Patient Care

HealthONE: 9 Months Away and Counting

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The group tasked with implementing UConn Health’s new electronic medical record system, HealthONE, is preparing to start another major step.

The testing phase, which got underway in May, moves into the first of five rounds of integrated testing starting July 31. In the 18 weeks that follow, analysts will test “integrated scripts” to uncover potential defects. The scripts, which mimic current workflows, practices and processes, serve as a way to ensure processes within HealthONE’s clinical, patient access, and revenue cycle applications will work when the system goes live.

“It’s known as integrated testing because it verifies that workflows affecting multiple departments, applications or interfaces can be carried out successfully in HealthONE and across all the external systems we interface with,” says Bryan Kerr, interim assistant vice president for HealthONE.

UConn Health One badge

Bringing HealthONE online is a six-phase undertaking. Testing is the third, and longest, phase. Other types of testing already have started. The first round of what’s known as “end-user testing,” in which health care providers and other subject-matter experts try out the system and provide feedback, runs through next week. Testing is scheduled to run into next spring and overlap with the training phase.

“We are nine months away from go-live, and we’re right on track,” says Denise Purington, interim chief information officer. “We continue to receive satisfactory evaluations and are hitting critical milestones.”

HealthONE Training

Upcoming Information Sessions

Main Building
Food Court Lobby

  • Tuesday, July 25
  • Thursday, July 27
  • Tuesday, Aug. 8

Outpatient Pavilion
5th Floor, Cafeteria

  • Tuesday, July 25
  • Thursday, July 27
  • Tuesday, Aug. 8
  • Thursday, Aug. 10

All times 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

 

UConn Health gets a monthly progress report from the HealthONE vendor, Epic, which provides the software, training and support.

Looking Ahead

There will be information sessions about HealthONE training for inpatient and outpatient staff starting next week.

HealthONE is looking for staff with the appropriate skills to be a member of the HealthONE Credentialed Trainer group. More information about this role is available at one of the training information sessions or by emailing kirobinson@uchc.edu.

Additionally, a list of frequently asked questions on HealthONE training is now available.

The HealthONE website is being updated and will have more frequent and timely updates as the April 28, 2018, go-live date nears.

In the coming weeks, UConn Health IT staff will start installing computers, monitors, and other hardware in departments needing technology upgrades for HealthONE to work optimally. IT will work with managers on scheduling to minimize disruptions.

UConn Health July 2017 Programs, Events

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Here is a list of UConn Health programs scheduled for July and early August 2017. This information will be updated with any additions or other schedule changes. (Updated 7/14)

Living Well With Epilepsy: A Support Group for Young Adults
Saturday, July 1, noon to 1:30 p.m., UConn Health Outpatient Pavilion, 2nd Floor, Large Conference Room S2010
The Epilepsy Foundation of Connecticut, in partnership with the UConn Health Department of Neurology, offers a support group for young adults who live with epilepsy. This group is open to those aged 18 to 30 who would like to join others to share experience, gain peer support, and learn together about epilepsy and overcoming its challenges to live well. The group generally meets on the first Saturday of the month. Please call 860-346-1924 or email manzelone.efct@sbcglobal.net for more information.

Bladder Cancer Support Group
Saturday, July 1, 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 888-901-BCAN for more information.

Childbirth Preparation Class
Wednesday, July 5, 6 to 10 p.m., UConn Health Outpatient Pavilion, 3rd floor conference room S3301
This one-day class covers anatomy and physiology of pregnancy and labor, emotions of pregnancy, nutrition, fetal growth and development, comfort measures for labor, working with unexpected events in labor, cesarean delivery, and practice of relaxation and breathing techniques for labor. Class size is limited to eight couples. Remember to bring two pillows and wear comfortable clothing. Light snack is provided. Fee is $100. Call 800-535-6232 or 860-679-7692 to register or for more information.

UConn Health Epilepsy Support Group
Wednesday, July 5, 6:30 to 8 p.m., UConn Health Outpatient Pavilion, 2nd Floor, Large Conference Room S2010
The UConn Health Department of Neurology invites those with epilepsy to a monthly group meeting surrounding life with epilepsy. Discussion topics include coping methods, support systems, and resources. The group generally meets on the first Wednesday of the month. Please call 860-679-3186 for more information.

Breast Cancer Support Group
Thursday, July 6, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., UConn Health, Onyiuke Dining Room
This is a support group intended for women under the age of 45 who’ve been diagnosed with non-metastatic breast cancer. Women at any point in their cancer survivorship journey are welcome. Meetings are the first and third Thursday of the month. To register or more information, call 860-679-7820 or email tillinghast@uchc.edu.

Free Hospital Maternity Tours
Saturday, July 8, 2 p.m., UConn Health, University Tower lobby
A representative will guide you through labor and delivery, postpartum, and the nursery at the UConn John Dempsey Hospital. Children and grandparents are welcome. Call 800-535-6232 to register or for more information.

Breast-feeding Class
Wednesday, July 12, 7 to 9 p.m., UConn Health Outpatient Pavilion, 3rd floor conference room S3301
A certified lactation consultant leads a discussion of topics including the benefits of breast-feeding, how to get started, and how the rest of the family can help the breast-feeding mother as well as how to continue breast-feeding and working. Fee is $25 per couple. Call 800-535-6232 to register or for more information.

Celiac Disease Nutrition Class
Monday, July 17, 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. A physician’s referral is required. Fee is $20. Call 860-679-3245 more information.

Deleted 7/14. Program resumes Sept. 21.
Living With Heart Disease Support Group
Thursday, July 20, 11 a.m. to noon, UConn Health, University Tower, 2nd floor conference room
Patients with heart disease, along with their families and caregivers, meet on the third Thursday of the month to discuss post-diagnosis topics such as prevention and wellness, social and emotional support, heath-healthy recipes, and coping strategies and resources. Call 860-679-3633 to learn more.

Breast Cancer Support Group
Thursday, July 20, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., UConn Health, Onyiuke Dining Room
This is a support group intended for women under the age of 45 who’ve been diagnosed with non-metastatic breast cancer. Women at any point in their cancer survivorship journey are welcome. Meetings are the first and third Thursday of the month. To register or more information, call 860-679-7820 or email tillinghast@uchc.edu.

Infertility Peer Support Group
Thursday, July 20, 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.

Stroke Survivor Group
Wednesday, July 26, noon to 1 p.m., UConn Health Outpatient Pavilion, 3rd floor
The UConn Health Stroke Center invites stroke survivors, families and caregivers to a monthly group meeting to discuss topics such as prevention, coping methods, support systems, rehabilitation tips, resources, and promoting independence. The Stroke Survivor Group generally meets on the fourth Wednesday of the month. Call 860-679-4846 for more information.

Free Workshop: “Things to Consider Before Joining a Research Study”
Monday, July 31, 5 p.m., UConn Health, Onyiuke 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.

UConn Health Epilepsy Support Group
Wednesday, Aug. 2, 6:30 to 8 p.m., UConn Health Outpatient Pavilion, 2nd Floor, Large Conference Room S2010
The UConn Health Department of Neurology invites those with epilepsy to a monthly group meeting surrounding life with epilepsy. Discussion topics include coping methods, support systems, and resources. The group generally will meet on the first Wednesday of the month. Please call 860-679-3186 for more information.

Breast Cancer Support Group
Thursday, Aug. 3, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., UConn Health, Onyiuke Dining Room
This is a support group intended for women under the age of 45 who’ve been diagnosed with non-metastatic breast cancer. Women at any point in their cancer survivorship journey are welcome. Meetings are the first and third Thursday of the month. To register or more information, call 860-679-7820 or email tillinghast@uchc.edu.

Childbirth Preparation Class
Saturday, Aug. 5, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., UConn Health Outpatient Pavilion, 3rd floor conference room S3301
This one-day class covers anatomy and physiology of pregnancy and labor, emotions of pregnancy, nutrition, fetal growth and development, comfort measures for labor, working with unexpected events in labor, cesarean delivery, and practice of relaxation and breathing techniques for labor. Class size is limited to eight couples. Remember to bring two pillows and wear comfortable clothing. Light snack is provided. Fee is $100. Call 800-535-6232 or 860-679-7692 to register or for more information.

Living Well With Epilepsy: A Support Group for Young Adults
Saturday, Aug. 5, noon to 1:30 p.m., UConn Health Outpatient Pavilion, 2nd Floor, Large Conference Room S2010
The Epilepsy Foundation of Connecticut, in partnership with the UConn Health Department of Neurology, offers a support group for young adults who live with epilepsy. This group is open to those aged 18 to 30 who would like to join others to share experience, gain peer support, and learn together about epilepsy and overcoming its challenges to live well. The group generally meets on the first Saturday of the month. Please call 860-346-1924 or email manzelone.efct@sbcglobal.net for more information.

Bladder Cancer Support Group
Saturday, Aug. 5, 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 888-901-BCAN for more information.

Free Cosmetology Services for Cancer Survivors
Monday, Aug. 14, 1 to 3 p.m., UConn Health Outpatient Pavilion, 4th floor
“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 teach women how to cope with skin changes and hair loss using cosmetic and skin care products donated by the cosmetic industry. Classes are offered every other month and are not limited to UConn Health patients. Please call 860-679-7820 to register (required).

Breast-feeding Class
Tuesday, Aug. 15, 7 to 9 p.m., UConn Health Outpatient Pavilion, 3rd floor conference room S3301
A certified lactation consultant leads a discussion of topics including the benefits of breast-feeding, how to get started, and how the rest of the family can help the breast-feeding mother as well as how to continue breast-feeding and working. Fee is $25 per couple. Call 800-535-6232 to register or for more information.

Directions to UConn Health are available at http://bit.ly/get2uch.

Standing Up for UConn

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UConn Health faculty and staff attend a public hearing over state funding for UConn. (Photo provided by Andrea Keilty)
UConn Health faculty and staff attend a public hearing over state funding for UConn. (Photo provided by Andrea Keilty)

Last night in a show of solidarity against millions of dollars in proposed state budget cuts facing UConn and UConn Health, nearly 100 students, doctors, faculty and staff attended the Appropriations Committee hearings at the Legislative Office Building in Hartford.

UConn had several diverse panels of speakers sharing their personal perspectives with legislators about the detrimental impact any potential budget cuts could have on their education, research or care of patients.

UConn is currently facing up to $28 million in budget cuts while UConn Health is facing $13.2 million.

UConn Health’s five-person panel discussion was kicked-off by Evan Woodford, a second-year student in the UConn School of Dental Medicine. He told the committee, “I worry what message will be sent to future students if that vital support needed to continue to provide their educations…is withdrawn. I urge you to minimize the amount of the proposed budget cuts in order to maintain our excellent progress.”

Bayan Abunar, a second-year student in the UConn School of Medicine, testified, “It is through the state funds to UConn Health and your regular investments to our School of Medicine and Dental Medicine that have made it an affordable and accessible place for students of all faiths and ethnic backgrounds, including myself, to learn to be compassionate health care providers. I urge you to continue to invest in these entities by restoring funding to the FY16-17 level which provide tremendous benefit for the students, patients and Connecticut’s economy.”

Michel Gueret of Canton, a stage IV lung cancer survivor, also spoke about the cutting-edge and lifesaving immunotherapy clinical trial he had access to at UConn Health’s Carole and Ray Neag Comprehensive Cancer Center.

“My survival, literally against all odds, is the real testimony,” Gueret said. “It is evidence of what a research-driven UConn Health can and will continue to deliver to the people of Connecticut with your continued unwavering support. I thank each member of the committee for standing up to safeguard UConn Health. With your support–one day in the future–they will be there to save your life or that of your loved one in need, just like they saved my life.”

Mark Driscoll, a biotech entrepreneur who started the company Shoreline Biome at UConn’s Technology Incubation Program (TIP) in 2015, told the lamwakers, “UConn and UConn Health are vital components of the foundation of a robust ecosystem that is needed for the high tech life science businesses and industries of today to be successful. I urge you to consider that continued strong investment in UConn and UConn Health as part of our economic growth plan should remain a high priority as we look for long term solutions to our budget problems in Connecticut.”

UConn Health researcher Caroline Dealy spoke about the various ways she serves the state as a UConn alumnus, UConn Health scientist, entrepreneur, business owner and educator of students.

“UConn needs resources for research so that scientists like me and others who are speaking tonight can continue to bring new knowledge into the world, while engaging in the process of discovery, the next generation of change-makers: UConn’s students,” Dealy said. “I urge you, please don’t cut UConn’s resources. It’s just too important.”

Earlier in the day UConn leadership, including President Susan Herbst and Dr. Andrew Agwunobi, UConn Health CEO and executive vice president for health affairs, also shared in-person testimony with the Committee.

“I ask for your support to protect the viability of your public academic health system and to do what you can to minimize cuts to UConn Health so that we can continue to deliver on the investments and provide Connecticut and its people with excellent service,” shared Agwunobi.

Engaging and Educating Patients While They Wait

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The Pulmonary Department waiting room where a new TV monitor has been installed in partnership with AccentHealth, a healthcare media company that provides healthy living video programming. (Photo by Janine Gelineau)
The Pulmonary Department waiting room where a new TV monitor has been installed in partnership with AccentHealth, a healthcare media company that provides healthy living video programming. (Photo by Janine Gelineau)

If you have ever spent time in your doctor’s waiting room, you may have read some well-worn magazines or watched reality TV to pass the time. This is no longer the case at UConn Health.

Recently, new TV monitors were installed in many of the waiting rooms in the Outpatient Pavilion and the Cardiology, Pulmonary and Nephrology waiting rooms in the main building. In partnership with AccentHealth, a healthcare media company that provides a patient engagement solution for physician waiting and exam rooms, UConn Health patients are being educated and empowered to live healthy lives by receiving credible health information.

“The patients in our waiting rooms are watching a television network that provides exclusive programming produced by CNN and co-hosted by CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta and HLN Morning News Anchor Robin Meade. AccentHealth also delivers specialty networks that are produced in partnership with the American Cancer Society, Harvard Medical School, and the American Heart Association,” says Vice President of Ambulatory Services Anne Horbatuck. Segments include health news, living well, fitness, nutrition, medical breakthroughs, safety tips, and healthy recipes. In addition to the network programming, patients also view UConn Health produced videos and messaging.

“Patients used to sit down and either check their phones or read a magazine. Now they spend their time in the waiting room learning about health-related topics or getting wellness tips,” says practice manager Kelly Clarke. “The patient feedback has been so positive that we have increased the time the programming is available in our waiting room,” adds Clarke.

Last Call for 2016 HEP Compliance

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A screenshot from the Health Enhancement Program online portal.
A screenshot from the Health Enhancement Program online portal.

Following is a message from Anne Horbatuck, vice president of ambulatory services, Anne Diamond, UConn John Dempsey Hospital chief executive officer, and Dr. Steven Lepowsky, UConn School of Dental Medicine senior associate dean for education and patient care:

Call for Your HEP Appointment Today

Now is the time to schedule all your preventive health visits and screenings required through the state Health Enhancement Program (HEP). The deadline to complete all your visits and screenings is Dec. 31.

UConn Health can schedule HEP appointments for all state employees and their dependents (if applicable). Appointments are available Monday through Friday at UConn Health locations throughout the state including Canton, East Hartford, Farmington, Putnam, Plainville, Simsbury, Southington, Storrs, and West Hartford. Here are the dedicated numbers to call:

All medical/preventive appointments: call 1.844.577.7055

For appointments at the Storrs office: 860.487.9200

For mammography appointments: 860.679.2784

  • UConn Health can help you fulfill all your HEP requirements including yearly physicals, cholesterol screening, vision screening (ophthalmology), mammography, women’s health, colon cancer screening, colonoscopy, blood draw, and more.
  • Calls are answered Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Please feel free to leave a message after hours.

 For Dental cleaning appointments: call 860.679.3170

  • This applies to the necessary dental cleanings.
  • Calls are answered Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Please feel free to leave a message after hours.

To make sure you are scheduling all required appointments for your age group, please log onto the HEP portal at www.CTHEP.com. If you prefer to access this information by phone, you can contact Care Management Solutions toll free at 877.687.1448.

 

Successful Surge Drill for ED

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  • UConn Health employees participate in a surge drill in the emergency department at UConn John Dempsey Hospital Nov. 29, 2016.
UConn John Dempsey Hospital successfully conducted a realistic drill assessing its emergency preparedness and communications in the case of an external disaster, a Code Yellow, on Nov. 29. The 9 a.m. drill’s mock scenario tested the hospital’s response to a surge of 18 patients arriving to its Emergency Department after a multiple trauma bus accident occurred on I-84. The hospital’s emergency response was immediate with swift communication and activation of the Hospital Incident Command Center led by Nursing Director, Caryl Ryan. As Incident Commander, Ryan directed the team’s real-time response and communications of all personnel, hospital units, phone, and Everbridge System alerts via phone messages, emails and text alerts. UConn Health thanks the ED, Command Center, Fire Department and EMS, doctors, nurses and staff, including employees who played injured patients, for their drill participation and quick responsive actions in the role-play to help uncover any improvements necessary to put in place for a future, real-life situation.

UConn Health Configuring Its New EMR System

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Roberta Luby and Dean Moroniti from UConn Health's HealthONE team (Photo by Chris DeFrancesco)
Roberta Luby and Dean Moroniti from UConn Health’s HealthONE team (Photo by Chris DeFrancesco)

In less than a year and a half, UConn Health will be using a new integrated electronic medical records system that will enable patient information to seamlessly and securely follow patients wherever they go, both within and outside of UConn Health.

Informally known as “Epic,” which is the name of the vendor, UConn Health has adopted the name “HealthONE” for this suite of applications designed to make the delivery of health care safer and more efficient.

A team of 100 specially trained employees and consultants has been working on the intricate 23-month undertaking to program HealthONE for UConn Health since May. The project is in the “adoption and build” phase, which is nearing the end of its second wave next month. Here is where a lot of the configuration takes place.

“In the scheduled Dec. 13 through 15 Adoption 2 session, we will be pulling in managers and subject matter experts from across the clinical and financial organizations to look at the dashboards that will help them manage our patient care, quality measures, and financial results,” says Roberta Luby, assistant vice president for HealthONE. “We will also discuss the reports that will be available out of the system, and determine which reports they are going to need to manage their day when we go live.”

UConn Health One badgeFor example, a dashboard tool could aggregate data on admitted patients that today may take several hours a day to identify and analyze. The time saved then can be spent on caring for patients, ensuring safety and improving outcomes.

“We’re going to show them what that dashboard might look like, where that information might show up, and what quality measures are available, and let them decide what kind of data they need to see, how often, and when,” Luby says.

Major milestones achieved to date include completion of the direction phase, where current and potential future workflows were reviewed, and the certification of 80 members of the HealthONE team.

Next after the adoption and building phase is the testing phase, an eight-month period starting next May that involves running thousands of scenarios to make sure the system is designed and operating as intended. During that time, a team of trainers also will be working to prepare the training materials and plan the training logistics.

The timeline calls for end-user training to start in early 2018, two-to-three-months before HealthONE goes live in April 2018.

“This system will establish one patient record whether the individual is coming to the ED, an outpatient clinic, or has an admission in the hospital,” Luby says. “It’s going to allow us to see everything that occurred on that patient and have one view into his or her allergies, medications, procedures and immunizations, allowing safe, efficient care regardless of where that patient is in our care environment.”

HealthONE also will allow the exchange of patient information with other EMR, enabling UConn Health to send and receive data from other hospitals and practices that may be using a different system.

“We’ll be able to assemble all the data needed for a patient to enable a provider to care for that patient safely,” Luby says.

 

Recognizing Medical Assistants and Respiratory Therapists

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  • Terri Seelig, Betty Karas and Nancy McLellan are respiratory therapists in the pulmonary medicine clinic (Photo by Janine Gelineau)

October includes weeks dedicated to the recognition of two important, albeit often overlooked, health care disciplines.

This week is Respiratory Care Week. UConn Health employs 20 respiratory therapists in both inpatient and outpatient settings. Respiratory therapy is the assessment of patients with both acute and chronic dysfunction of the cardiopulmonary system.

“Today’s respiratory therapists have demanding responsibilities related to patient care and serve as vital members of the health care team,” says respiratory therapy supervisor Janet Annesi. “Respiratory therapists must have a broad knowledge of the pathophysiology of the cardiopulmonary system and the complex procedures required to properly diagnose and treat patients, from the very young to the very old.”

Respiratory therapists are trained advanced airway management and restore pulmonary function and support life by administering medically prescribed therapy.

“Outside facilities look to our department and will send patients here,” says respiratory therapist Terri Seelig of UConn Health’s pulmonary medicine clinic, which offers complex and diagnostic and treatment options not common in community outpatient offices.

Meantime, the American Association of Medical Assistants designates the third full week in October to be Medical Assistants Recognition Week.

“Our MAs are at the core of our staffing model in the delivery of care to our patients,” says Caryl Ryan, director of inpatient nursing services at UConn John Dempsey Hospital. “They are caring, loyal, possess a strong work ethic and always perform their duties within the best interests of our patients.”

UConn Health employs 199 medical assistants in both inpatient and outpatient settings.

“Our MAs are always available to lend a hand, consistently going above and beyond to promote the delivery of the highest quality of care, all the while keeping the patient as safe as possible,” says Elizabeth Brookshire, a UConn John Dempsey Hospital nurse manager.

Says UConn Health Emergency Department nurse manager Eileen Scully, “Our ED MAs provide excellent care to our patients each and every day.  They are essential to the operation of our department. We appreciate their hard work and dedication.”

And from the Carole and Ray Neag Comprehensive Cancer Center, assistant nurse manager Beth Pisarsky says, “Our MAs are compassionate and empathetic to all patients across the continuum of cancer care. They provide holistic support, not only to the patients, but to the entire interdisciplinary team. They are a valued member of our health care teams and provide exceptional and safe patient care.”

 

Time to Get a Flu Shot (Or Report That You’re Not)

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UConn nursing student Emilie Kasper (left) administers a flu shot at an Employee Health Services flu clinic at the UConn School of Medicine. (Photo by Janine Gelineau)
UConn nursing student Emilie Kasper (left) administers a flu shot at an Employee Health Services flu clinic at the UConn School of Medicine. (Photo by Janine Gelineau)

Employee Health Services is holding a series of flu clinics over the next several weeks, at which free flu shots will be available to staff, students, residents, volunteers and vendors.

While some clinical institutions require all employees be vaccinated against influenza every year, UConn Health does not. But UConn Health is required to report the flu vaccine status of its employees to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid.

Those who attend an Employee Health flu clinic can receive a flu shot, report that they are declining it altogether, or report that they either have received or will receive it somewhere else.

Once recorded in a password-protected database, the information is reported in aggregate to CMS. It remains confidential. An employee’s flu vaccine status is protected health information and cannot be used against him or her.

Click image to view/download UConn Health Influenza Program brochure.
Click image to view/download UConn Health Influenza Program brochure.

“Your cooperation goes a long way in helping us be in compliance,” says Cheryl Marenick, the nurse who oversees the Employee Health flu vaccine program. “Even if you don’t get a flu shot, we need you to report that to us. If you choose to get a flu shot, even better—we’re happy to do that for you. It’s the best way to protect yourself, your family, and our patients from influenza.”

Employee Health has scheduled several walk-in flu clinics, with reminders and updates to come in Lifeline and The Pulse:

  • Monday, Oct. 24, 12:30 to 4 p.m., Onyiuke Dining Room
  • Thursday, Oct. 27, 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Onyiuke Dining Room
  • Thursday, Nov. 10, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Munson Training Room
  • Monday, Nov. 14, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., ARB Large Conference Room
  • Monday, Nov. 21, 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Outpatient Pavilion 7th floor large conference room

A UConn Health ID badge or employee number is required.

Individual flu shot appointments also can be made by calling Employee Health Services at x2893. Those who get the flu shot elsewhere or decline it altogether can report by email to Louisa Pickett.

 

Pediatrics is Joining Connecticut Children’s

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Dr. Larry Scherzer
Dr. Larry Scherzer

In just a couple of days, our pediatric practice at UConn Health will transition to Connecticut Children’s Medical Center.  There are a lot of benefits to this including greater coordination between our primary care and specialty physicians at Connecticut Children’s Medical Center which will result in superior care for our patients.

Although the practice is changing ‘affiliations’, we (the physicians) are not changing, nor are our office locations. We remain at 800 Connecticut Boulevard, East Hartford and 65 Kane Street, West Hartford.   Importantly, we will remain on the staff of UConn John Dempsey Hospital and continue to provide all of clinical services at the Well Baby Nursery.  We will also continue to serve as teachers to our medical students and residents and to serve as full-time members of the Department of Pediatrics.

Our phone number will change. To reach pediatrics after October 1, to establish care or make an appointment, call us at 860-837-7250.

Primary care pediatrics has been a part of UConn Health from its beginning, and the pediatricians wish to thank the UConn Health community for its support over the years.  We look forward to continuing to serve our community and to enjoy many future collaborations under our new hospital affiliation.

Larry Scherzer, MD, MPH