Rxtra, April 2008 - Hartford Hospital!

RxTra
A publication for the employees of Hartford Hospital April 28, 2008 Vol 64 No. 17
Magnolia tree blossoms
were just a few of the
many blooming trees
and plants that filled
the air at the Institute of
Living with the scent of
spring in late April.

New division, chief of
Hospital Medicine
“Second Shift” performs at second annual ICD
Social aimed at younger ICD club members
Justin B. Lundbye, MD,
Chief, Division of Hospital Medicine
The Division of Hospital Medicine,
a new division within the Department of
Medicine, has been created, with Justin
B. Lundbye, MD, medical director of
the Cardiac ICU and director of the
Cardiology Hospitalist Program, as
the new division’s chief. Eighteen
physicians currently comprise the
Division of Hospital Medicine.
Hospitalists are physicians
specializing in the care of hospitalized
patients. Many primary care physicians
today admit their patients to hospitalists
because these doctors are familiar with
the hospital’s processes, protocols and
systems, and can facilitate and expedite
excellence of in-patient interdisciplinary
care by emphasizing communication
with all clinical departments, as well
as ancillary services such as social
services, pharmacy, and nutritional
services.
As stated by Robert Wachter,
MD, University of California at
San Francisco, and a founder of
the hospitalist movement, “ Most
hospitalists have grown up in an era
where we appreciate that improving
quality of care doesn’t depend on the
brilliance of particular physicians, but
on creating a good system. Hospitalists
are well positioned to lead that kind
of effort.” Hartford Hospital is
excited to join this new hospitalist
movement which will surely contribute
to strengthening, developing, and
improving care systems and processes
within Hartford Hospital. Dr Lundbye
can be reached at 860-545-4398 or
Jlundby@harthosp.org
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The second annual Hartford
Hospital Young ICD (Implantable
Cardioverter Defibrillator) Social was
held March 19, at Angelo’s on Main in
West Hartford. The idea for this annual
function was conceived after repeatedly
hearing young ICD patients comment
that “everyone seems old” at the ICD
Club meetings held for all ICD patients.
The Hartford Hosptial ICD Club
sessions started in 2000, typically
consisting of a guest speaker or
entertainer followed by an openquestion
forum led by Jeffrey
Kluger, MD, director of Arrhythmia
Services. “Our Club meetings have
always been well received with an
average of 120-150 people attendin,”
relates Danette Guertin, APRN, ICD
program coordinator, “but the younger
population would attend one meeting
and not return, because they didn’t feel
they fit in.”
Last March, the first Young ICD
Social was held for ICD patients 16-60
years of age. A more intimate setting
was chosen for this affair as compared
to the regular ICD club sessions held in
Hueblein Hall.
“Only 10 percent of the ICD
population falls in this younger age
group, so an environment conducive to
socializing, along with gathering much
need information for these younger
“Second Shift musicians above (from
left) are: Ruben Rodriguez, OR Tech,
on percussion; Jack Cooney, MD,
bass; Adam Reader, EP Tech, guitar;
and David McComas, RN, guitar.
patients was important” explains Nurse
Practitioner Guertin.
This year’s meeting was highlighted
with entertainment by the musical group
“Second Shift,” whose four members
are Hartford Hospital staff. Two
members, David McComas, RN and
Adam Reader, Electrophysiology (EP)
technician, are part of the Heart Rhythm
Management Department. The group
also includes Jack Cooney, MD, from
Anesthesia, and Ruben Rodriguez, OR
technician.
Dr. Jeffrey Kluger, the guest
speaker, educated the group about life
with an ICD. As Dr. Kluger explained,
“this age group is not prepared to deal
with sickness and chronic illness. Most
of these patients are still physically
active and working in full-time
positions. It is important for them to
meet other individuals, sharing their
experiences, and appreciating that an
ICD has minimal restrictions with their
current lifestyle.”
The evening ended with an
impromptu guitar and vocal
performance by ICD patient, Paul
Harvey.

Two 5,000-hour volunteers celebrated during
National Volunteer Week at Hartford Hospital
Stan Inman
After retiring in 1989
from the Chemistry Lab,
Stan Inman decided to
continue his service to
Hartford Hospital by
becoming a volunteer.
Stan’s current placement
is in the surgical short
stay unit on C8 where he
arrives as early as on 4:30
a.m. on Tuesdays. He
makes the first pot of coffee
and delivers the early morning newspaper to the patients.
According to Stan, “It’s fun”.
Stan feels volunteering at Hartford Hospital has allowed him
to remain in touch with the people he has known for many
years and says, “I’m always meeting new friends, too.”
Stan stands vigilant, greeting the patients as they come in
for various procedures. He also trains new C8 volunteers
who think they have the stamina to maintain a schedule with
starting hours much earlier than most people could even
imagine getting out of bed! Stan enjoys helping out in any
way possible, 52 weeks a year.
Stan says the patient contact is as interesting as it is
rewarding; “I find it very satisfying and I look forward to
coming in each week. I really enjoy meeting with them.
They are always so appreciative of what I do”. Stan’s
smiling face and comforting voice are welcomed by hospital
patients who may be experiencing apprehension or unsettling
emotions. Those without families or other visitors find him to
be a comfort and trusting friend.
Although he is always enthusiastic about his service to the
hospital and his contributions to patient care, Stan also speaks
proudly of two very important relationships at Hartford
Hospital. Since 1990, Interventional SHort Stay Unit RNs
Nancy Reklatis and Debbie Fortin have made a difference in
Stan’s life as he was making a difference for others.
Thank you for the difference you make, Stan.
Congratulations on your 5,000 hours, and 18 years of
dedicated service to the Hartford Hospital community.
“I am only one, but I am still one. I cannot do everything,
but still I can do something. And because I cannot do
everything I will not refuse to do something that I can do.”
Edmund Everett Hale, Author
John Peterson
John Peterson, known
as “Jack” by many, has
followed in his mother’s
footsteps when it comes to
volunteering at Hartford
Hospital. Jack is a 62-yearyoung
tennis enthusiast
with a big heart! In
keeping with his active
lifestyle Jack uses the
stairs, as he believes this is
another way to keep fit. An
early riser, Jack loves what he does because “the hours suit
me perfectly from 6:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.”
Jack has been a volunteer at Hartford Hospital since the
spring of 1990. “I’ve had the unique opportunity of helping
to decorate the admitting area for the winter holidays. I like
to keep moving. I like to be busy. I don’t care much for
sitting. I spend three to four months out of the year in Florida
and I worry that the place will fall apart when I’m not here.”
Patient contact is one of the things Jack enjoys most
about his volunteer work at Hartford Hospital. “I like to
give the patients special attention by escorting them to their
rooms, helping to make them feel comfortable and basically
helping people anyway I can. “I like to leave the patient
knowing that I somehow was responsible for putting a smile
on their face and setting their minds at ease.”
In addition to volunteering at Hartford Hospital two days
a week, Jack volunteers at the Asylum Hill Congregational
Church in Hartford. “I miss the hospital and the people on
my days off because volunteering is a big part of my life. It
brings me great joy to do good things for people. When I can
make someone feel at ease or relaxed it makes me feel good
and take pride in what I do.”
During Jack’s 17 years as a volunteer at Hartford
Hospital, he has made friends with many staff members
throughout the Hospital and feels very fortunate. “We are all
on a first name basis and share many different interests and
hobbies. Volunteering allows interaction with people that you
would otherwise never meet. It is with great pleasure that I
can do something for the hospital. The patients always seem
so grateful to you for extending kindness and caring. I’m
always ‘up’ when I leave the Hospital.”
Jack, we at Hartford Hospital are the fortunate ones.
Thank you and congratulations on your 5,000 hours of
dedicated service to the many patients, families and staff at
Hartford Hospital.
“We make a living by what we do, but we make a life by
what we give.”
Winston Churchill
3

Surgical Weight Loss Program earns “Center of Excellence” status
The Surgical Weight Loss
Program at Hartford Hospital has been
designated a Bariatric Surgery Center
of Excellence by the American Society
of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery
(ASMBS).
Bariatric Surgery Center of
Excellence status is bestowed upon a
program following a rigorous evaluation
process that documents safe surgical
care and excellent outcomes, with an
emphasis on results. The award comes
from the largest organization of bariatric
surgeons in the world, ASMBS, and the
evaluation is carried out exclusively
by experienced, respected bariatric
surgeons.
Under the direction of Darren S.
Tishler, MD, FACS., and Pavlos K.
Papasavas, MD, FACS., the Surgical
Weight Loss Program has provided
safe, effective and technologically
advanced care for patients suffering
from morbid obesity and obesityassociated
medical problems. Since the
program’s inception in 2005, more than
500 patients have been treated and been
afforded resolution or improvement of
medical co-morbidities. These comorbidities
include: type-II diabetes,
sleep apnea, hypertension, gastroesophageal
reflux, hyperlipidemia,
arthritis, polycystic ovary syndrome
(PCOS), and urinary incontinence.
Patients can sometimes see
improvement of these co-morbidities
just a few days after their surgical
procedure.
Drs. Papasavas and Tishler perform
several minimally-invasive procedures
for morbid obesity including the LAP-
Band Procedure, Laparoscopic
Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass, and
laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy. Their
patients are typically discharged from
the hospital in 24-48 hours, and are able
to return to work and other everyday
activities within one to two weeks.
The safety and success of the patients
are due in part to the comprehensive
nature of the Surgical Weight Loss
Program, which includes experts in
pulmonary medicine, cardiology,
psychiatry, gastroenterology, radiology,
anesthesiology and nutrition. In
addition, the program relies on Hartford
Hospital’s many skilled nurses, midlevel
practitioners, and other staff
members who care for patients.
The designation as an ASMBS
Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence
is a result of our commitment to
patient safety, outcomes research,
and technological advancement of
bariatric surgery. The Surgical Weight
Loss Program team is united by the
understanding that while the pounds
lost can be dramatic, true success is
measured by the improvements in
quality of life and a renewed sense of
confidence in our patients.
The Surgical Weight Loss Program
is a collaborative effort between
Hartford Hospital and Connecticut
Surgical Group ( 860-246-2071).
Pharmacy Services hosts
pharmacy students from
the University of Renne
in France
Two pharmacy students in their
fifth year of study at the University
of Rennes, France, are spending
four months at Hartford Hospital in
an international exchange program
participating in various pharmacy
rotations coordinated by the Department
of Pharmacy Services. The exchange
program was initiated by the University
of Connecticut School of Pharmacy
with Hartford Hospital being the
practice site for the exchange students.
The students, Elodie Radier and
Anais LeRhun, are experiencing
a unique opportunity to see how
pharmacy is practiced in the United
States, and are sharing with us how
pharmacy is practiced in France.
Both are participating in a number of
clinical pharmacy rotations such as
critical care, drug information, internal
medicine, pain management, psychiatry,
4
cardiology, infectious disease, as well as
shadowing the clinical pharmacists on
their clinical assignments.
Elodie and Anais are impressed with
the different types of pharmacy services
that we are able to provide caregivers
and patients at the hospital. The students
also have high praise for the overall
services provided to patients.
From left, Pharmacy Clinical Manager
Bob Quercia, students Anais LeRhun
and Elodie Radier, and MichaelRubino,
director of Pharmacy Services
They are looking forward to sharing
their experiences at Hartford Hospital
with their colleagues at the school of
pharmacy in France.

Administrative Associates Week celebrated April 21-26
The monthly Administrative Associate Lunch & Learns are intended to bring together all Hartford Hospital administrative
associates into a cohesive group to help streamline workflow efficiencies, and to inform them of the resources and processes that
are available for their use. Above, at a recent breakfast celebrating administrative associates, Telecommunications Department
Director Anthony Prete reviews all Telecom applications and services with administrative associates.
Cytology at Hartford Hospital connecting the past, embracing the futue
The Cytology Department of
Clinical Laboratory Partners (CLP)
serves clients throughout Connecticut,
along with clients directly associated
with Hartford Hospital. Its roots are
deep the infancy of cytology, with Pap
tests being examined as far back as the
late 1940s.
There are 11 ASCP-registered
cytotechnologists ranging in experience
from less-than-one year, to more than
33 years. Eight support staff accurately
handle pre- and post-analytical facets
of cytology which operates nearly 24
hours a day, Monday through Friday.
The department staff expects to serve
upwards of 80,000 gynecological
patients in 2008.
The Cytology Department excels in
its role within this teaching institution,
striving to remain connected to its
roots but ever conscious to present
changes and future possibilities. Recent
developments give testimony to that
fact.
CLP cytology endeavors to
accommodate our customers in all
ways, including preference of liquid
based cytology system. Toward that
end, CLP offers both liquid-based
cytology platforms: the Cytyc ThinPrep
technology and BD/Tripath’s SurePath
technology.
Consequently,
the customer
may choose
that which he
or she is most
comfortable
with.
Since the
advent of the
Liquid Based
Pap test, in the
early 1990s,
manufacturers
have developed computer
assisted pre-screening
instruments that assist the
cytotechnologist in detecting
cellular abnormalities.
CLP has the only two such
instruments available on the
market: the Cytyc Imaging
System (above) and the BD/
Tripath FocalPoint (at right).
Each of these is operational
at CLP in Hartford Hospital,
making it the only commercial
laboratory in Connecticut to
offer both systems. Achieving
this goal was possible only with
the dedicated support of CLP
and Hartford Hospital leadership..
5

Hartford Hospital
Imaging Center wins
ACR accreditation for
CT scanning
The Imaging Center at Hartford
Hospital has been awarded a three-year
term of accreditation in CT Scanning
as the result of a recent survey by the
American College of Radiology (ACR).
Accreditation by the ACR reflects
the “achievement of high practice
standards” following a peer-review
evaluation of the practice. Evaluations
are conducted by board-certified
physicians and medical physicists who
are experts in the field. They assess
the qualifications of the personnel and
the adequacy of facility equipment. An
ACR certificate of accreditation assures
physicians and patients that the facility
passed a rigorous evaluation, and that
only the highest quality care is being
provided.
Accreditation for CT Scanning
is now added to the other accredited
outpatient imaging services provided by
the Hartford Hospital Imaging Center,
which include:
• PET/CT Scan
• Stereotactic Breast Biopsy
• MRI
• Mammography
• Ultrasound
• Nuclear Medicine
• Radiation Oncology
The Imaging Center also has
Connecticut’s most sophisticated 3D
Advanced Imaging Lab Analysis to
view computer displays of 3D digital
images of CT, Vascular CT (VCT),
PET/CT and MRI scans, allowing
radiologists to diagnose disease
earlier, better and faster. All exams are
performed by state licensed imaging
staff and interpreted by board certified
radiologists.
Please access our website at
www.harthosp.org/imaging for
more information about our imaging
modalities and accreditations.
6
Peter Schauer, MD,
to receive UHart
Distinguished Service
Award
Peter Shaauer, MD, has been
selected to receive the University of
Hartford and Alumni Association’s
highest honor, the Distinguished Service
Award. According to the announcement
by UH Alumni Association President
and Regent Paul A. Sittard, Dr.
Schauer, an alumnus of the university,
will be presented the award May 19,
for having “demonstrated excellence in
his professional endeavors, as well as in
personal and civic involvement.”
Mr. Sittard went on to say that Dr.
Schauer was selected for the award
because of his “achievement in the
medical profession as an esteemed
oncologist; teaching and mentoring
of fellow medical professionals;
willingness to offer knowledge and
guidance to university students; and
as a respected member of the greater
community.”
Ethics or Compliance
Concerns?
If you have any business ethics or
compliance concerns, please contact
your supervisor or call the
Compliance Helpline
a confidential service at
1-800-431-5572.
Si usted habla espanol, favor llamar
1-800-297-8592
Medical Staff presents
Distinguished Service
Awards to two MDs
Chester B. Humphrey, MD,
a member of Hartford Hospital’s
medical staff for more than 30 years,
was awarded the Medical Staff’s
Distinguished Service Award on April
30, and cited as being “a key member
of the hospital’s Risk Management
Program, making contributions as chair
of the Claims Review Committee. He
has been a constant voice of calm and
reason in the Department of Surgery
providing behind-the-scenes leadership
over a period of many years.”
Also receiving the Medical Staff
Distinguished Service Award. Theodore
F. Mucha, MD, medical director at
the Institute of Living, served “43
continuous years at the IOL and
Hartford Hospital ... Ted provides the
day-to-day medical leadership at the
clinical front lines of the IOL. He is
highly regarded by all as a supervisor,
teacher, mentor and clinical leader.”

Hartford Hospital named one of 84 “Blue
Distinction” cancer centers in the country
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue
Shield of Connecticut has named
Hartford Hospital as one of its Blue
Distinction Centers for Complex and
Rare Cancers SM . There are only 84 such
centers designated in the United States,
and only two in Connecticut.
Complex and rare cancers comprise
approximately 15 percent of new cancer
cases each year, making it difficult for
patients to locate research facilities with
oncologists or surgical teams that are
experienced in treating these specific
malignancies. Some of the tumor
types specifically cited in the program
include acute leukemia, bladder cancer,
bone cancer, primary brain cancer,
esophageal cancer, gastric cancer,
head and neck cancers, liver cancer,
pancreatic cancer, rectal cancer, soft
tissue sarcomas, thyroid cancer, rare
lung tumors, and others.
Blue Distinction Centers for
Complex and Rare Cancers are facilities
within participating Blue Cross and
Blue Shield network service areas
that offer comprehensive cancer
care programs for adults, delivered
by multidisciplinary teams with
subspecialty training and distinguished
clinical expertise in treating complex
and rare subtypes of cancer. The
designation focuses primarily on
multidisciplinary treatment planning,
complex major surgical treatments, and
collaborative additional care including
chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and
other therapies.
“For patients and families in our
region who are afflicted with rare and
complex tumors, Hartford Hospital
offers a true leadership role with
expertise in care delivery, cutting-edge
technology, research, and support
programs,” stated Andrew Salner, MD,
director of the Helen & Harry Gray
Cancer Center at Hartford Hospital.
“We are honored to be recognized
by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of
Connecticut for our expertise in the care
and treatment of patients with any type
of cancer.”
“Blue Distinction promotes the
consistent practice of evidence-based
medicine,” said Peter Bowers, MD,
medical director for Anthem Blue
Cross and Blue Shield. “The Blues are
committed to working collaboratively
with physicians and hospitals to raise
quality of health care in our nation.
The Blue Distinction designation
identifies institutions that lead the way
in delivering quality outcomes.”
“Hartford Hospital has placed
particular emphasis on developing
multidisciplinary oncology programs,
with the depth of physicians, nurses,
and other staff needed to care for
the most complex patient problem,”
explained Dr. Salner. “Our recent
selection as a National Cancer Institute
Community Cancer Center Program
institution, the only hospital in New
England to be so designated, similarly
recognizes our expertise in complex
cancer care, cancer clinical research,
outreach to the underserved, and patient
and family support programs. We
are proud that Hartford Hospital was
selected for this extremely competitive
program.”
Among other selection criteria,
Hartford Hospital met the following
thresholds necessary to be named as
Blue Distinction Centers for Complex
and Rare Cancers:
• multidisciplinary team input, including
sub-specialty trained teams for complex
and rare cancers and demonstrated depth
of expertise across cancer disciplines in
medicine, surgery, radiation oncology,
pathology and radiology
• ongoing quality management and
improvement programs for cancer care
• an ongoing commitment to using
cancer registry data and providing
access to appropriate clinical research
trials for complex and rare cancers here
in CT through collaboration with NCI
designated cancer centers.
• sufficient volume of experience in
treating rare and complex cancers.
Godfrey D. Pearlson,
MD, awarded Biele
Memorial Lecture
Godfrey D. Pearlson, MD, director
of the Olin Neuropsychiatry Research
Center at The Institute of Living, has
been awarded the Jefferson Medical
College ( Philadelphia) Department
of Psychiatry’s 30th annual Albert
M. Biele Memorial Lectureship for
“Distinguished and Internationally
Recognized Contributions to the Field
of Psychiatry.”
The lectureship honors the memory
of Dr. Biele, an outstanding physician,
scholar and psychiatric professor who
joined the academic faculty at Jefferson
Medical College in 1947, after serving
as clinical director of the Norristown
State Hospital in Pennsylvania.
Dr. Pearlson’s lecture was entitled,
“What Might Schizophrenia Risk Genes
Be Doing In The Brain? Evidence
From Neuroimaging”
7th Annual
Henry Low Heart Center
Cardiovascular
Nursing Symposium
May 22, 2008
Hartford Hospital
Education & Resource Center
560 Hudson Street
Hartford, Connecticut
To register call Health
Referral Services at 545-1888
7

“Timing is everything,” as the
saying goes. Although the concept
of an inpatient Complementary and
Alternative Medicine (CAM) Therapies
Program was still a novel one in 1998,
Hartford Hospital’s Women’s Health
Division and hospital administration
took a very innovative stand and
promoted the development of a pilot
CAM program, first introducing Reiki.
Reiki, a Japanese hands-on
relaxation technique, was offered to
patients, families and staff, provided
by a group of specially-trained hospital
volunteers. Reiki is a gentle, hands-on
relaxation technique. In addition, it
may reduce stress and anxiety, reduce
pain, improve ability to sleep, and
reduce nausea.
The Reiki Volunteer Program,
co-coordinated by Reiki Master Alice
Moore, RN, and Eileen Pelletier,
Volunteer Services Department
manager, was an instant success with
very positive outcome measurements.
Patients and staff reported statistically
significant reductions in pain and
anxiety, as well as improvement with
sleep and a decrease in nausea after
surgery. It was the success of the pilot
program that made it easier to expand
the CAM programs hospital-wide in
1999, establishing a formal Integrative
Medicine Department.
As the number of Reiki requests
has increased, so has the number of
volunteers and sessions provided. In
1998, 10 volunteers provided 523
Reiki sessions. In 2007, 50 volunteers
provided 8,524 Reiki sessions. Not only
have patients embraced the soothing
and comforting touch of Reiki, but 84.4
percent say they would be more likely
to choose Hartford Hospital for future
admissions because of Reiki and other
CAM therapies offered here.
Currently Reiki is offered in all
inpatient units (except at the IOL), the
Helen and Harry Gray Cancer Center,
outpatient Dialysis, and the Ambulatory
8
Hartford Hospital’s Reiki Volunteer Program
celebrates 10th year anniversary
Surgery recovery room.
In addition to
positive patient
feedback, the Reiki
Volunteer Program has
won two awards: the
2001 New England
Association Directors
of Healthcare Volunteer
Services “President’s
Award for Outstanding
Volunteer Program
Development”; and
the 2002 American
Society of Directors
of Volunteer Services
of the American
Hospital Association’s
“Extraordinary Program
Award.”
These awards
have led to health care
organizations across
the country, and even
around the world,
contacting Integrative Medicine for
information about how to implement
a Reiki volunteer program at their
own facilities. Many have been able
to develop successful programs and
are now providing Reiki to their own
patients.
Here are some of the patient
comments:
“I hope Reiki is always available because it
helped me a lot in relaxing and healing, giving
me energy to think positive and forget the bad
things wrong with me. I thank you for Reiki, it
really, really helped me!”
“I felt the Reiki program helped me to relax
and deepen my breathing patterns which in turn
reduced my pain I am very grateful for the Reiki
Volunteers.”
“I will never go to another hospital again
because of the effect Reiki has had on me. I have
had eight operations and the last one at HH was
the most painful. The Reiki session helped me
handle it and believe I can go through it again
with Reiki.”
Rachel Lutzker, Fox 61 and Clear
Chanel Radio/River 105.9 traffic
reporter, receives a Reiki treatment
from volunteer Eileen Person.
Critically important as well to the
success of the Reiki Volunteer Program
is the amazing group of volunteers who
have participated in the program. We
are very grateful for their dedication to
the success of the program and to the
comfort of our patients. Here are some
of their comments:
“I had the opportunity to work on a woman
who specifically came to Hartford Hospital
because the hospital was the only one with a
Reiki program (at the time) and she wanted to
experience it. Her husband was also present
and asked if he could stay and observe since he
was a physician at another hospital She was very
pleased with the relief from Reiki!”
“The trust patients and staff have come
to have in me (and other volunteers) is quite
amazing.”
Article submitted by Eileen Pelletier, CAVS, Manager, Volunteer Services Department

Service Awards
March 19, 2008
At the March 19 Service Award
pinning ceremony, Ronald
Wolchesky (at right in photo) was
congratulated on achieving 35
years with Hartford Hospital by
Executive Vice President and COO
Jeffrey Flaks.
Marking 30 years of service to the
institution in March, Patricia Mead
(center and Marsha Sherman were
congratulated by Mr. Flaks.
Mr. Flaks congratulated new
Quarter Century Club members and
25-year pin recipients (from right of
Mr. Flaks) Martha Webster, Dwight
Forrester and William Hardie.
Continued on page 10
9

Service Awards, continued from page 9
With two decades of service to Hartford
Hospital, 10-year pin recipients at the
March 19 ceremony were (from right
of Mr. Flaks) Theresa Collins, Elaine
DeJesus, Carol Director, Sergio Garcia
and Jannette Vega.
At left, William Roman (center) is congratulated by Mr. Flaks
and a bevy of his supporters.
At right, 10-year pin recipients at the March 19
ceremony were (from right of Mrl Flaks) Jose Sanchez,
James Gregware and Virgen Zavala.
Above, marking their first major milestone with Hartford
Hospital, 5-year pin recipients were (from right of Mr. Flaks,
in the front row) Ruth Serafina, Helena Kula, Amelia Grenier,
Fotini Merja, (back row) Scott Kerry, Jorge Leon, Cynthia
Perez, Ivette Santiago and Michele Petrucelli.
10
500 hour volunteer Carmen Starnella (center left) is
congratulated by Executive Vice President/COO Jeffrey
Flax, Roxanne Rotondaro, manager of Partnership for
Breast Care (center right), and Kelly Boothby, manager
of Volunteer Services Department.

Service Awards, continued from page 10
45 Years
Nicoletta Stathopoulos, Admitting Services
35 Years
Antonio Rodriguez, Carpentry Div., Engineering
Ronald Wolcheski, Laundry Administration
30 Years
Patricia Mead, GI Endoscopy
Brian Paterson, Laundry
Marsha Sherman, EMT Program, Allied Health
25 Years
Tonya Adger, Food & Nutrition Services
Susan Biehl, Decision Support, Finance
Dwight Forrester, Patient Support Services
Banevicius Mary, Consolidated Pharmacy
Martha Webster, Surgical Services, Bliss 7 ICU
Hardie William, Food & Nutrition Services
20 Years
Elaine DeJesus, Ambulatory Surgery Center
Andre DesRosiers, Security
Carol Director, Respiratory Care
Sergio Garcia, Laundry
Joanne Jurs, Business Development
Janina MacLeod, Assessment Center
Christine Marques, Surgical Services, North 11
Joyce Miller, Cardiology
Mariesol Quiceno, Surgical Services, C9I
Sharon Shea, Dialysis Service
Jannette Vega, Community Care Center
15 Years
Jonathan Lindsey, OR
Luz Maldonado, Environmental Services
William Roman, Cancer Center
Malgorzata Stamenkovic, Surgical Services, Short Stay
0 Years
Mindi Cieck, Department of Surgery
Maria Crespo, Medicine Services, CB5
James Gregware, IS
Amy Morales, Cardiology Services, Bliss 10 ICU
Josue Sanchez, IS Operations
Dana Shagan, Schizophrenia Rehabiliatation
Delia Torres, Patient Accounts Follow-up
Deborah Walker, Adult Primary Care, OPD
Virgen Zavala, Adult Primary Care, OPD
5 Years
Julie Alvarado, Surgical Services, Bliss 9 East
Carl Bogli, Orthopaedics
Luciana Brown, Assessment Center
Henry Christensen, Consolidated Pharmacy
William Cyr, Emergency Transport Center
Jason Echevarria, HHREC
Melaine Enfield-Tinkham, Pastoral Care, IOL
Amelia Grenier, Patient Accounts
Scott Kerry, EMT Program, Allied Health
Helena Kula, Environmental Services
Jorge Leon, Patient Support Services
Manuel Lopez, Orthopaedics, CB6
Fotini Merja, Food & Nutrition Services
Adriana Nallbani, Cashier, Patient Accounts
Anne-Marie Nugent, Medicine Services, Bliss 11 ICU
David O’Sullivan, Research Design and Support
David Pace, Dialysis Service
Cynthia Perez, Emergency Department
Terry Perry, Emergency Department
Michele Petrucelli, Emergency Medicine
Gerilyn Rivosa, Radiology, Short Stay
Ivette Santiago, Surgical Clinic, OPD
Ruth Serafino, OR
Germaine Smith, Donnelly 3 North
Janis Tierman,Orthopaedics, CB6
Sue Tuttle, Decision Support, Finance
Each floor in High Building has been assigned a “Sweep and Swap Week.” Bins and
shredders will be put on floors to discard clutter, old documents and files. Each area will
also be able to tag items, such as four-wheeled chairs, old metal desks, and outdated medical
equipment they no longer need. Environmental Services will pick up these items and bring
them to the back of the cafeteria where they will be made available to other departments.
Following are some upcoming dates and units participating in the “Clean Sweep and Swap.”
Floor Swap Day Floor Swap Day
5th Floor May 1 2nd Floor May 22
4th Floor May 8 1st Floor June 5
3rd Floor May 15 Ground/Basement June 5
Thursday of each week will be the “Swap Day” in the back of the cafeteria.
11

National
Doctors’
Day
National Doctors’ Day was
celebrated at Hartford Hospital
on March 28, with early-arriving
physicians being greeted at various
hospital entrances and each presented
with a red carnation.
Doctor’s Day, symbolized by the
red carnation, was first observed
on March 30, 1933, by the Barrow
County Auxiliary in Winder, Ga. The
idea of setting aside a day to honor
physicians was conceived by Eudora
Brown Almond, wife of Charles B.
Almond, MD, and the recognition
occurred on the anniversary of the first
administration of anesthesia by Dr.
Crawford W. Long in 1842. Following
overwhelming approval by the U.S.
Senate and House of Representatives,
on October 30, 1990, President George
Bush signed a resolution into law
designating March 30 as National
Doctor’s Day. This year, because that
date fell on a Sunday, Hartford Hospital
chose the previous Friday to thank its
doctors
Throughout the morning of March
28, carnations were also distributed to
Hartford Hospital physicians located
at several off-campus venues. During
the lunch period, a commemortive
cake was served to employees in the
cafeterias at Hartford Hospital and at
The Institute of Living.
Above, cake was served to Hartford Hosptial’s staff in honor of National Doctors’ Day.
President and CEO John Meehan (center) Human Resources Consultant WIlliam Bell
(at right) and Joanne Jurs, Business Development, helped serve the cakes.
Anne Hebebrand was born in
post-War Germany, coming to the
United States in 1978. She first
studied painting at the International
Academy of Art in Salzburg at
Oskar Kokoshka’s School of Seeing.
In this country, she attended the
Atlanta College of Art, receiving
her undergraduate degree from the
Boston Museum School in 1982. She
received a Masters of Art History
from the University of Birmingham
in 1991. She has lived in Connecticut
since 1993, exhibiting in several
Connecticut galleries, museums and
public spaces.
Hartford Hospital Gallery
presents the paintings of
ANNE HEBEBRAND
May 1, 2008 through July 1, 2008
Balance Act
RxTra
is published by Corporate
Communications, Joseph E.
Canning, Editor (phone 860-
545-2199, or send an e-mail to him at jcannin@
harthosp.org). The deadline for submitting
material for publication in the weekly Rxtra is 10
days before the publishing date. For the end-ofmonth,
multipaged edition, material (including
photos and graphics) must be submitted no later
than the 12th of the month in which the material
will appear. This publication is printed by
Hartford Hospital’s Digital Print Center.
Nonprofi t Organization
U.S. POSTAGE PAID
Hartford, CT
Permit No. 4361
16