DERBY — Griffin Hospital recently held its 38th Annual Nurses Week Celebration to honor its more than 480 staff nurses. The Nursing Department staff members were treated to refreshments, gifts, raffles and award presentations to nurses who provided exceptional care during the year.
“Nursing is not just a job. It is a calling that demands resilience, compassion and strength,” said Griffin Health Vice President Patient Care Services and CNO Kelly Egan MSN, RN. “In recognizing how difficult it has become, we also recognize how extraordinary you truly are. You stand at the heart of healthcare, facing challenges that would overwhelm many, yet continue to serve with dedication and courage every single day.”
Paola Vigil, of Seymour, a Registered Nurse in Griffin’s Emergency Department, received the 2026 Outstanding Nurse of the Year Award.
A caregiver at Griffin since 2021, Vigil exemplifies the Planetree person-centered care philosophy through her clinical excellence, her inspirational leadership as a charge nurse, and her ability to build positive relationships with patients and fellow caregivers.
“What truly sets Paola apart is her heart,” Egan said. “She embodies compassion in its purest form. She goes above and beyond for her patients—not because she has to, but because she genuinely cares. From staying late to ensure the best possible care, to organizing support for patients in need, she reminds us all why we chose this profession. She doesn’t just practice nursing—she lives it. She represents the very best of the Planetree philosophy, treating every patient and colleague with dignity, kindness, and respect.”
In addition, Deborah Jones, RN, of Ansonia, and Alicja Pross-Princic, RN, of Beacon Falls, received the Griffin Memorial Award, Jada Aquila, MST, of Beacon Falls, received The Donald Torok Scholarship Award, Lindsey Grailich, BSN, RN, of Oxford, received The Mary Schumacher Leadership Award, Olivia Vining, BSN, RN, OB-C, of West Haven, received The Mary Nelligan Continuing Education Award, Janet Panuczak, BSN, RN, of Seymour, received The Marie Santini Perioperative Nursing Excellence Award, and Lauren Kelley, MSN, RN, of Stratford, received The Shirley Yale Continuing Education Award.
