Westport - January/February 2022

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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

WESTPORT JAN/FEB 2022, VOL. 24, NO. 1. WESTPORT (USPS/ISSN 1941-9821) is published bi-monthly by Moffly Media, Inc., 205 Main St., Westport, CT 06880. Periodical postage paid at Westport, CT, and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes (Form 3579) to WESTPORT, PO BOX 9309, Big Sandy, TX 75755-9607. U.S. Subscription rates: $19.95/1 year, $34.95/2 years; Canada and Foreign $44/1 year, $72/2 years.

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digital content & MORE

jan/feb 2022

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vol. 24 | no. 1 | jan/feb 2022 editorial

editorial director

Cristin Marandino–cristin.marandino@moffly.com editor: westport, fairfield living, stamford

Diane Sembrot–diane.sembrot@moffly.com style & community editor

Janel Alexander books correspondent

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Terry Christofferson, Lynne Piersall, David Podgurski, Scott Thomas contributing writers

Liz Barron, Carol Leonetti Dannhauser, Kim-Marie Evans, Malia McKinnon Frame, Robert Liftig; Jill Johnson Mann, Judith Marks-White, Brigitte Quinn, James Vose, Georgette Yacoub editorial advisory board

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WHAT’S IN YOUR YARD?

vol. 24 | no. 1 | jan/feb 2022 publisher

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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

JANUARY/ FEBRUARY 2022 WESTPORT

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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

CONTRIBUTED

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.”

CONTRIBUTED

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.

NATALIADERIABINA - STOCK.ADOBE.COM

buzz

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buzz

“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

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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

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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

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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.

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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

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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

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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

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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

westportmag.com

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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

Disclaimers: DataJoe uses best practices and exercises great care in assembling content for this list. DataJoe does not warrant that the data contained within the list are complete or accurate. DataJoe does not assume, and hereby disclaims, any liability to any person for any loss or damage caused by errors or omissions herein whether such errors or omissions result from negligence, accident, or any other cause. All rights reserved. No commercial use of the information in this list may be made without written permission from DataJoe.

Urology Associates of Norwalk Norwalk, 203-853-4200 HOSPITAL: Norwalk Urology Associates of Danbury Danbury, 203-748-0330 HOSPITAL: Danbury

Questions? For research/methodology questions, contact the research team at surveys@datajoe.com.

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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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PROFILES

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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MEDICAL

PROFILES

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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SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

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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MEDICAL

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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