Physician Named Hyundai Scholar
Storybook Gala Again a Record Breaker
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Protecting Patients and Families
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New Clinical Care Center Opens
A PUBLICATION OF CONNECTICUT CHILDREN’S MEDICAL CENTER
Vol. 5 Issue 1 Winter 2012
Teamwork is Key in 8-Year-Old’s Treatment
Khyre Morris, 8, of Simsbury was born with a bilateral cleft lip and palate and since birth has undergone five surgeries. After moving to Georgia for a year, Khyre and his family returned to Connecticut because they missed the care they recieved at Connecticut Children’s.
A team approach to caring makes a vital difference in the lives of patients and families of the Craniofacial Team at Connecticut Children’s Medical Center. One such patient is 8-year-old Khyre Morris of Simsbury who was born with a bilateral cleft lip and palate. Since birth, Khyre has undergone five surgical procedures. According to his mother Rhashita Brown, the cleft lip and palate was detected in an ultrasound that took place before he was born in July 2003. Despite the overwhelming news, Brown said her worries were immediately eased by the Craniofacial Team. “He’s had the same team from the beginning and they’ve always been there for us,” said Brown. “They’re wonderful people who in addition to the surgeries have taught Khyre how to eat and how to talk.” Brown said that she was told that her son was one of the most serious cases that the surgeons had ever
seen. Bilateral cleft lip and palate is a birth defect in which there is an opening on both sides of the lip and roof of the mouth. This is caused by incomplete development during early fetal formation. Starting at 4 months of age up to when he was 6-years-old, Khyre received most of his nutrition through a feeding tube. During this time, Brown, who works as a mortgage closer, was transferred to Georgia in 2007. While living there, Khyre had to undergo a procedure to reseal an opening in his palate. Following the procedure, Brown said that she missed the attention provided to Khyre by the Connecticut Children’s Craniofacial Team, and they returned to Connecticut in 2008. The Connecticut Children’s Craniofacial Team is led by Medical Directors Charles Castiglione, MD, and Paul Kanev, MD as well as Program Manager Virginia McGoeyRadshaw, MEd, CCC-SLP. The team continued on page 3
Connecticut Children’s Achieves Milestone in Surgery As the only medical center in the state dedicated exclusively to children, Connecticut Children’s recognizes better than anyone that surgery for a child is much different than any other. This was very clear on September 28, when Connecticut Children’s performed its 10,000th surgical procedure on a child within the past twelve months. When the Medical Center opened in 1996, it was originally designed to accommodate approximately 3,500 surgical cases per year. The growth that resulted in a total of 10,098 surgeries in 2011 did not happen by accident. “Several years ago we set the growth of our surgical enterprise as a as a strategic initiative,” said Ferd Ferrer, MD, Executive Vice President of Clinical Affairs, Surgeon-in-Chief. “This milestone is evidence of our success. This accomplishment is the result of incredibly hard work by the entire perioperative team and faculty.” There are many things that need to be in place for a children’s hospital to earn recognition as a leader in pediatric surgery. There is a need for a team of skilled and caring surgeons, accompanied by equally talented professionals in a variety of disciplines. A commitment to innovative research and advances made
Recently, Connecticut Children’s achieved a milestone for the Medical Center by performing 10,000 surgical procedure in the last year. The number of procedures performed each year at the Medical Center ranks among much bigger children’s hospitals and further reinforces Connecticut Children’s reputation as a leader in pediatric surgery.
possible through the latest in technology is required as well. Philanthropic and foundation support from many friends of Connecticut Children’s is also critical. While performing over 10,000 surgeries in a calendar year is more than impressive, growth in surgery remains a strategic goal moving forward. “We hope to continue to increase our numbers and the scope of procedures we perform,” said Dr. Ferrer. “This will require further recruitment and just as importantly, more operating rooms. We have maximized our current space and
are looking at other options for outpatient surgery.” Connecticut Children’s expects to open at least one surgical center outside of Hartford in the next year. In celebrating this milestone, Dr. Ferrer and many other members of the perioperative team have been quick to thank their colleagues at the Medical Center. According to Liz Crouch, Director of Perioperative Services, performing surgeries ranging from incision and drainage of wounds to more complex procedures such as spinal fusion and craniotomies takes the collective
efforts of our entire organization. “Performing surgery is like orchestra members performing a symphony. It takes many different members to make the magic of Beethoven’s 5th. Each person’s role in the process of getting a child and family from the door through a procedure safely and with great outcomes requires an entire team dedicated to their roles. Performing over 10,000 cases reflects the commitment of everyone at Connecticut Children’s to meet the surgical needs of children.”
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New Technology Helps Usher in a New Era of Health Care The nation is entering a new era of health care where patients, families, and doctors will use electronic health records to improve the way health care is delivered. With electronic health records, health care professionals will have: •M ore accurate and complete information about a patient’s health care history, enabling them to provide the best possible care and outcomes; • T he ability to better coordinate care with families and other providers, as health information can be shared electronically and in a secure and convenient way; • Information to help them better diagnose health problems, reduce medical errors, and provide safer care at lower costs.
www.connecticutchildrens.org Winter 2012
Matters A NOTE FROM OUR WEBSITE: Sept., 2011 To the Entire Team at the PICU, Upon spending two weeks in your care, we bore witness to only a handful of the many ups and downs of your daily lives. We saw children with challenges that will require lifelong support and we also saw a family lose one of their youngest. It certainly gave us perspective on the issues we were facing and truly brought to light the unique character of those of you that choose to make this your life’s purpose. It takes an incredibly strong individual to work the magic you do every day. As we can attest, life in the PICU is certainly not for the faint-hearted and as we look upon our daughter and reflect on those first 14 days of her life, the images of your faces always come to mind. The knowledge, experience and support that you provided enabled us to stand up and brace ourselves for whatever the day would bring. Knowing that we were suffering our own personal hell, you carried us through with strength and compassion and for that we are forever grateful. We turned out to be one of the lucky ones, as we get to see our daughter grow stronger every day. Yet for those not as lucky, thank God they have you. Yours truly, Dan, Michelle and Claire Reidy
CONNECTICUT CHILDREN’S IN THE NEWS Connecticut Children’s Employees Give Back
In early December, Connecticut Children’s announced that its customized electronic health record platform will be called the Connecticut Children’s Care Navigator. Connecticut Children’s will partner with Epic Systems Corp. of Verona, WI for its electronic health record (EHR) implementation. Epic is one of the nation’s leading providers of health care software solutions and already works with many of the nation’s leading children’s hospitals. How important is this initiative to Connecticut Children’s? The development and implementation of this customized EHR is the second largest capital investment in the Medical Center’s history, behind only the construction of the hospital itself. “Connecticut Children’s is fully committed to ensuring our EHR is both user-friendly and functional,” commented Cheryl Hoey, the Medical Center’s Chief Nursing Officer. “To achieve this, we assembled an interdisciplinary team of clinical staff, physicians, and members of our Family Advisory Boards to be involved in the entire decision making process – from selecting an EHR partner to designing how the system will work.” The mission for Connecticut Children’s EHR implementation is to accelerate the use of technology to improve health care, increase patient safety, and reduce health care costs. Over the next five years, the Medical Center will be implementing a suite of Epic products which will result in benefits for our patients and families, referring physicians, and staff including: •R eliable point-of-care information (appointment reminders, post-visit communications, etc.); •C onvenience of e-prescriptions electronically sent to the pharmacy; •W ebsite portals for patients and referring physicians to interact with Connecticut Children’s; • E ase of access to follow-up care with Connecticut Children’s specialists through electronic referral processes.
Through the generosity of others, Connecticut Children’s is better able to meet the healthcare needs of the children it cares for every day. Donations to the Medical Center help provide for new equipment, innovative technology, research studies and expanded clinical spaces. The relationship between Connecticut Children’s and the community has been a part of the mission of the Medical Center since its earliest days. In addition to some of the milestones you will read about elsewhere in this issue, Connecticut Children’s also established new records in giving back to the Medical Center and the community through its two 2011 employeegiving campaigns. Connecticut Children’s Employee Giving Campaign supports the special needs of patients and families at the Medical Center through three funds and returns 100% of every dollar donated. The United Way Community Campaign at Connecticut Children’s also returns 100% of every dollar donated, in this case back to the community. This year, Connecticut Children’s employees donated a combined total of $255,000, or just over a quarter of a million dollars, to these two campaigns in support of the communities and families we serve each day.
Gerry Boisvert, Connecticut Children’s Medical Center Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, has been with the Medical Center since 1997.
Gerry Boisvert Named Hartford Business Journal’s 2011 CFO of the Year In October, Gerry Boisvert, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at Connecticut Children’s was named one of Hartford Business Journal’s 2011 CFOs of the Year. Gerry was a winner in the non-profit category. At an event held in downtown Hartford to announce the winners, the role of today’s CFO was described as one that has never before been burdened with more responsibilities and expectations. Today’s CFOs are actively engaged in virtually every aspect of a modern
business. Throughout his career at Connecticut Children’s, Gerry has proven this to be true. He has dedicated himself to the Medical Center’s financial success, helping carry Connecticut Children’s through both good times and bad. He has also been instrumental in helping lead Connecticut Children’s strategic planning and securing the financial means that have allowed Connecticut Children’s to grow into the important community asset it is known as today. In addition to the event, Gerry was recognized in a special edition of the Hartford Business Journal that was published in October.
Connecticut Children’s Expanding to Fairfield On January 24, Connecticut Children’s reach will extend a little further across the State when the Division of Digestive Diseases begins seeing patients in Fairfield. The new office will be located at 95 Reef Road. Connecticut Children’s department of digestive diseases is recognized as a Premier Program at the Medical Center and as a national leader in providing and advancing care for children with inflammatory bowel disease. Connecticut Children’s is home to the Pediatric IBD Research Group whose innovative work and extensive research findings are helping children and families throughout Connecticut.
Connecticut Children’s is grateful for the dedication provided by many individuals, clubs and organizations who host events to support and promote the mission of Connecticut Children’s. If you are interested in learning more about events that support the Medical Center or hosting an event, please visit the new Connecticut Children’s Foundation Events website at www.connecticutchildrensevents.org
To comment on any articles appearing in this publication, please visit our website at www.connecticutchildrens.org. If you have a change of address or do not wish to receive future issues of Pediatric Matters, please call (860) 610-5700.
Credits
Editor: Robert Fraleigh Contributors: Chris Boyle, Doreen Tarascio Design: Dornenburg Group Photography: Mike McCarter; J. Fiereck Photography, LLC Printing: Finlay Printing
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Teamwork is Key in 8-Year-Old’s Treatment functions to coordinate and provide multi-disciplinary specialty care for children with congenital defects of the head and neck. According to Dr. Castiglione, cleft lip or palate is one of the most common birth defects in the country, affecting every one in every 750 births. The Connecticut Children’s Craniofacial Team treats about 600 children a year. “Whenever a parent finds out that their baby has a craniofacial anomaly, it’s devastating news,” said Dr. Castiglione. “As soon as we get the call about a child—whether its through an ultrasound or a birth—our team takes immediate action to go meet the parents for support and to start the planning.” Dr. Castiglione added that the Craniofacial Team includes a wide range of specialists including plastic surgeons, oralmaxillofacial surgeons, neurosurgeons, orthodontists, developmental pediatricians, dentists, otolaryngologists, speech-language pathologists, social workers and nurses. Team members collectively see craniofacial patients twice a month during clinic. Since Connecticut Children’s opened in 1996, some of the team members—including Richard Bevilacqua, DMD, MD; EleneLee Ritoli, DMD and Ira Greene, DDS— actually donate their time for the clinic. “Everyone on the team pitches in because these children are very
special to us,” said Kerri Langevin, MSN, APRN, PNP-BC, who serves as the pediatric nurse practitioner for the Craniofacial Team. “I think all of us get as much from the patients as they get from the team.” It’s that dedication that prompted Brown to move back to Connecticut and continue Khyre’s care at Connecticut Children’s. “They are so accessible and make you feel that your child is the only child in the world,” Brown said. “I can call them anytime and they help ease the frustrations that we sometimes encounter. Khyre also is seen in cardiology, gastroenterology and neurology and the team has helped us with those appointments.” Because Khyre’s lips don’t meet, his soft spoken speech isn’t always that clear. “Because of that, I’m his mouthpiece,” Brown said. “But other than that, he is pretty much a normal 8-year-old.” Today Khyre is a third-grader at Metcomet School in Bloomfield who takes karate lessons and loves playing video games on his X-Box. “My favorite game is ‘Cars 2,’” he said with a wide grin. For parents whose newborn has a craniofacial anomaly, Brown suggests that they stay positive and that with the support of the Craniofacial Team, they can be
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According to Khyre Morris’ mom Rhashita Brown, the team approach and accessibility of the Craniofacial Team at Connecticut Children’s has been a vital component in Khyre’s ongoing care.
optimistic that everything will work out. She also stressed that parents advocate for their child especially with school. Langevin said that the multidisciplinary approach the Craniofacial Team takes is seamless, especially with the clinics which eliminate the need for parents to bring their child to multiple appointments. This model is rare and is not available at
other craniofacial programs in the region. Langevin knows Khyre and his mother well, and said that he has made tremendous progress over the years. “Khyre was always a happy child, and he has done so well with his self-esteem. I think that has to do with his mother,” Langevin said.
New Clinical Care Center Provides a Brighter Hope for the Future of Childhood Oncology and Hematology Care In addition to the traditional Halloween festivities at the Connecticut Children’s, October 31st was memorable for a much more significant reason; the new Clinical Care Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders at Connecticut Children’s officially opened and welcomed its first patients. The opening of the new Center was the culmination of a multi-year, $5 million dollar fundraising and remodeling project at the Medical Center. Using redesigned space on the Medical Center’s fifth floor, the new space provides expanded treatment areas for the Hematology/ Oncology department, formerly located on the Medical Center’s second floor and also combines the outpatient infusion center, formerly
Sarah Matney, RN, Nurse Manager for the new Clinical Care Center, spends a moment with Ike Asidianya, age 8, from Hartford at the opening of the new Clinical Care Center.
located on the eight floor into one larger, modern unit. “Bringing all of our services together on this new unit provides an overall better experience for our patients and families,” said Sarah Matney, RN, Nurse Manager for the unit. Matney was also intensely involved with all aspects of the design and space flow for the unit. “We simply had outgrown our space on the second floor. Our new unit was built with the input of patients and families, making the space much more comfortable and able to meet all of our needs.” In Connecticut, approximately 150 children are diagnosed with cancer every year. The growth in the number of patients receiving care at Connecticut Children’s made the new Center a necessity, but it also provided the opportunity for something more. “When we set out to design this new environment, we envisioned a state-of-the-art facility that would support Connecticut Children’s as a leader in the evolution of a new health care system for the 21st century,” said J. Nathan Hagstrom, MD, Division Head of Hematology/ Oncology at the Medical Center. “We wanted to create a setting that was about people and partnerships, technology and discovery and family-centered care and comfort and we are extremely pleased that the new Center has achieved these objectives.”
Staff from the Division of Hematology/Oncology pause for a photo on the opening day of Connecticut Children’s Clinical Care Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders. The new Center doubles the size of the division’s previous space and unites clinical care services research initiatives and family support programs in the same location.
One of the unique design elements of the new unit is faux skylights in some treatment rooms that look like outdoors and provide a relaxing environment. Other elements include use of reflective art glass, LED light technology and a bright color scheme on the walls and floors throughout the unit. Connecticut Children’s wants to again thank Glen Greenberg, Chair of the A Brighter Hope Campaign and everyone else who championed and contributed to the A Brighter Hope Campaign; without their support and generosity, the New Clinical Care Center would not have been possible.
The new Clinical Care Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders welcomed its first patient, Ian Fagan, age 3, from Hebron, on Monday, October 31. Pictured is Ian with his mom, Cindy Links-Fagan, awaiting their appointment in the new Center.
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www.connecticutchildrens.org Winter 2012
Matters
Dr. Nehal Parikh Named a Hyundai Hope on Wheels Scholar Hartford Area Hyundai Dealers and Hyundai Motor America recently named Nehal S. Parikh, MD, a Hyundai Hope on Wheels Scholar. With this honor comes a $50,000 grant in support of childhood cancer research. Marty Gavin, President and CEO of Connecticut Children’s, said of the grant, “We are honored to once again receive support from Hyundai. With this grant, Hyundai Hope on Wheels has now awarded Connecticut Children’s $120,000 since 2006 to help our physicians and researchers get closer to a cure for childhood cancers. We are proud and thankful to be a recipient of Hyundai’s generosity.” “I’m using this grant to provide novel early stage therapies for children in our region with Neuroblastoma who are not responding to the current standard treatments.” Dr. Parikh continued, “Investment in research has helped us improve outcomes for many pediatric cancers. However, children with high grade Neuroblastoma overwhelmingly succumb to the disease. I firmly believe that with the help of visionary leadership from companies like Hyundai, we can do better.” Neuroblastoma is the most common (extracranial) solid tumor in children. Survival rates are below 50% with initial therapies, falling to below 10% when the disease either recurs or does not respond to upfront therapies. Medulloblastoma, a common form
of pediatric brain tumor with 20%40% survival rates, will also be a focus of new research. Dr. Parikh said, “I believe these poor outcomes are a result of both a lack of innovative treatment strategies and too few early stage drug development trials.” Under the direction of Dr. Parikh, Connecticut Children’s is helping to address these issues by participating in the Neuroblastoma and Medulloblastoma Translational Research Consortium, a partnership of eleven pediatric medical centers. The goal of the consortium is to develop novel treatment strategies as well as build on existing treatment platforms to advance care for children with recurrent diseases. Dr. Parikh adds, “Through this new partnership Connecticut Children’s initiated its first trials for Phase I/II agents for solid tumor malignancies.” In addition, Dr. Parikh is seeking to begin a pre-clinical drug development collaboration with Dr. Gil Mor, Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Director of the Reproductive Sciences Laboratory at Yale University School of Medicine. “Dr. Mor’s success in isolating ovarian cancer stem cells has had a significant impact on our ability to identify treatment-resistant cancer cells. Ongoing research is now being conducted to screen for new therapeutic approaches to target these resistant cells. Of the more than 200 new compounds that have been evaluated so far, 20
Dr. Nehal Parikh, MD, accepts a $50,000 grant from the Hartford Area Hyundai Dealers and Hyundai Motor America to further his research on new treatments for children afflicted with neuroblastoma. Presenting the grant to Dr. Parikh are (l-r) Peter DiPersia, Eastern Region General Manager and Dave O’Brien, Eastern Region Marketing Manager, Hyundai Motor America.
compounds have potential clinical implications and are being actively tested.” As a critical component of these research initiatives, Dr. Parikh is developing a tumor tissue bank. Expected to be operational in Juneof 2012, the tissue bank will provide samples for investigators at Connecticut Children’s, the University of Connecticut Health Center and Yale University School of Medicine. Dr. Parikh concludes, “Most advances in treatment of
pediatric cancers arise from the identification of specific, targeted pathways developed through an understanding of the biological features of the tumor. We are optimistic that through greater understanding of resistant cells as well as a focus on novel treatments for Neuroblastoma, we can improve outcomes for children with these deadly diseases.”
Connecticut Children’s Medical Center Friends Storybook Gala is a Record Breaker Thanks to the generosity of hundreds of donors, the Connecticut Children’s Medical Center Friends’ 19th annual Storybook Gala once again set new records for attendance, contributions and support. Donna Hires of West Hartford and Gretchen Lunsford of Ellington co-chaired this year’s event which drew 700 attendees and raised over $800,000 “Each year, Connecticut Children’s continues to care for more and more children and families and we are very pleased that the number of people who support this special event continues to grow as well,” said Donna Hires, Gala Co-chair. Proceeds from the event will provide funds for new equipment, technology and patient, family and staff-related programs at the Medical Center. “The generosity demonstrated by those who attended the Gala is greatly appreciated and presents many opportunities for the Friends to make an incredible difference at Connecticut Children’s,” said Gretchen Lunsford, Gala Co-chair. Gifts to the event’s spotlight program, Bid4Kidz, will benefit Connecticut Children’s heart
program with a focus on investing in their Research and Technology Fund. In 2010, the Cardiology Division saw almost 7,500 patients and performed close to 50 heart surgeries. Renowned children’s author and illustrator, Katie Davis, was the featured guest at the event that took place Nov. 12 at the Connecticut Convention Center. Davis is best known for her books “Kindergarten Rocks” “Who Hops” and “I Hate To Go To Bed”. WFSB-Channel 3 news anchors Kara Sundlun and Dennis House served as emcees and Jeff Bodeau served as auctioneer for the event which included a cocktail reception, dinner, dancing and a live and silent auctions. Plans are already underway for the Twentieth Annual Storybook Gala which will take place October 27, 2012, at the Connecticut Convention Center. The Belfonti family of Southington shared their patient experience at Connecticut Children’s during Bid4Kidz. Pictured (l-r) Trish Belfonti, Olivia Belfonti, Dr. Felice Heller, Arnie Belfonti, Maddie Belfonti and Miss Connecticut, Morgan Amarone.
Gala Co-Chairs, Gretchen Lunsford and Donna Hires, enjoy a moment with featured author Katie Davis and her husband, Jerry. Pictured (l-r) Gretchen Lunsford, Katie Davis, Jerry Davis, Donna Hires.
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Susan MacArthur, Connecticut Children’s Director of Infection Prevention, poses for a photo with Medical Center staff who participated in this year’s flu prevention campaign. Connecticut Children’s vaccinated nearly 2,900 employees, community physicians, contractors and volunteers over a three-week period in its effort to protect patients and families at the Medical Center.
Connecticut Children’s Flu Vaccine Program Achieves 99.975% Compliance
Medical Center Recognized as a Leader in Patient Safety Connecticut Children’s Medical Center’s “Take Your Best Shot” flu vaccination campaign was an overwhelming success with nearly 2,900 employees, community physicians, contractors and volunteers receiving a flu vaccine during a three-week period in October. Of approximately Connecticut Children’s 2,100 employees, only five failed to receive a flu vaccination before the hospital-imposed deadline and are no longer employed at the Medical Center. A new policy implemented this year required that all Connecticut Children’s employees get a flu shot as a condition of employment. Employees who felt they could not get the shot because of medical or religious reasons were required to present written proof which was subject to an independent approval process. These employees with valid reasons for not getting vaccinated will wear masks when interacting with patients and families. This policy follows the American
Academy of Pediatrics 2010 recommendation for mandatory vaccination, which stated that “influenza coverage among health care providers remains unacceptably low.” “Everyone who works here should be proud of how we have protected the lives of those entrusted to our care,” said Connecticut Children’s Director of Infection Prevention Susan MacArthur, RN, CIC, CPHQ, MPH. “It is remarkable and very impressive how together, we moved our entire organization in the same direction to achieve this.” MacArthur has been practicing nursing since 1984. In those years, she has been a part of many changes that have occurred in the management and prevention of the spread of infections. When Connecticut Children’s announced at the beginning of 2011 that flu vaccinations would be mandatory for all employees, MacArthur was not overly concerned. “We care for children and prior to making the flu vaccination mandatory we already had a voluntary compliance rate of 85%.” But MacArthur also knew that even at 85%, Connecticut Children’s was still placing its youngest patients at risk for acquiring the flu while in the Medical Center. The practice of vaccinating every employee at an organization is known as a cocoon strategy. The “cocoon” is created by vaccinating healthcare workers who will be in close contact with patients so that the patient is surrounded by people who cannot spread the infection. The cocoon strategy has been recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC) in the United States and is in practice around the world. The bottom line is that it works. To help kick off the “Take Your Best Shot” campaign, approximately 1,272 Connecticut Children’s employees received a flu vaccination as part of a 24hour mass immunization drill that started at midnight on Sunday, Oct. 16. The findings from the drill showed that Connecticut Children’s has the potential capacity to provide every employee, volunteer, physician and student a vaccine in a single day. The results from the drill will also assist the Medical Center in improving its emergency operations plan in the event of a real pandemic influenza or a bioterrorism event. “Medical experts agree that immunization rates are a reflection of an organization’s commitment
to high-quality care and patient safety,” said Connecticut Children’s President and CEO Martin J. Gavin. “Connecticut Children’s, as the state’s only academic medical center dedicated exclusively to children, must and has now proven to be a leader in this regard.” MacArthur added that Connecticut Children’s has already been contacted by infection prevention directors from across the country seeking advice on how to implement a similar program at their own hospitals. In November, the Connecticut Hospital Association Board of Trustees approved a recommendation by its Committee on Patient Quality to adopt a statewide policy endorsing mandatory flu vaccinations of hospital staffs moving forward.
Sarah Matney, RN, preps Director of Medical Photography Michael McCarter for a flu vaccination on the first day of Connecticut Children’s Take Your Best Shot flu prevention campaign.
282 Washington St. Hartford, CT 06106
Happenings at Connecticut Children’s
Each year, friends, families and staff of Connecticut Children’s join together to support the Medical Center by running in the annual ING Hartford Marathon. This year, “Team Connecticut Children’s” was the largest official charity team to participate in the race with 76 runners. Above, several team members gather together after completing the race.
“Supercow,” the mascot of Guida’s Milk, recently visited with patients and families at Connecticut Children’s Medical Center including 12-year-old Daisy Campos of Vernon and her mother Deena. Guida’s has donated advertising space on its milk cartons to Connecticut Children’s and employees there have raised money for the Medical Center as well.
Reverse Trick or Treating is a popular Halloween tradition at Connecticut Children’s. Natalie Cosman, 7, of Manchester, (left) and her sister Samantha, received a visit from Cheryl Hoey, RN, Connecticut Children’s Vice President, dressed as Snow White. Accompanying Cheryl are members of Connecticut Children’s Executive Management Team dressed as the Seven Dwarf characters.
Gymnasts at Patti Dunne’s Gymnastics in Hebron spent part of their fall doing handstands to benefit Connecticut Children’s. In addition to developing their gymnastic skills, students from both the boys and girls programs collectively raised $4,063.47 for their efforts. Above, a group of gymnasts and Patti Dunne staff members joined Wendy Marinan, owner, and Bob Fraleigh, Connecticut Children’s Director of Corporate Communications, for a check presentation.
The Connecticut State Police, Troop H, Hartford, and Ambulance Service of Manchester/Aetna Ambulance collected approximately 60,000 toys as part of the 15th annual Stuff A Cruiser toy drive that took place at the Toys R Us stores in Manchester, Newington and West Hartford. A portion of the toys were delivered on Dec. 20 to patients and families throughout the Medical Center including 6-year-old Andrew Stanizzi of Enfield who is shown with (from left): Trooper Chris Packer, Lt. Col. Robert Corona and Lt. Dave Rosado.
The LEGO Children’s Fund presented Connecticut Children’s with a donation of $10,000 at the 3rd Annual LEGO KidsFest Hartford. Connecticut Children’s was the charity selected for the “Garden of Giving” display at the event. Shown at the check presentation are (l-r); Alison Auciello, Director of Development Relations, Connecticut Children’s Medical Center Foundation, Andrew Mips of Ellington, a Connecticut Children’s/Legofest VIK (Very Important Kid) and Master LEGO Builder, Chris Steininger.
