Newsbriefs

High school student volunteer program applications available for summer

Employees with teenagers interested in volunteering at the hospital this summer should visit the Volunteer Services section on the hospital website. Students should download the application and sign up for a group interview on the web page. Space is limited and fills quickly for the eight-week program, which runs Monday, June 26 - Friday, Aug. 18. Applicants must be at least 15 years old and able to commit to a minimum of eight hours per week for the entire program. Student volunteers may help hospital patients, families and staff, learn about healthcare careers and satisfy community service hours.

Scholarship applications accepted beginning March 1

Applications will be accepted March 1 - April 30 for The Frances Grindell Patient Care Associate, Clinical Technician and Emergency Department Technical Associate Scholarship for YNHH employees in these positions who are pursuing nursing degrees. To be eligible, YNHH employees must be in good employment standing and working at least 24 hours per week for at least one year as a PCA, CT, EDTA or ED tech. Scholarships of up to $750 for full-time employees and $500 for part-time employees will be awarded annually to qualified applicants who have been accepted by or are enrolled in a Connecticut registered nursing licensure program. Applications must be submitted online only. Applicants will be required to submit official transcripts, a letter of recommendation from a YNHH manager and complete an application questionnaire. Visit HRConnect for more information. The scholarship fund was established by the children of the late Frances Q. Grindell, RN, a YNHH nurse for 44 years, to honor her love for education and dedication to nursing.

Closer to Free registration open; kick-off March 2

Registration for the 2017 Closer to Free Bike Ride to benefit Smilow Cancer Hospital at Yale New Haven is now open. Kick off the season with the Closer to Free Family Thursday, March 2, at Stony Creek Brewery, 5 Indian Neck Ave., Branford, for a 5 - 8 pm event that will include pizza and more. Anyone who registers at the event will receive a long-sleeved, limited-edition t-shirt. To RSVP for the kick-off, visit rideclosertofree.org. Those who cannot attend the event can register online. The Sept. 9 Closer to Free Ride will include routes of 10, 25, 62.5 or 100 miles, with all proceeds benefitting patient care and research at Smilow.

Mindfulness class for caregivers, employees

Employee and Family Resources (EFR) will hold Mindful Solutions, a five-week course for caregivers and employees. The classes will be 1 - 2 pm Fridays, March 3 - April 7, 55 Park St., seminar room 202. They will cover meditation, body scans, mindful movement and other practices. Employees are invited to try a "Taste of Mindfulness," 1 - 2 pm Friday, Feb. 24, in the Park St. seminar room. To register, contact Bud Wassell, 203-688-2280, or [email protected].