We wanted to see how the most popular baby names at Bridgeport Hospital compared to others born in Connecticut and across the country. Check out the top baby names in the country, state, and Bridgeport Hospital below.

Like the rest of the country, Sophia and Emma topped the list of popular baby girl names in Bridgeport Hospital and Connecticut. In fact, at Bridgeport Hospital, another spelling, Sofia, made the top ten as well. Bridgeport Hospital baby girls’ parents also gave their newborns a few other unique names that made the top ten list at the Hospital: Julia, Gianna and Leah.

For the boys, Mason and Jacob topped the list of popular names across the country, in Connecticut, and at Bridgeport Hospital. James, John and Nathan stood out in the top ten list at Bridgeport Hospital.

Do you know a baby born in the past year whose name is on the list? What do you predict will be the most popular baby names next year? Share your opinion in our comments section.

Girls

Boys

The Birthplace at Bridgeport Hospital works in partnership with your obstetrician, using the highest level of sophisticated technology. To find a physician and learn about maternity classes and services at Bridgeport Hospital, click here.

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Dr. O’Connell at the 2012 Bridgeport Hospital Home Run 5K.

Vice President Performance & Risk Management Ryan O’Connell, MD, crossed the finish line at the April 15 Boston Marathon about an hour and 20 minutes before two bombs exploded nearby, killing three people and injuring more than 140 others. He had already safely returned to his hotel with his wife and children when he learned about the bombings.

“It’s very, very sad when something like this happens,” says Dr. O’Connell, who was taking part in his fifth Boston Marathon. “But I don’t intend to stop running. If I do, the terrorists have already won.”

Dr. O’Connell says he did not personally know anyone who was injured by the bombs. He says it was fortunate that medical personnel were already stationed at the finish line to tend to exhausted or injured runners because those hurt by the blasts were able to receive immediate care. Dr. O’Connell adds that an increased security presence in an around Boston was noticeable following the bombings. “We saw police stationed on bridges and along roadways,” he says.

You can read more about Dr. O’Connell’s experience on the Connecticut Post’s “What the Health?” blog.

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The National Association for Self-Esteem states “Self-esteem is a word that describes the level at which you value yourself as an individual.” Active games and play activities can be a fun way for children to develop positive self-esteem. Children learn many things when involved in play activities. For example, they can:

• experience an opportunity to be creative
• think independently
• make decisions
• develop a sense of accomplishment, and
• learn how to communicate and improve other social skills.  

All these factors can contribute to the development of positive self-esteem.

Children begin to engage in play in the first few years of life. An infant who is giggling when an adult tickles them, or coos and babbles in response to a toy that is presented in a silly way, is developing communication skills. The child is beginning to form a sense of self based on the responses and feedback received from the adult. As a toddler explores his or her world of play and learns to manipulate toys to make them work, he or she can develop a sense of accomplishment.

As children begin preschool they often engage in pretend play. During this phase games such as playing store, playing school or dressing up as a superhero might allow a child a chance to try out roles and learn social skills by interacting with peers.

Positive play experiences can increase a child’s social development. When playing games with others, children learn social skills such as how to follow directions, wait their turn, listen to each other and share.

Many games offer opportunities for players to work on their abilities to problem solve and compromise. This can be demonstrated in the card game “Uno.” While having fun with peers, children are offered a chance to identify colors or numbers and can be challenged with finding ways to handle their feelings. They may learn to compromise when not picked to go first or when they do not find a matching card. They may connect with peers and make new friends. Many board games, card games and physical games such as bowling, basketball, baseball or soccer can offer similar opportunities. When children are supported by others and are cheered for during a game it can leave them feeling very positive about their accomplishments, which can lead to increased self-esteem.

If you are a parent or caregiver, here are 5 low-cost activities that you can engage in with your children that can help develop self-esteem:

• Do a puzzle together: Select one that has enough pieces that is challenging to complete but not beyond the abilities of the child.
• Play with play dough: Encourage creativity and self-expression.
• Go outside and play catch or practice dribbling a ball: Be creative by setting up challenges to dribble the ball around objects, in a straight line or in a  pattern.  When playing catch you can gradually increase the distance thrown between players by having one person take a step back after each successful turn.
• Play a card game like Crazy Eights or Go Fish: Provide encouragement throughout the game.
• Play a game of I Spy: One player looks around the room and decides on an object.  They reveal only the color of the object and the other players must take turns to guess what it is.  The person who guesses goes next.

Remember to be creative, recognize your child’s accomplishments and have fun!!

Bridgeport Hospital’s REACH Child Program provides services for children who experience behavioral health and psychiatric issues. The recreation therapists at the REACH program use games to help children in the program develop improved self-esteem. For more information about the REACH Child Program and other mental health services at Bridgeport Hospital, visit http://bridgeporthospital.org/MentalHealthServices/default.aspx.

Image via Flickr Commons, by theloushe.

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by Elene M. Crosby
Elene is featured in the book, Portraits of Beauty, with photos by Bruno Gaget

For retired school teachers, August is the month we reflect on our productive years in the classroom while simultaneously rejoicing in the knowledge we are free to pursue new interests, activities, weekday lunch dates and travel experiences we could only have dreamed of during our professional lives.

After several wonderfully reflective late summers (during which school started without me), August 2011 brought with it a shocking and horrible reality: I had cancer.
The diagnosis stunned me as I had diligently, faithfully and punctually scheduled annual mammograms for as long as I could remember. I had begun to take the follow-up phone calls each year from my doctor for granted: “Your mammogram is negative, Mrs. Crosby. See you next year.”

But not this time. This time I would have to face the demon head on as the diagnosis was indisputable: breast cancer. While those two bone-chilling words initially horrified me as one might expect, I was soon in the company of the doctors who would talk with me and hold me up on my journey to recovery. Drs. Andrew Kenler and Shareef Jandali are my heroes.
Devoted, compassionate experts in their field, Drs. Kenler and Jandali thoroughly explained all procedures to me before they set about to complete them. They were attentive and reassuring, always there for me as they had promised to be. They proved to be trustworthy practitioners and fine human beings who were true to their word in all areas of my treatment and care. The office staff, with these two fine doctors as an example, was warm, friendly and encouraging.

On October 4, 2011, the scheduled mastectomy took place at Bridgeport Hospital. It’s odd to describe my stay there as pleasurable, but in truth, it was. The nurses, medical technicians and other caregivers on Richardson 7 were unfailingly attentive, considerate and capable. My time in the hospital was made as pleasant as possible by the genial and caring staff. Bravo to them. Well done!

Of course, I could not have endured the experience without my family and friends. My daughter, Felicia Coble, was by my side without hesitation, completing any task that needed to be done. My sisters, Linda Faye Dowell and Picardy Marshall, provided selfless care and moral support. Although more than a thousand miles away in Mississippi, my sisters Joe Ann and Sandra kept a loving and vigilant eye over me. Thanks also go out to my husband, Philip, who despite his own illness, cared for me in any way he could. My friends and extended family, too numerous to name individually, checked on me daily, visited, brought food, lavished me with cheerful gifts and drove me to medical appointments. I am so grateful I have a devoted family and dedicated friends. Their prayers, and those of my minister Reverend Walter C. Barton, Jr., sustained me.

Cancer is a frightening and intense disease. However, twenty-first century technology, the skills and knowledge of capable doctors, support systems of various organizations such as the Norma F. Pfriem Breast Care Center, and especially the grace of God, made what was one of the major issues in my health surmountable.

And now, back-to-school ads are once more springing up like weeds in my perennial garden. I know for sure that my reflections this year will take on a whole new meaning.

Elene is currently featured in the photo book, Portraits of Beauty, with photography by Bruno Gaget. Click here for more info about The Norma F. Pfriem Breast Care Center and how you can purchase the book.

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Mithil V. Choksey MD, CMD, Board-certified Internal Medicine, Geriatric Medicine and Palliative and Hospice Medicine, Center for Geriatrics

Forgetfulness can be a normal part of aging. In fact, as you grow older, occasionally forgetting things such as an appointment or where you left your keys is considered normal. However, if you notice a loved one having trouble remembering familiar people or places and doing regular activities such as getting dressed, or if you notice certain changes in behavior such as quietness or unexplained outbursts, this could be a sign of a more serious memory problem, and you should bring your loved one to a doctor for evaluation as soon as possible.

When you speak with a doctor about a potential memory issue, he or she may want to conduct a memory screening test. In the below video, Dr. Mithil V. Choksey MD, CMD, Board-certified in Internal Medicine, Geriatric Medicine and Palliative and Hospice Medicine, answers the following questions about a memory screening tests:

• What is a memory screening test?
• Who can administer a memory screening test?
• What are some signs that you or a loved one may need a memory screening test?

For more information about the Center for Geriatrics at Bridgeport Hospital, visit: http://bridgeporthospital.org/geriatrics.

Click here to view Dr. Choksey’s physician profile.

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