New cancer center
Bridgeport Hospital broke ground on a new satellite cancer center in Trumbull to be known as the Norma F. Pfriem Cancer Institute Park Avenue Campus.
Separately, the Norma F. Pfriem Foundation presented its annual grant of $2 million to support the programs and services its namesake centers at Bridgeport Hospital.
Located at 5520A Park Ave. in Trumbull next to an existing medical and oncology services building, the Pfriem Cancer Institute will have 10,000 square feet of space when it opens in the fall of 2011.
Bridgeport Hospital”™s outpatient radiation oncology services will move from 15 Corporate Drive in Trumbull. The new center will include a linear accelerator that will provide a wide range of advanced radiation therapy services.
Other recent cancer treatment facilities at Bridgeport Hospital include the opening of a new outpatient chemotherapy infusion suite; the new Dr. Richard W. Kmetzo Cancer Resource Center; and new Norma F. Pfriem Breast Care Center digital mammography suite.
“Bridgeport Hospital and the Norma F. Pfriem Cancer Institute are committed to providing a full array of outpatient services in the communities we serve, coupled with the very best inpatient services at Bridgeport Hospital,” said William Jennings, Bridgeport Hospital”™s new CEO, in a statement.
Advocate post open
The state is soliciting applications for the position of state health care advocate, with Kevin Lembo leaving the position to become state comptroller.
The position requires knowledge of management, health care and insurance, and consumer and legislative advocacy. Applicants could not have served as a director or officer of a managed care organization within two years of the appointment date as health care advocate.
Resumes must be submitted to the Connecticut Office of the Healthcare Advocate by close of business on Monday, Nov. 29.
West Nile prevalent
Mosquitoes carrying the West Nile virus were trapped in a dozen Fairfield County municipalities in 2010, of 24 statewide, according to the Connecticut Department of Public Health.
Ten people statewide were infected with the West Nile virus this year, including residents in Bridgeport, Greenwich, Stamford, Trumbull and Westport. There were no fatalities in Connecticut as a result of the virus; nationwide, 38 people died of some 830 documented cases.
State of well-being
Connecticut led all states on an index that ranked various demographics according to health, education and income over time.
The American Human Development Project, with offices in New York and Washington, D.C., publishes the index as part of an effort to move beyond what it says is an over-reliance on gross domestic product as a measure of well-being.
Also leading their respective demographic groups were New York”™s 14th Congressional District; Asian Americans; and women. Scoring lowest were West Virginia, California”™s 20th Congressional District including Fresno; Native Americans; and men.
