CHH Announces New Latino Outreach Educator
Patricia Pepen
Torrington, CT. – The Charlotte Hungerford Hospital (CHH) announced an important resource for area Hispanic women living in northwest Connecticut. Patricia Pepen is the new Outreach Educator for the hospital’s Early Detection Program (EDP) and is working to spread the word about the free screening services provided through this program.
Pepen’s position is funded by a grant from The Connecticut Affiliate of the Susan G. Komen For The Cure(r). This $50,000 grant was recently awarded to Charlotte Hungerford Hospital to increase outreach efforts and breast cancer screenings for women in Northwest Connecticut. CHH also receives a grant from the CT Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program. This provides funding to assist medically underserved, uninsured and underinsured women to receive free breast and cervical cancer early detection screening services.
As Outreach Educator, Pepen works to connect with the area’s Latina population and offers education on the importance of early detection of breast and cervical cancer. She visits with the community through door to door visits, at schools, churches and through social service organizations.
”Many women hesitate to get annual mammograms and pap tests due to language barriers, lack of insurance and anxiety about seeing a doctor. Patricia instantly removes these obstacles by helping clients set up appointments and accompanying them to act as an interpreter at screening appointments” comments Leslie Handelman, RN, the Hospital’s EDP Case Manager and Breast Health Nurse Navigator.
Patricia moved to the United States 15 years ago from the Dominican Republic, where she studied medicine. Her outgoing personality makes her a perfect match for the Outreach Educator position. “I love to meet people and talk with them to see how I can help them. Everywhere I go, I talk about the EDP program and how important it is that they receive these free screening services” says Pepen. Pepen recently completed a CNA degree from Northwestern Connecticut Community College. She is also a dance instructor at the Warner Theatre’s Center for Arts Education.
Neurologist Makes History
New era focuses on regionalization of health care delivery system
DANBURY, CT – As a longtime community physician who has always put the needs of patients first, John Murphy, MD, never imagined he would make history as the first physician to serve as president and chief executive officer of Danbury Hospital.
Turns out it’s the perfect spot for a physician who has played an integral role in the organization’s transformation from a community hospital to a regional medical facility with a national reputation for clinical excellence, patient safety and customer service.
“I’m still committed to serving patients, but I’m doing it in a broader context by working to provide high quality medical care to the entire community,” said Dr. Murphy, who assumed the new post on July 1, 2010.
Among his many goals, Dr. Murphy intends to support Danbury Hospital’s evolution to a regional institution by “pushing the intellectual frontiers” through research and medical education efforts that will set the hospital apart from others on a state and national level.
“Our mission is to advance the health and well-being of the community in partnership with those who we serve,” he said. “It’s the driving force behind everything we do.”
Innate leader brings special skills
“As a community physician who has held numerous leadership positions at the hospital, Dr. Murphy brings a unique set of skills and experiences to his new role as president and chief executive officer,” said John Martocci, Chairman of the Board of Directors. “Dr. Murphy has the vision and the passion needed to guide the organization through the many challenges that lie ahead without ever compromising the high level of care that patients and the community have come to expect from Danbury Hospital.”
“The accomplishments over the past year demonstrate the enormous competencies of the individuals who work here,” said Dr. Murphy. “They are talented, hard working professionals.”
A long history of service to the community
A board-certified neurologist, Dr. Murphy assumes his new post after years of serving Danbury Hospital in a number of capacities, including two decades on the medical staff, three years as President of the Medical Staff and 15 years on the board of directors. He was chairman of the board for four years before joining the hospital administration a year and a half ago as executive vice president and chief executive officer designee.
Masonicare at Newtown Named a Regional Learning Center for Morrison Senior
Photo: L to R - Bryan Kirdzik of Morrison Senior Living, Executive Chef at Masonicare at Newtown, and Tom Gutner, President of Masonicare at Newtown
Living Newtown, CT, – Masonicare at Newtown has been designated as a Regional Learning Center for Morrison Senior Living, the dining services provider for Masonicare and one of the country’s largest senior living services providers. “This designation is an honor,” said Thomas Gutner, President of Masonicare at Newtown.
“We will be one of only twelve Regional Learning Centers in the country. New executive chefs, regional directors, dietitians and dining service directors hired by Morrison in New England and New York City will spend time training here at Masonicare at Newtown. This is recognition of our innovative dining programs and the strong clinical support we provide for our residents’ nutritional well-being.”
Masonicare at Newtown 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 each day. With the assistance of Morrison, the facility serves an average of 600 meals daily and provides hospitality for numerous in-house and community events throughout the year. Masonicare at Newtown is an affiliate of Wallingford-based Masonicare, Connecticut’s leading not-for-profit provider of healthcare and retirement living for seniors.
Connecticut Hospital Association Elects Leaders at 92nd Annual Meeting
Wallingford – At its 92nd Annual Meeting, the Connecticut Hospital Association (CHA) elected officers and members of its Board of Trustees. The Board serves as the policy-making body for the association
Christopher Dadlez of Simsbury, President and Chief Executive Officer of Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center, will become Chairman of the Board of Trustees and Susan Davis, EdD, of Easton, President and Chief Executive Officer of St. Vincent’s Medical Center, will serve as Vice Chairman.
Elected Secretary of the Board of Trustees was Peter Karl, President & CEO, Eastern Connecticut Health Network (ECHN).
Patrick Charmel, President and Chief Executive Officer, Griffin Hospital, was elected Board Chairman of Diversified Network Services, the board that oversees CHA’s fee-based services.
Serving as At Large Members of the Executive Committee will be Frank Corvino, President/ CEO, Greenwich Hospital and Bruce Cummings, President/CEO, Lawrence and Memorial Hospital.
Elected as Trustees were the following:
Timothy Bates, Board Member, Lawrence and Memorial Hospital
Brian Grissler, President & Chief Executive Officer, Stamford Hospital
Elliot Joseph, President and Chief Executive Officer, Hartford Hospital Lawrence McGoldrick, Board Member, MidState Medical Center
John Michaels, Board Member, Waterbury Hospital
Christopher O’Connor, President and Chief Executive Officer, Hospital of Saint Raphael
Clarence Silvia, President/CEO, The Hospital of Central Connecticut
Chad Wable, President and Chief Executive Officer, Saint Mary’s Hospital
David Whitehead, President & CEO, The William W. Backus Hospital
The Executive Committee also appointed Kurt Barwis, President and Chief Executive Officer, Bristol Hospital, as Chairman of the CEO Forum for a two-year term.
The newly elected members of the CHA Board will join the current members: Immediate Past Chairman Marna Borgstrom, Yale-New Haven Hospital; Treasurer Richard Brvenik, Windham Hospital; Jennifer Jackson, CHA; Martin Gavin, Connecticut Children’s Medical Center; Robert Lyons Jr., Gaylord Hospital; Curtis Robinson, Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center; Joel Reich, M.D., Eastern Connecticut Health Network; Robert Smanik, Day Kimball Hospital; and Barbara Weiss, Middlesex Hospital.
Almost 1,000 people from Greater Manchester step out at the April 18 Travelers Walk MS to raise $108,000. Funds raised at the 2010 Travelers Walk MS ensure ongoing scientific research and provide for the continuation of vital programs and services offered by the National MS Society, Connecticut Chapter to people in throughout the state living with MS. Photographer: Bill Shea of Manchester
Travelers Walk MS Exceeds Goal To Raise More Than $1.3 Million
MANCHESTER, CT. – Fundraising for the 2010 Travelers Walk MS, presented by Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center, ended June 18. The event, hosted for more than 26 years by the National MS Society, Connecticut Chapter, exceeded its original $1.22 million goal by raising more than $1.3 million this year.
“This success is a testimony to the devoted support of communities across the state committed to helping people living with multiple sclerosis,” said Lisa Gerrol, Connecticut Chapter president and chief professional officer. “We are deeply moved by this generosity, especially given these fiscally challenging times. As a result of your support, we are able to make significant strides to help fund scientific research and provide truly effective programs and services for those depending on us. The Connecticut Chapter extends a heartfelt thank you to everyone who helped to make this year’s walk event victorious.”
More than 9,000 Connecticut residents stepped out at one of 10 walk sites located across the state, including Greater Manchester where almost 1,000 area residents stepped out from the campus of Manchester Community College. More than 6,000 Connecticut residents live with the potentially debilitating effects of multiple sclerosis, a chronic autoimmune disease for which there currently is no cure. Manchester participants raised $108,000 to ensure ongoing research and provide for the continuation of vital programs and services offered by the chapter to those in Connecticut living with MS.
“The number of people turning out this year and enthusiasm everyone brought to Manchester Community College walk day was electrifying,” said Windsor resident Eric Berenson, whose wife, Kristin, has MS and who captains the Berenson Walk team in her honor. “Being a part of such a successful event feels great. Walk MS does so much to help people living with the effects of multiple sclerosis. It’s good to know we are contributing and making our indelible mark against MS.”
The Travelers Walk MS has raised more than $1 million each year for the past eight consecutive years and remains the chapter’s biggest and most successful event on record. The 2011 Walk MS will be held Sunday, April 17. For more information on Walk MS or to learn more about the many ways to become involved in the fight against MS, visit http://www.ctfightsms.org/.
