GAYLORD SPECIALTY HEALTHCARE TAPS KYRIACOU AS NEW PRESIDENT AND CEO - Monday, August 29, 2011 WALLINGFORD, CT (August 29, 2011)—George Kyriacou, of Hanover Health Care in Pennsylvania, has been selected to succeed retiring Gaylord President and Chief Executive Officer Jim Cullen, announced William Simione, chairman of the Gaylord Hospital Board of Directors. “After an extensive search that began in January, the Board is confident that we have found the ideal chief executive in George,” Simione said. “He is the right person to lead Gaylord at a time when the very fabric of the health care system is changing.” Currently serving as president and chief executive officer of Hanover Health Care, a 106-bed acute care hospital, Kyriacou will join Gaylord later this fall. Kyriacou is no stranger to the Connecticut health care scene. Before his three-year stint at Hanover Health Care—where he achieved financial turnaround of the hospital with a $3.5 million operating margin—Kyriacou was instrumental in the development of the Hartford Healthcare System (HHCS) over two decades, first as vice president of administration and professional services at Meriden-Wallingford Hospital (now MidState Medical Center which is owned by HHCS) in the late 1980s,then vice president of system development at HHCS and executive vice president and chief operating officer at MidState Medical Center. Given his 30 years in the health care industry, Kyriacou brings experience in strategic planning, business development, philanthropic fundraising, corporate financing, mergers and acquisitions, and physician recruitment and integration within acute care hospitals and ambulatory centers in the Northeast. “The Board believes that George brings a versatile skill set to Gaylord, one that includes strong leadership with vision as well as operational insight,” Simione said. Kyriacou received his bachelors degree in urban studies from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, where he also earned his master’s degree in public health administration. “As health care reform progresses,” Kyriacou said, “Gaylord is well positioned to work with Connecticut’s acute care hospitals to enhance clinical care and contribute to controlling the cost of providing high quality health care.” Kyriacou and his wife Ann are excited to return to Connecticut and reconnect with friends, family and colleagues. ### WOUNDED WARRIORS CONVERGE ON HARTFORD FOR DISABLED SPORTS PROJECT, AUGUST 9-12 - Tuesday, August 09, 2011WALLINGFORD, CT (August 5, 2011) –Wounded Warriors—U.S. servicemen and women with disabilities—from across the country are preparing for the 2011 Connecticut Wounded Warrior Adaptive Sports Event, Tuesday, August 9 through Friday, August 12 at Riverside Park in Hartford. The event, sponsored by Gaylord Specialty Healthcare, Riverfront Recapture and Disabled Sports USA, is free to the disabled veterans and their immediate family members. The four-day event introduces former service members who have experienced permanent disabilities while serving in Iraq, Afghanistan and other military conflicts to adaptive sports such as kayaking, cycling, fishing, rowing and Riverfront Recapture’s Adventure Challenge. More than 15 disabled veterans are expected. Follow this Facebook link to view a one-minute clip from last year’s Wounded Warrior (http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=462389235609). “It’s all about honor and empowerment,” explained the event’s coordinator Todd Munn, a certified therapeutic recreation specialist at Gaylord. “Our sponsors have created an ideal relationship that results in a high caliber adaptive sporting event for our disabled veterans, especially when we know that early intervention with active sports results in successful rehabilitation, leading to fuller life opportunities including employment and healthy relationships.” The following veterans will participate in the disabled sports project and are receptive to media interviews the days of the event: Former Sergeant Edward R. Dusick, Jr., 61, of Milford, CT
Dusick received a spinal cord injury, resulting from an army truck accident that left him with paraplegia. This is the third year Sgt. Dusick will participate in the Wounded Warrior event. “What I am looking forward to the most is a combination of meeting new veterans and seeing old friends,” he said. Former Corporal Ernest Johnson III, 26, of Shelton, CT
Johnson was medically discharged after injuring his shoulder. Like Dusick, Johnson has attended the Wounded Warrior event hosted by Gaylord Hospital in 2009 and 2010. Staff Sergeant Gearard Miserandino, Sr., 68, of Cambridge, MA
Miserandino was severely injured while serving in Vietnam after a grenade detonated in his hands which resulted in the bilateral amputations of both hands. This will also be his third year attending the event. Schedule of Events
Tuesday, August 9
• 7 p.m.—Veterans arrive and are treated to a social at Black-Eyed Sally’s in Hartford. Wednesday, August 10
• 9 a.m.—Opening Ceremony featuring Joseph Marfuggi, President and CEO of Riverfront Recapture; Todd Munn, Gaylord Specialty Healthcare
• 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m.—Kayaking, Fishing, Cycling, Rowing, Challenge Course
• 7 p.m.—Wounded Warriors and Guests to Rock Cats Baseball Game and social at McKinnon’s Irish Pub Thursday, August 11
• 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m.—Kayaking, Fishing, Cycling, Rowing, Challenge Course
• 6 p.m.—Dinner Banquet at the Boathouse at Riverside Park with keynote speakers:
Linda Schwartz, a retired Air Force colonel, who has served as commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Veteran Services and president of the National Association of State Directors of Veterans’ Affairs (NASDVA). She is the highest ranking official in Connecticut. Joe Walsh, a vision-impaired, two-time Paralympic Nordic skier, who oversees both types of programming as managing director of the Paralympics division of the U.S. Olympic Committee in Colorado Springs, CO. Friday, August 12
• 6 a.m.-10 a.m.—Wrap-up Brunch and Farewells
Gaylord Specialty Healthcare, a 137-bed, not-for-profit facility, specializes in inpatient medically complex care and rehabilitation, outpatient therapies, and sleep medicine. With its main campus in Wallingford, Gaylord operates additional outpatient centers in Guilford, North Haven, and Woodbridge. Gaylord Sleep Medicine centers are located in Guilford, North Haven, Trumbull and Glastonbury.
Riverfront Recapture is a non-profit organization that is leading the effort to reconnect metropolitan Hartford with the Connecticut River and provide community access to the waterfront.
-30- CONNECTICUT CLEAN ENERGY FUND TO AWARD SOLAR ENERGY GRANT TO GAYLORD HOSPITAL - Tuesday, August 09, 2011
WALLINGFORD, CT (August 9, 2011)--Gaylord Hospital will be the first hospital in Connecticut to be awarded state funding through a $323,000 grant from the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund (CCEF) for a solar thermal hot water heating project that will reduce the hospital’s consumption and dependence on heating oil. Gaylord’s commitment to the overall health of our communities includes various “green” solutions, including alternate energy solutions such as those provided through solar thermal hot water heating. Representatives from CCEF will present the award to Gaylord Hospital officials on Friday, August 12, at 11:30 a.m. Gaylord Hospital Director of Facilities Mark Vere led the application process on behalf of the hospital as part of an initiative to implement a long-term strategy designed to reduce Gaylord’s dependence on heating oil. Upon the project’s completion, solar energy will provide up to 65% of the hospital’s hot water needs each year; the remaining 35% will be maintained by heating boilers. The project’s total cost, for design, engineering and solar panel installation, is $550,000, which will be offset significantly by CCEF’s $323,000 grant. The hospital will assume the difference. Construction to prepare for the installation of the solar panel collectors, which will be installed on the hospital’s flat roof surfaces, will begin in September. The CCEF grant enhances Gaylord’s ability to secure clean energy alternatives intended to reduce the carbon emissions. In doing our part, Gaylord continues to advance its mission in enhancing community health and improving the environment. Gaylord Specialty Healthcare, a 137-bed, not-for-profit facility, specializes in inpatient medically complex care and rehabilitation, outpatient therapies, and sleep medicine. With its main hospital in Wallingford, Gaylord operates additional outpatient centers in Guilford, North Haven, and Woodbridge. Gaylord Sleep Medicine centers are located in Guilford, North Haven, Trumbull and Glastonbury. PLATELET-RICH PLASMA GEL HELPS INITIATE WOUND HEALING - Tuesday, August 09, 2011WALLINGFORD, CT (August 4, 2011) –- Gaylord Hospital is one of the first hospitals in Connecticut to use a new treatment for chronic wounds that are hard to heal. The AutoloGel System uses the patient’s own blood as a basis for a platelet-rich plasma (PRP) gel that is used directly on the wound. This treatment has been found to restart the healing process in wounds that have been resistant to other treatments. Donna Trigilia, APRN, Coordinator of Gaylord’s Wound Care Program and Vicky Valenski, a physical therapist and Wound Team member, participated in research investigating the clinical outcomes in chronic nonhealing wounds following short-term the use of PRP gel. Gaylord Hospital was one of 39 centers contributing to the study’s registry base. Trigilia and Valenski co-authored the article “The Clinical Relevance of Treating Chronic Wounds with an Enhanced Near-Physiological Concentration of Platelet-Rich Plasma Gel,” which documented the study and outcomes. The article was published in the August edition of Advances in Skin & Wound Care. Study results indicated that PRP gel could restart start the healing process and that rapid treatment response was observed in 275 of 285 wounds. Chronic wounds can be resistant to healing. Regardless of the wound’s cause the goal is to provide treatments to help the body initiate and sustain the healing process. A patient’s overall health or complex medical condition can affect how well a wound heals. The PRP gel treatment is part of the AutoloGel System from Cytomedix, Inc., in Gathersburg, Maryland. An abstract of the article can be found at: http://journals.lww.com/aswcjournal/pages/currenttoc.aspx GAYLORD SPECIALTY HEALTHCARE NAMES WILLIAM NEIDEL AS 2011 EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR - Thursday, May 12, 2011WALLINGFORD, CT (May 18, 2011)—William Neidel, a physical therapist at Gaylord Specialty Healthcare, was honored as the hospital’s 2011 employee of the year during a ceremony on May 12. Neidel, of Southbury, CT, was nominated for the annual award by former patients who cited his expertise, enthusiasm and positive attitude as qualities worthy of the recognition. “Bill is a gifted therapist who continuously strives to improve, not only the care of his own patients, but the care of all patients,” said Sonja LaBarbera, director of inpatient therapy services at Gaylord. “Always the first to volunteer to teach or mentor, he is a team player who is respected by everyone.” Working at Gaylord since 2004, Neidel is an inpatient physical therapy supervisor who specializes in spinal cord injury. After earning his bachelor of science at Merrimack College, Neidel received his masters of science at Sacred Heart University where he also was an adjunct physical therapy instructor. He also received his doctorate in physical therapy from Temple University. Neidel is the twentieth recipient of the hospital’s highest employee award, which was started in 1992 through a donation to the hospital by the Joseph A. Lindenmayer family of Westport in honor of the staff who treated their father with compassionate, quality care. Gaylord Specialty Healthcare is a long-term acute care hospital that consists of Gaylord Hospital, Gaylord Outpatient Services and Gaylord Sleep Medicine. Gaylord Hospital, a 137-bed facility located in Wallingford, specializes in medically complex care and complex rehabilitation. -30- Gaylord Specialty Healthcare Appoints Vice President of Human Resources - Monday, August 02, 2010WALLINGFORD, CT (August 2, 2010)--Gaylord Specialty Healthcare has appointed Walter (Wally) G. Harper as Vice President of Human Resources. With nearly 30 years in the human resources industry, Mr. Harper brings experience in leadership and organizational development, employee relations and communications with him to Gaylord. Most recently, he was Assistant Vice President of Human Resources for Rushford Center, Inc., a not-for-profit behavioral health care agency in Meriden. Mr. Harper's earlier career included human resource management positions at United Natural Foods, Inc., DST Output, a subsidiary of DST Systems, Inc., and Pitney Bowes. A resident of Glastonbury, Mr. Harper completed his undergraduate studies with a B.S. in education from Central Connecticut State University. He received an M.S. in business management from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Mr. Harper is a member of many professional organizations including the Society for Human Resource Management, Human Resources Association of Central Connecticut and the American Society for Healthcare Resources Administration. ### Gaylord Hospital Wounded Warrior Disabled Sports Weekend Aug. 6-8 - Friday, July 16, 2010Wallingford (July 16, 2010) – Gaylord Hospital is proud to announce that Governor M. Jodi Rell has proclaimed the weekend of August 6-8, 2010 as Gaylord Hospital Wounded Warrior Disabled Sports Weekend throughout the State of Connecticut. The proclamation is in honor and recognition of the outstanding work that all military men and women in America and the State of Connecticut represent. Celebrating its second year of hosting the event, Gaylord Hospital welcomes service members who have experienced permanent disabilities while serving in Iraq, Afghanistan and other military conflicts to enjoy a weekend of adaptive sports and recreation at Riverside Park in Hartford. Attendees will participate in sports such as kayaking, cycling, fishing, and rowing throughout the Wounded Warrior Disabled Sports Project Weekend; special events including a baseball game, concert and celebratory banquet are also on the list of activities offered free for service members and their immediate families. The weekend is co-hosted by Disabled Sports USA, and the Hartford with contributions made by New England Handicapped Sports Association, the VA System and Centers, the Connecticut Adaptive Rowing Program, Steven Roy Andrews Outreach Fishing Program, and many others. Wounded Warrior Projects take place at sites throughout the U.S., offering wounded veterans the chance to re-build their lives through sport. The Sports Association of Gaylord Hospital is a chapter of Disabled Sports USA, the Wounded Warrior Project. The organizations’ experience has shown that early intervention with active sports results in successful rehabilitation into civilian life, leading to empowerment, employment and other psychosocial and physical benefits.
About Gaylord Hospital Sports Association
Based in Wallingford, CT the Sports Association is a non-profit program of Gaylord Hospital and provides adaptive sports and recreation opportunities for persons with physical disabilities. The Sports Association provides opportunities for people to engage in over a dozen types of adaptive sports throughout the year and special events such as the Connecticut Wounded Warrior Project.
Gaylord Hospital is a not-for-profit, long-term acute care hospital based in Wallingford, CT. The Hospital specializes in the care and treatment of people with complex medical and rehabilitation needs, outpatient services and sleep medicine. Visit www.gaylord.org <http://www.gaylord.org/> or call (203) 284-2726 for more information.
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Gaylord Hosts Connecticut Wounded Warrior Disabled Sports Project - Thursday, July 08, 2010It’s all about honor and empowerment as the Connecticut Wounded Warrior Disabled Sports Project brings disabled U.S. service men and women together at Riverside Park in Hartford on August 5-8 for a long weekend of adaptive sports and recreation designed to help re-build their lives through sports. Sponsored by Gaylord Hospital, the Wounded Warrior Project and Disabled Sports USA, this free event introduces service members who have experienced permanent disabilities while serving in Iraq, Afghanistan and other military conflicts to adaptive sports such as kayaking, cycling, fishing, rowing, and adventure programming. “Early intervention with active sports results in successful rehabilitation, leading to fuller life opportunities including employment and healthy relationships,” says the event’s coordinator Todd Munn, a certified therapeutic recreation specialist at Gaylord Hospital. Disabled veterans from across the country are invited to participate in the Connecticut Wounded Warrior Disabled Sports Project. The weekend’s events are free of charge to the veterans and family members, including transportation, lodging, adaptive equipment and individualized instruction in each activity. Similar programs take place at sites across the country throughout the year. “This is the second year that Gaylord has been able to work with the Wounded Warrior Project and Disabled Sports USA to deliver such a high caliber adaptive sporting event to our country’s disabled veterans,” Munn says. “It’s a great relationship that brings the talents and experience of these organizations together for a great purpose.” For more information about the Connecticut Wounded Warrior Disabled Sports Project, contact Munn at (203) 284-2772 or tmunn@gaylord.org. Check the Sports Association link under "Why Gaylord" for more information and forms for this year's Wounded Warrior Project. ###
Teens Asked to ThinkFirst - Thursday, July 01, 2010Gaylord physical therapists Andrea Oberlander and Erin Prastine bring a message of injury prevention to area elementary, middle and high school children through the ThinkFirst program. They lead a classroom discussion devoted to informing kids of all ages about the risk of traumatic injury due to activities such as driving, bicycling, skateboarding and diving. As healthcare professionals, they believe that they must reach children and teens sooner to help them understand the causes and behaviors associated with traumatic injuries.The ThinkFirst program is free and offered to area schools and community groups. Studies show that students significantly increase their knowledge related to safety behaviors and potential for injury after attending the ThinkFirst presentation. The importance of wearing a helmet, for example, jumped from 22% to 60%; safety belt use from 46% to 69%; and those stating injuries were almost always preventable increased from 22% to 49%. For more information—or to bring ThinkFirst to your school—contact the program coordinators atthinkfirst@gaylord.org. M.J. Petretto Foundation’s First Golf Classic Raises Funds for Gaylord Hospital - Tuesday, June 01, 2010WALLINGFORD, CT–The M.J. Petretto Foundation, established to fund organizations that support education, health, and quality of life to build stronger Connecticut communities, has selected Gaylord Hospital’s Spinal Cord Injury Program as its fundraising event recipient at the 1st Golf Classic taking place June 21st at Clinton Country Club. The event is hosted by Retirement Planning Group, LLC , an insurance and financial services company based in Guilford, CT. The recently established organization was founded by M.J. Petretto after her nephew, Jesse Tramontano, sustained a spinal cord injury in a near-fatal automobile accident in April 2008. With help from therapists at Gaylord, Tramontano is on his way to recovery. As a way of giving back for the great care Tramontano received, and to help them continue with their good works; the Foundation has selected Gaylord Hospital to benefit from its first annual fundraising event. "This Foundation and Golf Classic are a dream come true for me. I have always wanted to help more people in a meaningful way, especially Gaylord for what they did for my family,” says Petretto. There are so many people with spinal cord injuries, like my nephew Jesse, who will benefit from enhanced technology in Gaylord's spinal cord injury unit. What better way to give my life and work real purpose."
Gaylord Hospital provides long-term acute care and rehabilitation to patients like Jesse whose injuries are complex and cannot be accommodated in ordinary rehabilitation settings. With the proceeds raised from the Golf Classic, Gaylord plans to take the first steps to becoming a Neuro Motor Center with state-of-the-science robotics and technology resources. This year, the M.J. Petretto Foundation will help to purchase and install “Assistive Technology” called environmental control units in the Spinal Cord injury unit. These allow patients to perform simple tasks such as turning on and off lights, switching on a fan, or selecting a television channel – acts that most of us take for granted but those with severe injuries cannot do alone. These devices allow patients functional independence in their living environment giving them a sense of control and self worth crucial to recovery. Gaylord Hospital is a not-for-profit, long-term acute care hospital based in Wallingford, CT. The Hospital specializes in the care and treatment of people with complex medical and rehabilitation needs, outpatient services and sleep medicine. Visit www.gaylord.org or call (203) 284-2829 for more information.
For more information on the Golf Classic, please contact The M.J. Petretto Foundation Golf Classic at (203) 453-2320 F: (203) 453-2344. ### Patients Blossom at Gaylord Hospital - Monday, May 10, 2010Wallingford, CT – Gaylord Hospital’s Therapeutic Recreation Specialist, Christina Lafex, does not have a degree in horticulture nor does she have a professional gardening background, but with some help from her patients, she is learning how to make her garden grow.
Approximately one year ago, a Gaylord patient with a gardening business, saw potential when he spotted an unused greenhouse on the hospital property.
“Our patient saw an empty greenhouse that needed a lot of work,” says Lafex. “It was a disaster but with his help, guidance and contributions, the greenhouse was soon in running order.”
The greenhouse, previously used as a storage unit, was functioning by October; providing the hospital and its patients with seasonal flowers such as Poinsettias for Christmas, Lilies at Easter, and herbs used in the hospital’s food preparation.
Lafex explains that the patients meet weekly to plan and to plant; gardening tips are shared and therapy takes place. The results of these gardening sessions go beyond nurturing plants; patients are actually reaping the benefit of therapy in disguise. They are working on their fine motor skills, mobility and balance; speech therapy is also utilized when patients make a gardening plan. There is also an opportunity for patients to quietly focus on their tasks while enjoying the feel of the earth in their hands.
“Patients look forward to their weekly sessions, and as the greenhouse is being transformed, an amazing transformation of the patients is also taking place.”
Each patient works on his or her own project, which they will bring home with them when they are ready to leave Gaylord. According to Lafex, patients take one or two plants but generously donate flowers to cheer up the rooms of those who cannot make it to the greenhouse.
Lafex and her team of gardeners have invited the Gaylord staff and other patients to discover the magic of their garden. Based on the enthusiastic response, Lafex is sure that gardening will remain a popular form of therapy at Gaylord – one that will certainly bloom and grow. Gaylord Hospital is a not-for-profit, long-term acute care hospital based in Wallingford, CT. The Hospital specializes in the care and treatment of people with complex medical and rehabilitation need, outpatient services and sleep medicine. Visit www.gaylord.org or call (203) 284-2829 for more information. ### Horticultural Therapy Blooms at Gaylord - Monday, May 10, 2010WALLINGFORD, CT--Restoring ability is in Gaylord Hospital’s DNA. Known for decades for its rehabilitation programs, the Connecticut specialty hospital incorporated a formal horticultural therapy into its programming last year thanks to the revitalization of an old, vacant greenhouse on the hospital’s campus. Originally built in 1978 and intended for patient use, the greenhouse has undergone a major facelift within the last year, making it a wonderful, serene space that offers patients and their families a welcome respite. The greenhouse, thanks to the generosity of Cromwell Growers, is now equipped with self-flooding tables, a dripper system and varying bench heights that make them accessible to people who use wheelchairs as well as those who are able to stand. The horticultural therapy program, under the direction of the therapeutic recreation department, was a natural extension to complement the array of therapies that help maximize the functionality of patients. Today, the greenhouse is used daily by physical, occupational, speech and recreation therapists who work with patients on fine motor skills, social interaction, mobility, balance, cognitive skills and more. The horticultural therapy program is not confined to the greenhouse; therapists work with patients outside in a Zen garden as well as in courtyards. Patients, therefore, are able to plant and receive the added bonus of the rejuvenating power of the sun. Even patients who are restricted to their beds can participate. Therapists bring the outdoors to them with soil, pots, bulbs and seeds to ensure that every patient may benefit from the horticultural therapy program. As a recreation therapist, I have witnessed the positive effect that the greenhouse and horticultural therapy has had on patients. The sensory stimulation alone is a positive addition to the services they receive while at Gaylord. Gaylord Hospital is a long-term acute care hospital in Wallingford, CT. The 137-bed facility specializes in medically complex care, rehabilitation and sleep medicine. ### Gaylord Hospital Nurses Honored with Nightingale Award - Tuesday, April 27, 2010Wallingford, CT (April 27, 2010) – Gaylord Hospital is proud to announce that three of their nurses, Kristina Guanzon, RN; Susan Hahn, LPN; and Jennifer Kleinschmidt, RN, are among the ranks of distinguished honorees to receive the prestigious Nightingale Award, the largest nursing recognition program in Connecticut. Developed by the Visiting Nurse Association of South Central Connecticut, the award is given in celebration of outstanding nurses who demonstrate excellence in their daily performance. Each of the three Gaylord recipients was nominated by her team for her special contributions. Kristina Guanzon, RN, of Avon is known for her unassuming approach. An empathetic listener, Kristina is comforting to families and takes initiative in problem solving on the unit. Susan Hahn, LPN, of Bristol is a second-time Nightingale recipient. Susan was unanimously nominated by her team because, “she demonstrates excellence in nursing every day.” Jennifer Kleinschmidt, RN of Wolcott lives by three words as a nurse: compassion, commitment and advocacy. Jennifer was cited for the special care and attention she provides to patients. A private ceremony will be held on May 5th at the Oakdale Theater with a keynote address to be given by State Attorney General Richard Blumenthal, who also serves as honorary chair of the event. Gaylord Hospital is a not-for-profit, long-term acute care hospital based in Wallingford, CT. The Hospital specializes in the care and treatment of people with complex medical and rehabilitation need, outpatient services and sleep medicine. Visit www.gaylord.org or call (203) 284-2829 for more information. # # # Gaylord Nurses Live Up to the Nightingale Spirit - Tuesday, April 20, 2010WALLINGFORD, CT--Excellence in nursing. That’s the hallmark of nurses honored with the Nightingale Award, developed by the Visiting Nurse Association of South Central Connecticut, to celebrate outstanding nurses in what has evolved over the last 10 years into the largest nursing recognition program in Connecticut. Gaylord is proud to announce that Kristina Guanzon, RN, Susan Hahn, LPN, and Jennifer Kleinschmidt, RN, are among the ranks of excellent nurses honored at the annual Nightingale Gala on May 5 at the Oakdale Theater. Kristina Guanzon, RN, is known for her unassuming approach—which is essential in the sometimes turbulent environment of patients with brain injury and stroke. An empathetic listener, Kristina is comforting to families and takes initiative in problem solving on the unit. Susan Hahn, LPN, a second-time Nightingale recipient, was unanimously nominated by her team, which includes housekeeping, materials, management, therapies and nursing. They nominated Susan because, “she demonstrates excellence in nursing every day…and also while she is finishing school to become an RN as well.” Compassion, commitment and advocacy are the three words that Jennifer Kleinschmidt, RN, lives by as a nurse. She was nominated by her supervisor who said, “Jennifer exemplifies the values and core benefits of Florence Nightingale.” She was cited for the special care and attention she provides to patients with medically complex issues. This year’s keynote address will be given by State Attorney General Richard Blumenthal, who also serves as honorary chair of the event. ### The Curious Case of Gaylord Hospital, LTACHs and Exclusion from Healthcare IT Stimulus Funds - Saturday, April 10, 2010WALLINGFORD, CT--The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, better known as the “Stimulus Package,” created numerous funding opportunities, including those for health care information technology. Unfortunately, long term acute care hospitals like Gaylord were excluded from the IT offering. President and Chief Executive Officer Jim Cullen took Congress to task, rallying support from the Connecticut delegation and decision makers across the state to make Gaylord’s need for IT health care funds known to lawmakers. He then took Gaylord’s case to the nation’s capitol, where he, along with Chief Financial Officer Janine Epright and Director of Information Technology Brian Richard, met with Congressional staff to explain why Gaylord’s request for IT funding should be submitted to appropriations. Their efforts are paying off; Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro notified the hospital that she was supporting Gaylord’s request for $300,000 for IT funding in appropriations. “This means that we are one step closer to securing much-needed dollars for our IT infrastructure,” Epright said. “It isn’t a done deal, yet, but we are encouraged by the phenomenal support extended by Congresswoman DeLauro and her staff.” Richard explained that Gaylord currently has an 85%-90% all inclusive, two-system electronic medical record (EMR), thanks to a significant investment from the hospital’s endowment in 2000. “However, there are gaps,” he said. “Current systems need to be integrated and built on one network infrastructure to eliminate inefficiencies created by stand-alone systems and advance the quality of patient care.” He said that the advantages of IT funding would reduce medication errors, increase patient safety, improve patient satisfaction and provide for better retention of the clinical workforce. Congress continues to deliberate over appropriations, so Gaylord and other special-interest groups have yet to learn of the fate of their requests. ### Creative Expressions Art Show Featured Artist: Cynthia Trindal - Friday, April 02, 2010WALLINGFORD, CT--In 1981, Cynthia Trindal of Orange was in a car accident that changed her life. After undergoing rehabilitation at Gaylord Hospital, Trindal rekindled her love for drawing and painting through the hospital’s Creative Expressions art program for patients. She began by drawing and giving the pieces to friends and family. Her work was noticed by Gallery on the Green owner June Benson, who began to show some of Trindal’s works in her shop. Today, Trindal’s work is displayed at the Milford Historical Society and New England Framing & Art. The Milford Chamber of Commerce has also used her work in their brochures. Trindal will be honored for her work as the featured artist at the Creative Expressions Annual Art Exhibit, which opens April 20 at Gaylord Hospital. Trindal works with pen and ink, acrylics and watercolor (which is her favorite medium). Trindal credits the special care and support given to her while at Gaylord with playing a major part in her physical and emotional recovery. She also is one of the “founding” artists who has helped grow the Creative Expressions art program at the hospital. Her work has graced each exhibit since 1994. ### Gaylord Physician Makes Connecticut Magazine’s Top Docs Issue - Wednesday, March 03, 2010WALLINGFORD, CT--David Rosenblum, M.D., medical director of rehabilitation at Gaylord Hospital, has been named one of Connecticut Magazine’s Top Docs in the April 2010 issue. Each year, the magazine surveys over 5,000 physicians across the state and asks them: “Other than yourself, to whom would you send a loved one in need of medical attention?” Dr. Rosenblum is one of 757 doctors in 25 different specialties to make the list. In the issue, Dr. Rosenblum is recognized for his work in physiatry, his involvement with the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and his research endeavors with Boston University Medical Center for the Model Spinal Cord Injury Center. 
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