Gaylord Specialty Healthcare Names 2026 Employee of the Year

Wallingford Resident Chrissy Rutigliano, CMA, Selected for Top Honor 

WALLINGFORD, CONNECTICUT, July 17, 2027 — Gaylord Specialty Healthcare, a nonprofit rehabilitation-focused healthcare system headquartered in Wallingford, proudly announces that Chrissy Rutigliano, CMA, outpatient medical services practice manager, has been named the 2026 Employee of the Year.

A member of the Gaylord family since 2009, Rutigliano is widely known across the hospital for her compassion, humor, and dedication.

She was nominated by a peer who explained, “Chrissy knows everything and everyone and never fails to step up when needed.”

“No task is beneath her, no challenge is too big. She makes everyone feel welcome, treats everyone with respect, provides solutions, and more. She is an overachiever but always remains humble. She is truly someone that everyone knows, loves, and cherishes.”

Chrissy was recognized for playing a key role in the development and launch of Gaylord’s new interventional pain program, working diligently to make sure that every piece was in place while still managing outpatient services.

Rutigliano’s supervisor, Dr. Jerrold Kaplan, said, “In my 30–plus years as a physician leader, I can honestly say that no one has ever matched Chrissy’s dedication, leadership, creativity, and teamwork.”

“She is a truly compassionate person and strives to treat each patient and their family member as she would like to be treated herself. Gaylord is truly lucky to have her as part of our organization!”

“I am incredibly honored to receive this award, especially alongside all of the amazing nominees,” said Rutigliano. “Working alongside these dedicated and compassionate individuals truly inspires me every day. Seeing the care, commitment, and heart that each person brings to Gaylord reminds me why I’m so grateful to be part of this community. This is what Gaylord is about, and I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.”

The Joseph A. Lindenmayer Employee of the Year Award was established in 1992 by the grateful family of a former Gaylord patient. According to his daughter, Josephine L. Gierer, the award was created to honor the care and kindness her father received during his rehabilitation.

About Gaylord Specialty Healthcare:
Gaylord Specialty Healthcare is a rehabilitation-focused, nonprofit health system headquartered in Wallingford, Connecticut, that provides inpatient and outpatient care for people at every point in their journey from illness or injury to maximum recovery.

Gaylord Specialty Healthcare is anchored by Gaylord Hospital, a long-term acute care hospital, and includes Gaylord Outpatient Services and Gaylord Physical Therapy for patients who require diagnosis and treatment on an outpatient basis. Gaylord's Milne Institute for Healthcare Innovation is a hub for accelerating world-class rehabilitative research, technology development and innovation to improve the quality of life and function of people around the world. Together, these entities deliver a complete continuum of rehabilitative care driven by clinical experience, innovation and human compassion.