Healthcare Review

PHYSICIAN HONORED FOR EARLY HEARING DETECTION AND INTERVENTION EXCELLENCE

Dr. Betty Vohr receives Antonia Brancia Maxon Award

Betty R. Vohr, MD

Providence, RI – Betty R. Vohr, MD, of Barrington, director of Women & Infants Hospital’s Neonatal Follow-Up Clinic and medical director of the Rhode Island Hearing Assessment Program, has been presented with the national Antonia Brancia Maxon Award for Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) Excellence.  The award was presented at the National EHDI Meeting in St. Louis on March 5, 2012.

A graduate of Albany Medical College, Dr. Vohr has been the national coordinator of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Neonatal Research Network follow-up studies since 1990. Dr. Vohr is a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics Task Force on Hearing, The Joint Committee of Infant Hearing (former Chair), and Chair of the Rhode Island Hearing Advisory Committee. Her primary clinical and research interests focus on improving the long-term outcomes of high-risk premature infants and infants with hearing loss. Dr. Vohr is participating in studies investigating the outcomes of premature infants and the outcomes of infants with hearing loss. She has published more than 200 manuscripts in peer-reviewed journals, as well as numerous textbook chapters.

In 1993, Rhode Island legislation mandating universal newborn hearing screening took effect, and the Rhode Island Hearing Assessment Program (RIHAP) based at Women & Infants, became the first public health program of its kind in the United States. Since that time, RIHAP has screened 99% of Rhode Island’s newborn babies (14,000 annually) for hearing loss at its seven hospitals.

This award honors the career achievements of Dr. Antonia Brancia Maxon to promote effective Early Hearing Detection and Intervention programs for all newborns, infants, and young children. Dr. Maxon was a pioneer in EHDI programs, beginning with her leadership in the Rhode Island Hearing Assessment Project in the late 1980s. She was one of the first to recognize the feasibility and value of universal newborn hearing screening and was a tireless advocate for connecting screening programs with timely and appropriate diagnosis and early intervention.

Her extensive contributions to creating excellent EHDI programs were abruptly ended by a tragic automobile accident in May 2007. In memory of her contributions, an Award for EHDI Excellence is presented each year at the National EHDI Meeting to honor an individual or group of people who have made a noteworthy accomplishment in achieving excellence in EHDI programs nationally or in a particular state or region of the country.

Dr. Vohr said, “Our team at Women & Infants Hospital has been at the forefront of newborn hearing screening, beginning with the work of Dr. Maxon.  To have this work recognized is truly humbling.”

Griffin Hospital Achieves Silver Level in Red Cross Life Share Program

Derby, CT – Griffin Hospital was recently recognized as one of the area’s most dedicated sponsors of the American Red Cross in 2011.

Griffin achieved Silver Level in the Red Cross’ Life Share Program, a healthcare initiative that aims to increase blood donations at hospital-sponsored blood drives. Last year, blood drives at Griffin collected 296 units of blood from staff and community donors. Because each pint has the potential to help up to three people, 888 patients may have benefitted from the hospital’s efforts.

“Successful blood drives are a true partnership among the sponsoring organizations, the donors and the Red Cross. Families and communities depend upon the Red Cross in times of need and that is why we sincerely thank Griffin Hospital for its loyal support,” said Paul Sullivan, Chief Executive Officer of the American Red Cross Connecticut Blood Services Region. “We couldn’t continue to help those in need with Griffin Hospital’s dedication.”

Nurse Program Receives United Way Special Needs Grant

DERBY, CT – The Valley United Way has awarded the Griffin Hospital Valley Parish Nurse (VPN) Program a Special Needs Grant to help purchase educational materials for children’s health and safety programs.

“We are grateful to the Valley United Way for its ongoing support of our efforts to make our community a healthier, safer place to live, especially for our children,” said Cathi Kellett, Special Programs Coordinator in the Office of Community Outreach and Parish Nursing at Griffin Hospital.

According to Kellett, the $1,720 grant will be used to purchase books, posters, and other educational materials on topics ranging from using 911, home and fire safety, seasonal safety, healthy habits, healthy eating, and exercise.

Dartmouth-Hitchcock Nashua Welcomes Physician Assistant

Jiaxuan Zhu, PA-C

Nashua, NH- Dartmouth-Hitchcock Nashua is pleased to welcome Jiaxuan Zhu, PA-C to the Gastroenterology Department. Jiaxuan Zhu, PA-C is a Certified Physician Assistant and her clinical interests include GI diseases.  She received her Master of Medicine in Gastroenterology & Hepatology at Capital Medical University in Beijing, China. She went on to complete a Master of Pharmaceutical Science at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR. In addition, she completed a Master of Physician Assistant Studies at the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences in Manchester, NH.

Jiaxuan Zhu, PA-C will be seeing patients in the Gastroenterology Department at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Nashua’s new facility, located at 2300 Southwood Drive in Nashua.

New Inpatient Rehabilitation Nurse Practitioner

Julie Grimstad, APRN

Nashua, NH – St. Joseph Hospital is pleased to welcome Julie Grimstad, APRN, to their Inpatient Rehabilitation Center.  Julie is an Orthopedic Nurse Practitioner, receiving her MSN in the Family Nurse Practitioner Program at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). Julie and her family recently moved to New Hampshire from California.

Julie joins board-certified physician Dr. Gregory Zuercher who has advanced medical training and skills to diagnose and treat functional disabilities that may be caused by injuries, illness or birth defects. They work along side specialized rehabilitation nurses and case management as well as comprehensive physical, occupational, speech/language and recreational therapists to provide the latest rehabilitation technologies and treatments.

Chief Executive Officer of May Institute Named

Lauren C. Solotar, Ph.D., ABPP

Randolph, MA. – May Institute’s Board of Trustees has announced the promotion of Lauren C. Solotar, Ph.D., ABPP, to Chief Executive Officer of May Institute. Dr. Solotar is succeeding Walter P. Christian, Ph.D., ABBP, ABPP, who will continue to serve the Institute as President.

“Transition planning for Dr. Christian’s retirement has been underway for more than five years,” said Dr. Don Ricciato, Chairman of the Institute’s Board of Trustees. “This change in leadership represents the first phase of a succession process designed to ensure a smooth and seamless transition upon Dr. Christian’s retirement in January of 2013. At that time, Dr. Solotar will become both President and CEO of May Institute.”

During Dr. Christian’s 34-year tenure as its leader, the Institute has evolved from an organization with one small school and 60 employees in Massachusetts into a national network with more than 2,000 staff members and nearly 200 service locations across the country. In 2008, Dr. Christian was honored with the Boston Business Journal’s “Champions in Health Care” Lifetime Achievement Award for providing the vision and leadership that guided May Institute’s growth and success.

“Dr. Christian has done an outstanding job of leading May Institute and helping the organization earn an international reputation for excellence,” notes Dr. Ricciato. “During his long career, he has made a lasting contribution to the fields of human service management, organizational development, clients’ rights, and service programming. The Board of Trustees is deeply appreciative of Dr. Christian’s many years of leadership as President and CEO. Although following in his footsteps will be a difficult task, I know that Dr. Solotar is up to that challenge. She has the knowledge, experience, leadership ability, dedication, and determination required.”

Dr. Solotar began her career at May Institute in 1996 as Chief Psychologist and Vice President of Clinical Services. In 2001, she was promoted to Senior Vice President of Behavioral Health Services and was responsible for the operation and clinical service delivery of ambulatory behavioral health and rehabilitation services. In 2010, Dr. Solotar became Chief Clinical Officer. In that role, she provided clinical oversight for all of May Institute’s programs and centers and oversaw the organization’s clinical leadership, among her multiple responsibilities.

“Through the years, Dr. Solotar has not only demonstrated outstanding clinical and leadership skills, but also tremendous loyalty to and respect for May Institute, its employees, and the important services we provide to the individuals in our care,” said Dr. Christian. “I am confident that she will be an excellent leader and that our organization will continue to thrive and grow with her at the helm.”

“I am excited to take on this new leadership role and serve May Institute to the very best of my abilities,” said Dr. Solotar. “I look forward to collaborating with our remarkably capable and caring staff to help me meet this challenge. Working together, we will continue to make a difference in the lives of the children, adults, and families we serve each and every day.”

A licensed psychologist, Dr. Solotar is also board certified in clinical psychology (ABPP). She received her doctorate from the University at Albany, State University of New York, where she was the recipient of the University’s Award for Excellence. She completed her internship at the Albany Psychology Internship Consortium. Dr. Solotar has held a faculty appointment at Tufts University School of Medicine and was formerly the Chief Psychologist at Tufts New England Medical Center.

CHIEF OF REHABILITATION AND RESTORATIVE CARE NAMED

Keith W. L. Rafal, MD, MPH

Pawtucket, RI – Memorial Hospital of Rhode Island recently appointed Keith W. L. Rafal, MD, MPH, to its Medical Staff as the new Chief of Rehabilitative and Restorative Care.

Dr. Rafal earned his medical degree at Howard Medical School, Washington, D.C. He completed his physical medicine and rehabilitation residency at Boston University Medical Center, Boston, MA. Dr. Rafal completed a fellowship in geriatric medicine at Brown University, Providence, RI. He received his Masters in Public Health from Tufts University. He is an assistant clinical professor of medicine at The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University.

Dr. Rafal is board certified in physical medicine and rehabilitation. He is the president and founder of Healing Choices, P.C., in North Smithfield, RI. Previously, Dr. Rafal was the medical director of the Rehabilitation Hospital of Rhode Island in North Smithfield and was the head of the Fibromyalgia Program there. Previously, he has held various hospital appointments including: consulting medical staff, St. Vincent Hospital, Worcester, MA, staff physician at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Boston, MA and medical director of Rehabilitation, Greenery Rehabilitation Center, Brighton, MA.

Dr. Rafal is a member of the American Academy of Pain Management, National Center of Homeopathy and American Holistic Medical Association.

He will lead a team of specially trained rehabilitation nurses, licensed physical, occupational and speech therapists, a neuropsychologist and a therapeutic recreation specialist. Dr. Rafal practices in the Center for Rehabilitation at Memorial Hospital of Rhode Island. He can be reached at
(401) 729 – 2326.

New Director Of Case Management And Social Work Named

Steven Aston, R.N., M.B.A., NE-BC, director of case management and clinical social work at The Miriam Hospital

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Steven Aston, R.N., M.B.A., NE-BC, was recently named director of case management and clinical social work at The Miriam Hospital. In his new role, Aston will be responsible for the strategy, function and operations of the case management and social work departments, as well as the hospital’s spiritual care services.

Previously, Aston served as an inpatient clinical manager at The Miriam, where he led several clinical initiatives to increase the quality of care and the patient experience. He played a major role in the opening of the new Total Joint Center, a center of excellence dedicated to providing state-of-the-art specialized procedures, rehabilitation and care to restore function to damaged hips, knees and shoulders.

“This is a pivotal role that oversees a trio of services that provide huge benefit to our patient population,” said Maria Ducharme, M.S., R.N., NE-BC, senior vice president of patient care services and chief nursing officer at The Miriam Hospital.  “Steve’s focus and past successes improving the patient experience and his background and training in business place him in an ideal position to significantly impact the way we deliver care to our patients at The Miriam Hospital.”

Aston began his health care career in 1999 as a certified nursing assistant at Rhode Island Hospital. Since then, he has held a variety of positions within acute care nurse leadership, including assistant clinical manager of inpatient oncology at Rhode Island Hospital and several leadership roles at Maryvale Hospital in Phoenix, Arizona.

A resident of West Greenwich, Aston received a bachelor’s degree in nursing from the University of Rhode Island and went on to receive a master’s of business administration with a specialization in health care management from the University of Phoenix. He became board certified by the American Nurses Credentialing Center as a nurse executive in 2011.

MD Joins Brattleboro Cardiology

Mark Burke, MD

Brattleboro, VT — Brattleboro Memorial Hospital announced Mark Burke, MD, will be joining Brattleboro Cardiology, and will begin seeing patients on the BMH campus starting Wednesday, April 4.

Dr. Burke practiced at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital for five years before moving to Cheshire Medical Center in Keene, New Hampshire in 2001. “We are very pleased Dr. Burke is returning to practice in Brattleboro. He will join Brattleboro Cardiology and practice with Dr. Michael Cohan,” says BMH Vice President of Physician and Business Development Prudence MacKinney.

“There is an increased demand for cardiology services in the community and we’re happy to welcome Dr. Burke back to help meet the needs of our patients,” says MacKinney.

MacKinney says that Dr. Burke will be located temporarily in the Medical Office Building in Suite G105 on the first floor. At a later date, he will move into the Brattleboro Cardiology office with Dr. Michael Cohan following renovations to that space. Patients wishing to schedule an appointment with Dr. Burke can call
802-257-1444.

Burke is board-certified by the American Board of Cardiology and is a Fellow of the American College of Cardiology. He is a graduate of New York Medical College following which he completed his internship, residency, and fellowship at Westchester County Medical Center in Valhalla, NY.

Brattleboro Cardiology is part of the BMH Physician Group, a multispecialty group practice of primary care and specialty care providers with offices in Brattleboro, Putney and Bellows Falls.

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DANIEL J. DAIGLE has been appointed to the Board of Trustees

Daniel J. Daigle, CPA

Southington, CT – Jerome Home and Arbor Rose announce the appointment of new Board of Trustee member Daniel J. Daigle, CPA.  Daniel J. Daigle, CPA, is founder and director of Smith, Daigle & Company PC, an accounting firm in Southington, Connecticut. He received his BS in Accounting from Quinnipiac College.  Mr. Daigle is a former Chairman and member of numerous committees and task forces of the Connecticut Society of Public Accountants. He has received a Service Award, a Meritorious Service Award and is a past President of that organization and has served on their Board of Governors. Mr. Daigle is a member of the Greater Southington Chamber of Commerce and has been a recipient of their Outstanding Business Person Award. In addition, he is a former member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), and a member of the AICPA Joint Trial Board. Daniel Daigle has a Special Master Designation in the State of Connecticut Tax Court.

Yale New Haven’s Gayle Capozzalo Elected Chair of National Healthcare Organization

Gayle Capozzalo

NEW HAVEN, CT -Gayle Capozzalo, executive vice president of strategy and system development at Yale New Haven Health System (YNHHS), has assumed the office of chairman of the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE). Capozzalo was installed at the Council of Regents meeting preceding ACHE’s 55th Congress on Healthcare Leadership in Chicago on March 17.

As chairman, Capozzalo will serve the second part of a three-year term in ACHE’s consecutive chairmanship offices: chairman-elect, chairman and immediate past  chairman. Capozzalo has been an ACHE governor since 2007, and served as the ACHE regent for Connecticut from 2004 to 2007. She is board certified in healthcare management as an ACHE Fellow.

The American College of Healthcare Executives is an international professional society of more than 40,000 healthcare executives who lead hospitals, healthcare systems and other healthcare organizations. ACHE’s established network of more than 80 chapters provides access to networking, education and career development at the local level. Through such efforts, ACHE works toward its goal of being the premier professional society for healthcare executives dedicated to improving healthcare delivery.

Capozzalo, who joined Yale New Haven Health System in 1997, is responsible for the growth and diversification strategy, clinical and operational integration, performance management and other corporate services of the health system. YNHHS is Connecticut’s leading healthcare system and a major regional multi-hospital system in Connecticut, with annual revenues in excess of $2.3 billion. YNHHS has 1,639 licensed beds, discharges almost 90,000 patients and handles more than 1.2 million outpatient encounters a year. With nearly 15,000 employees and 5,000 physicians, YNHHS includes four delivery networks – Yale-New Haven, Bridgeport and Greenwich hospitals and Northeast Medical Group – and other clinically-affiliated organizations, including Westerly, Lawrence & Memorial, Bristol and Sharon hospitals.

Capozzalo joined YNHHS in 1997, having previously worked as senior vice president, organizational development at the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word Health Care System in Houston, Texas, and senior vice president of SSM Health Care System in St. Louis, Missouri.

She received her BA from the University of Maryland, and her MS in public health, with a concentration in health planning from the University of Missouri-Columbia’s department of health services management.

She has served on numerous boards and committees and is currently a member of two YNHHS hospital boards: Greenwich and Bridgeport hospitals, chair of VHA Northeast’s board. In addition to her ACHE position, she is a member of the American Hospital Association’s Society of Healthcare Planning and Marketing and a member of the American College of Health Care Marketing.

Capozzalo, a resident of Guilford, CT, is a faculty member of Yale University’s department of epidemiology and public health, the Institute for Healthcare Improvement, Boston, MA, and an adjunct faculty member at St. Louis University’s Center for Health Services Education and Research.

Gayle Capozzalo, of the Yale New Haven Health System, is the new chair of the American College of Healthcare Executives.

Board of Regents Elects Hospital CEO to Fellowship

Charles E. Cavagnaro, III, MD, FACP

PALMER, MA – Charles E. Cavagnaro, III, MD, FACP, president and CEO of Wing Memorial Hospital and Medical Centers has been elected a Fellow of the American College of Physicians (ACP), the society of internists. The distinction recognizes achievements in internal medicine, the specialty of adult medical care.

He was elected upon the recommendation of peers and the review of ACP’s Credentials Subcommittee and may now use the letters “FACP” after his name in recognition of this honor.

“I am delighted, but not surprised, to learn of Dr. Charles Cavagnaro’s election to Fellowship in the American College of Physicians (ACP). Dr. Cavagnaro has served the patients of Wing Memorial Hospital & Medical Centers for many years as a primary care physician and internist, prior to his promotion to President and Chief Executive Officer in 1999. This election will confirm what many already know; that he is a talented and compassionate physician who continually strives to attain the highest level of excellence. On behalf of the entire Board of Directors, I congratulate him on this achievement,” said James R. Phaneuf, CIC, president of Bell and Hudson Insurance Agency, Inc. and chair of Wing Memorial Hospital and Medical Centers Board of Directors.

Cavagnaro has been with Wing Memorial Hospital for 27 years and continues to maintain a limited medical practice serving area patients, and is certified in internal medicine by the American Board of Internal Medicine. He earned his medical degree from Cornell University School of Medicine, New York, and completed his residency at UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester.

First Quarter Presidents’ Service Excellence and Leadership Awards

Kristin Mitchell

Keene, NH – Cheshire Medical Center/Dartmouth-Hitchcock Keene presented the First Quarter Presidents’ Service Excellence and Leadership Awards to outstanding staff members. The Presidents’ Service Excellence Award recognizes employees nominated by their co-workers as those who exemplify extraordinary service to others characterized by compassion, courtesy, responsiveness to the needs of others and a positive team attitude. This prestigious award was given to Kristin Mitchell, Emergency Department Tech and Health Unit Coordinator, and Joan Fletcher, LPN, Cardiology Department. 

Joan Fletcher

Jacala Mills

The Leadership Award recognizes employees who exhibit outstanding leadership qualities as demonstrated by excellence in caring, character, commitment, competence and communication. Jacala “Jackie” Mills, Director of Behavioral Health, received this award. 

Congratulations to these deserving staff members for their dedication to our patients and community. 

Elliot Health System Announces new chairman and vice chair and Welcomes New Board Members

Manchester, NH—Elliot Health System is pleased to announce that R. Scott Bacon has assumed the position of Chairman of the Board of Directors and Dianne Mercier has assumed the position of Vice Chair.  This leadership team is also joined by three new members of the Board of Directors including John T. Broderick, Jr., Dan Monfried, and Christopher Calhoun, MD.

R. Scott Bacon is Regional President for TD Bank’s Northern New England and Upstate New York regions.  Mr. Bacon previously served as President and Chief Lending Officer in New Hampshire. Prior to 1997 he served as Executive Vice President and Senior Loan Officer, and Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for Bank of New Hampshire. 

Mr. Bacon is actively involved with numerous community organizations. He is a Board Member of the Business and Industry Association of New Hampshire; Legislative Committee Member of the New Hampshire Bankers Association; Board Member of the Daniel Webster Council of the Boy Scouts of America; and Honorary Trustee of Manchester Neighborhood Housing Services.  

He has received the NH 2003 Distinguished Citizens Award and the Silver Beaver Award from the Boy Scouts of America, and was named the 2005 Community Banker of the Year by the New Hampshire Bankers Association.
Mr. Bacon is a graduate of the University of Vermont and the Stonier Graduate School of Banking at Rutgers University. He is also a graduate of a one-month residence program, “Managing the Enterprise,” at Columbia University.  He resides in Stratham, New Hampshire, with his wife.
 
Dianne Mercier is the President of People’s United Bank in New Hampshire.  Mercier began her banking career in 1985 and has spent the past 28 years actively involved in the New Hampshire banking market.

She joined Ocean Bank in 2003 as Senior Vice President and Group Manager for Commercial Lending has been responsible for business and market development in Manchester, Nashua and Concord.  Prior to joining Ocean Bank, Mercier was State Director, Community Banking for Citizens Bank.  Mercier holds a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing from Southern New Hampshire University.

John T. Broderick Jr. became the fifth dean & president of the University of New Hampshire School of Law on January 28, 2011. Broderick served on the New Hampshire Supreme Court for 15 years, retiring to join UNH School of Law. During his tenure as Chief Justice over the past six years, he was the administrative head of all the state’s courts, in addition to his judicial duties, and became nationally known for reexamining the way the court system works and redesigning it to meet the challenges of the 21st century. Prior to serving on the Supreme Court, Broderick was a litigation attorney in the Manchester, NH, law firm of Devine, Millimet, Stahl & Branch, and was a founding shareholder of Broderick & Dean, Professional Association. He has also taught as an adjunct professor at the Amos Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth for over ten years. He is a graduate of the University of Virginia School of Law and, magna cum laude, of the College of the Holy Cross.  Broderick will join the Elliot Board in May 2012. 

Dan Monfried is Chief Operating Officer and President of R.J. Finlay & Co., a thriving firm that specializes in real estate. With an emphasis on development, asset management, construction, and construction materials, Monfried’s company boasts a varied portfolio of investment, developmental, and management partnerships. Prior to his career with R.J. Finlay & Co., Monfried worked as a financial advisor for UBS, a bank holding company in New York. He also worked for Chemical Bank as a Mergers and Acquisitions Advisor, and then as a Financial Advisor. Monfried stayed with the firm through mergers that ultimately resulted in him becoming the Vice President of San Francisco-based program, where he oversaw the company’s integration with Hambrecht & Quist. In his 15-year career, Monfried has also discovered companies with promise and guided them to success. He is well versed in using cutting-edge strategies to help these businesses reach their full potential. Monfried received his Master of Business Administration from Duke University. 

Christopher Calhoun, MD has been a physician with Elliot Family Medicine at Glen Lake, since joining the Elliot in 2001. 

After graduating first in his class from the United States Naval Academy, he attended Oxford University on a Marshall Scholarship, earning a Master of Arts in Political Science, Philosophy, and Economics.  His active duty service with the US Navy began over 25 years ago, and included multiple deployments to the Persian Gulf prior to leaving active duty to attend medical school.  He has been a medical officer in the Navy Reserve for the last eleven years, and will deploy this year to Landstuhl Army Hospital in Germany, to provide medical care to sailors, and soldiers, and marines serving our nation overseas. 

He received his Doctorate of Medicine from Vanderbilt University, and completed his residency training in Family Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.  He resides in Goffstown with his wife, Bonnie.

M.D. Appointed Chair-Elect Of The ACGME

James A. Arrighi, M.D.,

Providence, R.I. – James A. Arrighi, M.D., director of nuclear cardiology at Rhode Island Hospital, has been appointed chair-elect of the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education ACGME Residency Review Committee for internal medicine, effective July 1, 2012. The ACGME is a private, nonprofit council that evaluates and accredits residency programs in the U.S. Arrighi has been a member of the review committee since 2009.
 
“The ACGME plays a pivotal role in the training of our future physicians, and this is a wonderful opportunity to help programs throughout the country best educate and prepare future physicians,” Arrighi said. “It is critical for the successful training of our doctors that residency programs be accredited and in accordance with best practices. I am grateful for the opportunity, and excited to lead the team to review internal medicine residency programs.”
 
The ACGME is responsible for the accreditation of post-M.D. medical training programs within the United States.  Accreditation is accomplished through a peer review process and is based on established standards and guidelines.  The function of the Residency Review Committee (RRC) in internal medicine is to set accreditation standards for all residency and fellowship training programs in internal medicine and its specialties.
 
In addition to serving as director of nuclear cardiology at Rhode Island Hospital, Arrighi, of Providence, is an associate professor of medicine and diagnostic imaging at The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University and the program director of Brown’s fellowship program in cardiovascular disease. His clinical research activities relate to the application of nuclear cardiology studies in clinical practice.

Plainfield Resident is Day Kimball’s February Employee of the Month

Kathy Esposito, patient access representative, is Day Kimball's February Employee of the Month.

PUTNAM, CT. – Day Kimball Healthcare announces that Kathy Esposito, patient access representative, is Day Kimball’s February Employee of the Month.
 
Esposito has been praised by fellow employees and patients of the Plainfield Healthcare Center’s Lathrop Road facility since that building opened in January 2011. Sarah Ginnetti, director of patient accounts, said, “Kathy is a role model for others for customer service, courtesy and respect. She embraces the Day Kimball philosophy of treating each individual with a pleasant and warm attitude, making her an asset and ambassador for our organization.”
 
Esposito began her career at Day Kimball in November of 2010 and has more than fifteen years of experience in healthcare, having worked for the Stonington Institute as an admissions counselor. In her role as patient access representative, she registers all the patients who come for mammograms, ultrasounds, the anticoagulation clinic, and assists patients for behavioral health services.
 
“I am honored to be named Employee of the Month,” said Esposito. She continued, “I work with a fantastic group of people here in Plainfield and I truly enjoy coming into work every day.” When asked what she likes most about her job she said, “I love our patients and getting to know them.”
 
Esposito earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Eastern Connecticut State University and an Associate’s Degree in Human Resources from Quinebaug Valley Community College. Having lived in Plainfield all her life, she currently resides there with her husband and three beautiful English Labradors.

UConn President Names New Vice President for Health Affairs and Medical School Dean

Dr. Frank M. Torti will join UConn Health Center on May 1

University of Connecticut President Susan Herbst announced that Dr. Frank M. Torti, vice president for strategic programs, director of the Comprehensive Cancer Center and chair of the Department of Cancer Biology at Wake Forest University School of Medicine, will become the new vice president for health affairs at the UConn Health Center and the eighth dean of the UConn School of Medicine. Torti will hold a Board of Trustees professorship in the Department of Medicine. He will join the Health Center May 1.