-276-2323 HOSPITAL: Stamford
Maria C. Pavlis
Yale New Haven Health Heart & Vascular Center Greenwich, 203-863-4210 HOSPITALS: Greenwich, Yale New Haven
Steven H. Kunkes
Cardiac Specialists Fairfield, 203-292-2000 HOSPITALS: Bridgeport, Milford
CARDIOTHORACIC SURGERY
Craig A. McPherson
Northeast Medical Group Bridgeport, 203-384-3000 HOSPITALS: Bridgeport, Yale New Haven
Michael A. Coady
Stamford Health Stamford, 203-276-4400 HOSPITAL: Stamford
Jay Lewis Meizlish
Cardiac Specialists Fairfield, 203-292-2000 HOSPITALS: Bridgeport, Milford
Stephen P. Michaelson
Cardiology Associates of Fairfield County Norwalk, 203-845-2160 HOSPITALS: Norwalk, St. Vincent's Medical Center
Wayne Henry Miller
Aparna Srinivasan
Cardiology Associates of Fairfield County Norwalk, 203-845-2160 HOSPITALS: St. Vincent's Medical Center, Norwalk
Richard L. Taikowski Cardiac Specialists Trumbull, 203-385-1111 HOSPITALS: Bridgeport, Milford
Joseph J. Tiano
Stamford Health Medical Group Stamford, 203-348-7410 HOSPITAL: Stamford
Cardiology Associates of Fairfield County Bridgeport, 203-334-2100 HOSPITAL: St. Vincent's Medical Center
Robert M. Moskowitz
Anja Wagner
Cardiac Specialists Fairfield, 203-292-2000 HOSPITAL: Bridgeport
Francis J. Neeson
Yale New Haven Health Heart & Vascular Center Greenwich, 203-863-4210 HOSPITALS: Greenwich, Yale New Haven
John Novella
Cardiology Associates of Fairfield County Bridgeport, 203-683-5100 HOSPITAL: St. Vincent's Medical Center
Craig S. Werner
Northeast Medical Group Trumbull, 203-333-8800 HOSPITALS: Bridgeport, Griffin
Cardiology Associates of Fairfield County Norwalk, 203-845-2160 HOSPITALS: St. Vincent's Medical Center, Norwalk
Stuart W. Zarich
Suhash Patel
CHILD & ADOLESCENT PSYCHIATRY
Cardiology Associates of Fairfield County Fairfield, 203-254-2452 HOSPITALS: Stamford, St. Vincent's Medical Center
Ronald J. Raymond
Cardiac Specialists Ridgefield, 203-438-9621 HOSPITALS: Danbury, Bridgeport, Yale New Haven
Alon Ronen
Northeast Medical Group Trumbull, 203-333-8800 HOSPITALS: Bridgeport, Griffin
Robert D. Sackstein
Connecticut Heart and Vascular Center Trumbull, 203-333-8800 HOSPITALS: Bridgeport, Griffin
Jeffrey Schmierer
Nuvance Health Danbury, 203-739-7155 HOSPITAL: Danbury
Adam E. Schussheim Yale New Haven Health Fairfield, 203-292-2000 HOSPITALS: Bridgeport, Milford
Edward H. Schuster
Stamford Health Stamford, 203-276-2323 HOSPITAL: Stamford
Yale New Haven Health Bridgeport, 203-384-3844 HOSPITAL: Bridgeport
Deborah S. Lipschitz
Deborah S. Lipschitz MD Fairfield, 203-256-9926
Joan F. Poll
Joan F. Poll MD Westport, 203-222-1186
COLON & RECTAL SURGERY Stuart E. Bussell
Nuvance Health Danbury, 203-739-7131 HOSPITAL: Danbury
Marc J. Casasanta
Nuvance Health Danbury, 203-739-7131 HOSPITAL: Danbury
Marilee L. Freitas
Stamford Health Medical Group Stamford, 203-323-8989 HOSPITAL: Stamford
James M. McClane
Stamford Health Norwalk, 203-852-2262 HOSPITALS: Norwalk, Stamford
CRITICAL CARE MEDICINE Sandra K. Wainwright Yale New Haven Health Greenwich, 203-863-3000 HOSPITAL: Greenwich
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DERMATOLOGY Beth Ann Buscher
Dermatology Associates of Western Connecticut Newtown, 203-792-4151 HOSPITALS: Danbury, New Milford
Julie Cantatore
Dermatology Physicians of Connecticut Norwalk, 203-538-5682
Severine M. Chavel
The Dermatology Center of Stamford Stamford, 203-325-3576 HOSPITALS: Stamford, Yale New Haven
Richard C. Connors
Richard C. Connors MD Greenwich, 203-622-0808 HOSPITAL: Greenwich
Brittany G. Craiglow
Fair Haven Health Center Fairfield, 203-292-9490 HOSPITAL: Yale New Haven
Sarah E. Dolder
Greenwich Point Dermatology Greenwich, 203-764-2230 HOSPITAL: NY-Pres Columbia
Rhett J. Drugge Sheard Drugge
Sheard and Drugge Stamford, 203-324-5719 HOSPITAL: Stamford
Kenneth J. Egan
Advanced Specialty Care Norwalk, 203-830-4700 HOSPITAL: Danbury
Kimberly M. Eickhorst
Dermatology Associates of Western Connecticut Newtown, 203-792-4151 HOSPITAL: New Milford
Robin D. Evans
Stamford Health Stamford, 203-323-5660 HOSPITAL: Stamford
Rena Fortier
Long Ridge Dermatology Norwalk, 203-329-7960 HOSPITAL: Stamford
Samuel Gettler
Advanced Medical and Cosmetic Dermatology Stamford, 203-323-3376 HOSPITAL: Stamford
Loyd S. Godwin
The Dermatology Center of Stamford Stamford, 203-538-5682
Charles L. Halasz
Dermatology for The Family Norwalk, 203-349-8228 HOSPITAL: Norwalk
Rebecca Ross Hall
The Dermatology Center of Stamford Stamford, 203-325-3576 HOSPITAL: Stamford
Lynne M. Haven
Lynne M. Haven MD Greenwich, 203-869-4242 HOSPITAL: Greenwich
Omar A. Ibrahimi
Connecticut Skin Institute Stamford, 203-428-4440 HOSPITAL: Stamford
Mark I. Oestreicher
Maritza I. Perez
Dermatology Associates of Western Connecticut Newtown, 203-792-4151 HOSPITAL: New Milford
Steven A. Kolenik III
Elizabeth C. Smith
Fern E. Mayer
Fern Mayer MD Stamford, 203-969-0123 HOSPITALS: Stamford, Yale New Haven
Jason C. McBean
NicholsMD of Greenwich Greenwich, 203-862-4000
Michael P. Noonan
Adult & Pediatric Dermatology Specialists Trumbull, 203-377-0639 HOSPITALS: Bridgeport, Yale New Haven
Bridgeport Radiology Associates Trumbull, 203-337-9729
Lily Kernagis
Stamford Health Breast Center Stamford, 203-276-7465 HOSPITAL: Stamford
Ruben Kier
Bridgeport Radiology Associates Trumbull, 203-337-9729 HOSPITALS: Bridgeport, St. Vincent's Medical Center
Linda LaTrenta
Dermatology Physicians of Connecticut Norwalk, 203-538-5682
Greenwich Radiological Group Greenwich, 203-863-3952 HOSPITAL: Greenwich
Rand L. Werbitt
Anna Mah
Danbury Radiological Associates Danbury, 203-739-7000 HOSPITALS: Danbury, Norwalk, New Milford
Advanced Specialty Care Stamford, 203-830-4700
Robert A. Woodbury
Dermatology Associates of Western Connecticut Newtown, 203-792-4151 HOSPITALS: Danbury, New Milford
Kim M. Nichols
Ian Karol
Debra S. Weissman
Jeremy Ethan Moss
Ellen S. Naidorf MD Stamford, 203-964-1103 HOSPITAL: Stamford
Advanced Radiology Consultants Trumbull, 203-576-5061
Fairfield Dermatology Fairfield, 203-259-7709 HOSPITAL: St. Vincent's Medical Center
Robert A. Woodbury MD Riverside, 203-637-8114 HOSPITAL: Greenwich
Ellen S. Naidorf
Shelley Lynn Goodstine
Greenwich Med Spa Cos Cob, 203-779-6309 HOSPITAL: Greenwich
Fairfield Dermatology Fairfield, 203-259-7709 HOSPITAL: St. Vincent's Medical Center Brookside Dermatology Associates Bridgeport, 203-408-2725 HOSPITALS: Yale New Haven, St. Vincent's Medical Center
Greenwich Radiological Group Greenwich, 203-861-2381 HOSPITAL: Greenwich
Modern Dermatology Westport, 203-635-0770 HOSPITAL: Yale New Haven
Graeme M. Lipper
The Dermatology Center of Stamford Stamford, 203-325-3576
Christopher P. Fey
Deanne M. Robinson
Mitchell J. Ross
Elizabeth R. Marsh
Yale New Haven Health Bridgeport, 203-384-3876 HOSPITAL: Bridgeport
Advanced Aesthetics New Canaan, 203-972-7546 HOSPITAL: Univ. of CT Health Center - John Dempsey
Connecticut Dermatology Group Norwalk, 203-810-4151 HOSPITAL: Norwalk
Advanced DermCare Danbury, 203-797-8990 HOSPITAL: Danbury
Jennifer Fan
Robert John Patrignelli
Rhonda Q. Klein
Jeffrey D. Knispel
Yale New Haven Health Fairfield, 203-370-4092 HOSPITALS: Bridgeport, Yale New Haven
Robin Gail Oshman MD PhD Westport, 203-454-0743 HOSPITAL: Yale New Haven
Advanced DermCare Danbury, 203-797-8990 HOSPITAL: Danbury
Modern Dermatology Westport, 203-635-0770 HOSPITALS: Norwalk, Bridgeport
John P. Donahue
Robin G. Oshman
Robert J. Patrignelli MD Trumbull, 203-261-0800 HOSPITAL: St. Vincent's Medical Center
Michael A. Jacobson
Stamford, 203-276-2663 HOSPITAL: Stamford
Adult & Pediatric Dermatology Specialists Trumbull, 203-377-0639 HOSPITALS: Bridgeport, Yale New Haven
Erez Salik
Yale New Haven Health Greenwich, 203-863-3960 HOSPITAL: Greenwich
Alicia Diana Zalka
Fatejeet S. Sandhu
Jonathan R. Zirn
Advanced DermCare Danbury, 203-797-8990 HOSPITAL: Danbury
Adam Welber
Danbury Radiological Associates Danbury, 203-739-7532 HOSPITALS: Danbury, Norwalk, New Milford
Kenneth Zinn
Advanced Radiology Consultants Bridgeport, 203-384-3876
EMERGENCY MEDICINE Michael S. Canter
Yale New Haven Health Greenwich, 203-863-3637 HOSPITAL: Greenwich
Jeffrey T. Weintraub Bauer Emergency Care Center Norwalk, 203-852-2281 HOSPITAL: Norwalk, Greenwich
Jan Zislis
Yale New Haven Health Greenwich, 203-863-3637 HOSPITAL: Greenwich
ENDOCRINOLOGY, DIABETES & METABOLISM Mary Arden-Cordone Northwell Health Stamford, 203-359-2444 HOSPITAL: Stamford
Danielle P. BenavivMeskin Northeast Medical Group Trumbull, 203-371-7048 HOSPITAL: Bridgeport
Judith C. GoldbergBerman
Judith GoldbergBerman MD Greenwich, 203-622-9160 HOSPITAL: Greenwich
Ranee Lleva
Yale New Haven Health Stamford, 203-863-3750 HOSPITAL: Greenwich
Specialty Imaging Associates Danbury, 203-426-3002 HOSPITALS: Danbury, Norwalk, New Milford
Bismruta Misra
Andrew C. Shih
Antonio Pantaleo
Stamford Health Stamford, 203-276-7213 HOSPITAL: Stamford
Robert R. Savino
Nuvance Health Danbury, 203-794-5620 HOSPITAL: Danbury
Glenn Siegel
Soundview Medical Associates Norwalk, 203-838-4000
Erika A. Strohmayer
Hartford HealthCare Trumbull, 203-372-7200 HOSPITALS: St. Vincent's Medical Center, Hartford
Linda S. Werner
Hartford HealthCare Trumbull, 203-372-7200 HOSPITALS: St. Vincent's Medical Center, Hartford
Yi-Hao Yu
Endocrinology Associates of Greenwich Northeast Medical Group Stamford, 203-863-3750 HOSPITAL: Greenwich
FAMILY MEDICINE James K. Ahern
Copps Hill Family Medicine Ridgefield, 203-431-6342 HOSPITAL: Danbury
Julia Auerbach
Nuvance Health Brookfield, 203-775-6365
Steven T. Benaderet
Northeast Medical Group Westport, 203-221-3030 HOSPITALS: Bridgeport, Yale New Haven
Jennifer Bendl
Stamford Family Practice Stamford, 203-359-9997 HOSPITAL: Stamford
Timothy Bookas
Soundview Medical Associates Norwalk, 203-838-4000 HOSPITAL: Norwalk
Marc Brodsky
Center for Integrative Medicine & Wellness Stamford, 203-276-4777 HOSPITAL: Stamford
Thomas V. Cigno
DIAGNOSTIC RADIOLOGY
Norwalk Radiology Consultants Norwalk, 203-276-4311 HOSPITAL: Stamford
Northwell Health Stamford, 203-359-2444 HOSPITAL: Stamford
Thomas Cigno MD Ridgefield, 203-244-7848 HOSPITALS: Danbury, New Milford
Bradford Bottger
Nancy J. Rennert
Sarah Travis Stewart
Nuvance Health Wilton, 203-852-2270 HOSPITAL: Norwalk
Shanthi Devaraj
Specialty Imaging Associates Danbury, 203-426-3002 HOSPITAL: Danbury
Advanced Radiology Consultants Bridgeport, 203-384-3876
Noel Velasco
Richard R. Culver
Advanced Radiology Consultants Bridgeport, 203-384-3876
Norwalk Radiology Consultants
Joseph A. Rosa
Northeast Medical Group Endocrinology Trumbull, 203-371-7048 HOSPITAL: Bridgeport
Shanthi Devaraj MD Stamford, 203-323-8700 HOSPITAL: Stamford
Douglas Duchen
Northeast Medical Group Trumbull, 203-372-4065 HOSPITAL: Bridgeport
JANUARY/ FEBRUARY 2022 WESTPORT
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Hartford Healthcare Medical Group Stamford, 203-322-7070 HOSPITAL: Stamford
Joseph Feuerstein
SHMG-Center for Integrative Medicine & Wellness Stamford, 203-276-4777 HOSPITAL: Stamford
Cosmo Filiberto
Northeast Medical Group Trumbull, 203-372-4065 HOSPITAL: Bridgeport
Carol-ann Galban
Copps Hill Family Medicine Ridgefield, 203-431-6342 HOSPITAL: Danbury
Joshua B. Herbert
Stamford Health Medical Group Personal Medicine Stamford, 203-276-4644 HOSPITAL: Stamford
Anna M. Jamrozik
Stamford Health Norwalk, 203-276-7870 HOSPITAL: Stamford
Lawrence D. Leibowitz
David Barenberg
Nuvance Health Danbury, 203-739-7038 HOSPITAL: Danbury
Henry G. Beecher
Gastroenterology Hepatology Associates Stamford, 203-348-5355 HOSPITAL: Stamford
Emil J. Blanco
Gastroenterology Associates of Fairfield County Fairfield, 203-292-9000 HOSPITAL: St. Vincent's Medical Center
Steven L. Brandwein Nuvance Health Danbury, 203-739-7038 HOSPITAL: Danbury
Bryan J. Burns
GI Health Specialists Trumbull, 203-459-4451 HOSPITALS: Bridgeport, St. Vincent's Medical Center
Gena M. Cobrin
Gastroenterology Associates of Fairfield County Fairfield, 203-292-9000 HOSPITAL: St. Vincent's Medical Center
Matrix Personalized Medicine New Canaan, 203-920-1772 HOSPITALS: Stamford, Danbury, Norwalk
Robert M. Dettmer
Angelo Mallozzi
Joseph Fiorito
Gastroenterology Hepatology Associates Stamford, 203-348-5355 HOSPITAL: Stamford
Stamford Health Medical Group Stamford, 203-977-2566 HOSPITAL: Stamford
Nuvance Health Danbury, 203-739-7038 HOSPITALS: Danbury, New Milford
Leslie R. Miller
Adam B. Gorelick
Bridgeport Hospital Bridgeport, 203-384-3000 HOSPITALS: Bridgeport, St. Vincent's Medical Center
Nuvance Health Danbury, 203-739-7038 HOSPITALS: Danbury, Yale New Haven
Byron S. Thomas
Nuvance Health Medical Practices Danbury, 203-739-7038 HOSPITAL: Danbury
(deceased) Formerly of Nuvance Health View his obituary: dignitymemorial.com
Ann H. Williams
Stamford Health Primary Care Tully Center Stamford, 203-977-2566 HOSPITAL: Stamford
Steven Gorelick
Tarun K. Gupta
Gastroenterology Associates of Fairfield Trumbull, 203-452-1411 HOSPITALS: Yale New Haven, Hartford
William B. Hale
GASTROENTEROLOGY Charles Adelmann
Nuvance Health Norwalk, 203-852-2278 HOSPITAL: Norwalk
Soundview Medical Associates Norwalk, 203-838-4000 HOSPITAL: Norwalk
Sarah A. Kahn
Naveen Anand
Stephen W. Kingsley
Nuvance Health Norwalk, 203-852-2278 HOSPITAL: Norwalk
Stamford Health Stamford, 203-276-8490 HOSPITAL: Stamford Stephen W. Kingsley MD Danbury, 203-790-0777 HOSPITAL: Danbury
Neda Khaghan
Thomas P. Whelan
Kevin D. Miller
Chunwang Lam
Felice R. Zwas
Jeraldine S. Orlina
ProHealth Physicians Gastroenterology Bethel, 203-791-2221 HOSPITAL: Danbury
Center for GI Medicine of Fairfield & Westchester Greenwich, 203-489-6900 HOSPITAL: Greenwich GI Health Specialists Trumbull, 203-459-4451 HOSPITALS: Bridgeport, St. Vincent's Medical Center
Center for Gastrointestinal Medicine Greenwich, 203-489-6900 HOSPITAL: Greenwich
Gordon S. Latzman
GENERAL SURGERY
GI Health Specialists Trumbull, 203-459-4451 HOSPITALS: Bridgeport, St. Vincent's Medical Center
James Bonheur
AMI Surgery Stamford, 203-327-4444 HOSPITALS: Stamford, Greenwich
Kenneth R. Mauer
Gastroenterology Associates Fairfield, 203-292-9000 HOSPITAL: St. Vincent's Medical Center
Jeanne S. Capasse
Darlene S. Negbenebor
Nuvance Health Danbury, 203-739-7040 HOSPITAL: Danbury
Nuvance Health Norwalk, 203-846-8885 HOSPITAL: Norwalk
Zandra H. Cheng
SHMG - Gastroenterology Stamford, 203-998-7400 HOSPITAL: Stamford
Anthy Demestihas
Surgical Associates of Connecticut Bridgeport, 203-332-4744 HOSPITAL: St. Vincent's Medical Center
Alan M. Nelson
Alan M. Nelson MD Bridgeport, 203-374-4966 HOSPITAL: St. Vincent's Medical Center
Kevin M. Dwyer
Neal J. Schamberg
Stamford Health Medical Group Stamford, 203-276-5959 HOSPITAL: Stamford
Center for GI Medicine of Fairfield & Westchester Greenwich, 203-489-6900 HOSPITAL: Greenwich
Neil R. Floch
Dr. Neil R. Floch Norwalk, 203-852-3050 HOSPITALS: Danbury, Norwalk
Michael Schiffman Nuvance Health Danbury, 203-739-7038 HOSPITALS: Danbury, New Milford
Royd Fukumoto
Nuvance Health Danbury, 203-739-7131 HOSPITAL: Danbury
Alan E. Selkin
Center for GI Medicine of Fairfield & Westchester Greenwich, 203-489-6900 HOSPITAL: Greenwich
Richard J. Garvey
General Surgeons of Greater Bridgeport Bridgeport, 203-366-3211 HOSPITAL: Bridgeport
Amy E. Smithline
Gastroenterology Hepatology Associates Stamford, 203-348-5355 HOSPITAL: Stamford
Mandy Greenberg
Julie E. Spivack
Gastroenterology Associates of Fairfield County Fairfield, 203-292-9000 HOSPITAL: St. Vincent's Medical Center
Stuart Waldstreicher Gastroenterology Consultants Stamford, 203-967-2100 HOSPITAL: Stamford
John G. Lunt
Stamford Health Medical Group Stamford, 203-276-5959 HOSPITALS: Stamford, Greenwich
Helen A. Pass
Stamford Health Medical Group Stamford, 203-276-4255 HOSPITAL: Stamford
Athanassios Petrotos
Yale New Haven Health Greenwich, 203-863-4300 HOSPITAL: Greenwich
Norfolk, 203-846-3338 HOSPITAL: Norwalk
OrthoConnecticut Danbury, 203-797-1500 HOSPITAL: Danbury
Thomas A. Rago
The Surgical Center of Connecticut Bridgeport, 203-374-5892 HOSPITALS: St. Vincent's Medical Center, Bridgeport
Ross J. Richer
Mary Pronovost
Orthopaedic Specialty Group Fairfield, 203-337-2600 HOSPITALS: Bridgeport, St. Vincent's Medical Center
Valerie Staradub
HEMATOLOGY
Yale Medicine Trumbull, 203-254-2381 HOSPITAL: Bridgeport Nuvance Health Medical Practices Danbury, 203-739-7040 HOSPITAL: Danbury
GERIATRIC MEDICINE Vivian Argento
Geriatrics - Northeast Medical Group Trumbull, 203-384-3388 HOSPITAL: Bridgeport
Mithil Choksey
Yale New Haven Health Trumbull, 203-384-3388 HOSPITAL: Bridgeport
Harsha Naik
Yale New Haven Health Trumbull, 203-384-3388 HOSPITAL: Bridgeport
Allison M. Ostroff
Stamford Health Medical Group Greenwich, 203-276-2516 HOSPITAL: Stamford
Karen J. Nishida
Kathleen LaVorgna
Haik G. Kavookjian
Joey C. Papa
Andrew S. Kenler
Yale New Haven Health Bridgeport, 203-337-8507 HOSPITALS: Bridgeport, Yale New Haven
OrthoConnecticut Danbury, 203-797-1500 HOSPITAL: Danbury Stamford Health Norwalk, 203-846-0040 HOSPITALS: Stamford, Norwalk
GYNECOLOGIC ONCOLOGY
Sajid A. Khan
Nuvance Health Danbury, 203-739-7038 HOSPITAL: Danbury
Joseph DiGiovanni
Nuvance Health Danbury, 203-739-7131 HOSPITAL: Danbury
Surgical Breast Care of Connecticut Norwalk, 203-846-8885 HOSPITAL: Norwalk Northeast Medical Group Trumbull, 203-373-9015 HOSPITAL: Bridgeport
Mae K. Tighe
Stamford Health Medical Group Stamford, 203-276-5959 HOSPITAL: Stamford
Gynecologic Cancer Care Stamford, 203-998-0848 HOSPITALS: Stamford, Greenwich
HAND SURGERY Henry A. Backe
Orthopaedic Specialty Group Fairfield, 203-337-2600 HOSPITALS: Bridgeport, St. Vincent's Medical Center
Michael H. Bar
Stamford Health Stamford, 203-276-2695 HOSPITAL: Stamford
Michael Cohenuram
Trumbull Care Center Trumbull, 203-502-8400 HOSPITALS: Yale New Haven, Bridgeport
E. Andrew Duda
Hartford Health Care Fairfield, 203-255-4545 HOSPITALS: St. Vincent's Medical Center, Bridgeport
David H. Witt
Yale Cancer Center Trumbull, 203-502-8400 HOSPITALS: Yale New Haven, Bridgeport
HOSPICE & PALLIATIVE MEDICINE Marina L. Blagodatny Yale New Haven Health Trumbull, 203-384-3388 HOSPITAL: Bridgeport
INFECTIOUS DISEASE Gavin X. McLeod
Yale New Haven Health Greenwich, 203-869-8838 HOSPITAL: Greenwich
Paul F. Nee
Nuvance Health Danbury, 203-739-8310 HOSPITALS: Danbury, New Milford
PHOTOGRAPH: ADOBESTOCK.COM / BY SUDOK1
Alan T. Falkoff
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Where To Go
Michael F. Parry
Stamford Health Stamford, 203-353-1427 HOSPITAL: Stamford
THE HOSPITALS AFFILIATED WITH OUR TOP DOCTORS BOSTON CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL 300 Longwood Avenue Boston, 617-355-6000 childrenshospital.org BRIDGEPORT HOSPITAL 267 Grant Street Bridgeport, 203-384-3000 bridgeporthospital.org BRIDGEPORT HOSPITAL, MILFORD CAMPUS 300 Seaside Avenue Milford, 203-876-4000 milfordhospital.org CONNECTICUT CHILDREN’S MEDICAL CENTER 282 Washington Street Hartford, 860-545-9000 connecticutchildrens.org
GRIFFIN HOSPITAL 130 Division Street Derby, 203-735-7421 griffinhealthct.org HARTFORD HOSPITAL 80 Seymour Street Hartford, 860-545-5000 hartfordhospital.org HOSPITAL FOR SPECIAL SURGERY, STAMFORD 1 Blachley Road Stamford, 203-357-5694 hss.edu MIDDLESEX HOSPITAL 28 Crescent Street Middletown, 860-358-6000 middlesexhealth.org
NEW YORKPRESBYTERIAN/ COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY IRVING MEDICAL CENTER 630 West 168th Street New York City, 212-305-2000 nyp.org/locations NEW YORKPRESBYTERIAN/ MORGAN STANLEY CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL 3959 Broadway New York City, 212-305-5437 nyp.org/locations
DANBURY HOSPITAL 24 Hospital Avenue Danbury, 866-374-0007 danburyhospital.org
MOUNT SINAI HOSPITAL 1190 Fifth Avenue New York City, 212-241-6500 mountsinai.org/locations
NEW YORKPRESBYTERIAN/ WEILL CORNELL MEDICAL CENTER 525 East 68th Street New York City, 212-746-5454 nyp.org/locations
GREENWICH HOSPITAL 5 Perryridge Road Greenwich, 203-863-3000 greenwichhospital.org
NEW MILFORD HOSPITAL 21 Elm Street New Milford, 860-210-5000 newmilfordhospital.org
NORWALK HOSPITAL 34 Maple Street Norwalk, 203-852-2000 norwalkhospital.org
NYU LANGONE TISCH HOSPITAL 550 First Avenue New York City, 212-263-6906 nyulangone.org SAINT MARY’S HOSPITAL 56 Franklin Street Waterbury, 203-709-6000 trinityhealthofne.org/location/saint-marys-hospital STAMFORD HOSPITAL One Hospital Plaza Stamford, 203-276-1000 stamfordhospital.org ST. VINCENT’S MEDICAL CENTER 2800 Main Street Bridgeport, 203-576-6000 stvincents.org
Asha K. Shah
Stamford Health Medical Group Stamford, 203-353-1427 HOSPITAL: Stamford
WATERBURY HOSPITAL 64 Robbins Street Waterbury, 203-573-6000 waterburyhospital.org
John G. Stratidis
WESTCHESTER MEDICAL CENTER 100 Woods Road Valhalla, New York 914-493-7000 westchestermedicalcenter.org
Lynda Streett
YALE NEW HAVEN HOSPITAL 20 York Street, New Haven, 203-688-4242 ynhh.org
Nuvance Health Danbury, 203-739-8310 HOSPITALS: Danbury, New Milford Stamford Health Stamford, 203-353-1427 HOSPITAL: Stamford
INTERNAL MEDICINE Anthony A. Alleva
Northeast Medical Group Greenwich, 203-422-7250 HOSPITAL: Greenwich
Robert A. Altbaum
UCONN JOHN DEMPSEY HOSPITAL 100 Hospital Drive Farmington, 860-679-2000 health.uconn.edu
Internal Medicine Associates of Westport Westport, 203-226-0731 HOSPITAL: Norwalk
VETERANS AFFAIRS CT HEALTHCARE 950 Campbell Avenue West Haven, 203-932-5711 va.gov/connecticut-health-care
Nuvance Health Westport, 203-571-3000 HOSPITAL: Norwalk
David H. Baum
James J. Bivona
Stamford Primary Care Stamford, 203-325-2667 HOSPITAL: Stamford
James A. Brunetti
Comprehensive Concierge Medicine Greenwich, 203-900-1090 HOSPITAL: Greenwich
Frank Angelo Ciminiello
Northeast Medical Group Trumbull, 203-374-6162 HOSPITALS: Bridgeport, St. Vincent's Medical Center
Ralph J. Cipriani
PHOTOGRAPH: ADOBESTOCK.COM / BY SUDOK1
Glenville Medical Concierge Care Greenwich, 203-531-1808 HOSPITALS: Greenwich, Stamford
Joseph V. Costanzo
Stamford Health Stamford, 203-348-9455 HOSPITAL: Stamford
Carolyn Couture
Stamford Health Wilton, 203-276-4015 HOSPITAL: Stamford
Allen Davis
ProHealth Physicians Newtown, 203-270-1016 HOSPITAL: Danbury JANUARY/ FEBRUARY 2022 WESTPORT
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Christopher M. Edelmann
Steven P. Mickley
Yale New Haven Health Greenwich, 203-869-0502 HOSPITAL: Greenwich
Glenville Medical Concierge Care Greenwich, 203-531-1808 HOSPITAL: Greenwich
Steven A. Fisher
Charles Miner III
Concierge Choice Physicians Trumbull, 203-459-5100
John A. Flores
Northeast Medical Group Trumbull, 203-268-4884 HOSPITAL: Bridgeport
Vernetta D. Gallop
Stamford Health Stamford, 203-359-4444 HOSPITAL: Stamford
Sarah M. Gamble
Greenwich Pure Medical Greenwich, 203-869-2800 HOSPITALS: Greenwich, Stamford
Steven L. Glazer
Sachem Medical Norwalk, 203-852-1300 HOSPITALS: Norwalk, St. Vincent's Medical Center
Peter G. Hasapis
Stamford Health Medical Group Darien, 203-655-8749 HOSPITALS: Stamford, Norwalk
Beth A. Moore
Northeast Medical Group Stamford, 475-619-6035 HOSPITAL: Greenwich
Caleb Moore
Caleb Moore MD Greenwich, 203-661-2596 HOSPITALS: Greenwich, Stamford
Ken J. Nori
Yale New Haven Health Trumbull, 203-374-6162 HOSPITALS: Bridgeport, St. Vincent's Medical Center
Craig H. Olin
Stamford Health Stamford, 203-276-4644 HOSPITAL: Stamford
New Canaan Medical Practice New Canaan, 203-972-4218 HOSPITALS: Norwalk, Stamford
David Pazer
Pamela B. Hoffman
Steven Phillips MD Wilton, 203-544-0005
Hartford Health Care Bridgeport, 203-365-6400 HOSPITALS: St. Vincent's Medical Center, Bridgeport
Richard G. Huntley, Jr. Westmed Medical Group Norwalk, 203-845-4800 HOSPITAL: Norwalk
Shara P. Israel
Stamford Health Medical Group Stamford, 203-327-1187 HOSPITAL: Stamford
Nina S. Karol
Concierge Physicians of Westport Westport, 203-571-3000 HOSPITAL: Norwalk
Melanie Kelton
ProHealth Physicians Ridgefield, 203-438-0874 HOSPITAL: Danbury
Steven E. Phillips
Ioana S. Preda
Yale New Haven Health Trumbull, 203-374-6162 HOSPITALS: Bridgeport, St. Vincent's Medical Center
Jeffrey S. Puglisi
Glenville Medical Concierge Care Greenwich, 203-531-1808 HOSPITAL: Greenwich
Alan M. Radin
Nuvance Health Wilton, 203-762-3353 HOSPITAL: Norwalk
David M. Radin
David M. Radin MD Stamford, 203-359-4888 HOSPITAL: Stamford
Yale New Haven Health Old Greenwich, 203-637-5406 HOSPITAL: Greenwich
Sunil Rana
Nazanine Khairkhah
Remi M. Rosenberg
True Care Medical Greenwich, 203-869-2304 HOSPITALS: Greenwich, Stamford
Lisa Kurian
Northeast Medical Group Greenwich, 203-422-7250 HOSPITAL: Greenwich
Yale New Haven Health Greenwich, 203-869-7704 HOSPITAL: Greenwich
James Samuel
Stamford Health Medical Group Stamford, 203-327-1187 HOSPITAL: Stamford
Julia H. Voytovich
Michael B. Schwartz
New Canaan Medical Group New Canaan, 203-972-4204 HOSPITAL: Norwalk
Nuvance Health Darien, 203-662-8900 HOSPITAL: Norwalk
Craig D. Serin
Nuvance Health Wilton, 203-762-3353 HOSPITALS: Norwalk, Danbury, New Milford Stamford Primary Care Stamford, 203-325-2667 HOSPITAL: Stamford New Canaan Medical Group New Canaan, 203-972-4215 HOSPITAL: Norwalk
INTERVENTIONAL CARDIOLOGY Mitchell H. Driesman Cardiac Specialists Fairfield, 203-292-2000 HOSPITALS: Bridgeport, Milford
Neil E. Smerling
Hartford Health Care Fairfield, 203-259-7442 HOSPITALS: St. Vincent's Medical Center, Bridgeport
Robert F. Fishman
Frank Spano
Fairfield County Medical Group Trumbull, 203-459-5100 HOSPITALS: Bridgeport, St. Vincent's Medical Center Stamford Health Wilton, 203-276-4015 HOSPITAL: Stamford
Nuvance Health Danbury, 203-749-5700 HOSPITAL: Danbury Hospital
Stamford Health Stamford, 203-276-4644 HOSPITAL: Stamford
Burton Rubin
Cathrine Troy
Greenwich Hospital Greenwich, 203-863-3674 HOSPITAL: Greenwich Women's Specialty Center Stamford, 203-276-7060 HOSPITAL: Stamford Hartford Health Care Bridgeport, 203-576-5678 HOSPITAL: St. Vincent's Medical Center
Gina Dunston-Boone
Park Avenue Perinatal Specialists Bridgeport, 203-384-3544 HOSPITALS: Bridgeport, Yale New Haven
Gary Eleazar Kleinman
Cardiac Specialists Danbury, 203-794-0090 HOSPITALS: Danbury, Bridgeport
Charles Landau
Steven A. Laifer
David Lorenz
Cardiology Associates of Fairfield County Norwalk, 203-845-2160 HOSPITALS: Norwalk, St. Vincent's Medical Center
Victor M. Mejia
Stamford Health Medical Group Stamford, 203-327-1187 HOSPITAL: Stamford
Diana M. Adams
Park Avenue Perinatal Specialists Trumbull, 203-384-3544 HOSPITALS: Bridgeport, Yale New Haven
Connecticut Heart and Vascular Center Trumbull, 203-333-8800 HOSPITALS: Bridgeport, Griffin
Joseph Tortorello
MATERNAL & FETAL MEDICINE
William Cusick
Marc Z. Krichavsky
Vadim Tikhomirov
Nuvance Health Danbury, 203-739-7155 HOSPITALS: Danbury, Norwalk
Christopher J. Howes
Cardiology Physicians of Fairfield County Trumbull, 203-445-7093 HOSPITAL: St. Vincent's Medical Center
Internal Medicine of New Canaan New Canaan, 203-972-4205 HOSPITALS: Norwalk, Stamford
Mark K. Warshofsky
Paul D. Bobby
Robert D. Jumper
Shiela V. Subramanian
Cardiology Associates of Fairfield County Fairfield, 203-254-2452 HOSPITAL: St. Vincent's Medical Center
Cardiac Specialists Fairfield, 203-292-2000 HOSPITALS: Bridgeport, Milford Yale Heart & Vascular Center Greenwich, 203-863-4210 HOSPITALS: Greenwich, Yale New Haven
Maura Sparks
Edward L. Portnay
Jared G. Selter
Stamford Health Medical Group Stamford, 203-977-2566 HOSPITAL: Stamford
Personal Physicians of Connecticut Stamford, 203-968-9500 HOSPITAL: Stamford
Cardiology Associates of Fairfield County Stamford, 203-353-1133 HOSPITALS: Stamford, St. Vincent's Medical Center
Dennis J. Williams
Lu Yu
Frederick B. Slogoff
Thomas J. Nero
Rebecca L. Warkol MD Old Greenwich, 203-637-5406 HOSPITAL: Greenwich Yale New Haven Health Bridgeport, 203-371-5197 HOSPITAL: Bridgeport
James A. Slater
HOSPITALS: Bridgeport, Griffin
Cardiology Associates of Fairfield County Stamford, 203-353-1133 HOSPITALS: Stamford, St. Vincent's Medical Center
Rebecca L. Warkol
Lee Tracy Silva
Yale New Haven Health Trumbull, 203-374-6162 HOSPITALS: Bridgeport, St. Vincent's Medical Center
Burton R. Rubin MD Old Greenwich, 203-637-5406 HOSPITAL: Greenwich
Shira B. Vadel
Westmed Medical Group Norwalk, 203-845-4873 HOSPITAL: Norwalk
Connecticut Heart and Vascular Center Trumbull, 203-333-8800
Park Avenue Perinatal Specialists Trumbull, 203-384-3544 HOSPITALS: Bridgeport, Yale New Haven
Dimitry Zilberman
Nuvance Health Danbury, 203-739-7981 HOSPITALS: Danbury, Norwalk
MEDICAL ONCOLOGY D. Barry Boyd
Yale New Haven Health Greenwich, 203-863-3700 HOSPITALS: Greenwich, Yale New Haven
Sandhya Dhanjal
Hartford Health Care Fairfield, 203-255-4545 HOSPITALS: St. Vincent's Medical Center, Bridgeport
Beverly J. Drucker
Yale New Haven Health Greenwich, 203-863-3700 HOSPITALS: Greenwich, Yale New Haven
Neal A. Fischbach
Smilow Cancer Hospital Care Center Fairfield, 203-502-8400 HOSPITALS: Yale New Haven, Bridgeport
Richard C. Frank
Nuvance Health Norwalk Hospital Norwalk, 203-852-2000 HOSPITALS: Norwalk
Anthony Gulati
Stamford Health Stamford, 203-276-2695 HOSPITAL: Stamford
Vincent Rella
Nuvance Health Danbury, 203-739-7029 HOSPITALS: Danbury, New Milford
Paul L. Weinstein
Hematology Oncology PC Stamford, 203-276-2695 HOSPITAL: Stamford
George Zahrah
Nuvance Health Norwalk, 203-845-4811 HOSPITAL: Norwalk
Richard Zelkowitz
Caroline Stella
Hartford Health Care Bridgeport, 203-382-2475 HOSPITAL: St. Vincent's Medical Center
Robert J. Stiller
NEONATAL-PERINATAL MEDICINE
Yale New Haven Health Greenwich, 203-863-3674 HOSPITAL: Greenwich Park Avenue Perinatal Specialists Bridgeport, 203-384-3544 HOSPITALS: Bridgeport, Yale New Haven
Shruti Gupta
Stamford Health Stamford, 203-276-7083 HOSPITAL: Stamford
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Gerald B. Rakos
Stamford Health Stamford, 203-276-7083 HOSPITAL: Stamford
Stylianos N. Theofanidis Greenwich Hospital Greenwich, 203-863-3515 HOSPITAL: Greenwich
NEUROLOGICAL SURGERY Paul J. Apostolides
Orthopaedic & Neurosurgery Specialists Greenwich, 203-869-1145 HOSPITAL: Greenwich
Ramon A. Batson
NEPHROLOGY Eric Y. Brown
Stamford Hospital Stamford, 203-324-7666 HOSPITAL: Stamford
Brenda S. Chan
Stamford Hospital Stamford, 203-276-1000 HOSPITAL: Stamford
Irwin D. Feintzeig
Bridgeport Hospital Bridgeport, 203-335-0195 HOSPITALS: Bridgeport, St. Vincent's Medical Center, Griffin, New Milford
James Gavin
Bridgeport Hospital Bridgeport, 203-335-0195 HOSPITALS: Bridgeport, St. Vincent's Medical Center, Griffin, New Milford
Richard T. Gervasi
Westmed Medical Group Norwalk, 203-845-4800 HOSPITAL: Norwalk
William H. Hines
Stamford Health Stamford, 203-324-7666 HOSPITAL: Stamford
William A. Hunt
Nephrology Associates Bridgeport, 203-335-0195 HOSPITALS: Bridgeport, St. Vincent's Medical Center, Griffin, Milford
Robert Kim
Nephrology Associates Bridgeport, 203-335-0195 HOSPITALS: Bridgeport, St. Vincent's Medical Center, Griffin, Milford
Panupong Lisawat
Nuvance Health Danbury, 203-739-7104 HOSPITAL: Danbury
Raymond Raut
Nuvance Health Danbury, 203-739-7104 HOSPITAL: Danbury
Winston Shih
Nuvance Health Danbury, 203-739-7104 HOSPITAL: Danbury
Elite Brain & Spine of Connecticut Danbury, 203-792-2003 HOSPITAL: Norwalk
Mark H. Camel
Orthopaedic & Neurosurgery Specialists Greenwich, 203-869-1145 HOSPITAL: Greenwich
Andrea F. Douglas
Stamford Health Medical Group Greenwich, 203-661-3333 HOSPITALS: Greenwich, Stamford
Amory J. Fiore
Orthopaedic & Neurosurgery Specialists Greenwich: 203-869-1145 HOSPITAL: Greenwich
Joshua Marcus
Elite Brain & Spine of Connecticut Danbury, 203-792-2003 HOSPITALS: Norwalk, Danbury, NY-Pres Columbia
Abraham Mintz
Trumbull, 203-372-6460 HOSPITALS: St. Vincent's Medical Center, Bridgeport
Perry A. Shear
Orthopaedic Specialty Group Fairfield, 203-337-2600 HOSPITALS: Bridgeport, St. Vincent's Medical Center
Scott P. Sanderson
Elite Brain & Spine of Connecticut Danbury, 203-792-2003 HOSPITALS: Norwalk, Danbury
Scott L. Simon
Orthopaedic & Neurosurgery Specialists Stamford, 203-869-1145 HOSPITALS: Greenwich, Stamford
Gary A. Zimmerman Orthopaedic Specialty Group PC Fairfield, 203-337-2600 HOSPITALS: Yale New Haven, St. Vincent's Medical Center, Bridgeport
NEUROLOGY
OBSTETRICS & GYNECOLOGY
Robert Bonwetsch
Associated Neurologists Danbury, 203-748-2551 HOSPITAL: Danbury
Roxanne C. Abder
Women's Health Care of Trumbull Trumbull, 203-374-1018 HOSPITAL: Bridgeport
Neil Culligan
Associated Neurologists Danbury, 203-748-2551 HOSPITAL: Danbury
Thomas V. Ayoub
Nuvance Health Norwalk, 203-644-1100 HOSPITAL: Norwalk
Louis J. Cuzzone
Neurology Associates of Norwalk Norwalk, 203-853-5000 HOSPITAL: Norwalk
Gary S. Besser
Obstetrics & Gynecology Associates Stamford, 203-325-4321 HOSPITAL: Stamford
David Greco
Associated Neurologists Danbury, 203-748-2551 HOSPITAL: Danbury
Emily E. Blair
Yale New Haven Health Fairfield, 203-256-3990 HOSPITAL: Bridgeport
Eric Kung
Stamford Health Medical Group Stamford, 203-276-4464 HOSPITAL: Stamford
Patrick J. Cahill
Coastal Obstetrics & Gynecology Stamford, 203-353-9099 HOSPITAL: Stamford
Paul Lleva
Yale New Haven Health Greenwich, 203-863-4490 HOSPITALS: Greenwich, Yale New Haven
Ronika D. Choudhary Women's Health Connecticut Trumbull, 203-268-2239 HOSPITALS: St. Vincent's Medical Center, Bridgeport
Peter J. McAllister
New England Institute for Neurology & Headache Stamford, 203-914-1900 HOSPITALS: Bridgeport, St. Vincent's Medical Center
Joseph A. Cuteri
Shelton OB/GYN Shelton, 203-929-9000 HOSPITAL: Bridgeport
Louise D. Resor
Deanna DelPrete
Stamford Health Medical Group Stamford, 203-276-4464 HOSPITAL: Stamford
Women's Health Care of New England Norwalk, 203-644-1100 HOSPITAL: Norwalk
Alice H. Rusk
Leslie A. Donovan
Yale New Haven Health Greenwich, 203-863-4490 HOSPITALS: Greenwich, Yale New Haven
Brookside Gynecology Greenwich, 203-869-7080 HOSPITAL: Greenwich
Leonard Ferrucci
Daryl R. Story
Women's Health Connecticut Stamford, 203-325-4665 HOSPITAL: Stamford
Neurology Associates of Norwalk Norwalk, 203-853-5000 HOSPITAL: Norwalk
Vito Ferrucci
Jennifer C. Werely
Women's Health Connecticut Stamford, 203-325-4665 HOSPITAL: Stamford
Neurology & Headache Center of Greenwich Greenwich, 203-900-4226 HOSPITAL: St. Vincent's Medical Center
Caroline Filor
NEURORADIOLOGY
Brookside Gynecology Greenwich, 203-869-7080 HOSPITAL: Greenwich
Howard Liu
Leila J. Garrett
Stamford Hospital Stamford, 203-276-2362 HOSPITAL: Stamford
Greenwich Gynecology Greenwich, 203-869-8353 HOSPITAL: Greenwich
Gerard Muro
Shieva L. Ghofrany
Bridgeport Radiological Associates Stamford, 203-384-3000 HOSPITAL: Bridgeport
Coastal Obstetrics & Gynecology Stamford, 203-353-9099 HOSPITAL: Stamford
Patrice Gillotti
Women's Health Connecticut Danbury, 203-792-5005 HOSPITAL: Danbury
Daniel A. Goldstein
Candlewood Center for Women's Health Danbury, 203-730-8789 HOSPITAL: Danbury
Donna J. Hagberg
Donna J. Hagberg MD Cos Cob, 203-742-1150 HOSPITAL: Greenwich
Edward Jacobson
Hormone Replacement Therapy Center Greenwich, 203-580-6383 HOSPITAL: Greenwich
for Women-By Women Greenwich, 203-861-9586 HOSPITAL: Greenwich
Christine E. Waldron Women's Health Care of New England Norwalk, 203-644-1100 HOSPITAL: Norwalk
OPHTHALMIC PLASTIC & RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGERY Cesar A. Sierra
Cesar A. Sierra MD FACS Westport, 203-226-1696 HOSPITAL: Yale New Haven, Bridgeport, Veterans Affairs CT Healthcare
Irene I. Komarynsky
Stamford Health Medicine Group Stamford, 203-325-9920 HOSPITAL: Stamford
Silvio A. Mandara
Silvio A. Mandara MD Stamford, 203-324-2262 HOSPITAL: Stamford
John A. Morris
Women's Health Connecticut Stamford, 203-325-4665 HOSPITALS: Stamford, Norwalk
OPHTHALMOLOGY Bruce S. Altman
Connecticut Eye Consultants Danbury, 203-791-2020 HOSPITAL: Danbury
Christienne F. Coates Ridgefield Ophthalmology Ridgefield, 203-894-9700 HOSPITAL: Greenwich
Joseph L. Conway, Jr.
Women's Health Care of New England Norwalk, 203-644-1100 HOSPITAL: Norwalk
Greenwich Ophthalmology Associates Stamford, 203-869-3082 HOSPITALS: Greenwich, Stamford
Michael D. Schechter
Donna Densel
Sujata Pendyala
Westmed Medical Group Greenwich, 203-210-2880 HOSPITAL: Greenwich
CT Eye Specialists Stamford, 203-869-3082 HOSPITAL: Greenwich
Beth J. Simon
Doctor & Associates Westport, 203-227-4113 HOSPITAL: Norwalk
Northeast Medical Group OB/GYN Greenwich, 475-240-8222 HOSPITAL: Greenwich
Helena T. Squicciarini Women's Health Connecticut Trumbull, 203-374-1018 HOSPITAL: Bridgeport
Marina C. Torbey
Women's Health Connecticut Trumbull, 203-374-1018 HOSPITAL: Bridgeport
Russell F. Turk
Stamford Health Riverside, 203-637-3337 HOSPITAL: Stamford
Jay H. Ugol
Nuvance Health Norwalk Hospital Norwalk, 203-852-2000 HOSPITAL: Norwalk
Caterina Violi
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Leslie C. Doctor
Shelley K. Driesman Ophthalmic Surgeons of Greater Bridgeport Fairfield, 203-371-0141 HOSPITAL: Bridgeport
Joan T. Gewirtz
Joan T. Gewirtz MD Stamford, 203-348-0868 HOSPITAL: Stamford
Gina F. Gladstein
CT Eye Specialists Stamford, 203-869-3082 HOSPITAL: Greenwich
Anisha Jangi
Danbury Eye Physicians & Surgeons PC Danbury, 203-791-2020 HOSPITAL: Danbury
Archna Johar
Connecticut Eye Consultants Danbury, 203-791-2020 HOSPITAL: New Milford
JANUARY/ FEBRUARY 2022 WESTPORT
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Jeffrey N. Kaplan
Eye Group of Connecticut Bridgeport, 203-374-8182 HOSPITAL: Bridgeport
Wendy A. Klein
Ophthalmic Associates Trumbull, 203-378-3224 HOSPITALS: Bridgeport, Yale New Haven
Flora Levin
Flora Levin MD Westport, 203-814-1438 HOSPITAL: Yale New Haven
Peter E. Libre
Connecticut Glaucoma Associates Norwalk, 203-853-2020 HOSPITALS: Norwalk, NY-Pres Columbia
Suresh Mandava
Greenwich Ophthalmology Associates Stamford, 203-869-3082 HOSPITAL: Greenwich
Delia M. Manjoney
Fairfield, 203-371-5800 HOSPITAL: Bridgeport
Joanna Lumba Sarracino Ophthalmic Surgeons of Greater Bridgeport Fairfield, 203-371-0141
Richard Scartozzi
Connecticut Eye Consultants Danbury, 203-791-2020 HOSPITALS: Danbury, Yale New Haven
Scott Seo
Merritt Medical Center Bridgeport, 203-372-4211 HOSPITAL: St. Vincent's Medical Center
Omar Shakir
Coastal Eye Surgeons Greenwich, 203-900-7911 HOSPITAL: Yale New Haven
Elizabeth Siderides
Stamford Ophthalmology Stamford, 203-327-5808 HOSPITAL: Stamford
Hartford Health Care Bridgeport, 203-576-6500 HOSPITAL: St. Vincent's Medical Center
Mahsa A. Sohrab
Robert J. Noecker
Jerry W. Tsong
Ophthalmic Consultants of Connecticut Fairfield, 203-366-8000 HOSPITAL: St. Vincent's Medical Center
Jeffrey L. Oberman
ReFocus Eye Health of CT Westport, 203-221-0545 HOSPITAL: Norwalk
Glenn E. Ostriker
Stamford Health Stamford, 203-348-6300 HOSPITALS: Stamford, NYU Langone Tisch
James R. Pinke
Pinke Eye Center Shelton, 203-924-8800 HOSPITAL: Griffin
Philip A. Piro
Retina Associates of Connecticut Stamford, 203-325-4481 HOSPITALS: Stamford, St. Vincent's Medical Center
Stephen M. Rabinowitz Ophthalmic Surgeons of Greater Bridgeport Fairfield, 203-371-0141 HOSPITAL: Bridgeport
Vincent S. Reppucci
Vincent S. Reppucci MD Danbury, 203-792-6291 HOSPITAL: Danbury
Kim P. Robbins
Robbins Eye Center
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Mahsa A. Sohrab MD Greenwich, 914-200-1405 HOSPITAL: Greenwich Yale New Haven Health Stamford, 203-869-3082 HOSPITALS: Greenwich, Stamford
Esteban C. Vietorisz
Stamford Ophthalmology Stamford, 203-327-5808 HOSPITAL: Stamford
Eric L. Wasserman
Eye Care Center of Stamford Stamford, 203-978-0800 HOSPITAL: Stamford
Richard B. Weber
Stamford Health Stamford, 203-353-1857 HOSPITAL: Stamford
James M. Weisz
Connecticut Retina Consultants Bridgeport, 203-365-6565 HOSPITALS: Yale New Haven, Bridgeport
Marc L. Weitzman
Ophthalmic Surgeons of Greater Bridgeport Fairfield, 203-371-0141
Andrew Wolf
Stamford Ophthalmology Stamford, 203-327-5808 HOSPITAL: Stamford
Katherine Joann Zamecki Connecticut Eye Consultants Danbury, 203-791-2020 HOSPITAL: New Milford
Stephen J. Zuckerman Danbury Eye Physicians & Surgeons Danbury, 203-791-2020 HOSPITALS: Danbury, New Milford
ORTHOPAEDIC SURGERY David F. Bindelglass
Orthopaedic Specialty Group Fairfield, 203-337-2600 HOSPITALS: Bridgeport, St. Vincent's Medical Center
Michael Brand
OrthoConnecticut Danbury, 203-797-1500 HOSPITAL: Danbury
Dante A. Brittis
Orthopaedic Specialty Group Fairfield, 203-337-2600 HOSPITALS: Bridgeport, St. Vincent's Medical Center
Adam Brodsky
Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine Center New Canaan, 203-323-7331 HOSPITAL: Stamford
Jeffrey Brooks
Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine Center New Canaan, 203-323-7331 HOSPITAL: Stamford
David B. Brown
OrthoCare Specialists Bridgeport, 203-372-0649 HOSPITALS: Bridgeport, St. Vincent's Medical Center
Matthew Cantlon
Orthopaedic & Neurosurgery Specialists Greenwich, 203-200-7142 HOSPITAL: Greenwich
Russell J. Cavallo
Stamford Health Medical Group Stamford, 203-614-8888 HOSPITALS: Stamford, Greenwich
Angelo M. Ciminiello OrthoConnecticut Danbury, 203-797-1500 HOSPITAL: Danbury
Michael R. Clain
Orthopaedic & Neurosurgery Specialists Greenwich, 203-869-1145 HOSPITAL: Greenwich
James G. Cunningham Orthopaedic & Neurosurgery Specialists Greenwich, 203-869-1145 HOSPITAL: Greenwich
Demetris Delos
Orthopaedic & Neurosurgery Specialists Greenwich, 203-869-1145 HOSPITAL: Greenwich
Jeffrey V. Deluca
OrthoConnecticut Norwalk, 203-845-2200 HOSPITALS: Norwalk, St. Vincent's Medical Center
Francis A. Ennis
Orthopaedic & Neurosurgery Specialists Greenwich, 203-869-1145 HOSPITAL: Greenwich
James J. FitzGibbons Orthopaedic Specialty Group Fairfield, 203-337-2600 HOSPITALS: Bridgeport, St. Vincent's Medical Center
Greenwich, 203-869-1145 HOSPITAL: Greenwich
Michael M. Lynch
OrthoConnecticut Norwalk, 203-845-2200 HOSPITALS: Norwalk, St. Vincent's Medical Center
Joel W. Malin
Orthopaedic Specialty Group Fairfield, 203-337-2600 HOSPITALS: Yale New Haven, St. Vincent's Medical Center, Bridgeport, Griffin
Daniel S. Markowicz Hospital for Special Surgery Stamford, 203-705-0715 HOSPITALS: Hospital for Special Surgery, Stamford
Seth R. Miller
Michael Soojian
OrthoConnecticut Norwalk, 203-845-2200 HOSPITALS: Norwalk, St. Vincent's Medical Center
James I. Spak
Connecticut Orthopaedics Fairfield, 203-601-5237 HOSPITALS: St. Vincent's Medical Center, Bridgeport
Karen M. Sutton
Hospital for Special Surgery Stamford, 203-705-0725 HOSPITALS: Hospital for Special Surgery, Stamford
Craig Tifford
Yale Medicine Stamford, 203-470-9253 HOSPITALS: Greenwich, Yale New Haven
Allen I. Troy
OrthoConnecticut Norwalk, 203-845-2200 HOSPITAL: Norwalk
Orthopaedic & Neurosurgery Specialists Greenwich, 203-869-1145 HOSPITAL: Greenwich
Joshua B. Frank
Sean C. Peden
Katherine B. Vadasdi
Mark J. Fletcher
Specialty Surgery Center Stamford, 203-325-4087 HOSPITALS: Stamford, Greenwich
OrthoConnecticut Norwalk, 203-845-2200 HOSPITALS: Norwalk, St. Vincent's Medical Center
Yale Medicine Stamford, 203-785-2140 HOSPITAL: Yale New Haven
Orthopaedic & Neurosurgery Specialists Greenwich, 203-869-1145 HOSPITAL: Greenwich
Andrew L. Haas
Nicholas V. Polifroni Nuvance Health Norwalk, 203-845-2200 HOSPITALS: Norwalk, St. Vincent's Medical Center
Corinne VanBeek
Westmed Medical Group Stamford, 203-210-2830 HOSPITALS: Stamford, Greenwich
D. Ross Henshaw
OrthoConnecticut Danbury, 203-797-1500 HOSPITAL: Danbury
Steven E. Hindman
Orthopaedic & Neurosurgery Specialists Greenwich, 203-869-1145 HOSPITAL: Greenwich
Peter W. Hughes
Westmed Medical Group Stamford, 203-210-2830 HOSPITALS: Stamford, Greenwich
Brian F. Kavanagh
Orthopaedic & Neurosurgery Specialists Greenwich, 203-869-1145 HOSPITAL: Greenwich
T. Jay Kleeman
Hartford Health Care Darien, 203-845-2200 HOSPITAL: St. Vincent's Medical Center
Marc S. Kowalsky Orthopaedic & Neurosurgery Specialists
Michael R. Redler
Connecticut Orthopaedics Trumbull, 203-601-5233 HOSPITALS: St. Vincent's Medical Center, Bridgeport
Matthew R. Rogell
Somers Orthopaedic Surgery & Sports Medicine Group Danbury, 203-769-3208 HOSPITALS: Danbury, Bridgeport
William T. Schmidt
Westmed Medical Group Stamford, 203-210-2830 HOSPITALS: Stamford, Greenwich
Paul M. Sethi
Orthopaedic & Neurosurgery Specialists Greenwich, 203-869-1145 HOSPITALS: Stamford, Greenwich
Marc Silver
Stamford Health Stamford, 203-210-2830 HOSPITALS: Stamford, Greenwich
Stamford Health Stamford, 203-276-2277 HOSPITAL: Stamford
Mark A. Vitale
Orthopaedic & Neurosurgery Specialists Stamford, 203-869-1145 HOSPITAL: Greenwich
Mark E. Wilchinsky
Connecticut Orthopaedics Trumbull, 203-601-5238 HOSPITALS: St. Vincent's Medical Center, Bridgeport
OTOLARYNGOLOGY/ EAR, NOSE & THROAT Michael C. Bard
Advanced Specialty Care Danbury, 203-830-4700 HOSPITALS: Danbury, Norwalk
Dov Bloch
Advanced Specialty Care Danbury, 203-830-4700 HOSPITALS: Danbury, Norwalk
Steven A. Bramwit
Greenwich ENT Head & Neck Surgery Greenwich, 203-869-2030 HOSPITALS: Stamford, Greenwich
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Stephen D. Breda
ENT Head & Neck Surgery Bridgeport, 203-371-5166 HOSPITAL: St. Vincent's Medical Center
Jacquelyn M. Brewer Ear, Nose & Throat Center Stamford, 203-353-0000 HOSPITAL: Stamford
Bradford S. Chervin
ENT, Allergy & Facial Plastic Surgery Specialists Southport, 203-256-3338 HOSPITALS: Bridgeport, Norwalk
Steven M. Feldman
Westmed Medical Group Greenwich, 203-210-2870 HOSPITAL: Greenwich
Lawrence J. Fliegelman Ear Nose & Throat of Fairfield Fairfield, 203-259-4700 HOSPITALS: St. Vincent's Medical Center, Yale New Haven, Bridgeport
Neil A. Gordon
Retreat at Splitrock Wilton, 203-834-7700 HOSPITALS: Norwalk, Yale New Haven
Jay Klarsfeld
Advanced Specialty Care Stamford, 203-830-4700 HOSPITALS: Danbury, Norwalk
Jason R. Klenoff
Ear, Nose & Throat Center Stamford, 203-353-0000 HOSPITAL: Stamford
Biana Lanson
Ear, Nose & Throat Center Stamford, 203-353-0000 HOSPITAL: Stamford
Richard A. Levin
Ear Nose & Throat of Fairfield Fairfield, 203-259-4700
Michelle Siegel Marrinan
Greenwich Ear, Nose & Throat Greenwich, 203-869-2030 HOSPITALS: Greenwich, Stamford
Andrew J. Parker
Parker Ear, Nose & Throat Norwalk, 203-866-8121 HOSPITAL: Norwalk
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Adam W. Pearl
CT ENT Medical & Surgical Specialists Trumbull, 203-452-7081 HOSPITAL: Bridgeport
Sara Richer
Northeast Medical Group Trumbull, 203-459-2666 HOSPITAL: Bridgeport
Stephen J. Salzer
Greenwich Ear, Nose & Throat Greenwich, 203-869-2030 HOSPITALS: Greenwich, Stamford
Heather H. Waters
CT ENT Sinus Center Norwalk, 203-716-6008 HOSPITALS: Norwalk, Stamford
Robert Lawrence Weiss CT ENT Sinus Center Norwalk, 203-716-6008 HOSPITALS: Norwalk, Stamford
PAIN MANAGEMENT Rahul S. Anand
Connecticut Pain & Wellness Center Fairfield, 203-319-9355 HOSPITAL: Bridgeport
Arghiris Barbadimos
Bennett Medical Center Stamford, 203-276-1000 HOSPITAL: Stamford
Vincent R. Carlesi
Pain Management Associates of Connecticut Stamford, 203-325-5700 HOSPITAL: Stamford
Michelle Nisenbaum Nuvance Health Newtown, 203-794-5605 HOSPITAL: Saint Mary’s
Christian J. Whitney
Restorative Pain Solutions Greenwich, 203-992-1845 HOSPITAL: Greenwich
Richard Zhu
Yale New Haven Health Greenwich, 203-863-3579 HOSPITALS: Greenwich, Veterans Affairs CT Healthcare
PATHOLOGY Robert C. Babkowski Stamford Pathology Group Stamford, 203-276-7420 HOSPITAL: Stamford
Raymond A. Baer
Stamford Pathology Group Stamford, 203-276-7420 HOSPITAL: Stamford
Bo Xu
Stamford Pathology Group Stamford, 203-276-7420 HOSPITAL: Stamford
PEDIATRIC CARDIOLOGY Allison B. Levey
Pediatric Cardiology Darien, 203-662-0313 HOSPITALS: NYPres Morgan Stanley Children's, Greenwich, Stamford, Norwalk
Michael S. Snyder Pediatric Cardiology Darien, 203-662-0313 HOSPITALS: NYPres Morgan Stanley Children's, Greenwich, Stamford, Norwalk
PEDIATRIC ENDOCRINOLOGY
Stamford, 203-276-5949 HOSPITAL: NY-Pres Columbia
PEDIATRIC UROLOGY Sarah M. Lambert
Pediatric Specialty Center Greenwich, 877-925-3637 HOSPITALS: Greenwich, Yale New Haven
PEDIATRICS (GENERAL)
Yale New Haven Health Norwalk, 203-853-7170 HOSPITALS: Norwalk, Boston Children’s
Sarah Lusman
Cohen Children's Specialty Center Stamford, 203-276-1000 HOSPITALS: NY-Pres Columbia, Stamford
Peter J. Acker
Doctors’ Pediatric Wilton, 203-762-3363 HOSPITALS: Danbury, Norwalk, Stamford, CT Children’s
Jamie L. Alon
Pediatric Associates of Western CT Danbury, 203-744-1680 HOSPITAL: Danbury
Joanne Angiello
Ridgefield Pediatric Associates Ridgefield, 203-438-9557 HOSPITALS: Danbury, Boston Children’s Health Physicians
Maura Angiello-Smith
PEDIATRIC INFECTIOUS DISEASE
Stamford Pediatric Associates Stamford, 203-324-4109 HOSPITAL: Stamford
Nimrod E. Dayan
Karen E. Beckman
Pediatric Healthcare Associates Trumbull, 203-452-8322 HOSPITAL: Bridgeport
PEDIATRIC PULMONOLOGY Jacob Hen
Pediatric Specialty Center Trumbull, 877-925-3636 HOSPITALS: Bridgeport, Yale New Haven
Hossein Sadeghi
Pediatric Pulmonology
Loretta Cody
Elin R. Cohen
Bay Street Pediatrics Westport, 203-227-3674 HOSPITALS: Yale New Haven Children’s, Stamford, Norwalk
Amy Agoglia
Mark S. Glassman
Summer Pediatrics Stamford, 203-388-8668 HOSPITALS: Stamford, Greenwich, Norwalk
Nicole Abramowitz
Mary Sarrantonio
PEDIATRIC GASTROENTEROLOGY
Sofia Chiocconi
Village Pediatrics Westport, 203-221-7337 HOSPITAL: Stamford
Pediatric Healthcare Associates Fairfield, 203-452-8322 HOSPITAL: Bridgeport Pediatric Healthcare Associates Fairfield, 203-452-8322 HOSPITAL: Bridgeport
Ridgefield Pediatric Associates Ridgefield, 203-438-9557 HOSPITALS: Danbury, Boston Children’s Health Physicians
Children's Medical Group of Greenwich Greenwich, 203-661-2440 HOSPITALS: Greenwich, Boston Children’s Health Physicians
Robin Abramowicz
Westmed Medical Group Greenwich, 203-210-2815 HOSPITALS: Greenwich, Westchester Medical Center
Patricia Eagan
Jane M. Brotanek
Riverside Pediatrics Riverside, 203-629-5800 HOSPITALS: Greenwich, Stamford
Marivic D. Botta
Pediatric Healthcare Associates Bridgeport, 203-452-8322 HOSPITALS: Bridgeport, Yale New Haven
Anil J. Britto
Ridgefield Pediatric Associates Ridgefield, 203-438-9557 HOSPITALS: Danbury, Boston Children’s Health Physicians
Black Rock Pediatrics Fairfield, 203-337-5333 HOSPITALS: Bridgeport, St. Vincent's Medical Center
Bruce W. Cohen
Pediatric Associates of Western CT Danbury, 203-744-1680 HOSPITAL: Danbury
Erik L. Cohen
Next Generation Pediatrics Greenwich, 203-661-6430 HOSPITAL: Yale New Haven Children’s
Jason M. Davis
New England Pediatrics New Canaan, 203-972-5232 HOSPITAL: Stamford
Arthur E. Dobos
The Center for Advanced Pediatrics Norwalk, 203-229-2000 HOSPITAL: Stamford
Richard M. Freedman Pediatric Healthcare Associates Fairfield, 203-452-8322 HOSPITALS: Bridgeport, Yale New Haven Children’s
Jeanine Freliech
Doctors' Pediatric Wilton, 203-762-3363 HOSPITAL: Norwalk
Lambros G. Geotes
Stamford Pediatric Associates Stamford, 203-324-4109 HOSPITAL: Stamford
C. Nicole Gorman
Village Pediatrics Westport, 203-221-7337 HOSPITAL: Norwalk
Debra K. Gotz
Stamford Pediatric Associates Stamford, 203-324-4109 HOSPITAL: Stamford
Stephen Grevious
Park Street Pediatrics Norwalk, 203-840-7566 HOSPITAL: Norwalk
David Gropper
Pediatric Associates of Western CT Danbury, 203-744-1680 HOSPITAL: Danbury
Jennifer Gruen
Village Pediatrics Westport, 203-221-7337 HOSPITAL: Stamford
Eva Grunberg
New Canaan Pediatrics New Canaan, 203-972-4250 HOSPITAL: Stamford
Andrew S. Hart
Stamford Pediatric Associates Stamford, 203-324-4109 HOSPITAL: Stamford
Jennifer Henkind
Stamford Pediatric Associates Stamford, 203-324-4109 HOSPITAL: Stamford
Thomas P. Homa
Pediatric Healthcare Associates Southport, 203-452-8322 HOSPITALS: Bridgeport, Yale New Haven Children’s
Maria Ieni
New Canaan Pediatrics New Canaan, 203-972-4250 HOSPITAL: Stamford
Susanna K. Jalkut
Pediatric Healthcare Associates Fairfield, 203-452-8322 HOSPITALS: Bridgeport, Yale New Haven Children’s
Paul E. Juan
Valley Pediatrics of Greenwich Greenwich, 203-622-4301 HOSPITAL: Greenwich
Rosemary E. Klenk
New England Pediatrics New Canaan, 203-972-5232 HOSPITAL: Stamford
Elizabeth Z. Krowitz
Greenwich Pediatric Associates Old Greenwich, 203-637-3212 HOSPITALS: Greenwich, Stamford
Susan Elizabeth Lasky Stamford Health Medical Group Stamford, 203-327-1055 HOSPITAL: Stamford
Rebecca L. LePage Doctors' Pediatric Wilton, 203-762-3363 HOSPITALS: Danbury, Norwalk, Stamford, CT Children’s Medical
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Christine E. Macken Doctors' Pediatric Wilton, 203-762-3363
Michal A. Manaster
Pediatric Practice Associates Stamford, 203-323-8171 HOSPITAL: Stamford
Laura Marks
Willows Pediatric Group Westport, 203-319-3939 HOSPITAL: Norwalk
Melanie G. Mier
Doctors' Pediatric Wilton, 203-762-3363 HOSPITAL: Norwalk
Katherine N. Mini
Children's Medical Group of Greenwich Greenwich, 203-661-2440 HOSPITALS: Greenwich, Boston Children’s Health Physicians
Jennifer Moore
Kathryn J. Quinn
Trumbull Pediatrics Trumbull, 203-268-1766 HOSPITAL: Bridgeport
Henry M. Rascoff
Sound Beach Pediatrics Stamford, 203-363-0123 HOSPITALS: Stamford, Greenwich
Meredith M. Renda Doctors' Pediatric Wilton, 203-762-3363 HOSPITAL: Norwalk
Dara Thomas Richards Southwest Community Health Center Bridgeport, 203-330-6000 HOSPITAL: Yale New Haven Children’s
Marisa B. Rommeney Stamford Pediatric Associates Stamford, 203-324-4109 HOSPITAL: Stamford
Rachel Rothschild
Beth Wittenberg
David Lee Tung
Black Rock Pediatrics Fairfield, 203-337-5333
Core Medical Group Bridgeport, 203-373-1593 HOSPITAL: St. Vincent's Medical Center
Janet Woodward
Willows Pediatric Group Westport, 203-319-3939 HOSPITAL: Norwalk
PLASTIC & RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGERY
Advanced Specialty Care Danbury, 203-830-4700 HOSPITAL: Danbury
Keith J. Attkiss
Elsa M. Raskin MD Greenwich, 203-861-6620 HOSPITAL: Greenwich
Dr. Keith Attkiss Greenwich, 203-862-2700 HOSPITAL: Greenwich
Michael J. Brennan
Yale New Haven Health Fairfield, 203-255-3451 HOSPITAL: Bridgeport
Harvey Jay Bluestein
Hospital for Special Surgery Stamford, 203-705-2350 HOSPITAL: Stamford
Yale New Haven Health Fairfield, 203-254-8557 HOSPITALS: Bridgeport, St. Vincent's Medical Center, Norwalk
Janet E. Freedman
Gregory F. Brucato
Alice Chen
Brucato Plastic Surgery Center Ridgefield, 203-431-7644 HOSPITAL: Danbury
Greenwich Hospital Greenwich, 203-863-4290 HOSPITAL: Greenwich
Pediatric Associates of Western CT Danbury, 203-744-1680 HOSPITAL: Danbury
Linda F. Grant
Alan H. Morelli
Alicia A. Salas
Jeffrey M. Heftler
David Passaretti MD Darien, 203-450-4384 HOSPITALS: Stamford, Norwalk, Greenwich
Prashant Soni
PHYSICAL MEDICINE & REHABILITATION
The Center for Advanced Pediatrics Norwalk, 203-229-2000 HOSPITAL: Stamford
David Passaretti
Harold S. Gewirtz
Greenwich Hospital Greenwich, 203-863-4290 HOSPITAL: Greenwich
Elsa M. Raskin
Arthur R. Rosenstock Arthur R. Rosenstock MD Stamford, 203-359-1959 HOSPITAL: Stamford
Tito L. Vasquez
Connecticut Plastic Surgery Group Southport, 203-652-8272 HOSPITALS: Bridgeport, Norwalk, Yale New Haven
PSYCHIATRY Linus S. Abrams
Harold S. Gewirtz MD Stamford, 203-325-1381 HOSPITAL: Stamford
Linus S. Abrams MD Greenwich, 203-861-2654
Orthopaedic & Neurosurgery Specialists Greenwich, 203-869-1145 HOSPITAL: Greenwich
Boris E. Goldman
Jeremy Barowsky MD Greenwich, 203-340-1115 HOSPITAL: Greenwich
Tamar Kessel
David T. Greenspun
New Canaan Pediatrics New Canaan, 203-972-4250 HOSPITAL: Stamford
Children's Medical Group of Greenwich Greenwich, 203-661-2440 HOSPITALS: Greenwich, Boston Children’s Health Physicians
Katherine Kelly Noble
Rachel E. Sheiman
Stephen J. Massimi
New England Pediatrics New Canaan, 203-972-5232 HOSPITALS: Stamford, Yale New Haven Children’s
Alyssa Newman
Sound Beach Pediatrics Stamford, 203-363-0123 HOSPITALS: Stamford, Greenwich
Karen Nordberg
Summer Pediatrics Stamford, 203-388-8668 HOSPITAL: Bridgeport
Thomas Odinak
Pediatric Healthcare Associates Fairfield, 203-452-8322 HOSPITALS: Bridgeport, Yale New Haven Children’s
Nancy H. O'Hara
New England Center for Health Wilton, 203-834-2813
Jeffrey A. Owens
Willows Pediatric Group Westport, 203-319-3939 HOSPITAL: Norwalk
Todd Robert Palker
New England Pediatrics New Canaan, 203-972-5232 HOSPITAL: Stamford
Stamford Pediatric Associates Darien, 203-655-3307 HOSPITAL: Stamford
Steven L. Schiz
Willows Pediatric Group Westport, 203-319-3939 HOSPITAL: Norwalk
Sarah Siegel
Village Pediatrics Westport, 203-221-7337 HOSPITAL: Norwalk
Jonathan E. Sollinger
Willows Pediatric Group Westport, 203-319-3939 HOSPITAL: Norwalk
George Tsimoyianis Darien Pediatric Associates Darien, 203-655-9741 HOSPITALS: Stamford, Norwalk
Mark H. Vincent
Orthopaedic & Neurosurgery Specialists Greenwich, 203-869-1145 HOSPITAL: Greenwich
The Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery Group Greenwich, 203-863-0003 HOSPITAL: Greenwich
Sohel Islam
Hospital for Special Surgery Stamford, 203-705-2350 HOSPITAL: Stamford
Advanced Specialty Care Danbury, 203-830-4700 HOSPITAL: Danbury
Anya Kishinevsky
Edwin F. Richter III
Edwin F. Richter III MD Stamford, 203-316-0610 HOSPITAL: Stamford
Anya Kishinevsky MD Norwalk, 203-388-9919 HOSPITAL: Norwalk
Brian Riordan
Ellen A. Mahony
Nuvance Health Danbury, 203-794-5605 HOSPITAL: Danbury
Ellen A. Mahony MD Westport, 203-221-0102 HOSPITAL: Norwalk
Angela H. Ryan
Sandra L. Margoles
Rehabilitation Consultants Norwalk, 203-523-0100 HOSPITAL: Norwalk
Yale New Haven Health Greenwich, 203-869-2939 HOSPITALS: Stamford, Greenwich
Christopher S. Sahler
Black Rock Pediatrics Fairfield, 203-337-5333 HOSPITALS: Norwalk, Stamford
Orthopaedic & Neurosurgery Specialists Stamford, 203-869-1145 HOSPITAL: Greenwich
Amy Weinrib
Halina M. Snowball
Pediatric Healthcare Associates Fairfield, 203-452-8322 HOSPITALS: Bridgeport, Yale New Haven Children’s
Aesthetic Plastic Surgery Center Westport, 203-222-3700 HOSPITAL: Norwalk
Fredric Newman
Fredric Newman MD FACS Darien, 203-487-5850 HOSPITALS: Stamford, Norwalk, Greenwich, St. Vincent's Medical Center
Joseph B. O'Connell
Integrated Pain Solutions Stamford, 203-263-1683 HOSPITALS: Greenwich, Stamford
Total Aesthetics Westport, 203-454-0044 HOSPITALS: Bridgeport, Yale New Haven
Jeremy Barowsky
Joseph F. Goldberg
Joseph F. Goldberg MD Norwalk, 203-854-9607 HOSPITAL: Mount Sinai
Laurence S. Lorefice Laurence S. Lorefice MD, MPH Old Greenwich, 203-637-4006
Joshua C. Pollack
Greenwich Hospital, Center for Healthy Aging Greenwich, 203-863-4373 HOSPITAL: Greenwich
Bruce Shapiro
Bruce Shapiro MD Stamford, 203-327-4144 HOSPITAL: Stamford
John S. Tamerin
John S. Tamerin MD Greenwich, 203-661-8282 HOSPITALS: NY-Pres Weill Cornell, Greenwich
Mark Waynik
Thomas A. Botta
Nuvance Health Danbury, 203-739-8330 HOSPITALS: Danbury, Veterans Affairs CT Healthcare
John J. Chronakos
Nuvance Health Danbury, 203-739-8330 HOSPITALS: Danbury, Norwalk
Michael J. Franco
Pulmonary Medicine of Greenwich Cos Cob, 203-698-8823 HOSPITAL: Greenwich
Alissa Greenberg
Northeast Medical Group Greenwich, 203-863-3190 HOSPITAL: Greenwich
James S. Krinsley
Stamford Health Medical Group Stamford, 203-348-2437 HOSPITAL: Stamford
Caroline P. Kurtz
Nuvance Health Norwalk, 203-855-3888 HOSPITALS: Norwalk, Danbury
Eric M. Leibert
Northeast Medical Group Greenwich, 203-863-3190 HOSPITAL: Greenwich
Christopher Manfredi
Nuvance Health Norwalk, 203-855-3888 HOSPITALS: Norwalk, Danbury
Jose L. Mendez
Nuvance Health Danbury, 203-739-8330 HOSPITAL: Danbury
Dominic J. Roca
Stamford Health Medical Group Stamford, 203-348-2437 HOSPITAL: Stamford
Daniel J. Rudolph
Pulmonary & Internal Medicine Associates Trumbull, 203-261-3980 HOSPITAL: Bridgeport
Paul Sachs
The Waynik Group Fairfield, 203-254-2000
Stamford Health Medical Group Stamford, 203-348-2437 HOSPITAL: Stamford
PULMONOLOGY
Adil Salam
Guillermo J. Ballarino Nuvance Health Danbury, 203-739-8330 HOSPITAL: Danbury
Michael A. Bernstein Stamford Health Stamford, 203-348-2437 HOSPITAL: Stamford
Pulmonary & Internal Medicine Associates Trumbull, 203-261-3980 HOSPITAL: Bridgeport
Ian Weir
Nuvance Health Norwalk Hospital Norwalk, 203-852-2392 HOSPITAL: Norwalk
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RADIATION ONCOLOGY Sean W. Dowling
Bennett Cancer Center Stamford, 203-276-7886 HOSPITAL: Stamford
Deborah X. Fang St. Vincent's Medical Center Bridgeport, 475-210-5085
Christopher M. Iannuzzi
St. Vincent's Medical Center Bridgeport, 475-210-5085
Frank A. Masino
Bennett Cancer Center Stamford, 203-276-7886 HOSPITAL: Stamford
Bridgeport, St. Vincent’s Medical Center
Spencer S. Richlin
RMA of Connecticut Norwalk, 203-750-7400 HOSPITALS: Norwalk, Stamford, Danbury
Barry R. Witt
Greenwich Fertility and IVF Center Greenwich, 203-863-2990 HOSPITAL: Greenwich
Lana Bernstein
Northeast Medical Group Greenwich, 203-302-4181 HOSPITAL: Greenwich
Germano Guadagnoli Northeast Medical Group Trumbull, 203-371-5873 HOSPITALS: Bridgeport, St. Vincent’s Medical Center
Pradip M. Pathare
Sharon W. Karp
Nuvance Health Norwalk, 203-852-2719 HOSPITAL: Norwalk
Seema Sanghavi
Radiation Oncology Danbury Danbury, 203-739-7190 HOSPITAL: Danbury
John A. Spera
Nuvance Health Danbury, 203-739-7190 HOSPITAL: Danbury
REPRODUCTIVE ENDOCRINOLOGY/ INFERTILITY Joshua M. Hurwitz
Westchester Health Northwell Physician Partners Stamford, 203-327-9321 HOSPITAL: Stamford
Joao M. Nascimento
Yale New Haven Health Bridgeport, 203-371-0009 HOSPITAL: Bridgeport
Stuart N. Novack
Nuvance Health Medical Practices Norwalk, 203-852-2290 HOSPITAL: Norwalk
Roberta Rose
Nuvance Health Norwalk, 203-852-2290 HOSPITAL: Norwalk
RMA of Connecticut Norwalk, 203-750-7400 HOSPITALS: Norwalk, Stamford, Danbury
Alla G. Rudinskaya
Mark Peter Leondires
Michael Spiegel
RMA of Connecticut Norwalk, 203-750-7400 HOSPITALS: Norwalk, Stamford, Danbury
Andrew J. Levi
Park Avenue Fertility and Reproductive Medicine Trumbull, 203-372-6700 HOSPITAL: Bridgeport
Cynthia Murdock
RMA of Connecticut Norwalk, 203-750-7400 HOSPITALS: Norwalk, Stamford, Danbury, Greenwich
Ilana Belle Ressler
RMA of Connecticut Stamford, 800-865-5431 HOSPITALS: Norwalk,
Jonathan E. Bernie
Urology Associates of Norwalk Norwalk, 203-853-4200 HOSPITAL: Norwalk
Soundview Medical Associates Norwalk, 203-838-4000 HOSPITAL: Norwalk
Stanford R. Broder
Wilton Surgery Center Wilton, 203-423-8151 HOSPITAL: Danbury
SLEEP MEDICINE Samit Malhotra
Sleep & Neuroscience Associates Greenwich, 203-653-3519 HOSPITAL: Greenwich
Jeffrey Gorelick
SPINE SURGERY
Jeremy D. Kaufman
Urology Associates of Danbury Danbury, 203-748-0330 HOSPITAL: Danbury
RHEUMATOLOGY
Bridgeport Hospital Bridgeport, 203-863-3701 HOSPITALS: Greenwich, Yale New Haven
Bruce McGibbon
Marcie Lynn Wolinsky-Friedland
Nuvance Health Danbury, 203-794-5600 HOSPITAL: Danbury Nuvance Health Danbury Hospital Danbury, 203-794-5600 HOSPITALS: Danbury, Milford
Jessica Rachel Stein Nuvance Health Norwalk, 203-852-2290 HOSPITAL: Norwalk
David H. Trock
John N. Awad
Orthopaedic Specialty Group Fairfield, 203-337-2600 HOSPITALS: Bridgeport, St. Vincent's Medical Center
Connecticut Neck & Back Specialists Danbury, 203-744-9700 HOSPITAL: Danbury
Brian Alan Bast
OrthoConnecticut Darien, 203-845-2200 HOSPITALS: Norwalk, St. Vincent's Medical Center
UROGYNECOLOGY Brian J. Hines
Stamford Health Medical Group Stamford, 203-276-4524 HOSPITALS: Stamford, Greenwich Stamford Health Medical Group Stamford, 203-276-4524 HOSPITALS: Stamford, St. Vincent's Medical Center
UROLOGY
Edward Beck
Stamford Health Medical Group Stamford, 203-348-9455 HOSPITAL: Stamford
VASCULAR SURGERY
Yale Urology Stamford, 203-785-2815 HOSPITALS: Yale New Haven, Greenwich
Stephen M. Bauer
The Vascular Experts Stamford, 844-482-7285 HOSPITALS: Greenwich, Stamford
Connecticut Vascular Surgical Associates Fairfield, 203-382-1900 HOSPITALS: Bridgeport, St. Vincent's Medical Center
Alan M. Dietzek
Nuvance Health Danbury, 203-794-5680 HOSPITAL: Danbury
Richard C. Hsu
The Vascular Experts Darien, 203-956-6800 HOSPITALS: Stamford, Bridgeport, St. Vincent's Medical Center, Griffin
Ben U. Marsan
The Vascular Experts Darien, 203-956-6800 HOSPITALS: Stamford, Greenwich, Norwalk, St. Vincent's Medical Center
Dahlia Plummer
Nuvance Health Danbury, 203-794-5680 HOSPITAL: Danbury
Final Note: We recognize there are many good doctors who are not shown in this representative list. This is only a sampling of the huge array of talented professionals within the region. Inclusion in the list is based on the opinions of responding doctors in the region and the results of our research campaign. We take time and energy to ensure fair voting, although we understand that the results of this survey nomination are not an objective metric. We certainly do not discount the fact that many, many good and effective doctors may not appear on the list.
Katherine S. Sandhu
Tomas J. Vietorisz
Urology Associates of Norwalk Norwalk, 203-853-4200 HOSPITAL: Norwalk
Seth B. Blattman
DataJoe Research is a software and research company specializing in data collection and verification, and it conducts various nominations and research campaigns across the United States on behalf of publishers. To create the "top doctors" list, DataJoe Research facilitated an online peer-voting process, also referencing government sources. DataJoe also conducted media analysis through Internet research to factor in public perception. DataJoe then tallied the votes per category for each doctor to isolate the top nominees in each category. After collecting nominations and considering additional information from the media analysis, DataJoe checked and confirmed that each published winner had a current, active license status with the state regulatory board. If we were not able to find evidence of a doctor's current, active registration with the state regulatory board, that doctor was excluded from the list. In addition, any doctor who has been disciplined, up to the timeframe of the review process for an infraction by the state regulatory board, was excluded from the list. Finally, DataJoe presented the tallied result to the magazine for its final review and adjustments.
SPORTS MEDICINE
Nuvance Health Danbury, 203-794-5600 HOSPITALS: Danbury, Waterbury, Veterans Affairs CT Healthcare
Scott R. Serels
Guy J. Manetti
Northeast Medical Group - Urology
Connecticut Neck & Back Specialists Danbury, 203-744-9700 HOSPITAL: Danbury
Stephen J. Batter
Michael J. Nurzia MD Stamford, 203-356-9391 HOSPITALS: Stamford, Greenwich
Nicholas Stroumbakis
Lawrence D. Muldoon
David Lawrence Kramer
Michael J. Nurzia
Northeast Medical Group - Urology Trumbull, 203-375-3456 HOSPITALS: Bridgeport, St. Vincent's Medical Center Wilton Surgery Center Danbury, 203-748-0330 HOSPITAL: Bridgeport
David Aaron Bomback
Fairfield, 203-256-5500 HOSPITALS: Bridgeport, St. Vincent's Medical Center
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Urology Associates of Norwalk Norwalk, 203-853-4200 HOSPITAL: Norwalk Urology Associates of Danbury Danbury, 203-748-0330 HOSPITAL: Danbury
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SAVE THE CHILDREN’S FAIRFIELD COUNTY LEADERSHIP COUNCIL PRESENTS AN EVENING WITH CHRISTINA BAKER KLINE #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF ORPHAN TRAIN AND THE EXILES Join Save the Children’s Janti Soeripto and Mark Shriver for an inspiring conversation with Christina about her books and about what Save the Children is doing for vulnerable children around the world, especially right here in the U.S.
Christina Baker Kline
#1 New York Times bestselling author of Orphan Train and The Exiles
Janti Soeripto
Wine and Hors’ d’oeuvres Wednesday, January 19 from 6:30 to 8:30pm The Westport Library, 20 Jesup Road, Westport
CEO & President Save the Children
To reserve your tickets, visit SavetheChildren.org/Fairfield or use the QR code
Mark Shriver
Contact mleffel@savechildren.org with questions
Chief Strategy Officer Save the Children
RSVP BY January 12, 2022
Fairfield County Leadership Council Executive Committee Simonne Hewett Co-President
COMBATTING CHILD HUNGER IN RURAL AMERICA Did you know that today in rural communities around our country 1 in 5 children are not getting enough to eat? Save the Children is working to make sure all children have the food they need to keep healthy and keep growing.
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Emma Gallo Kathy Garrigan
Joan Panagos Co President
Joann Bottoni Jepsen
Joan Curran
Barbara Kleban
Trish Demaras
Bernie Park
Erin Dempster
Susan Seath
Lindsay Duggan
Anne Troxell
Kristana Esslinger
Amy van Daalen
Sandra Frost
Generously Sponsored By:
Platinum Sponsors: Lindsay and Joe Duggan
Barb & Ken Kleban
Simonne & Wayne Hewett
Joan & Steven Panagos
Joann Bottoni Jepsen & John Jepsen
Bernie & Gene Park
Silver Sponsors: Amy & Anthony van Daalen All ticket purchases and donations to this event will support Save the Children’s efforts to end child hunger in Rural America. Contact mleffel@savechildren.org or call 203-246-3481 with questions. We will adhere to Connecticut state guidance on masking and distancing.
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PHOTOGRAPH: ADOBESTOCK.COM / BY FABIO BALBI
2022
MEDICAL PROFILES The doctors featured on the following pages are some of our area᾿s best medical professionals. Learn about their practices and what drives them. JANUARY/ FEBRUARY 2022 WESTPORT
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SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
Allergy & Asthma Care
55 Walls Drive, Suite 405 | Fairfield. CT 06824 | 203.259.7070 | allergyandasthmacare.com 35 Corporate Drive, Suite 1115 | Trumbull, CT 06611 | 203.445.1960 Allergy & Asthma Care of Fairfield County, offers compassionate, personalized care and an advanced, academic-quality approach to the full range of allergic disorders, including asthma, nasal allergies, and food allergies. Through our Food Allergy Center of Connecticut, we now offer oral immunotherapy to peanut, tree nuts, sesame seed, milk, egg, and other foods. Oral immunotherapy, or desensitization, is a procedure in which patients are fed small amounts of the foods to which they are allergic, in cautious, gradually increasing fashion, building their tolerance and reducing the risk of accidental reactions. More information can be found at foodallergycenter.com, and at our main practice website, allergyandasthmacare.com.
Kenneth Backman, MD is the founder of the practice. He graduated cum laude with distinction in biology at Yale and earned his medical degree from Cornell, before completing his internship and residency at the University of Chicago Hospitals. He completed a fellowship in allergy-immunology at Northwestern Memorial and Children’s Memorial Hospitals in Chicago. He served on the editorial board of the Annals of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, and is Chief of the Section of Allergy at Bridgeport Hospital.
Katherine Bloom, MD joined the practice in 2008. Dr. Bloom received her undergraduate degree in Biology with distinction from Boston University, where she graduated summa cum laude and was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa. She earned her medical degree at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York, where she was elected to Alpha Omega Alpha, and completed her residency training at New York Presbyterian Hospital at Columbia University Medical Center. She completed her allergyimmunology fellowship at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City.
Sara Dever, MD joined the practice in 2019. Dr. Dever graduated with honors from the University of Notre Dame with a degree in psychology. She earned her Doctor of Medicine from the University of Connecticut and trained in Internal Medicine at the University of Connecticut Health Center. After completing her fellowship training in allergy-immunology at the University of Michigan, Dr. Dever published her research on food allergies. Dr. Dever practiced at Advanced Specialty Care, in Danbury, prior to joining Allergy & Asthma Care.
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Arthur L. Jenkins, III, MD Jenkins NeuroSpine 31 River Road, Suite 100, Cos Cob, CT 65 East 96th Street, Suite 1B, New York, NY 646.499.0488 JenkinsNeuroSpine.com
AS ONE OF THE TOP SPINE SURGEONS IN THE U.S., Dr. Jenkins brings the latest advancements in evaluating and treating spine conditions to Fairfield and Westchester counties, in his new practice where he can focus even more on quality and improving the lives of his patients. With offices in Manhattan and Fairfield County (Greenwich), Dr. Jenkins brings the excellence of his New York City practice to his Connecticut patients. Fellowship-trained at Harvard, Dr. Jenkins has performed extensive clinical spine research in his field, offering minimally invasive microscopic, endoscopic, computer-guided and laser spine surgeries. He is one of the highest rated and most experienced spine surgeons in the Tristate area, trained and familiar with every spinal surgery technique. His treatment philosophy can be summed up as: “I do the most for you that does the least to you.” To ensure his patients have the best outcome with the least invasive approach, Dr. Jenkins collaborates with all of his patients’ physicians and specialists including orthopaedic surgeons, chiropractors, pain management specialists, rehabilitation medicine experts, rheumatologists and neuroanesthesiologists. With a mission to help patients return to the activities they enjoy, Dr. Jenkins treats a wide range of people, from student
athletes to active adults. He is a spine surgeon for the NYPD, New York Jets and NFL Retired Players Program, and brings this experience to all his patients. Dr. Jenkins and his team apply a very personal touch to every step of the process, while at the same time providing the most advanced medicine to their patients with spinal conditions. In either of his outpatient office locations in Manhattan or Greenwich, he uses the most advanced technology, a holistic approach, and a caring and thoughtful bedside manner to listen and help people from all over get back to what makes them who they are. His colleague, Dr. Raj Murthy is a pain medicine physician who specializes in pain management and rehabilitation medicine for patients experiencing acute or chronic pain. Through evidence-based medicine, Dr. Murthy helps patient alleviate their pain through proper diagnosis and a customized treatment plan that helps patients suffering from pain. Dr. Murthy treats a full range of pain medicine conditions and offers a comprehensive range of treatment options. Dr. Murthy also sees patients in both office locations. Together, Dr. Jenkins and Dr. Murthy help turn patients back into people.
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Lynne M Haven, MD
Dermatology & Laser Center 5 Oak Street, Greenwich, CT 203.869.4242 LynneHavenMD.com DR. LYNNE HAVEN IS A BOARD CERTIFIED DERMATOLOGIST in Greenwich who specializes in cosmetic dermatology and laser treatments. Dr. Haven graduated from Harvard University and received her medical degree from Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons. She completed her internship at Massachusetts General Hospital and her dermatology residency at New York University. Dr. Haven strives to provide state-of-the-art skin and laser treatments in a warm, caring environment. She offers Botox, injectable fillers, Coolsculpting and Thermage for noninvasive skin tightening. Dr. Haven is one of the first physicians in the country to introduce the Emsculpt Neo. Dr. Haven says “The Emsculpt Neo is an exciting new noninvasive body contouring treatment which can build muscle by 25% and decrease fat by 30%. It is a real game-changer.” Dr. Haven is consistently ranked in the top 1% of injectors nationwide, and she personally performs 100 percent of all Botox and filler treatments. Dr. Haven was selected as one of America’s Top Cosmetic Dermatologists. Dr. Lynne Haven uses the PicoSure for laser tattoo removal, acne scarring, brown spots and facial rejuvenation. The PicoSure Focus laser for facial rejuvenation can dramatically reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, acne scars and skin discoloration. It improves skin texture and is safe for all skin types. The latest generation in fractional laser skin resurfacing, the PicoSure Focus offers a safe and effective treatment, which is typically fast, with less discomfort and shorter duration of redness than other resurfacing options. Dr. Haven believes in designing an individualized antiaging treatment plan for each patient to ensure desirable results. With a focus on noninvasive rejuvenation, Dr. Haven helps her patients look younger and more radiant. Her expertise gained from working in private practice for more than 21 years allows her to customize each treatment session to offer optimal results to every patient. In August 2021, Dr. Haven moved into a brand-new office with state-of-the-art technology, upgraded HVAC systems including UV light, antibacterial and antiviral surfaces. Dr. Haven says, “Patients have plenty of privacy coming to our spacious stand-alone building-and as always, excellent personalized care.”
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16216 H
Thank you for giving your best. and being the best. We have never been more proud of the doctors who practice within hartford healthCare. Their skills, dedication and compassion save lives every day, and help people live their best lives, every day. Congratulations to the doctors who have earned a spot on Westport Magazine’s list of Top doctors. and congratulations to all of our amazing doctors. Thank you for all that you do. You truly are the best.
HartfordHealthCare.org
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SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
PROFILES
See the OCLI Vision Difference Congratulations to Dr. Robert Noecker for being named one of Castle Connolly’s Top Doctors for 2022.
Dr. Joseph Sproviero, Dr. Agnes Matczuk, Dr. Mitchell Lester, Dr. Mark Litchman and Dr. Aymeric Louit (not pictured) 2019 photo
Fairfield County Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology Associates
Norwalk: 148 East Avenue, Ste 3G Greenwich: 2½ Dearfield Drive Stamford: 80 Mill River Street, Ste 2100 Ridgefield: 30 Prospect Street 203.838.4034 fcaaia.com THE DOCTORS OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY ALLERGY, ASTHMA & IMMUNOLOGY ASSOCIATES are certified by the American Board of Allergy/ Immunology and have combined experience of more than one hundred years in practice. Drs. Sproviero, Matczuk and Litchman completed their A/I fellowships at Yale, Dr. Lester at National Jewish Health in Denver and Dr. Louit at Northwestern University in Chicago. Our full-service, state-of-the-art asthma and allergy practice is fully electronic. Our experienced and compassionate staff works closely with the physicians to give you the best and most efficient care possible. Every patient deserves safe and effective treatment, and because we believe educated patients are more in control of their asthma and allergies, we encourage you to participate in your own health care planning.
To schedule an eye examination, call 203-693-8593 or visit ocli.net Most insurance plans accepted. Se habla español.
Fairfield Dermatology 1305 Post Road, Suite 310, Fairfield, CT 203.259.7709 | fairfieldderm.com
Congratulations to Dr. Jason McBean and Dr. Elizabeth Smith on their TOP DOC awards. FAIRFIELD DERMATOLOGY is a comprehensive medical and aesthetic dermatology practice that offers a professional and cutting-edge approach to the treatment of your skin. We are available to provide you with a thorough skin evaluation and a personalized treatment strategy for all of your, and your family’s, skin care needs. At Fairfield Dermatology we are committed to remain at the forefront of aesthetic medicine as it continues to evolve. We combine our expertise and knowledge with experiences and treatments that build long lasting relationships. Our services include body contouring, robotic hair transplantation, laser resurfacing, Botox, Juvederm, Kybella and other injectable fillers. Treatments also include microdermabrasion, chemical peels, micro-needling, and PRP. Drs. McBean and Smith are Platinum Level Providers of injectable products. Our vision is to be the premier skin care service provider for all the skin care needs of our patients and community. We are dedicated to the highest standards of patient care whether we are treating skin disease, skin cancer, or improving one’s appearance. We welcome you to our practice.
Robert J. Noecker, MD Glaucoma & Laser Cataract Surgeon
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by jim vose
| phot o gr aphy by andrea carson
THE GOOD DOCTOR Beloved Westport physician ROBERT ALTBAUM is retiring after forty years of service to the community
I
f you count up all the patients Bob Altbaum has cared for in his forty years at Internal Medicine Associates of Westport, that number would equal one-quarter of Westport’s population. In some cases, he’s on his third and almost fourth generation of patients. “I took care of their older parents, now them and their kids, some of whom are approaching middle age. It’s very gratifying,” says the good doctor. Not only is he a highly respected physician, Altbaum is also an accomplished musician and celebrity—at least to local music fans—as the keyboard player in the (almost) all-doctor band, DNR, in which he’s performed for twenty years. Fellow band mate and oncologist Dr. Richard Frank says, “Dr. Altbaum is a friend and perhaps the colleague I hold in greatest esteem. I consider him a master clinician and deep thinker about the causes of illness in his
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patients. He has saved innumerable lives by virtue of his clinical acumen and sincere concern for their health.” Former colleague and fellow Internist Jill Denowitz says, “I had the privilege of working with Bob for over twenty-three years. He is one of the most gifted physicians I have ever known. His compassion and encyclopedic knowledge are unrivaled. He was a true mentor.” After forty years of service to the community, Dr. Altbaum recently decided to retire. His story is an amazing one: a kid who grew up in the Bronx, knew at an early age he wanted to be a doctor, enrolled in NYU at age sixteen, attended Harvard Medical School, finished his training at Yale, and came to Westport purely by chance, where he stayed for his entire career. As a young boy, Altbaum had an aptitude for science and liked looking at things biologically. It came naturally to him. He was accepted to the highly esteemed Bronx High School of Science and then went on to New York University, where he was drawn to both premed and physics. “I’d always thought about medicine, and it dovetailed with a lot of things in my life, with science and with people. I love helping people. Medicine was a very natural fit for me.” At Harvard, it was Altbaum’s love of people that steered him toward becoming an internist instead of a surgeon. “I was a good medical student, but I didn’t love the OR. All of the residents, including my chief resident, wanted to be in the OR and didn’t like doing the medical part of surgery, so they let me do all the pre-op and post-op care. I really enjoyed that.” As an intern, Altbaum thought long and hard about being a specialist. “You get very good at it, but you get very limited and you give up a lot,” he says, “and you’re always a secondary caregiver. I like being the primary caregiver to a family. That was exciting to me. You really get to know people. This doesn’t happen too often with specialists.” Altbaum met his wife, who was from Westport, when they were undergraduates at
NYU. They married and four years later, his mother-in-law was dying of cancer. His wife commuted weekly from Boston to Westport to be with her mom as much as possible in her remaining days. Bob was a third-year resident at Mass General. He’d completed all of his requirements and realized he didn’t need to stay for the remainder of the year, so he went to the assistant chief of medicine, Arnie Weinberg, and told him, “This is really tough on my marriage. How would you feel about me doing some clerkships down at Yale?” Dr. Weinberg was able, through a personal connection, to make the transfer happen with one phone call. And just like that, Altbaum came to Yale, where he finished his third year of residency and stayed on for a year as chief resident. Paul Beres happened to be the physician who was caring for Altbaum’s mother-in-law. Dr. Beres and his partner, Harold Steinberg, had founded Internal Medicine Associates of Westport in 1960. “They were looking for somebody,” Altbaum says, “and I was deciding. They had very good training and seemed like very smart guys. I wanted to do general internal medicine and I knew Westport well, so I said, ‘Not a bad deal.’ I got a nice place to live, good doctors to be partners with. It worked out great.” That’s how Bob Altbaum came from the Bronx to Westport, where he has served the community for the past forty years. We sat down with him to talk about his career, the practice of family medicine and his hometown of Westport. His answers were so perceptive and insightful, we wanted to transcribe them here rather than try to convey his wisdom and thoughtfulness in anything other than his own words.
How has the practice of family medicine changed over the years? For me, less than a lot of others, because I trained in a very great time of medicine. I was there in the beginning when insurance was more
traditional. There was more time with patients. It wasn’t computerized. Things have definitely changed, but some of the negatives have been balanced by positives. The positives are: there’s a lot more information; you can do a lot more for patients. I think some of the negatives have been it takes awhile to get used to computers and electronic medical records and that puts a slight distance between you and the patient unless you’re a world-class typist. A lot of that is forced by government regulations. On the other hand, it’s information for the next doctor. I was fortunate because most of my patients were with me from when I started, when there wasn’t that barrier. The relationships were already there. Where do you see family medicine headed in the future? I think it’s going to have a lot of trouble, actually. We’re running out of doctors. Try to get an internist in Fairfield County. If you want an internist who is accepting new Medicare patients, you’ll have a hard time finding one. When I went into medicine, about 30 to 40 percent of medical students went into general internal medicine. But because of the amount of information, the workload, the fact that insurance tends to reimburse specialties much better than internal medicine, the number of medical school graduates going into family practice is drastically less -more like three to five percent. I think primary care is going to expand the use of nurse practitioners and physician assistants. Some of it is also going to go into supermarkets and Walmart. Some of it is going to go into telehealth. But each one of those is diluting the real experience and the quality of medicine. I’m not happy about it. How should the medical community attract more qualified individuals to family practice? The simplest solution is, obviously, you have to give some kind of financial incentive. That sounds a little tacky, but you really have to make it so that the doctors feel that they’re getting appropriately reimbursed. One way would be to pay for medical school and have new doctors conscripted, like the military. They would have a commitment to pay back their medical training by working for the government or working in primary care. And then after three or four years, although they could go on to something else, they would probably be seduced by primary care, or they’d say, “I’m too damn old to get
Bob Altbaum has been an incredible role model for me and countless physicians. He is not only one of the most knowledgeable physicians I have ever met, his compassion, empathy —Internist Robert Teltser and selfless caring have been exemplary of what it is to be a great physician. westportmag.com
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The business of family medicine is changing as well. Small independent practices are consolidating into larger practices and getting gobbled up by hospital groups. Will one of the casualties be the doctor-patient relationship, where you will no longer have these lifelong bonds formed between patient and doctor? It really depends where you work. In family practice, I think your point is well taken. Most of the small town physicians are now being absorbed by bigger groups, and bigger groups have quotas and monies to be generated, and they’re constantly counting the numbers. A lot of medicine is becoming a business. The time you allot to the patient and the relationship is somewhat diluted by technology, somewhat diluted by the fact that you’re not controlling your schedule. A big corporation is controlling your schedule. In the beginning, there was a lot of fluidity in patients going to different HMOs and managed care, so one patient would be your patient one week, and the next week his business would change insurances and he’d have to leave. Fortunately, that has not been the case with our practice. The relationships have been pretty enduring.
above: The most joy as a doctor, Altbaum says, is from his relationships with his patients.
a specialty” and they would just settle in to primary care. That’s one way to do it. Another way is to change the financial reimbursement. In the 1950s, there was a dramatic shift in how doctors were reimbursed. They were initially reimbursed based on time and number of office visits. The difference between a surgeon, an orthopedist, a cardiologist and an internist wasn’t, at that point, profound. Then a change occurred, and insurance largely reimbursed based on procedures. Now, cognitive thinking really doesn’t get its due from the insurance companies. An internist can make a diagnosis of angina and coronary disease, treat the patient, but the guy who puts in the catheter will get a remarkable amount of money and it may only be two or three hours of his time. You’ve already devoted multiple hours of your time, but that’s just the nature of the reimbursement system. And that really started influencing young doctors. It’s an unfortunate truth, but it’s really dissuaded people from going into primary care.
How has patient access to medical information on the Internet affected the doctor-patient relationship? I have a cup that says, “Please don’t confuse your Google search with my M.D. degree.” Everything’s double edged. The Internet is amazing. If you know how to interpret information from dot-orgs and dot-coms and dot-govs, and you look at the suffixes, it’s actually very good. You can use it as a tool for patients. “I want you to learn this physical therapy. Go to this website and you can watch how you do it” or “I want you to read about this...” and you can tell them where to Google it. It’s really useful. The danger is that some patients come in with a bias, and it’s often a bias from the website they went to that was selling something or had an agenda totally non-medically related. Has the role of insurance companies changed the doctor patient relationship? Absolutely. In terms of medications, there is a big difference. You have to get a lot of things preauthorized. It’s a lot more work for doctors. But I have never managed my medicine by thinking about the insurance. You make your decisions based on the patient. You make decisions on the medicine, and you try to work out the insurance. That’s the way I like to do it. What’s brought you the most joy in being a doctor? It’s the relationships. I had patients who I’d taken care of thirty, forty years. They’d walk into my office and it’s like seeing an old friend. I know everything about them that I need to
know medically. And a lot of it is social. I get a real kick out of that. And then, I love the science of medicine. The academics of it have always intrigued me and I will probably keep reading when I retire, but I read every day and I try to keep abreast. It’s fascinating. This may be an unusual question for somebody who is retiring, but perhaps with a different perspective now, what excites you about the future of medicine? What excites me is that, similar to what happened in developing a vaccine for Covid, there is going to be an ability to have a technology that people can learn from each other on an international stage with the push of an Internet button. Learning is so much more efficient. When I started learning, we had textbooks and lectures. Now, if I have a question, I can search Jarvis, Google Med, or PubMed. You get information very quickly, which is really remarkable. There are podcasts, lectures, and View Medi and the Curbsiders that you can listen to. It’s an efficient way of learning and we are growing our knowledge so quickly. Genetics and bioengineering is probably going be where we go in the next twenty, thirty years in terms of extending life, curing cancer, immunology. Things like that are just exploding. If you were an oncologist thirty or forty years ago, when I started, there may have been twenty common chemo drugs. Now there are hundreds of drugs. You’re getting niche drugs for niche problems and it’s just exploding as a way of treating people. So medicine is doing very well. How has the Westport community changed, as seen through your eyes? It used to be a lot more artistic, a little bit more homespun, a little bit more folksy, and it was smaller and a little slower paced. It’s moved the way all cities and towns have moved. Everything’s gotten busier. People are much more in a hurry. Everything is more instant. The connection and the expectations of people are very fast. It’s a very quick environment, Westport. It’s an entitled environment, but I actually find the people very nice. And maybe it’s because I’ve been their doctor, but I’ve never felt that people were really standoffish. I never had an elitist feeling from the people. When the community has to pull together, they pull together. They really do. Covid was a good example. It’s a wonderful place to live. Besides medicine, you have a passion for music. What sparked that and how did you form DNR? I’ve always liked music, even when I was a kid. My dad was very musical. I took classical music piano lessons for two years. But when I was about twelve, I thought it might be nice to learn popular piano. So I took two years of popular piano. I learned a lot of good theory and was competent at it with a little background in
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classical music. Twenty years ago, a friend and colleague, Fred Kaplan, who worked with me in the office said, “Frank Garofalo, Andy Parker—two other physicians—and I are thinking of forming a band. We need a keyboard player. I know you can play the piano. Are you interested?” So I went out, bought a keyboard and we started DNR. And it’s been a blast. It was originally an all-doctor band. It included three internists, a urologist, and an ear-nose-and-throat doctor, and then we added a saxophonist who is an oncologist. We found a bass player by advertising in the Stop & Shop flyer. He joined and we formed DNR. The band fell apart after about five or six years because three of the guys were generationally very different. I was already in my fifties and they were in their thirties. I like sixties and seventies music and they wanted to play eighties and nineties. It wasn’t a bad break. They just said they we’re going to be splitting off. We said, OK, so then we found a few new people. And now we have a band of seven people, three of whom are docs: myself, an internist, Rich Frank, an oncologist, and Andrew Parker, an ear-nose-and-throat doc. Also in the band is my wife, Lynn; Norm Geib, a former IT who now teaches music; Kevin Fox, who retired who worked in the mortgage business; and Fred Ury, a lawyer. It’s been good fun. How would you like to be remembered by the community? Well, it depends on by whom, but if it’s by my patients, I would like to be remembered as somebody who helped them. “He was there when I needed him and he contributed to my overall health care.” I would like to be remembered as somebody who was receptive to open ideas. I never tried to judge in the office. You can come in and I always try to listen, hear your side, and try to reflect on what’s bothering you. I’d like to be remembered as a really competent physician. I strive for a certain excellence in being a physician. I’d like to be thought of as, “He was a really good doc.” That would be important to me. I’d like to be remembered as somebody who was a good listener, a good physician, and somebody who made a contribution. I think there’s no doubt that you will.
above: At retirement, Dr. Altbaum hopes his patients remember him as someone who helped.
So there you have it; reflections on a career, on medicine, on music, and on Westport by a remarkable man who loves his work and who is loved and admired by his patients, his colleagues, and his many friends who come out in droves to see him whenever DNR plays at the Levitt. Clearly, Bob Altbaum has had an impact on many lives. Former colleague and fellow internist, Robert Teltser, says, “Bob Altbaum has been an incredible role model for me and countless physicians. He is not only one of the most
knowledgeable physicians I have ever met, his compassion, empathy and selfless caring have been exemplary of what it is to be a great physician.” We’ll give the last word to Dr. Richard Frank: “Bob is someone who makes us all better, as people and as doctors. While he still has a ways to go before becoming a legendary keyboard player, he is indeed a legend and icon as a human being and physician.” As one of Westport’s longest serving and most talented physicians, Bob Altbaum will indeed be missed.
I had the privilege of working with Bob for over twenty-three years. He is one of the most gifted physicians I have ever known. His compassion and encyclopedic knowledge are unrivaled. —Internist Jill Denowitz He was a true mentor.
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by carol leonet ti dannhauser
Facing the crisis of anxiety, depression and suicide in our children during the time of Covid
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n February, the boarding school called. Fifteenyear-old Brooke* had been there for two weeks, attending high school classes in person for the first time since Covid-19 quarantine, eating alongside the girls in her dorm, living under the watchful eye of the dorm parent. Or so Brooke's mother, Laura, had believed. “When I got there, she hadn’t slept or eaten for four or five days. She wasn’t showered. She was becoming delusional,” says Laura, who lives with her husband and two daughters in Stamford. Brooke wanted to take her life, Laura learned. “When I looked at her, I knew there was only one place I could take her, and that was to the hospital.” Laura drove her straight to Yale New Haven Hospital’s pediatric emergency room in New Haven, where about two dozen other youngsters awaited help for mental health issues. Laura and Brooke “lined up in the hallway,” Laura says, waiting their turn. A few months later, Laura rode shotgun in an ambulance, this time to Stamford Hospital. This time, her eleven-year-old, Violet, had swallowed a bottleful of Motrin and then called the suicide hotline. The hotline called Laura, who called 911. They made it to the hospital quickly, but it was so busy there that it was difficult to find a “watcher,” someone to stay beside Violet to make sure she didn’t harm herself. “At one point, both of our children were hospitalized at the same time,” Laura says. “My husband and I were so distraught. We’d never had issues like this before!” When their girls were discharged, the couple contacted therapists and counseling programs, adding their names to long waitlists. Everywhere, the same result: We’re full. “There was nothing you could do. I wish I could scream from the mountaintops how difficult it’s been to have children hospitalized,” Laura says. *EDITOR'S NOTE: SOME NAMES HAVE BEEN CHANGED FOR THE SAKE OF CONFIDENTIALITY.
While Covid-19 has hogged the headlines over the past two years, many families here in lower Fairfield County have battled a second, silent epidemic: a mental health scourge plaguing kindergartners through college students. In May 2020, as Covid-19 stole proms and silenced stadiums, a Fairfield teen whom friends described as funny, gentle, sweet and filled with music, died by suicide. In February 2021 a Fairfield teen with a ready smile and a love of lacrosse died by suicide. In April, a Darien teen died by suicide. He was a poet, a wrestler, a Boy Scout. The Connecticut Chief Medical Examiner’s Office reported thirty deaths by suicide among ten- to twenty-four-year-olds in 2020, and thirty deaths through September 2021. Since the pandemic began, some experts estimate that thousands of our state’s children, teens and college-age kids have tried to take, or considered taking, their lives. “Depression and anxiety among adolescents had been going up prior to the pandemic; among
emerging adults, it was already skyrocketing,” says Dr. Frank Bartolomeo, the director of adolescent services at Silver Hill psychiatric hospital in New Canaan. “The pandemic was sort of like the tipping point in pushing things over. If you were already suffering or prone to anxiety, that just made it worse.” In the spring of 2021, emergency room visits due to suspected suicide attempts by teens jumped nearly a third nationwide compared with 2019, according to a report in June by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In the fall of 2021, after kids returned to school, emergency room visits for immediate mental health needs tripled at Connecticut Children’s Hospital. Here in lower Fairfield County, clinicians at emergency rooms and psychiatric hospitals in or serving the county report being “at record highs,” “overflowing with pediatric psych cases” and “bursting at the seams” with kids who are depressed, anxious or suicidal.
MAKING THE CONNECTION At Silver Hill, mid- to older adolescents represented the first wave of patients during Covid-19, “kids who were deprived of rites of passage,” says Dr. Bartolomeo. An influx of thirteen- to fourteen-year-olds followed. Normally, these kids are busy defining themselves through social interactions, such as lacrosse practice, dance class or hanging out at the skate park. But the pandemic limited those gatherings. “Since the job of adolescents is to develop a sense of identity, there was a lot of ennui and emptiness. If you visited the hospital, it was not what you imagined; it was like a dystopia.” During his freshman year at college, eighteenyear-old Finn was thriving. The Westport resident was a top-ten college-division fencer, wrote for the university newspaper, and was looking into future internships. “I was doing well in school and was really, really social on campus. I was always hanging out with other people. I had a huge life,” he says. “And then suddenly it all got shut down.” Covid-19 sent Finn and his classmates home for spring break—where they stayed for the rest of the semester, attending classes on Zoom. Finn’s anxiety grew in this isolation,
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his doctors prescribing this medicine then that one. He grew lethargic. He gained weight. The day before Finn was to return to campus in the fall, the school emailed students, informing them that remote learning would continue. So he transferred to a university close to where his family has a winter house, hoping for social interaction. At that school, though, if he was caught socializing in someone’s dorm or connecting outside of his bubble, he risked suspension. So he holed up in the house. All of his classes but one were online. The in-person option “was very bleak inside the classroom and was often worse than being online, where at least they had breakout rooms,” Finn says. “I have a really bad anxiety disorder, and with all that isolation, it became a lot worse. It was just me alone with my thoughts.” Those thoughts focused on ways to kill himself. “I would be making sandwiches at the deli” where he worked part-time “and thinking of it. This was how I coped with my brain torturing myself. I thought if it got too much, I could just end it.” One weekend, while visiting his girlfriend, he tossed and turned all night as a loop of
life-ending scenarios robbed his slumber. Around 3 a.m. he had had enough. He hunted down a train schedule to find the next one in, so that he could stand in front of it and end his misery. But his girlfriend woke up and refused to let him leave. The next day, he was in the Norwalk Hospital ER, which began a cycle of ER visits, new prescriptions, more panic attacks and different rounds of drugs, as Finn searched in vain for a spot in an intensive outpatient program (IOP).
ONGOING CRISIS In the continuum of care, kids in crisis may go from a doctor’s office or from home to the emergency room, where a clinician will evaluate them to determine if they pose an immediate harm to themselves or to someone else. Depending on the evaluation, a person is released or admitted. The person is stabilized, then sent to look for more help. This could be to an in-patient residential program, a partial hospital program (PHP) or an IOP. Says Laura, “You’re released, but there’s a waitlist for the IOP, and so you’re back in your room, trying
to tread water. And by the time the IOP starts, it’s on Zoom, in your room, three hours, three times a week.” Laura’s oldest daughter lasted two weeks in one IOP before someone called to warn that Brooke was a threat to herself. So back to the ER she went. Adolescents and young adults have filled intensive outpatient programs at the Anxiety Institute of Greenwich all pandemic long. Last summer, in 2021, the waitlist shortened to about thirty days. But when schools reopened to in-person classes, phone calls surged anew. “We’re getting twenty, twenty-five, thirty calls a week,” says Dina Nunziato, LCSW, the Anxiety Institute’s clinical director. “We’re seeing a new crop of clients who tried to go back to school in person and are really struggling. It’s not that easy to transition back. We’ve got a lot of students who are still on high alert. They’re not feeling particularly safe. Children, adolescents, young adults—we all need a consistent message on how to feel safe.” So many factors have contributed to teens’ and adolescents’ anxiety during Covid, concern for loved ones’ safety foremost among them. Add to that, staring at a screen all day, with all the comparisons it invites, torments many anxious kids. “It’s like looking at a mirror all day,” says Dr. Bartolomeo. Your skin is broken out and your friend’s is clear. Your room is littered with your little sister’s stuffed animals, while your classmates’ look like the decorator just left. When school is “out” and there’s nowhere to go, thumbing through everyone’s pretty pictures on social media can drag a kid even lower. In lower Fairfield County, even without Covid, the competition and pressure for kids— and parents—to succeed “is enormous” to begin with, says Nunziato. People pile more, more, more on their plates, until they’re “teetering on the edge. At some point we have to change the narrative.” Like their parents, many kids here believe that all their hard work will lead to a payoff. “But the payoff has been stripped away by something beyond your control,” Dr. Bartolomeo says. Coming from an affluent family actually exacerbates the problem. “Kids with affluence who have had very protected lives haven’t had
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those negative experiences that you can draw and learn from.” Busy kids—especially the athletes, the dancers, the debaters, the actors and actresses, the strivers and thrivers—have found themselves at sea. “One way in which people manage stress is by moving or doing something. A lot of our students were on teams, where they got physical exertion as well as the support and camaraderie of the team. It was a way to express and vent the anxiety, and a way to get the endorphins kicking in,” says Nunziato.
PRACTICE, NOT PERFECT Laura’s youngest daughter was a competitive swimmer. Though practice continued during the pandemic, Violet grew more anxious and eventually quit the team. She retreated to her room, attending classes virtually and keeping to herself as her family scrambled to get the care that her sister, Brooke, needed. Brooke was home, on suicide watch, and her medications weren’t working. Each day, Laura kept vigil beside her older daughter. Each night she slept on the couch in the hallway outside of Brooke’s bedroom. When school started again, Violet returned to the classroom in person. One day she showed
her mother her finger: “I got a paper cut today,” Laura recalls her saying. “I remember thinking, Wow, that must have been cardstock. It was a weird shape.” The next time, Violet told her mother the cut wasn’t an accident: She was cutting her fingertips with scissors at school. “I was thinking, Oh my God, how is this happening? What is happening that is making you so distraught?” Laura recalls. “I tried to get her in to see her pediatrician, but they couldn’t see her.” Brooke’s psychiatrist recommended three colleagues for Violet, and they were all full. “I reached out to at least twenty people— that charged $500 an hour—and none of them were taking any new patients,” Laura says. “Not a single one would take me.” Stories like this make Wendy Ward, of Darien, sad, angry and frustrated. But not surprised. Throughout his adolescence and teenage years, Ward’s son struggled with mental illness, which remained undiagnosed despite regular visits to the pediatrician and daily interactions at school. When his illness finally became apparent, “our world blew up,” Ward says. Now, she wonders, Why do we wait until a child is in crisis to find help for him or her, when we can step in much sooner to assess mental wellness? Why must everyone scramble to prevent another episode, when the first one
We've got a lot of students who are still on high alert. They're not feeling particularly safe. Children, teenagers, young adults—we all need a consistent message on how to feel safe. DINA NUNZIATO, LCSW, Anxiety Institute
might have been avoided to begin with? “Systemically, we’re looking at the problem too late. We don’t screen for cancer at stage 4. If a child is in the ER, they’re at stage 4. Why are we trying to solve the problem then? We’ve got to look at this much earlier,” she says. Early detection of mental illness is not only Ward’s passion, it’s now her work. In 2021 Ward founded futuresTHRIVE, a web-based mental health screening tool built on a gaming platform that doctors, schools and families can use to identify indicators and risk factors for mental illness. The tool establishes a baseline for a child, and when the child’s anxiety spikes, parents can reach out and get help. “Time and time again, you hear, ‘I waited too long.’ But why?” Ward says. Assessing a child’s mental health could be just like checking vision, hearing and weight as part of an annual physical, Ward says, “but, for the most part, it doesn’t happen until the age of twelve or so here in Fairfield County, if it happens at all.” She reports a nine-year gap between the onset of mental illness and the eventual diagnosis. “Would we ever let that happen with cancer?” Regular checkups at the doctor’s office could also temper the taboo for families whose kids are mentally ill. While parents willingly share their distress when, for example, their child spends the night in the ER with an allergic reaction to peanuts, “we’re not running around saying my child was in the ER because of a mental health issue,” Ward says. Some parents have upped their drug and alcohol intake during the pandemic, and their kids have followed suit. “The older kids are suffering to begin with, and now you’re adding comorbidities: access to drugs, to pot, to alcohol, especially in a town with money,” says Ward. Evan Pagano, of Darien, co-facilitates a support group for NAMICAN (National Alliance for the Mentally Ill, Children and Adolescents Network) in southwest Connecticut, where parents and caregivers of children and adolescents with mental health issues gather for information and support. Prior to Covid, the group met monthly in Greenwich and in Westport. Since Covid, though, the group has gathered weekly on
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HELPFUL RESOURCES
Zoom. “We’ve seen a large number of people, and the kids have, to a ‘T’, pretty severe mental illness. More kids are depressed and cutting. There’s a lot of isolation and uncertainty. The kids are hospitalized or in crisis,” Pagano says. Living in lower Fairfield County can add to the problem. “There’s pressure to be perfect, to have everybody’s life look like their Instagram account. Everybody has to put their best face forward. You go to the store and chat with acquaintances: They’re listing all the accomplishments and the normal things their kids are doing, and where do you start? You don’t want to be Debbie Downer in the grocery store. Even if you find a way to gloss over it, as a mom it’s a knife to your heart just thinking of the comparison.” Helping other parents connect during the pandemic has been both rewarding, and heartbreaking, for Pagano. Where she used to be able to at least offer a list of therapists who might help, now even that seems impossible. “The providers are overwhelmed. People are beating down their doors. And here in Fairfield County, almost none of them take insurance. If you’re lucky enough to get an appointment, you’re paying out of pocket.” With mounting anxiety and no therapist, many kids end up in the emergency room. At Yale, which has an emergency unit specifically for children and adolescents, the surge for
mental health care for kids has been “off the charts,” said one clinician who will not be identified because she was not authorized to speak to the media. The weekend prior to our conversation she had counted forty-eight patients in a pediatric emergency department set up for twenty. “We had twenty-four psych kids. plus the usual gunshot wounds, motor vehicle accidents, child sexual abuse,” she said. “Under normal circumstances, there’s usually a family room where you can interview the family in private. But there were kids in rooms, kids on cots along every stretch of the hallway in the pediatric emergency department, sitting on the beds, on stretchers. I just had to stand there in the hallway and try to be as discreet as I could, trying to have a conversation while trying to make sure that the child doesn’t bolt. I’d never experienced anything like that.” And when a child has needed to be admitted, they might be stuck in a holding pattern. “The inpatient units are full. So instead of going right over to a bed, the child has to wait in the ED [emergency department] until a bed is open for them,” the clinician says. Though the unit works to discharge patients into the community as quickly as possible, “there are no providers because they are all full.” Even schools have fewer resources available for mental health, she says. “Kids haven’t had as robust a connection with a social worker or guidance counselor or even a kind teacher because the demands on their time and attention are intense. It’s a system under complete strain right now.” Each hospital visit and each medication change takes a toll. “The children are in a crisis—they’re repairing so many systems of their life,” the Yale clinician says. “Their bodies have been through a massive experience, as if they’ve been hit by a truck. It’s the psychiatric equivalent of the intensive care unit.” Finn eventually found a therapist. He searched the Psychology Today website for someone who looked kind and capable. She initially told him she couldn’t take any more patients, but after she heard his story, she wouldn’t turn him away. Brooke has enrolled in a new boarding school. “She’s day to day,” Laura says. “We’re hoping she’ll be well enough to stay.”
Where to turn to find help, a list courtesy of YourMomCares (yourmomcares.org), a nonprofit for the mental wellness of children. While not a service-provider organization or medical institution, YourMomCares believes that all children, parents and families should have access to help. Below is an excerpt of their resources for individuals who may need mental wellness support. They note, of course, that if there is an imminent crisis, calling 911 or going to the local emergency room are the best options. CRISIS MANAGEMENT: The National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) is a 24/7 service available nationally. Crisis Text Line: crisistextline.org/text-us/ Lifeline Crisis Chat: didihirsch.org/chat/ BULLYING: kidshealth.org (search "bullying") CHILDREN’S MENTAL HEALTH & GENERAL MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES: thementalhealthcoalition.org/resources upmc.com/services/behavioral-health American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry: aacap.org National Alliance on Mental Illness: nami.org/ your-journey/kids-teens-and-young-adults LGBTQIA+ MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES nami.org/your-journey/identity-and-culturaldimensions thetrevorproject.org trevorspace.org LOCAL SUPPORT: Contact your child's medical providers in your region. This is often a best first step to learning about local behavioral resources.
Note: YourMomCares staff are not doctors nor is our organization run by a medical institution. The content contained on [our] website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. In the event of a true emergency, contact 911. Otherwise, please consult your healthcare provider with questions or concerns.
MORE READING For more information on mental health resources, be sure to see our story "You Are Not Alone," on page 26.
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PAST AS PASTIME Revealing Town History Through Genealogy Research by bob liftig
H
istory is under every square foot,” said Betty Oderwald, president of U.S. Daughters of 1812, in a 2013 interview with the Fairfield Citizen News. She was speaking about Fairfield (founded by Roger Ludlow in 1639), but it easily could have been Westport (incorporated in 1835, taken nearly half from Fairfield and Norwalk, and founded in 1649, also by Ludlow). Our history is found in the stone mile markers along the Old Post
Road, placed by Benjamin Franklin; on the white plaques that date our oldest houses to the mid-1600s; and by the names of local streets: Unquowa Road (the original native name for our area); Pequot Lane (named for the tribe wiped out in 1637 by the English); Underhill Highway (named after the English Captain who led the massacre of the Pequots); Burying Hill Beach (the 1600s Couch Family Cemetery); Judy’s Point (named after an early Jewish family, Judah); Minuteman Hill (where,
before his betrayal, Benedict Arnold was shot as he chased the British back to their ships); and the Old King’s Highway (1762, King George III). Plenty of local residents have ancestors who lived here almost 400 years ago. Some descend from women accused of witchcraft in the 1650s. Fairfield had one of the first witch trials in New England history, and hanged two. Mercy Disborough of Compo, however, was granted clemency. And some
WESTPORT MUSEUM BY DIANE SEMBROT; LIBRARY, CONTRIBUTED BY FAIRFIELD MUSEUM AND HISTORY CENTER
above: Locals can contact the Westport Museum for History and Culture for professional research help.
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above: Along with professional research help, the Fairfield Museum and History Center has a resource library to kick-off your work.
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are connected to the Revolutionary War. As a reminder, British troops landed at Compo in 1777, and Fairfield was burned by the British in 1779, as was Norwalk. Near Compo Beach, British soldiers and our “Minutemen” are buried. Our famous statue was modeled after ten of the original Minutemen’s descendants, and the ghost of one British soldier is said to haunt the house near the railroad overpass on South Compo Road, where he was kept prisoner. The Battle of Round Hill was fought on what is now the campus of Fairfield University. Local legend has it that Washington got sick on warm milk at Mrs. Marvin’s Tavern at the foot of Old Hill Road but later went on to dance at the Sun Tavern behind the Green in Fairfield. The Burr Homestead on the Old Post Road hosted George Washington, John and Samuel Adams, John Hancock and Aaron Burr. Many of the Burrs are resting by the Greens Farms Church in Westport. Even non-locals look for their roots here. Local rumors linger, for example, that the actor Tom Selleck, born in Detroit, was spotted a few years ago at the Old Burying Ground on Beach Road in Fairfield, contemplating the headstone of his distant ancestor, Gold Selleck Silliman, a hero of the American Revolution and a trusted friend of Washington. Whether the Selleck story is true or not, many Americans alive today can trace their roots to Fairfield County and to New England, no matter where their ancestors may have settled later. In fact, the first English colonists of Fairfield came from Watertown, Massachusetts. According to the BBC, 35 million people can trace their roots back to the Mayflower. Both President Bushes, Ashley Judd, Marilyn Monroe, Clint Eastwood, Alec Baldwin, Katherine Hepburn and Richard Gere are all Mayflower descendants. Also, 25 percent trace back to Brooklyn (once the Dutch Breulkelen), and 40 percent have ancestors who came through Castle Garden and Ellis Island later. Even with some overlap, many Americans have ancestors who came to, and probably lived in, the New England–New York area. HISTORY AS HOBBY Genealogy has always been a popular pastime, but it has become a passion during the recent quarantine. Today, detailed records are right at your fingertips, mostly thanks
to the Mormons (see familysearch.org), who have been collecting them from around the world, and to geni.com, which aims to create the first world-wide family tree, and, of course, to the Internet. More traditionally, the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) has been a resource for tracing
Even if you have recently moved to Connecticut from Oregon, for example, you might find that some of your early ancestors came from right here.
early-American heritage, and the census has been collecting population data—including parentage—since it was first required by the Constitution in 1790. The Mormon church in New Canaan offers access to both its own database and its trained genealogists. Professional genealogists can be hired for
as little as $20 an hour (consult your local historical society). Contacts are also provided by the Connecticut Professional Genealogists’ Council. Family genealogy sites are all over the Internet, and they include bibliographies that cite other, sometimes more useful, sources; they even provide chat rooms and message boards where descendants can trade family stories and information. A genealogy seminar hosted by Karen Burke and Diane Lee of the Fairfield Museum and History Center, drew forty participants from as far away as California, Minnesota and Ohio. Many were interested in family research in general; but one participant who was from another part of the United States, and had formerly lived in our area, said she went “back home” only to find that her roots could be traced to Fairfield, Norwalk and Westport. Although Fairfield County was predominantly English Puritan, every ethnic group is included in its history. The Black population of colonial Fairfield has been estimated at 20 percent. The remains of one graveyard for African-Americans was recently discovered on Mill Road in Fairfield. Native Americans lie buried in the Old Burial Ground on Beach Road, Fairfield, where birthdates go back to the 1500s. The Lower Greens Farms Colonial Burying Ground off the I-95 connector is both a historical landmark and an early-American treasure. French Canadians, Irish servants and Dutch traders from Nieuw Amsterdam (New York City) were also among the early settlers (Westport’s Winkoop family) and are buried here. STAY THE COURSE New England had a population of only 14,000 in 1640, when Fairfield was founded; and the entire colonial population was less than 30,000. New Englanders traveled south, because there were few roads east and west and sailing the coast was easier; this means your ancestors might have started in New England and gone to Virginia (as did Roger Ludlow’s brother) or began in Virginia and came here (the Gookins family of Boston). So if your ancestors were early arrivals, most likely you are related to a lot of people living at that time along the North American coast. Connecticut people also settled Upstate New York and laid claim to Wyoming and
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Resources Here is a list of resources to get you started on your search for family history and some recommendations of where you might want to look to self-publish the results of your research.
genealogical search sites ancestry.com geni.com familysearch.org myheritage.com findmypast.com Daughters of the American Revolution records: dar.org/grs/bibleindex United Empire Loyalists Association of Canada: uelac.org
reliable records Social Security Death Index: findagrave.com U.S. Census: census.gov/data.html Ellis Island Immigration/ Passenger lists: heritage.statueofliberty.org
respected reference Donald Lines Jacobus: History and Genealogy of the Families of Old Fairfield
local historical societies
above: Lower Greens Farms Cemetery below: Research room of the Fairfield Museum and History Center
CEMETERY BY BOB LIFTIG; RESEARCH ROOM,, CONTRIBUTED BY FAIRFIELD MUSEUM AND HISTORY CENTER
Fairfield Museum and History Center: fairfieldhistory.org Historical Society of Easton: historicalsocietyofeastonct.org Norwalk Historical Society: norwalkhistoricalsociety.org Redding Historical Society: reddingcthistoricalsociety.org Weston Historical Society: westonhistoricalsociety.org Westport Museum of History and Culture: westporthistory.org
genealogists Connecticut Professional Genealogists Council: ctprofgen.org
self-publishing, print on demand and ebooks amazon KDP (Kindle Direct): bookbaby.com createspace: createspace.com ebooks: createspace.com iuniverse: iuniverse.com/en
Resources about history: Fairfield: The Biography of a Community, by Thomas Farnham History and Genealogy of the Families of Old Fairfield, Volume III, Revolutionary War Records, by Donald Lines Jacobus Fairfield: A History of the District, by Vance George JANUARY/ FEBRUARY 2022 WESTPORT
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If you weren’t interested in American history before you began your family search, you certainly will be by the time you get into it.
Pennsylvania. Yankees from Connecticut founded Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, in 1769. After the Revolution, many Connecticut veterans were given land in our Western Reserve (Ohio), where there is a Fairfield, a Norwalk and a Hartford, named after the towns the settlers came from. They then spread down the Ohio River, across the Great Lakes and throughout America. Even if you have recently moved to Connecticut from Oregon, for example, you might find that some of your early ancestors came from right here. After the Revolution, Loyalist New Englanders and New Yorkers were given refuge by King George III in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Ontario. If you look at any phone book in New Brunswick, you will see names with ancestors originally from Fairfield County (Hoyt, Underhill, Morehouse)—especially from Redding—and
Long Island and New York City, which was 50 percent Loyalist.
Westport Research Westporters, do you have roots in town? If you’re not sure where to start, know that you don’t have to do the work all on your own. There’s help at hand. The Westport Museum for History and Culture has expert assistance to aid your search. Of course, because of Covid, we’re living with a few restrictions—but don’t let that stop your project. “We’re still transitioning to being fully open to the public for research, so please contact us to make an appointment. We can look into local families for individuals at a rate of $40/hour. All monies collected are used to maintain the archival collections and their storage,” says Sara Krasne, archives manager. If you’re interested in this, fill out a research request form at westporthistory. org/research.
FOLLOW THE CLUES If you weren’t interested in American history before you began your search, you certainly will be by the time you get into it, no matter what you imagine to be your ethnic background. One example is the Jewish Judah family, who came to Westport (then Norwalk) from Colonial New York during the Revolution, married into the Taylor family here, and left many descendants, quite a few of them ministers. The first recorded Irish immigrant, Neil Hogan, came to Woodbury, Connecticut, in 1750 as an indentured servant, and became one of Ethan Allen’s Green Mountain Boys. The Allen family is also from here—cousins. If your name is Italian and Taliaferro (now usually Toliver), you might be surprised that your earliest distant cousin or even ancestor immigrated to Jamestown, Virginia, and that people with your name also moved to Connecticut. Even if your ancestors came over later, the records are right at your fingertips. Many of us want to pass down to succeeding generations what we know about our family history, and it is easier than ever to put together a printed book for little more than the cost of materials. 5 RULES FOR RESEARCH When searching for family history, according to Karen Burke and Diane Lee of the Fairfield Museum and History Center, follow these rules: 1. Start with what you know and work backward (although many choose a famous family name and try to get there). 2. Vet all the information you see wherever you find it; familysearch.org and ancestry.com are among the most reliable. 3. Explore other pathways—an aunt’s name, for example—and don’t ignore family oral history. 4. Do your own research as much as possible. 5. Dig into primary sources: wills, deeds, letters and diaries, for example.
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postscript
JAN/FEB 2022 / DONNA MOFFLY
T
He told me if I wasn’t careful, when I grew up, I’d have lollapaloozas. Whatever those were, I didn’t want them.
op docs. All docs should be tops. There can be crooked lawyers and incompetent architects, but somehow I expect the best from the medical world— after all the training and that impressive promise to Hippocrates. No bottom docs allowed (unless they’re proctologists). I must say I wasn’t wild about Dr. Ruggles, my pediatrician in Cleveland long ago. He embarrassed me. I must have been a little chubby, because he told me if I wasn’t careful, when I grew up I’d have lollapaloozas. Whatever those were, I didn’t want them. But I loved Dr. Thomas, our eye doctor. One night I stood by the bathroom door switching the lights on and off to tease my older brother who was on the can reading comic books. I’d just turned them out when he threw the shower curtain chain at me and shattered my glasses. My quick-thinking mother poured baby oil in my eyes and called Dr. Thomas, who came rushing over to pick out the shards. I liked our ear-nose-and-throat man, too. He had a good-looking son named Dutch. But I’m not sure Dr. Rosenberger was crazy about me. Once when my little brother had a sinus infection and the good doctor was struggling to settle him down in the chair, I yelled from the waiting room: “Don’t let him do it, Mike! Don’t let him do it!” And I loved Dr. King, our internist, who Dad used to take on fishing trips with him to Canada, along with an oxygen tank in case he had another heart attack. I laugh remembering him—ever the doctor—trying to undo a lemon wedge wrapped in gauze at dinner at
the Statler. But he had real soul. When my beloved grandfather was in the hospital dying of cancer, my mother said: “Boyd, isn’t there something we can do to end this misery?” Dr. King never answered her, but by the next day Papa Rudy had quietly slipped away. Then the Moffly children came along. When Audrey was thirteen, we thought it time to switch her to a grownup doctor. So I took her to my internist and quietly told his nurse that she’d agreed to some shots, but please try to slip in a physical, too, so she could play sports at her new school. Next thing I knew, our daughter came streaking out of the examining room, the nurse and doctor in hot pursuit, and we all ended up in the Dearfield Medical building parking lot. “She needs a shrink,” huffed my internist. But Dr. Larkin, her pediatrician, laughed his head off and said: “She doesn’t need a shrink. She needs a lady doctor.” Enter Dr. Sennatt, and all was well. There’s a special place in my heart for doctors who trust you with their cell phone numbers— and I’ve got two, plus our vet, Dr. Zeide. He even made a house call when we had to put our little tuxedo cat to sleep—at twenty-four probably the oldest cat he’d ever cared for. Skinny Vinny never weighed much more than seven pounds and had not only survived our house fire but all the “sleeping around” Jack and I had to do afterwards. “How did Vinny manage to live so long?” I asked Dr. Zeide, who replied, “Because he was always thin and very adaptable.” Both qualities I’ll never possess. Let that be a lesson. You can learn a lot from doctors.
VENTURE PHOTOGRAPHY, GREENWICH, CT
OF MEDICINE AND MEMORIES
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