Program run by Fairfielder wins award

A program run by Jillian Rose of Fairfield at New York City's Hospital for Special Surgery has won an award from the American Hospital Association.

The initiative, called Charla de Lupus, received the association's Hospital Award for Volunteer Excellence, noting the efforts of volunteer programs and their positive impact on patients, hospitals, health systems and communities they serve. It was honored in the Community Outreach and/or Collaboration Programs category, according to a news release.

The program provides free peer support and education to people coping with lupus and their families and operates a toll-free helpline. It also offers monthly education and support groups for lupus patients and their families in English and Spanish and sends volunteers to lupus clinics at other hospitals.

Rose works in the social work department for the hospital, which has an affiliated physicians office in Greenwich. Program representatives received the award May 7 at an association ceremony in Washington, D.C.