Washington Lodge 19 helps families in need
MONROE, CT — Washington Lodge 19 recently presented donations to the town’s Project Warmth program and the Monroe Food Pantry.
Community and Social Services Director Kim Cassia, Eddie Lui and First Selectman Terry Rooney accepted checks of $1,000 for Project Warmth and $500 for the Monroe Food Pantry.
Washington Lodge’s commitment to the area goes back over 200 years.
Barnard promoted to assistant treasurer, digital specialist
Megan Barnard joined Newtown Savings Bank in 2015 as a teller in the Monroe branch and was promoted to head teller of the Clock Tower branch before transitioning to the Risk Department as a residential lending quality control analyst.
As a significant contributor to several key projects, her responsibilities in Risk Management expanded over the past several years and, earlier this year, she was promoted to digital specialist in the Information Technology Department.
Barnard is also an active volunteer at her church.
Monroe woman attains high position at Gaylord Specialty Healthcare
WALLINGFORD, CT — Gaylord Specialty Healthcare, a nationally recognized leader in rehabilitation-focused healthcare, announced the appointment of Monroe resident Lisa Avellino, MSOL, as vice president and chief information officer.
Avellino brings a 20-year track record of excellence in leading information technology initiatives, driving digital innovation, and fostering collaboration across healthcare, education, and research institutions.
Her early career began on the frontlines of healthcare as an EMT and surgical technologist – experiences, she says, that shaped her deep understanding of the vital connection between technology, patients, and clinicians.
Prior to joining Gaylord Specialty Healthcare, Avellino served as chief information, security, and technology officer at Moses Weitzman Health Center. She also served as director of IT and communications operations at Yale New Haven Health System, where she led transformative projects that enhanced operational efficiency.
Avellino earned her Master of Science in organizational leadership from Quinnipiac University. Passionate about mentoring future leaders, she also served as an adjunct professor of healthcare informatics in the Master’s program at Sacred Heart University.
“Lisa brings exceptional expertise and a patient-first mindset to Gaylord at a pivotal moment in our digital evolution,” said Sonja LaBarbera, president and CEO of Gaylord Specialty Healthcare.
“Her leadership will build upon Gaylord’s legacy of excellence and innovation through technology-driven solutions and support our vision to redefine rehabilitation care and outcomes,” LaBarbera said.
“Gaylord is a cornerstone of Connecticut’s healthcare system, recognized not only for its exceptional patient care but also for its commitment to innovation,” Avellino said. “I am honored to join this remarkable team and look forward to building on the organization’s legacy of excellence by leveraging technology to improve the lives of patients and providers alike.”
ConnexCares Holiday Give
NORTH HAVEN, CT — As part of the ConnexCares Annual Holiday Give, Connex partnered with Children in Placement, a nonprofit organization advocating for abused and neglected children throughout the child welfare and judicial systems.
In addition to a $1,500 in-kind donation, from Nov. 13 through mid-December, Connex members and staff collectively donated over 700 toys, clothing and personal care items to Children in Placement.
The items were carefully selected to cater to a variety of ages and interests, including toys for younger children and clothing, personal care items, and other necessities for adolescents and teens.
Connex has a Monroe branch at 155 Main St.
SCORE Patent, Trademark, and Copyright Workshop
DANBURY, CT — SCORE Western Connecticut, in collaboration with the Danbury Library and Danbury Hackerspace, invites inventors, entrepreneurs, and small business owners to a free live workshop, “How to Protect Your Inventions with Patents, Trademarks, and Copyrights,” on Thursday, Jan. 30, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Danbury Library, 170 Main St.
This event, the first installment in the Start Me Up Entrepreneurial Series, offers practical guidance on protecting intellectual property. Participants will learn about filing patents, trademarks, and copyrights, associated costs and the risks of not safeguarding their ideas.
The session will be presented by Mike Kaltschnee, co-founder and director of the Danbury Hackerspace, a tech and manufacturing incubator. Kaltschnee brings expertise in innovation and entrepreneurship, and attendees will also get a glimpse into upcoming programs on CAD, 3D printing, and more, hosted at the Hackerspace.
To reserve your spot for this informative session, visit the Danbury Library’s website by clicking here. Learn more about SCORE’s free mentoring services and other resources at westernconnecticut.score.org.
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