-
September 25, 2018
“Devastating” and “staggering (toll)” are adjectives used by officials with the National Council for Behavioral Health’s Medical Director Institute, or MDI, on its recent report showing a grave lack of compliance to medication prescriptions. Noncompliance with medication regimens — when people do not take prescription drugs as prescribed by their…
-
September 18, 2018
When Norwich school officials announced there would be no room for Natchaug Hospital‘s in-district clinical day program this school year, there was momentary panic. But the ensuing move to Franklin Elementary School has proved to be a blessing in disguise. Housed in Norwich since 1999, the former Hickory School (originally…
-
September 17, 2018
Every summer and Christmas vacation from high school through medical school found John Santopietro, MD, DFAPA, donning a rubber apron and working in his family’s fish market, preparing, stocking and selling filets, squid, eel and snails. The large Italian family that gathered often and talked incessantly was a good breeding…
-
September 14, 2018
Youth suicide is a growing health concern. In fact, it’s the second-leading cause of death for young people between the ages of 15 and 24 according to the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention. During World Suicide Prevention Week, we discuss how to address this issue with child psychologist Dr….
-
August 15, 2018
Suicide prevention is a topic that’s very close to Patricia Hayward-Paige’s heart. The Natchaug pharmacy technician lost a close friend to suicide nearly 20 years ago. “She made an attempt and was unsuccessful,” says Hayward-Paige. “I was able to get her to a hospital and get her some help. She moved back…
-
June 29, 2018
On Tuesday, June 10, the Natchaug Hospital Joshua Center Northeast YouthWorks program presented Spirol International Corporation chairman Jeffrey Koehl with a 16-foot bridge, designed and constructed by the students for the company’s campus green walkway. Spirol, a global manufacturer headquartered in Danielson, Connecticut, has been a long supporter of Joshua…
-
June 08, 2018
Designer Kate Spade is dead at 55. Chef and CNN world traveler Anthony Bourdain is dead at 61. These are just the latest in a long line of tragic, high-profile deaths by suicide. Google “celebrity suicide” and the lists are seemingly endless. They stretch back centuries. Included are people whose influence…
-
May 16, 2018
Over the last few months, Fortnite, the wildly popular online multiplayer from Epic Games, has made the jump from video game to pop-culture sensation. But there are some who worry about the minds and bodies of Fortnite players. For example, when carpal tunnel syndrome caused Boston Red Sox pitcher David…
-
May 04, 2018
By Dr. Muhammad Hassan Majeed Natchaug Hospital Psychiatrist For the past several months, I have noticed a disturbing and possibly lethal development in some of my patients — an occasional urine drug screen showing traces of cocaine. Almost all of them admitted using opioids, but many were surprised to find…
-
April 20, 2018
When you work on the frontlines in healthcare, you’re really always on duty. For Amy Gallagher, lead clinician at Natchaug Hospital’s Joshua Center Thames Valley in Norwich, that was never more apparent than on Thursday, April 12, 2018. Gallagher was driving with her 16-year-old daughter on Interstate 91 in New…