Community

Goal: 80% Screened for Colorectal Cancer by 2018

Posted on April 1, 2015October 6, 2016 by Carolyn Pennington

Signing the 80% by 2018 pledge from left, Daniel Rosenberg, Dr. Thomas Devers, Anne Diamond, Dr. Pramod Srivastava, and Dr. Joel Levine.

Colorectal cancer is a major public health problem. It is the second leading cause of cancer death, and a cause of considerable suffering among more than 140,000 adults diagnosed with colorectal cancer each year. However, colorectal cancer can be detected early at a curable stage, and it can be prevented through the detection and removal of precancerous polyps.

UConn Health stands united in the belief that we can eliminate colorectal cancer as a major public health problem. We have screening technologies that work, the national capacity to apply these technologies, and effective local models for delivering the continuum of care in a more organized fashion. Equal access to care is everyone’s responsibility. We share a commitment to eliminating disparities in access to care. As such, UConn Health will work to empower communities, patients, providers, community health centers and health systems to embrace these models and develop the partnerships needed to deliver coordinated, quality colorectal cancer screening and follow up care that engages the patient and empowers them to complete needed care from screening through treatment and long-term follow-up.

UConn Health is embracing the shared goal of reaching 80% screened for colorectal cancer by 2018.

Genice Nelson Honored for Impact in Sickle Cell Disease Community

Posted on March 25, 2015 by Carolyn Pennington

In conjunction with FENDI, and in recognition of Women’s History Month, the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America, Inc. (SCDAA) has honored UConn Health’s Genice Nelson, APRN, as one of several women nationally who have made a significant impact in the Sickle Cell Disease community. Genice and the other women have gone above and beyond the call of duty in hopes of making a difference in the sickle cell patient community, and their efforts have not gone unnoticed. To show their appreciation, SCDAA has named the honorees the 2015 Iconic Women. The women will each receive a commemorative award from the SCDAA, as well as national recognition throughout the month of March.

Please visit SCDAA’s official Iconic Women website and make a contribution to SCDAA in honor of Genice’s work in Sickle Cell Disease by clicking on “Connecticut” and following the link by her picture. Be sure to include Genice’s name in the message box on the donation page so our local Connecticut SCDAA chapter can receive a portion of the donation.

Coll Elected to American Geriatrics Society Board

Posted on March 20, 2015 by Carolyn Pennington

Congratulations to Dr. Patrick Coll, professor in the UConn Center on Aging and Department of Family Medicine, who has just been elected as a member of the Board of Directors of the American Geriatrics Society (AGS).

The AGS is a not-for-profit organization of over 6,000 health professionals devoted to improving the health, independence and quality of life of all older people. The Society provides leadership to health care professionals, policy makers and the public by implementing and advocating for programs in patient care, research, professional and public education, and public policy.

“This is a great honor for Dr. Coll. Being a member of the Board of Directors is a highly competitive position with important leadership responsibilities,” says Dr. George Kuchel, director of the UConn Center on Aging. “Those responsibilities increasingly involve an ongoing dialogue with Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the Health Resources and Services Administration, and the National Institute on Aging, and other federal agencies involved in funding clinical, educational, and research efforts addressing the needs of our aging society.”

UConn Health April Programs, Events

Posted on March 20, 2015April 30, 2018 by Chris DeFrancesco

Here is a list of UConn Health programs scheduled for April and early May 2015. This information will be updated with any additions or other schedule changes. (Updated 4/10)

Nutrition for a Healthy Heart
Wednesday, April 1, 2 to 4 p.m., UConn Health, Outpatient Pavilion
The UConn Health’s Healthy Nutrition program invites you on a journey to a lower blood pressure, reduced cholesterol and healthier weight. This workshop is offered on the first Wednesday of the month. Registration fee is $30. Call 800-535-6232 to register or for more information.

Free IVF Information Session
Thursday, April 2, 6 to 8:30 p.m., Cell and Genome Sciences Building, 400 Farmington Ave.
Specialists with the Center for Advanced Reproductive Services lead an informational session about current treatments for infertility, specifically in vitro fertilization (IVF). Each program includes an in-depth explanation of the IVF process, discussion of some of the emotional issues surrounding IVF, and discussion of options for financial planning. Registration is required: 860-679-4580 or www.uconnfertility.com.

Bladder Cancer Support Group
Saturday, April 4, 2 to 3 p.m., UConn Health, Onyiuke Dining Room
Patients, family members and caregivers (not limited to UConn Health patients) are invited to join others whose lives have been touched by bladder cancer. This support group, established in partnership with the Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network, usually meets on the first Saturday of the month and is the only group of its kind in New England. Call 860-679-4410 or email hackett@uchc.edu for more information.

Free Hospital Maternity Tours
Saturday, April 11, 2:30 to 3:30 p.m., UConn Health, Main Lobby
A representative will guide you through labor and delivery, postpartum, and the nursery at John Dempsey Hospital. Children and grandparents are welcome. Call 800-535-6232 to register or for more information.

Free Program: “Managing Diabetes with Lifestyle Changes”
Wednesday, April 15, 7 p.m., UConn Health, Low Learning Center
Physician assistant Bradley Biskup from the Lifestyle Medicine Program describes a low-glycemic diet for diabetes, explains how exercise affects blood sugar, and discusses the connection between stress and diabetes. Call 800-535-6232 or 860-679-7692 to register or for more information.

Free IVF Information Session
Thursday, April 16, 6 to 8:30 p.m., Cell and Genome Sciences Building, 400 Farmington Ave.
Specialists with the Center for Advanced Reproductive Services lead an informational session about current treatments for infertility, specifically in vitro fertilization (IVF). Each program includes an in-depth explanation of the IVF process, discussion of some of the emotional issues surrounding IVF, and discussion of options for financial planning. Registration is required: 860-679-4580 or www.uconnfertility.com.

Infertility Peer Support Group
Thursday, April 16, 7 p.m., Center for Advanced Reproductive Services, 2 Batterson Park Road, Farmington
The Greater Hartford chapter of RESOLVE, a national nonprofit resource for those facing the challenges of infertility, offers support, information and confidential, informal, peer-led discussions on the third Thursday of the month. To learn more or to check for weather-related cancellation, call 860-523-8337.

Celiac Disease Nutrition Class
Monday, April 20, 8 to 9 a.m., UConn Health, Outpatient Pavilion
A registered dietitian leads a discussion for those with celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity. This program now is scheduled to meet the third Monday of the month. Fee is $20. Call 800-535-6232 or 860-679-7692 to register or for more information.

Free Cosmetology Services for Cancer Survivors
Monday, April 20, 1 to 3 p.m., UConn Health, Neag Comprehensive Cancer Center
“Look Good…Feel Better” is a free program to help improve the self-image and self-esteem of women experiencing appearance-related side effects from cancer treatment. During this hands-on workshop, a trained volunteer certified cosmetologist will offer self-help instruction and education on hairstyling and coping with hair loss, skin care, makeup and nail care. Wigs, turbans and scarves will also be discussed. Classes are offered monthly, generally on the third Tuesday, and are not limited to UConn Health patients. Registration is required: call 800-227-2345 with your name, program date, phone number, and skin color. Kits are available in Light, Medium, Dark and Extra Dark.

Free Discovery Series: “Relief for Chronic Sinusitis and Allergies”
Thursday, April 23, 7 to 9 p.m., UConn Health, Keller Auditorium
Dr. Todd Falcone, ear, nose and throat specialist, discusses allergy triggers, sinusitis symptoms, causes and risk factors, and new medical treatments and procedures. Register online, for free, at http://discoveryseries.uchc.edu or call 800-535-6232.

Free Fertility Assessment Event
Saturday, April 25, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Center for Advanced Reproductive Services, 2 Batterson Park Road, Farmington
Women 30 to 42 years old are invited to learn more about infertility and what their options might be. The program in recognition of National Infertility Awareness Week includes a questionnaire and blood draw for testing at no charge. For more information or to register (required), visit http://www.uconnfertility.com/news-and-events/cpars-events/ or call 860-679-4580.

Free Workshop: “Things to Consider Before Joining a Research Study”
Monday, April 27, 5 p.m., UConn Health, Onyuike Dining Room
The UConn Health Human Subjects Protection Office offers an educational session about the rights and responsibilities of participants in research projects on the last Monday of the month. Registration is required: 860-679-8802 or cagganello@uchc.edu.

Free IVF Information Session
Thursday, April 30, 6 to 8:30 p.m Cell and Genome Sciences Building, 400 Farmington Ave.
Specialists with the Center for Advanced Reproductive Services lead an informational session about current treatments for infertility, specifically in vitro fertilization (IVF). Each program includes an in-depth explanation of the IVF process, discussion of some of the emotional issues surrounding IVF, and discussion of options for financial planning. Registration is required: 860-679-4580 or www.uconnfertility.com.

New 6-week “Ready to Lose” Weight Management Program Starts
Tuesday, May 1. 5 to 6 p.m., UConn Health, Outpatient Pavilion
The introductory session is followed by five weekly sessions through Tuesday, June 4, that include a weigh-in, discussion of progress, and a timely nutrition topic such as eating out strategies, cooking light and right, emotional eating, exercise and activity, smart shopping, and summer holiday eating. Registration fee is $70, $50 for past participants. Call 800-535-6232 for more information.

(added 4/9)
Walk for Bladder Cancer
Saturday, May 2, 1 p.m., Farmington River Trail, Route 4, Farmington
The UConn Health Bladder Cancer Support Group holds its annual walk to raise awareness and support for the Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network’s research, education and patient support. Learn more at http://support.bcan.org/Farmington or call Laurie at 860-986-3170.

(removed 4/10)
Bladder Cancer Support Group
Saturday, May 2, 2 to 3 p.m., UConn Health, Onyiuke Dining Room
Patients, family members and caregivers (not limited to UConn Health patients) are invited to join others whose lives have been touched by bladder cancer. This support group, established in partnership with the Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network, usually meets on the first Saturday of the month and is the only group of its kind in New England. Call 860-679-4410 or email hackett@uchc.edu for more information.

Free Hospital Maternity Tours
Saturday, May 2, 2:30 to 3:30 p.m., UConn Health, Main Lobby
A representative will guide you through labor and delivery, postpartum, and the nursery at John Dempsey Hospital. Children and grandparents are welcome. Call 800-535-6232 to register or for more information.

Nutrition for a Healthy Heart
Wednesday, May 6, 2 to 4 p.m., UConn Health, Outpatient Pavilion
The UConn Health’s Healthy Nutrition program invites you on a journey to a lower blood pressure, reduced cholesterol and healthier weight. This workshop is offered on the first Wednesday of the month. Registration fee is $30. Call 800-535-6232 to register or for more information.

UConn Health Auxiliary Hanging Plant Sale
Thursday, May 7, UConn Health, locations and times vary
The UConn Health Auxiliary is holding a hanging plant sale at three locations: 16 Munson Road starting at 8 a.m. and outside the Connucopia Gift Shop in the main building starting at 9 a.m.. For more information please call 860-679-2963. More information about the Auxiliary is available at http://auxiliary.uchc.edu.

Free IVF Information Session
Thursday, May 7, 6 to 8:30 p.m Cell and Genome Sciences Building, 400 Farmington Ave.
Specialists with the Center for Advanced Reproductive Services lead an informational session about current treatments for infertility, specifically in vitro fertilization (IVF). Each program includes an in-depth explanation of the IVF process, discussion of some of the emotional issues surrounding IVF, and discussion of options for financial planning. Registration is required: 860-679-4580 or www.uconnfertility.com.

Directions to UConn Health are available at www.uchc.edu/directions/index.html.

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Wellness Conference for Health Professionals

Posted on March 13, 2015March 13, 2015 by Carolyn Pennington

It’s an open secret that while health care professionals often work long hours to go the extra mile for their patients, they routinely neglect their own health and personal lives.

“We often treat our patients better than our own family members,” an instructor once told Heather Dimock, a second-year physician assistant student at Quinnipiac University. “And that’s true,” she said.

Dimock was one of the 130 health professions trainees and pre-health professions student registrants from throughout the state who spent a recent Saturday at the Second Annual Health Professions Student Wellness Conference. There, Connecticut’s health professionals in training – future doctors, nurses, dentists, social workers, pharmacists, occupational therapists and physician assistants – learned ways to take care of their own well-being as students and eventual practitioners through interactive sessions on stress relief, work-life balance, nutrition, general wellness, and alternative or integrative medicine.

The event was developed and staffed by health professions students in the Urban Service Track (UST), which is sponsored by the Connecticut Area Health Education Center (CT AHEC), along with its educational partners at the University of Connecticut and Quinnipiac University. It was held last month at Quinnipiac’s North Haven campus, and open to students from all academic institutions in the state.

The conference is one of the many innovative ways UST and AHEC fulfill their missions to support those working to become health professionals in the state.

“People will present with symptoms that are hard to fathom. Modalities like this can actually be very helpful in figuring out how to serve patients’ needs,” UConn’s Associate Dean of Medical School Affairs, David Henderson, told students at the first acupuncture session. Henderson, a family medicine physician, integrated acupuncture into his own practice more than a decade ago after he had a patient complain of pain which was spreading in a way that couldn’t be explained by Western medical textbooks.

“We (in Western medicine) tend to view the body as a bag of chemicals – traditional Chinese medicine is more energetic in its perspective…clearly we are both,” Henderson said. “So the whole idea of integrative medicine does make sense, particularly a lot of functional problems that don’t lend themselves to the therapies that we have that are mostly pharmacologic and based on biochemistry.”

Teaching future health professionals about integrative medicine provides not only an option for stress relief and wellness for their own use, but also helps them relate better to patients, according to Caitlin Bette-Waner, a third-year UConn medical student and UST member, who developed the first conference in 2014.

“There are a lot of patients that use these modalities and it’s important for us as providers to be knowledgeable about them – even if we don’t offer those disciplines or practice them, we need to be knowledgeable about them because our patients are going to be using them,” Bette-Waner said.

UConn School of Social Work student Christopher Pressley said he was interested to find out at the acupuncture session that, “There’s a specific ear acupuncture for detox – that could be important for a complimentary or integrative treatment,” in his own treatment of clients.

Another popular session explored healthy eating on a budget and busy schedule. Nutritionist Alison Birks gave students healthy eating tips, like how to maximize their vitamin intake from certain foods. Chef Carol Byer Alcorace showed students how to make three easy gluten free and vegan recipes – a three kale salad, quinoa with butternut squash or sweet potato – and spring rolls that she then had students prepare themselves in the classroom.

Matthew Cooper, director of Quinnipiac’s North Haven Learning Commons, urged students in his keynote speech to try and “unplug” more, saying that social media, smartphones, and instant entertainment services can provide unhealthy distractions from study, work and sleep.

Although technology available to college students has changed drastically over the last few decades, he said, “We’re still processing like we did in the middle ages. The learning will always come back to ‘how do we get this information inside our brains.'”

A work-life balance panel discussion with current students and recent health professions alumni also provided recommendations for conference-goers. The six panelists and moderator implored students to take time for themselves – particularly to take time for workouts. Those workouts can be unorthodox, too – graduating Yale medical student Roger Kim said he performs squats while stuck in his room day and night studying for exams, and UConn Masters of Social Work / Masters of Public Health student Karonesa Logan suggested students use a Fitbit or other personal tracking device to log their daily movements.

“It is like a game. (You think) ‘I did nine flights of stairs today, I need to do one more,’ Logan said.

Students planning to go into health professions programs also received advice on coping mechanisms for the application process from UConn nurse practitioner alum Kara O’Brien Anastasiou, doctoral nursing candidate Christopher Yi, and social work student Patricia Bowen.

Last year the conference included about 50 students from UConn and Quinnipiac. This year’s event had almost three times the number of student registrations from 69 different towns and seven different educational institutions. Registration fees were waived because of sponsorships provided by educational and community partners working with UST.

Reflecting on the success of the day, Lisa-Marie Griffiths, a UConn nursing faculty member and assistant clinical professor who works with UST shared, “It’s amazing when you delegate to a group of students what they can do”.

Stormy Chamberlain Selected as Woman of Innovation® Honoree

Posted on March 9, 2015March 19, 2015 by Carolyn Pennington

UConn Health is proud to announce Stormy Chamberlain, Ph.D., as this year’s newest Woman of Innovation® inductee honored by the Connecticut Technology Council. A total of 56 women were selected as Women of Innovation® for the 2015 Women of Innovation® awards dinner. The program recognizes women across Connecticut – those in the workforce and students – who are innovators, role models and leaders in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and math.

Chamberlain was selected as an honoree in the Research Innovation and Leadership category. She and the other inductees will be celebrated at the Women of Innovation® awards ceremony held at the Aqua Turf Club in Southington on April 1.

Chamberlain is an assistant professor in the Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences and the associate director of the Graduate Program in Genetics and Developmental Biology. Her laboratory is pursuing the use of stem cells to model and study human imprinting disorders associated with inherited conditions such as Angelman syndrome.

She also mentors aspiring researchers and is on the steering committee of UConn Health’s chapter of the AAMC’s Group on Women in Medicine and Science.

“Each year the Women of Innovation awards ceremony honors outstanding women who have made contributions in their professions, studies, and in many cases, their communities,” said Beth Alquist, planning committee chair for the Women of Innovation awards program. “The 2015 Women of Innovation awards dinner is an inspirational time to celebrate these women and their accomplishments.”

This year’s list of 56 women includes researchers, educators, engineers, managers, and entrepreneurs who work in biotech, pharmaceuticals, software, computer hardware, advanced materials, medical devices, and Information technology.

A winner in each of eight award categories will be announced during the awards dinner. The complete list of 2015 Women of Innovation® is posted on the CTC website. You may register for the event by going to the CTC website.

UConn Health Awarded Advanced Certification for Primary Stroke Centers

Posted on March 3, 2015 by Carolyn Pennington

UConn Health has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval^®and the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s Heart-Check mark for Advanced Certification for Primary Stroke Centers. The Gold Seal of Approval^®and the Heart-Check mark represent symbols of quality from their respective organizations.

UConn Health underwent a rigorous onsite review in December. The Joint Commission experts evaluated compliance with stroke-related standards and requirements, including program management, delivery of clinical care, and performance improvement.

“UConn Health has thoroughly demonstrated the greatest level of commitment to the care of stroke patients through its Advanced Certification for Primary Stroke Centers,” said Michele Sacco, interim executive director, Certification Programs. “We commend UConn Health for becoming a leader in stroke care, potentially providing a higher standard of service for stroke patients in its community.”

“We congratulate UConn Health for achieving this designation,” said Nancy Brown, chief executive officer, the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association. “By adhering to this very specific set of treatment guidelines, UConn has clearly made it a priority to deliver high quality care to all patients affected by stroke.”

“We’re pleased to receive advanced certification from The Joint Commission and the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association,” said Dr. Sanjay Mittal, director of the Stroke Program at UConn Health. “The certification provides us with the opportunity to highlight the exceptional stroke care we provide as well as to continually strive to advance our care even further.”

Established in 2003, Advanced Certification for Primary Stroke Centers is awarded for a two-year period to Joint Commission-accredited acute care hospitals. The certification was derived from the Brain Attack Coalition’s “Recommendations for the Establishment of Primary Stroke Centers” (JAMA, 2000) and the “Revised and Updated Recommendations for the Establishment of Primary Stroke Centers” (Stroke, 2011).

Stroke is the number four cause of death and a leading cause of adult disability in the United States, according to the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association. On average, someone suffers a stroke every 40 seconds; someone dies of a stroke every four minutes; and 795,000 people suffer a new or recurrent stroke each year.

Trestman Named Interim Director of CPHHP

Posted on February 23, 2015 by Carolyn Pennington

Robert Trestman, M.D., Ph.D., executive director of Correctional Managed Health Care, has agreed to also serve as interim director of the cross-campus Center for Public Health and Health Policy (CPHHP). He succeeds Ann Ferris, Ph.D. R.D., who is retiring after 37 years of service to the University of Connecticut but continuing part-time to lead her research team.

CPHHP, now in its tenth year, coordinates public health-related activities within the University. CPHHP is a leader in health policy analysis and research, population health management and evaluation, and has developed and deployed tools to integrate and analyze large public health data sets.

Dr. Trestman’s diverse background in medicine and administration are an excellent fit for the CPHHP. He received his Ph.D. in Psychology and M.D. from the University of Tennessee, and trained in psychiatry and neurobiology at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City. Dr. Trestman has served as clinical vice-chair of psychiatry at the Mount Sinai Medical Center and at the UConn Health Center, studied the neurobiology and treatment of people with severe mood and personality disorders, and conducts translational research on correctional health.

He has published over 140 articles and book chapters and is the senior editor of the forthcoming Oxford Textbook of Correctional Psychiatry in which he contributed eight of 72 chapters. Dr. Trestman has also been newly appointed to the editorial board of the Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law.

Recently, he was named chair of the Board of Directors of the Children’s Fund of Connecticut, a collaboration of UConn Health, Connecticut Children’s Medical Center, and Yale. Dr. Trestman is also chair of the American Psychiatric Association Work Group on Persons with Mental Illness in the Criminal Justice System, consults to the National Institute of Mental Health, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Agency, the U.S. Department of Justice, and the Vera Institute of Justice.

2015 Carole and Ray Neag Medal of Honor Recipients

Posted on February 20, 2015 by Carolyn Pennington

UConn Health and the UConn Foundation are pleased to announce the recipients of the 2015 Carole and Ray Neag Medal of Honor. Philanthropists Mark and Laura Yellin and corporate supporter Straumann USA will be honored at the 6th Annual White Coat Gala.

The White Coat Gala will be held on Saturday, April 25, 2015 at the Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford. Scot Haney, meteorologist and co-host of “Better Connecticut” on WFSB Channel 3, will host alongside University President Susan Herbst.

“We are proud to honor philanthropists Mark and Laura Yellin and Straumann USA. The Carole and Ray Neag Medal of Honor recognizes those individuals and corporate partners whose outstanding contributions to the field of medicine and UConn Health serve as an example of what we all hope to achieve: to make a difference in the lives of others. We are deeply grateful to the Yellins and Straumann USA for their longstanding generosity and partnership,” said Herbst.

Since 1984, Mark and Laura Yellin have been steadfast supporters of the Carole and Ray Neag Comprehensive Cancer Center at UConn Health. In addition to their personal philanthropy, Mark Yellin has served as chairman of the UConn Cancer Research Golf Tournament for 26 years, leading a committee of dedicated volunteers who share a common goal to eradicate cancer. The tournament has raised more than $1.7 million since its inception for research projects, new technology and equipment, and faculty initiatives.

“Laura and I feel extremely privileged and honored to receive the 2015 Carole and Ray Neag Medal of Honor,” said Yellin. “Cancer is a deadly foe that indiscriminately attacks families and friends. We have spent the last 37 years raising funds to battle this deadly disease. At UConn Health, we have been able to clearly see that the funds raised are used directly, efficiently, and productively in the battle against cancer.”

Straumann USA is a global leader in implant dentistry and a pioneer of innovative technologies. As a leading developer of surgical, restorative, regenerative, and digital solutions for dentistry and laboratory use, Straumann USA’s partnership with the UConn School of Dental Medicine has provided profound benefit to faculty, students, and patients. Straumann’s longstanding support of the dental school’s academic, clinical, and research missions contributes toward UConn’s international reputation as a top-tier institution for groundbreaking research, extraordinary patient care, and unrivaled education and training for the next generation of leaders in dental medicine.

“Words cannot express our pride and delight in receiving this honor,” said Andy Molnar, EVP of Straumann North America. “Despite persistent difficult economic circumstances and pressure to cut costs, we as an organization have maintained our annual investment in research and development at more than 5 percent of net revenues. We are committed to high-quality research based on collaboration with a network of world renowned researchers, clinicians, and academics.”

The White Coat Gala has raised more than $3.2 million for UConn Health, Connecticut’s flagship public academic medical center. This special event celebrates UConn Health’s eminent physicians, dentists, and researchers who are translating discoveries made in the lab into advances in healthy aging, dentistry, orthopedics and intractable diseases like cardiovascular disease and cancer.

Proceeds from this year’s White Coat Gala will benefit UConn Health’s comprehensive campus revitalization project, called Bioscience Connecticut. Major projects include new state-of-the-art outpatient and hospital facilities and expansions for research laboratories and business incubator spacing. Additionally, a modern addition will be built on the academic building to accommodate a 30 percent increase in medical and dental students.

The White Coat Gala is supported by the generosity of sponsors. Media sponsorship is generously provided by WFSB Channel 3.

To purchase tickets, visit friends.uconn.edu/whitecoatgala or call (860) 486-1001. Contact Amy Chesmer at (860) 336-6706 or achesmer@foundation.uconn.edu for information about sponsorship opportunities. For all other questions, e-mail uchcgala@foundation.uconn.edu or call (860) 486-1001.

UConn Health is One of America’s Best Hospitals for Heart Care in 2015

Posted on February 19, 2015 by Carolyn Pennington

UConn Health’s John Dempsey Hospital earns the 2015 Women’s Choice Award as one of America’s Best Hospitals for Heart Care. This is the only national list that recognizes hospitals that both perform well clinically with regard to heart care measures and have a high recommendation rate among women.

“We’re pleased to be recognized for our commitment to women,” says Anne Diamond, CEO of UConn Health’s John Dempsey Hospital. “The fact is: Heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women, causing 1 in 3 deaths each year. That’s approximately one woman every minute! With heart disease being the biggest health threat that women will face, we’re committed to providing the highest in quality heart care for women and their families.”

An example of UConn Health’s exceptional cardiac care for women is highlighted in this video.

The Women’s Choice Award is based on robust criteria that considers patient satisfaction, clinical excellence, and what women really want when it comes to treatment and a quality hospital experience. “Our mission is to reduce the risk for women and their families so they can make smart healthcare choices,” says Delia Passi, CEO and founder of the Women’s Choice Award, and former publisher of Working Woman and Working Mother magazines.

The America’s Best Hospitals for Heart Care list is determined by first identifying the top 25 percent of hospitals across the nation that offer a minimum number of cardiac and/or vascular services. Only hospitals that perform well clinically with regard to heart care measures reported to Medicare, and also have a high Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) recommendation score, a measure that is very important to women in choosing a hospital, are selected. Data provided is totally objective and uniform. No subjective considerations are used to determine the award winners.

“UConn Health not only performed well clinically with regard to heart care measures, but it also had a high recommendation rate, a measure that is very important to women in choosing a hospital,” says Passi.

“As the primary health care decision makers, women account for about 90 percent of all family choices when it comes to matters of health. Making quick decisions goes against her grain and women are seeking more information than ever before when making healthcare or hospital selections,” adds Passi.