Hospital of Central Connecticut names breast nurse navigator
Bethany Carr, R.N., B.S.N.,
New Britain, CT – Bethany Carr, R.N., B.S.N., was recently appointed breast nurse navigator with The Hospital of Central Connecticut’s Comprehensive Breast Center. Carr joins breast nurse navigator Donna Boehm, R.N., M.S.N., M.P.H.
Breast nurse navigators help patients diagnosed with cancer and other breast diseases throughout their treatment. The nurse navigators’ duties include:
- Educating patients and their loved ones about the patient’s diagnosis
- Helping patients make informed decisions about treatment
- Advocating for patients during treatment
- Working with physicians, nurses and other healthcare professionals to coordinate patients’ care
- Providing moral support throughout diagnoses, treatment and recovery
- Leading a monthly breast cancer support group and coordinating education events about breast cancer and other breast health topics
Carr has more than eight years of nursing experience, including four years at The Hospital of Central Connecticut (HCC). She began her HCC career as a staff nurse on the oncology unit, then served as an oncology research nurse coordinator with HCC’s Cancer Clinical Research program.
Carr earned her bachelor’s degree in nursing from Villanova University, Villanova, Pa., and is pursuing her master’s degree in nursing at Western Connecticut State University, Danbury, Conn.
Dr. Peter Hayward Joins CHA Data Services Team
Peter Hayward, PhD
Wallingford, CT – Peter Hayward, PhD has joined CHA as Director, Data Analysis, in the Data Services department, bringing more than seven years of experience in the field of health data. Most recently, Dr. Hayward worked as Assistant Professor and GIS (Geographic Information System) Faculty Fellow for SUNY College at Oneonta. Previously, he served as a Research Assistant for the Connecticut Children’s Medical Center and a Research Associate for the Connecticut Department of Public Health.
“We are delighted to have Pete Hayward join CHA, where his expertise will help advance our advocacy program,” said Jane Deane Clark, PhD, CHA Vice President of Data Services. “He will also be instrumental in leading the design and development of new data products designed to assist CHA member hospitals in improving quality and patient safety as well as meeting regulatory requirements.”
Dr. Hayward received his PhD in Geography from the University of Connecticut, and earned his M.A. in Geography from the University of California.
PATIENT SAFETY FELLOW NAMED Will Participate in Prestigious Leadership Program
Scott Ellner, D.O., M.P.H.,
HARTFORD, CT. – Scott Ellner, D.O., M.P.H., Director of Surgical Quality at Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center, has been named to the 2010-2111 Patient Safety Leadership Fellowship program.
Dr. Ellner is one of 30 clinical and administrative leaders from across the country chosen for the leadership development program. Taught by internationally recognized health policy leaders, the one-year program is designed to help healthcare professionals develop leadership skills that will allow them to organize a culture of patient safety within their organizations. Throughout the year, fellows attend four retreats, complete self-study modules and participate in monthly conference calls. As part of the program, Dr. Ellner will develop and implement for Saint Francis a post-operative debriefing checklist for specific surgical cases to improve communications, work flow and patient outcomes, as well as to identify processes to enhance patient safety.
“Dr. Ellner is a skilled clinician and a physician leader. We highly value his contributions to Saint Francis and are honored that he has been selected for this prestigious fellowship,” said Christopher M. Dadlez, the Hospital’s President and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Ellner received his degree in osteopathic medicine from the College of Osteopathic Medicine at the Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, Calif., and a master’s degree in public health from San Diego State University.
He served as an intern, resident and executive chief resident in surgery, and a postdoctoral research fellow in surgical oncology at the University of California at San Diego. He later served as a fellow in advanced laparoscopic and bariatric surgery at the University of Connecticut/Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center.
Board certified in surgery, Dr. Ellner holds appointments as an Assistant Professor of Surgery at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine and an Assistant Professor of Surgery at the College of Osteopathic Medicine at the Western University of Health Sciences.
Orthopedic Surgeon Welcomed to Active Medical Staff
David P. Magit, MD
David P. Magit, MD was recently appointed to the active medical staff of Milford Regional Medical Center. He has joined Drs. Abbot, Busconi, Pugleasa, and Riggert at UMass Memorial Orthopedics of Milford.
Dr. Magit earned his degree in medicine at Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA in 2001. He performed his surgical internship and orthopedic surgery residency at Yale-New Haven Hospital, New Haven, CT. Dr. Magit continued his training with a sports medicine fellowship at Kerlan-Jobe Orthopedic Clinic, Los Angeles, CA. He is a member of the American Orthopedic Society for Sports Medicine and the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons.
Medical Director for Masonicare at Newtown Named
Yvette Fernandez, M.D.,
Newtown, CT, -Masonicare at Newtown announced that Yvette Fernandez, M.D., has been appointed Medical Director for Masonicare at Newtown. The healthcare facility, provides long-term nursing care, assisted living including memory care, and short-term and out-patient rehabilitation services for more than 200 residents and patients daily. Dr. Fernandez, has extensive experience in hospital settings, physician practice and nursing homes. In her role as Medical Director, Dr. Fernandez will be responsible for assuring that Masonicare at Newtown’s patients and residents continue to receive the highest quality of medical care and support. Prior to joining Masonicare, she was on staff at Phoenix Internal Medicine in Waterbury.
In making the announcement, Thomas Gutner, Masonicare at Newtown’s president, said, “Dr. Fernandez is an accomplished and outstanding internist and geriatrician. We’re fortunate to have someone with her exceptional clinical skills, medical knowledge and experience in the nursing home environment lead our medical team.” Dr. Fernandez received her medical degree from Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York. She completed her internship and residency at Montefiore Medical Center and her geriatric fellowship at Our Lady of Mercy Hospital, both located in Bronx, NY. Dr. Fernandez holds a Connecticut license as a physician and is certified with the American Board of Internal Medicine.
Masonicare’s Behavioral Health
Blanche Agostinelli, RN, BS, MSN,
Wallingford, CT, – Wallingford-based Masonicare announced that Blanche Agostinelli, RN, BS, MSN, an advanced practice nurse, has joined the organization’s Behavioral Health practice located on the Wallingford campus. An adult mental health practitioner, Ms. Agostinelli will identify and treat the sources of mental distress experienced by older adults and work with them and their families to help improve quality of life.
Ms. Agostinelli comes to Masonicare with several years of experience in the geriatric mental health field, and was most recently employed as an APN with the Adler Geriatric Assessment Center at Yale-New Haven Hospital.
Ms. Agostinelli is a graduate of Yale University School of Medicine with a Master’s Degree in Adult Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing. She is a member of the Medical Scientific Advisory Committee of the Connecticut Alzheimer’s Association, a member of the Program Committee for the State Education Conference, and co-leader of an Early Onset Alzheimer’s Support Group.
DR. Wu JOINS THE DIVISION OF PEDIATRIC CARDIOLOGY
Amy Carlucci Wu, MD,
HARTFORD, CT. – Amy Carlucci Wu, MD, has joined the Division of Pediatric Cardiology at Connecticut Children’s Medical Center.
Dr. Wu comes to Connecticut Children’s from Louisiana State University in Shreveport where she was an attending physician and Assistant Professor in the Department of Pediatric Cardiology. She received her bachelor’s degree in English Literature from Colgate University and her medical degree from Thomas Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia. Dr. Wu completed her pediatric residency at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital/A.I. DuPont Hospital for Children and her pediatric cardiology fellowship at Children’s Memorial Hospital/Northwestern University in Chicago.
Dr. Wu is an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at the University Of Connecticut School Of Medicine and is board-certified in pediatrics and pediatric cardiology. Some of Dr. Wu’s areas of interest include adult congenital heart disease, pediatric heart failure and pulmonary hypertension.
DR. KHULLAR JOINS THE DEPARTMENT OF PULMONARY MEDICINE
Monila Khullar, MBBS,
HARTFORD, CT. – Monila Khullar, MBBS, has joined the Department of Pulmonary Medicine at Connecticut Children’s Medical Center.
Dr. Khullar comes to Connecticut Children’s from Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital/Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla, NY, where she completed her fellowship in pediatric pulmonary medicine. She received her medical degree from Lady Hardinge Medical College in New Delhi, India, and completed her pediatric residency at Westchester Medical Center/New York Medical College.
Dr. Khullar is an assistant professor of pediatrics with the University of Connecticut School of Medicine and is board-certified in pediatrics. Some of her areas of interest include asthma and cystic fibrosis. She is a member of numerous professional organizations including the American College of Chest Physicians, the American Thoracic Society, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Indian Medical Association and the Indian Association of Pediatrics.
CHIEF COMPLIANCE OFFICER NAMED
Kesha Boykin, J.D.
HARTFORD, CT. – Kesha Boykin, J.D. has been named Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer at Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center.
A graduate of the South Texas College of Law, Houston, Boykin is responsible for ensuring that Saint Francis and its affiliates comply with federal and state healthcare laws and regulations. In addition, she oversees the Hospital’s code of conduct, and directs the internal compliance, audit, and risk assessment programs.
Boykin also holds a master’s degree in speech pathology and a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology-biology from the University of Houston.
Most recently, she had served as Vice President and Division Ethics and Compliance Officer at HCA, in Houston, where she was responsible for oversight of ethics and compliance officers at 15 hospitals and implementation of the ethics and compliance program for the corporation’s Gulf Coast Division. Boykin previously held managerial and sales positions with Bausch + Lomb, Eli Lilly and Company, and Merck & Co.
