Rxtra, September 28, 2009 - Hartford Hospital!

A publication for the employees of Hartford Hospital Week of September 28, 2009 Vol. 65 No. 39
Hartford Hospital employees Jean Donatelli,
West Hartford Surgery Center, Kathy Hersey,
Occupational Health, and Carol Blanks-Lawson,
Allied Health, volunteered their time and skills on
United Way’s Day of Caring.

HH Employees Give Back through United Way Campaign
Submitted by Kathy Hersey, Hartford Hospital United Way Chair
Hartford Hospital had a Kick-off Breakfast for approximately
80 champions from each unit. Speakers at our breakfast were
Jeff Flaks, EVP & COO, Hartford Hospital; Dr. Orlando
Kirton, Chair of the Medical Team, and Kathy Hersey,
United Way Chair for Hartford Hospital.
Above: Dr. Orlando Kirton, Medical Chief of United Way Campaign; Kathy Hersey, Occupational Helath, Chair of
the United Way Campaign; Pedro Madera, Family Liason, OR, Co-Chair; Jeff Flaks, EVP & COO and Elliot Joseph,
President & CEO display this year’s Hartford Hospital United Way Campaign goal of $210,000.
Ann Péan, Senior Manager for Donor Relations at United
Way, has worked with us for years at Hartford Hospital.
Ann expressed how our United Way Community Campaign
touches everyone in the 40 towns comprising Hartford County.
Its core mission focuses on successful children, strengthening
families, and creating a safety net of services to meet
people’s basic needs in times of crisis, empowering them to
get back on their feet. Our guest speaker was Laura O’Keefe,
Manager of Volunteering and Training at Co-Opportunity.
Co-opportunity has an impressive record of accomplishment
helping people develop job skills, contribute to their community,
successfully purchase and maintain a home of their
own, and build the assets they need to make their families
financially successful.
For years, Hartford Hospital has played a pivotal role
in caring for our friends and neighbors
and supporting the health and wellbeing
of our community. This is evident
through our work every day, as well as
our generous support of the United Way
Community Campaign.
Hartford Hospital’s United Way
Community Campaign began celebrating
by participating in the National Day
of Service and Remembrance 9/11/09.
Thirty-one employees and volunteers
participated in Day of Caring.
We went to three neighboring agencies.
At Interval House for battered
women we painted 10 bedrooms, while
two of our electricians helped by checking
the wiring in their garage, and by
performing miscellaneous electrical
checks.
Another group went to Family Life
Education, Inc. on Grace Street and helped organize storage
rooms by separating clothes, toys and other donations. HART
(Hartford Areas Rally Together) was our third assignment.
A group of six volunteers were busy washing windows there.
I would like to thank all of them for their tireless effort.
I know the agencies were all pleased with our enthusiasm.
We celebrated our United Way Fair Thursday, September
24th outside the cafeteria with a good turnout. We raised
$9,603.00 through the generosity of our employees who
How to Donate:
• e-Way (Located on H.H. Intranet, under Community Resources
• Forms are available from your Dept or Unit Coordinator or call Kathy Hersey @ 5-3475 if
you need more forms
• Paper forms can be returned to Kathy Hersey, Occupational Health via the mail room.
• If you have any questions, contact Kathy Hersey at 545-3475
2

donated toward a silent auction with items that included
reserved parking spaces, gift certificates and vendor items
that were donated for giveaways.
Giving through the United Way Campaign is an extremely
easy and effective way to support our community—and
one that is richly rewarding. We stand by the United Way
Community Campaign because it supports programs and initiatives
that make a positive impact throughout Connecticut.
Our campaign runs from Sept. 11 through Oct. 16, 2009.
While you may direct your contribution to a specific
agency or target area, we encourage you to consider
the Community Investment option as well. Community
Investment reaches the largest number of people and enables
United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut to
partner with agencies and businesses to undertake strategic
initiatives within the community. Your Community
Investment contribution is overseen by a network of volunteers
who ensure that your dollars are well spent on programs
and services that ensure that children are successful, families
are strong and healthy, and communities are safe and economically
vibrant.
This year’s theme is “Everyone has something to give.”
Our goal is $210,000.00. In 2008, 25% of employees made
pledges. Our goal is to increase that number to 30% employee
participation. I hope you will join me in supporting our community
by contributing to the 2009 United Way Community
Campaign. On behalf of those who will benefit from you
support, I thank you.
Below Photos: Hartford Hospital employees volunteered their time painting,
performing electrical work, organizing storage rooms and washing windows at
Interval House, Family Life Education, Inc. and HART (Hartford Areas Rally
Together) on Sept. 11, United Way’s Day of Caring.
3

Seasonal Flu Clinics
Free Seasonal Flu Vaccinations are available for all employees and volunteers.
Make sure to bring your Hartford Hospital badge with you.
Occupational Health,
Brownstone Building Basement
October 5, 6 & 7, 7 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Hartford Hospital Cafeteria
October 13, 14 & 15, 7 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Institute of Living
October 8, 7 a.m. – 5 p.m.
7 – 9 a.m.: Donnelly Building, Assesment Center
Conference Rom
9:30 – 11 a.m.: Research Building, Conference Room,
First Floor
11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.: Commons Building Cafeteria
2:30 – 5 p.m.: Donnelly Building, Assesment Center
Conference Room
CCMC Cafeteria, Conference Room F
October 21, 8 – 10 a.m.
October 27, 3 – 5 p.m.
Curtis Building, Newington
October 22, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Jefferson House*
October 22, 7 – 9:30 a.m. & 2:30-4 p.m.
*Seasonal flu shots will be available for Cedar Mountain
Commons employees at the Jefferson House Clinic
Call 5-6FLU (5-6358) or visit http://intranet.harthosp.org/flu.htm
for more information.
Smoke- and Tobacco-free Reminder
On November 19, 2009, all Hartford Hospital locations including Hartford Hospital, The
Institute of Living, and the Newington Campus will become smoke and tobacco-free. Also
included in this initiative is Connecticut Children’s Medical Center.
We recognize that this policy may impact employees who currently use tobacco.
Hartford Hospital is committed to providing resources to address your concerns.
Please check out the information page on the intranet to find resources that may be of
assistance to you, including a $200 reimbursement for hospital employees who wish to enroll
in a tobacco cessation program or utilize nicotine replacement therapies.
Thank you for helping Hartford Hospital provide an environment that supports the
health and well being of our patients, visitors and employees.
http://intranet.harthosp.org/smokefree.htm
4

Trinity Students Beautify HH Campus on “Do It Day”
Submitted by Kelley Boothby, CAVS, Volunteer Services Co-Director
You may have noticed that the main campus
landscape was transformed from summer
to fall during the weekend of September
12th. How did that happen? Under the direction of
our own David Coutu, Manager of Grounds, and
his crew, 42 students from Trinity College planted
300 gorgeous mums as part of the school’s eleventh
annual “Do It Day.”
“Do It Day” is a half-day event that engages
hundreds of Trinity students, faculty, staff and
alumni in service projects throughout the Hartford
area. The purpose of this event is to strengthen
relationships between Trinity College and local
organizations, as well as to give the students the
opportunity to gain a better understanding and
appreciation for the Hartford community.
Student’s from Trinity College’s women’s basketball and lacrosse teams planted mums and groomed the hospital
campus in preperation for the fall season.
This year Trinity College provided
Hartford Hospital with students from the
women’s basketball and lacrosse teams.
Eager and willing, they diligently worked
to plant the colorful mums that David and
his crew had strategically placed around
the hospital.
We’re fortunate to be a beneficiary of
Trinity College’s “Do It Day” each year
and appreciate our relationship with the
school. Entering the second decade of
this service day is just another reason for
Trinity College to be proud.
5

972-XXXX: New Telephone Prefix Coming to Hartford Hospital
Move over “545-XXXX” and “696-
XXXX,” a new 3-digit Hartford
Hospital telephone exchange prefix
is coming soon. By as early as mid-
October, we will be seeing “972-
XXXX”-- or the shorter version used
for internal dialing, “2-XXXX”-
- showing up on our Caller IDs and
pagers.
The inpatient pharmacy will be
the first department in the hospital to
inaugurate the new 972-XXXX prefix
when the pharmacy opens in new
quarters on HB 13 in mid-October.
Not long after that, the new women’s
ambulatory service on Park Street will
also open with 972-XXXX telephone
numbers.
A new prefix was necessary to
provide the capability to add more
phones to the hospital’s network and
create flexibility for future expansion
within the HHC organization. The
common goal is to establish a single
platform to carry both voice and data
services At close to 7,700 phone
numbers just for the Hartford Hospital
campus alone, the old 545- prefix was
about to be depleted. A new prefix had
to be created.
Another change in telephone dialing
is coming soon to the entire state.
In mid-November, it will become
necessary to dial ten digits, including
area code, to make any phone call-
- even to call someone in the same
town. For us that means that to dial
into the hospital from anywhere in the
Hartford region, you will have to dial
860-XXX-XXXX. For long distance
dialing, the numeral “1” must precede
the area code, as always. These changes
will also impact speed dialing on fax
machines, modems, publications,
advertising and correspondence.
All new phone number assignments
will be updated on the hospital’s
intranet corporate on-line directory.
6
Monthly
Exercise Tips
Brought to you by the
Employee Fitness Center
Ed Genga MA, CSCS - Director
Can I cut my gym time and still pack on serious muscle?
Sure -- the key is boosting “workout density,” a fancy term for the work you do in a given length of time. Here’s a
program for big gains, sans burnout.
RULE 1: Fill your tank.
High-octane workouts stall if you don’t gas up properly. A half-hour before your workout, drink a glass of juice with a
scoop of whey-protein powder mixed in, or eat a small cup of fruit, granola, and yogurt.
RULE 2: Recover while you work.
Perform pushing and pulling exercises one after another in superset fashion, letting one muscle group recover while
the other works. Follow with a core exercise (such as a side bridge or hip crossover).
RULE 3: Work your whole body.
Exercising major muscle groups releases growth hormones and testosterone to build muscle and burn fat. Hit them all,
whether you work out three times a week (with a day of rest between workouts) or four times a week (with a day of
rest after your second session and 2 days rest after your last session).
RULE 4: Watch the clock.
After each pushing-pulling-core sequence, rest for 2 minutes, reducing this time by 15 seconds every week until you’re
down to 60-second rest periods.

Helen & Harry Gray Cancer Center Receives $25K Grant to Establish
Angie’s Spa at Hartford Hospital
Patients treated at the Helen &
Harry Gray Cancer Center can feel
better on the outside as they heal
on the inside with the Center’s new
partnership with Angie’s Spa.
Founded in memory of Angie
Levy who lost her battle with breast
cancer in June 2008, Angie’s Spa
provides free spa services for cancer
patients undergoing chemotherapy.
Hartford Hospital received a
$25K grant from Angie’s Spa and
is only the second hospital in the
nation to receive funding from
the organization to implement
this program. Angie’s Spa closely
complements the hospital’s
Integrative Medicine Department
who’s staff performs the spa services.
Patients who are in active
treatment at either the Avon or
Hartford cancer centers are offered
a menu of services to pick from,
including massage, acupuncture,
reiki, manicure, makeovers, and
haircuts and styles – all costs
covered by Angie’s Spa.
Angie’s Spa at Hartford Hospital
was dedicated with a reception
Above: Jeff Flaks, EVP & COO and Dr. Andy Salner, Cancer Program Director, accept the $25K grant from Kathleen Connor,
Angie’s Spa Director of Development.
on Sept. 15. A plaque now hangs
outside the room where the spa
services are given.
“All were very pleased to be able
to meet the staff and see the facility
and the plaque and left feeling
really good about their gift,” said
Katie Levesque, Associate Director
for Corporate and Foundation
Support. “And that’s what we want
– a mutually beneficial relationship
between us. The program is off to a
good start and the Cancer Center is
very excited about it.”
At least a dozen patients have
taken advantage of Angie’s Spa
at Hartford Hospital already,
said Sherry Storms, CHESS
Coordinator at the Gray Cancer
Center. Several have requested their
wigs to be styled or for haircuts to
ease the hair loss transition during
treatment. One inpatient was able
to receive a massage, while another
patient enjoyed a reflexology
treatment during a seven-hour
chemo infusion.
“Staff throughout the hospital are
very excited to provide this service
to their patients,” said Storms. “It
makes them feel good to meet their
patients needs and make them feel
good about themselves – it’s a very
much-needed service.”
More information on the
organization can be found at www.
angiesspa.org.
Above: Katie Levesque, Associate Director for Corporate and Foundation Support; Jeff Flaks, EVP & COO; Lainie Sodel, friend
of Levy family; Nancy Berry, Angie’s Spa Executive Director; Ronna Levy, Angie’s mom, Kathleen Connor, Angie’s Spa Director
of Development; Donna Handley, VP, Cancer Program; Carol Garlick, VP, Philanthropy; Dr. Andy Salner, Cancer Program Director;
and Sherri Storms, CHESS Coordinator.
7

Hartford Hospital Welcomes New Physicians to its Medical Team
Afrooz Ardestani, MD, MPH
General Internal Medicine
Eva M. Carignan, MD
OB/GYN
Latesha Dawson, MD
Pediatrics
David Eisenberg, MD
Surgical Oncology
Timur T. Graham, MD
General Internal Medicine
Hospitalist
Ankur Gupta, MD
Cardiology Hospitalist
Joyce K. Justin, MD
General Internal Medicine
Hospitalist
Venkata Kota, MD
General Internal Medicine
Hospitalist
Christopher S. Luthi, MD
General Internal Medicine
Hospitalist
Komsu F. Mamuya, MD
Cardiology
Anoop Meraney, MD
Urology
Deanne M. Nakamoto, MD
Opthalmology
Nishant Patel, MD
Cardiology Hospitalist
Zheala Qayyum, MD
Psychiatry
Erica Schuyler, MD
Neurology
David F. Slat, MD
General Internal Medicine
Hospitalist
Hanna (John) Slim, MD
Cardiology Hospitalist
Russell Stein, MD
Cardiology
Kenneth Weisman, MD
Urology
8

Research Rundown:
www.hartfordhealth.org/research
The superior man is modest in his speech, but exceeds in his actions.
“Energy and persistence conquer all things.” - Benjamin Franklin
- Confucius
Third Annual Research Day- November 9, 2009
Sept. 2009
The third annual Hartford Hospital Research Day will feature keynote speaker, Shawn Murphy,
MD, PhD, Associate Director of the Laboratory of Computer Science at Massachusetts General
Hospital and Assistant Professor of Neurology at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Murphy is an
expert in the field of biomedical informatics. The event will also include presentations by Khamis
Abu-Hasaballah, PhD, (from the University of Connecticut) and Hartford Hospital researchers
including Joseph Kuti, PharmD (Center for Anti-Infective Research and Development), C. Michael
White, PharmD (Pharmacy), Gualberto Ruaño, MD, PhD (Genomas), Godfrey Pearlson, MD (Olin
Neuropsychiatric Research Center, Institute of Living), and Paul Thompson, MD (Cardiology). A
registration fee of $25 will be required and will include breakfast and lunch. The Research Program
is planning to submit this activity for CME/CEU credits. Please contact Chris Harvey (545- 5620)
or Bev Melo (545- 1251) for more information.
Research Week Call for Posters
The Research Program will display posters in the cafeteria
during the week of November 9, 2009, in order to coincide
with Research Day. Hartford Hospital investigators are invited
to display posters featuring the results of recent research studies.
Please contact Tara McLaughlin at tmclaug@harthosp.org
for more information.
Dr. Michael Stevens appointed to NIH study section
by Center for Scientific Review
The Research Program is pleased to announce that Dr.
Michael Stevens, Director of the Clinical Neuroscience
and Development Laboratory at the Olin Neuropsychiatry
Research Center and Director of Child and Adolescent
Research for The Institute of Living, has been appointed to
the Neural Basis of Psychopathology, Addictions and Sleep
Disorders Study Section by the NIH Center for Scientific
Review. NIH study sections review grant applications submitted
to NIH, recommend them to the appropriate NIH council
or board and survey scientific developments in their research
fields. Study sections are integral to the NIH peer review
process and membership represents a unique opportunity
to contribute to the nation’s biomedical research efforts. Dr.
Stevens was selected for membership on the basis of his outstanding
scientific achievements. His term began in August
and will continue through June, 2013. The Research Program
congratulates Dr. Stevens on this prestigious appointment.
10
“High Impact Therapy for Pregnant Smokers”
posted to NCI RTIPs Web site
The Research Program congratulates Ellen A. Dornelas, PhD,
Director of Behavioral Programs, Division of Cardiology,
on the recent posting of her program “High Impact Therapy
for Pregnant Smokers” to the National Cancer Institute’s
Research-tested Intervention Programs (RTIPs) Web site.
RTIPs is a searchable database that provides immediate access
to evidence-based, cancer control intervention programs and
products. Programs listed on RTIPs must have been evaluated
through a peer-reviewed and funded research study and
results must have been published in a peer-reviewed journal.
Through a rigorous panel review conducted by the National
Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices, programs
are scored on criteria including dissemination capability,
cultural, age and gender appropriateness, research integrity
and intervention impact. Once programs are accepted, RTIPs
makes the associated materials available for use by program
staff, researchers and cancer control planners.
“High Impact Therapy for Pregnant Smokers” involves
a single session of intensive psychotherapy followed by bimonthly
telephone calls after delivery. 3The program utilizes
Motivational Interviewing to rapidly engage the client, to determine
how ready the client is to quit smoking and to help move
the client toward setting a quit date. The success of the intervention
hinges upon the interpersonal engagement between
therapist and client and the client’s ability to understand that
smoking can be a way of coping with emotional distress.
The program’s effectiveness was illustrated through a randomized
clinical trial done in collaboration with the Division

of Women’s Health and funded by a grant from the Donaghue
Medical Research Foundation, involving 105 pregnant women
who smoked (Dornelas et al., 2006). At the end of pregnancy,
the women assigned to the intervention group had significantly
higher reported smoking abstinence rates (confirmed by carbon
monoxide breath test) relative to those who received usual
care only (28.3% vs. 9.6%; p=.015) The intervention had an
even more pronounced effect among participants younger than
25 years of age and whose gestation was less than 18 weeks at
the time of study entry (60% abstinence rate for intervention
group vs. 0% for usual care group only; p=.002).
Readers interested in viewing the program’s listing on
RTIPs, including information about the Implementation
Guide, may visit the RTIPs Web site for more information:
http://rtips.cancer.gov/rtips/index.do.
For further reading, please see: Dornelas EA, Magnavita
J, Beazoglou T, Fischer EH, Oncken C, Lando H, Greene
J, Barbagallo J, Stepnowski R, Gregonis E. (2006, Dec).
Efficacy and cost-effectiveness of a clinic-based counseling
intervention tested in an ethnically diverse sample of pregnant
smokers. Patient Education and Counseling, 64(1-3), 342-349.
Summer Fellows present research projects as
part of 47th Annual Summer Student Fellowship
Program
The Research Program congratulates the 2009 Summer
Student Fellows and their research mentors on the high quality
of the research projects presented on August 7, 2009, in
conjunction with the 47th Annual Summer Student Fellowship
Program. Each year, the Summer Student Fellowship Program
offers college students the opportunity to intern over the summer
with Hartford Hospital researchers in a variety of clinical
areas, learning about research methodology (including study
design, data analysis and ethical conduct of research) firsthand
within the context of a clinical area that corresponds
to their particular research interests. Each student embarks
upon his or her own research project in June and results
are presented to the hospital community each year in early
August. Currently in its 47th year at Hartford Hospital, the
program is directed by Rosemarie Portal, Coordinator of the
Medical Education Program and is sponsored by the Medical
Education Program, the Medical Staff and the Research
Program. The Summer Research Scholarship Program is
successful because of the financial support of the Hartford
Hospital Medical Staff.
Congratulations to the 2009 Student Fellows and mentors
who presented the following research projects:
Kirsten Anderson
Outcomes of pregnancies complicated by fetal cystic hygroma
Mentor: Dr. Adam Borgida (Fetal Maternal Medicine)
Ela Banerjee
Prevalence of intimate partner violence in acute overdose patients
Mentor: Dr. John Delgado (Toxicology)
Seth Banever
Biliary tract complications after liver transplantation with and without
the use of a T-tube
Mentor: Dr. David Hull (Transplant)
Seo Choi
Causes of overactive bladder in a urogynecology practice
Mentor: Dr. Christine LaSala (Urogynecology)
Max Condren
Population-based cholinesterase measurements: Assaying whole blood
cholinesterase on a platform designed for plasma cholinesterase
Evaluation of factors altering ratio of plasma to whole blood ethanol
determinations
Mentor: Dr. Charles McKay (Toxicology)
Edward Dostaler
The effect of statins on skeletal muscle function and the effect of statins
on cognitive function
Mentor: Dr. Donna Polk (Preventive Cardiology)
Andrew Goldsmith
Predictors of readmission for CHF
Mentor: Dr. Justin Lundbye (Cardiology Critical Care)
Kerri Muenkel
Weight loss surgery and diabetes mellitus
Mentor: Dr. Pavlos Papasavas (Bariatric Surgery)
Thomas Nevers
Margin status impacts PSA recurrence after robotic radical prostatectomy
Mentor: Dr. Joseph Wagner (Urology)
Gordon Olmstead
Evaluation of the Advanced Trauma Operative Management (ATOM)
course
Mentor: Dr. Lenworth Jacobs (Trauma)
Jennifer Rahn
Exploring the functional role of caspase 1 in heart failure patients
Mentor: Dr. Detlef Wencker (Cardiology, Heart Failure)
Emily Samartino
Perioperative blood loss associated with hysterectomy
Mentor: Dr. Michael Hallisey (Interventional Radiology)
Krista Santilli
Molecular characterization and comparison of toxin assay versus stool
culture for the detection of Clostridium Difficile
Mentor: Dr. Richard Quintiliani (Infectious Disease)
Research Rundown, continued on page 12
11

Research Rundown, continued
from page 11
Brittany Stuart
Indications for full-term NICU admission in a
large urban community hospital
Mentor: Dr. Deborah Feldman (Fetal Maternal
Medicine)
John Sullivan
Weight loss surgery and Diabetes Mellitus
Mentor: Dr. Pavlos Papasavas (Bariatric Surgery)
Mark Wojnarowicz
Prostate cancer brachytherapy database use and
outcomes
Mentor: Dr. Andrew Salner (Oncology)
Research Program to offer
Research Methods Lecture
Series
In keeping with its goal of facilitating
research within the hospital community,
the Research Program will offer a
Research Methods Lecture Series to be
held on the first Monday of the month
beginning in October 2009 and running
through March 2010. Lectures will
take place in the Gilman Auditorium
from 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. The first
lecture, “Research Design, Sampling
and Measurement” will take place on
October 5, 2009, and will address study
designs that are often used in biomedical
research, confounds and barriers
to consider when designing a research
study, sampling methods and levels of
measurement. Other lectures in the
series will include inferential statistics,
choosing the right statistic, meta-analysis
and clinical trials. The lecture series
is open to all who are interested.
Reminder: New Research Online
Forms System is now “live”
The Research Program’s new online
forms system, used for the electronic
routing of research applications and
other research documents, is now live.
The electronic system has retained the
functionality of the former Movaris
system but is now represented by a
“Trintech” icon. The URL address
for the new online system is: https://
research.harthosp.org/servlet/OC.
Those with links to the previous system
in their “favorites” will need to visit the
new URL to update the link as links to
the previous system will no longer work.
A user’s guide to the new system has
been distributed via Groupwise to the
research community. Please contact the
Research Technical Support line at 860-
545-5621, or via e-mail at research@
harthosp.org for unresolved problems
with the new system.
Grants and Contracts Update:
Important changes made to
Budget Worksheet
The Grants and Contracts division is
requesting that all investigators take
note of important changes that have
been made to the budget work sheet
for research projects. Some of the
changes to note include revision of the
Personnel work sheet, addition of a
Federal/Foundation/State work sheet
to be used for Federal, Foundation and
State grant submissions and addition
of website addresses within the worksheet
that investigators may access for
additional information. The Grants and
Contracts staff strongly recommends
that investigators not save the budget
work sheet template to their computers
as it will be updated frequently. If
you have any questions concerning the
new changes, please contact Grants
Administration at 545-4592. The new
budget worksheet may be accessed
through the Research Program website:
http://www.hartfordhealth.org/research/
Grants_Contracts_Index.htm.
INTERNAL FUNDING UPDATE
Small Grants: Requests for support
through the Small Grants program (for
research projects requesting $10,000
or less) may be submitted at any time
through the Movaris system. These
grants will provide seed money for
pilot projects with the potential to generate
external research support. Medical
Staff funding is also available to support
data analysis and database development
through the Research Program. Contact
Ilene Staff, PhD, (545-0178) for more
information.
The Following Projects Were
Generously Supported by the
Medical Staff:
Srilatha Avirala, MD (Cardiology): “Nuclear
cardiology imaging clinical outcomes blanket
protocol”
Steven Borer, MD (Cardiology): “Validation of
velocity vector imaging for assessment of diastolic
function”
Sarah Collins, MD (Urogynecology): “Patient
characteristics associated with PISQ-12
completion”
Farooq Iqtidar, MD (Cardiology): “Predictors
of rapid aortic dilatation in adult patients with a
bicuspid aortic valve”
Chris LaSala, MD (Urogynecology): “Causes
of overactive bladder in women from a urogynecology
practice”
Minita Patel, MD (Urogynecology): “The utility
of the beef tongue model for teaching residents
anatomy and repair of a fourth degree laceration”;
“Bother symptoms and quality of life as
related to prolapse”
Andrew Salner, MD (Cancer Center): “Chart
review: Treatment of tongue cancer”
Peter Schnatz, DO (Women’s Heath): “A
retrospective analysis of cervical polyps”;
“Association of adolescent and early adult
pregnancy with future development of postmenopausal
osteoporosis”; “Women’s health
clinical outcomes protocol”
Adam Steinberg, MD (Women’s Health):
“Bother symptoms and quality of life as related
to prolapse”
In addition, Robert McComb, PhD, (Clinical
Chemistry/ Pathology) received assistance with
manuscript preparation.
12

How Hartford Hospital Works (H3W): Monthly Update
Submitted by: H3W Facilitators
H3W Metrics
Balanced Scorecard H3W Initiative Outcomes:
2009:
• Target – 75 Work Groups by September 30, 2009
• Outcome Achieved – 98 Work Groups
2010:
• Target - 100% of Work Groups having created and
reviewing dashboard at monthly H3W meetings
• Action Plan to Meet this Goal has been established
H3W Process Measures (as of October 5, 2009)
• 25+ training sessions have been delivered to Work
Group Leaders, Chiefs, Directors
• Evaluations completed show that participants are
consistently “Highly Satisfied” with the material
being delivered in these training sessions
• 98 Workgroups have been implemented
• 3,944 employees to date have been involved in the
H3W process
• Attendance has improved month over month
(59% - 70%)
• 266 ideas have been generated to date by Work
Groups
Culture Shift
The Talk in the
Hallway.…
“We are having a work
group meeting”
“I can share my thoughts
and opportunities”
“No more complaining,
it’s about the data and
solutions”
“My wall-f lower is
talking”
“Those were great financial
updates, we’ve never received these before”
“No idea is a bad idea”
“She would never jump in to help, and now look”
“That was the best meeting ever”
There is Talk in the Hallway!
There Are Stories to
Tell …
• Charging for supplies
is not small change
• One piece of equipment
can stop the line
• One equipment pack
can improve patient
t h r o u g h p u t, a n d
improve surgeon /
employee satisfaction
• Patient safety is everyone’s
job
• Meal time is important to our patient population
and staff
• Front line staff know the issues and now have a
forum to voice them
13

Integrative Medicine Fall 2009 Educational Calendar
Baby’s First Massage Instructor Training with Merrilyn Williams, LMT
10/24/09, 9am-1pm, HH ERC 123 Fee: $250; Preregistration required at 860-545-1888
Description: Learn to instruct parents to massage their newborn babies, as well as the science,
benefits, and communication these techniques provide. Upon registration you will receive all
Baby’s First Massage workshop Home Study materials (video and instructor’s manual) that you
must complete before attending the workshop. Please bring the completed post-test with you in
order to receive certification. The follow up workshop will include reinforcement of the home
study materials, a review of the post-test, practice sessions, as well as a live demonstration with
a newborn baby and family. CEUs.
Expressive Art Class – Soul Collage with Diana Boehnert, BFA, MFA
11/11/09, 5:30-8:30pm; HH Newington Campus, Seminar 1 Fee: $40, Preregistration required at
860-545-1888
Description: Soul Spirit Collage is a method of creating a multilayered visual image. The cut
up fragments from a variety of gathered images are moved around, fitting them together like
a puzzle then gluing them down onto a card that will ultimately be used to create a deck of
cards. We then process the image by contacting your intuition to create surprising new stories
that develop from the mix of images which will have special meaning for you and assist you in
answering some of life’s questions. It’s fun to do and sharing the process with others deepens
the experience. Absolutely no previous art experience necessary.
Body Awareness and Conditioning with Sharon Bates
6-week series: 11/4, 11, 18, 25, 12/2 and 9 ’09, 6-7:30pm; HH Newington Campus gym Fee: $90/6 week session,
Preregistration required at 860-545-1888
Description: Appropriate for all levels of fitness, this 6-session class is for people who want to improve their
daily lives with more balanced posture and fewer limitations. This class develops increased well-being through
body awareness. Increase your confidence and flexibility and prevent injury. Identify your imbalances and the
effects they have on your body alignment. Learn to utilize the eyes and breath for ease of
movement as nature intended, learn pathways to lift, support, and heal stressed and injured
body parts, and tap into the elusive core muscles with clarity and control. You will learn
techniques and the process for conditioning that professional dancers and athletes use with the
fusion of movement, breath, eye movement and anatomy awareness. Yoga or exercise attire,
mat, and water strongly recommended.
Cancer Wellness Support Series:
Acupuncture/Acupressure with Susan Bisbee, Lac
11/17/09 6-7:30pm, Helen & Harry Gray Cancer Center, Taylor Conference Room Fee:
Free to cancer patients and their families; Preregistration required at 860-545-4444;
Light refreshments will be served.
Description: Learn about this ancient technique to restore and maintain health through
the stimulation of specific points on the body.
14

Hypnobirthing with Kathy Glucksman, RN, BSN, CHBP
5-week series: 11/2, 9, 16, 23 and 30 ’09, 6:30-9pm, HH Wethersfield Health Center Fee:
$225 (plus $25 for textbook, practice CDs, and handouts to be paid to teacher at first class);
Preregistration required at 545-1888
Description: Come to this 5-week class for expectant parents/significant others and learn
techniques for a safe and more comfortable birthing using guided imagery, visualization,
special breathing techniques, and self-hypnosis. Additional emphasis is placed on pregnancy
and childbirth, as well as pre-birth parenting and the consciousness of the pre-born baby.
A Day of Mindfulness (All Day Retreat) with Randy Kaplan, PhD
12/5/09, 9am-3:30pm, HH ERC Informal Lounge Fee: $50; Preregistration required at 860-545-
1888
Description: All-day workshop (totally separate from the MBSR series which has its own
all-day retreat) open to anyone who has had previous experience in mindfulness meditation.
This all-day retreat provides an opportunity to refresh yourself and deepen your connection
to the different core mindfulness practices. There will be a mix of guided sitting and walking
meditations, mindfulness yoga, and loving kindness meditation. There will also be brief
talks focused on important aspects of mindfulness, as well as issues raised by students. For
more information, call Integrative Medicine at 545-4444 or contact Randy Kaplan, PhD at
drkaplan4000@yahoo.com. Course is open to all hospital employees, medical personnel, patients, and the
general public.
Reiki Level I with Alice Moore, RN, MA, RMT
10/8, 11/12 or 12/17 ’09, 9am-5:30pm, HH ERC Formal Lounge Fee: $160; Preregistration required at 860-545-
1888
Description: Learn this Japanese hands-on relaxation technique (for self and others) that can promote
relaxation, pain relief, enhance the healing process and increase well-being. Practice time included. Nursing
CEUs and Medical CMEs available on request.
Therapeutic Touch with Karen Kramer, RN, MA
11/15/09, noon-8:30pm, HH Newington Campus, Seminar 1 Fee: $160; Preregistration required at 860-545-1888
Description: Learn an energy technique that can help you decrease pain and stress, accelerate healing, and
enhance well-being. Based on research and used in hospitals and colleges world-wide, this healing modality can
be used for yourself and your loved ones. Practice time included. No prerequisite.
Tibetan Bowls / Vibrational Healing Level II with Marie Menut, RN; Prerequisite: Level I with
Marie
Four Mondays: 11/2, 9, 16 and 23 ’09, 6-9 pm, HH Newington Campus, Seminar 1 Fee: $150; Preregistration
required at 860-545-1888
Description: Vibrational Healing /Tibetan Bowls Level 2 will expand on information gained from Level 1,
using three bowls plus ting-shaws. You will learn new techniques in playing your Tibetan Singing Bowl for
yourself, for others and for groups. New meditation exercises will be introduced to help you be more effective
and help avoid burn-out.
Yamuna Body Rolling with Sharon Schlar, Certified YBR Practitioner and Rolfer
10/7/09, 7-9pm, HH Newington Campus gym Fee: $40; Preregistration required at 860-545-1888
Description: Yamuna® Body Rolling (YBR), Awareness Through Fun and Fitness, is a dynamic workshop
(continued on page 16)
15

Integrative Medicince Classes, continued from page 15
where you learn how to do self-massage on a specific series of small balls. YBR promotes
balance, builds core strength, provides weight-bearing exercise, improves posture and directly
stimulates bone. This workshop gives you the tools for continued self-care. Please wear close
fitting yoga-type clothes and bring yoga-type mat since some of the work will be on the floor.
Yoga for Everyone with Cynthia Ambrose, RYT
Five-session series: 11/11, 18, skip a week, 12/2, 9 and 16 ’09, 4:15-5:30pm, HH ERC Formal
Lounge (except ERC 216 12/2, 9, 16) Fee: $75/5 week series; Preregistration required at 860-
545-1888
Description: 5-week Yoga series (for all levels) will include meditation, breath work, core
strengthening, posture flows, as well as longer holdings of postures to increase stamina and
promote cleansing of major organ systems. Feel energized, relaxed and open. Release stress,
build core strength, tone muscles and learn to cultivate compassion and Awareness.
Morning Yin Yoga with Lynn MacDonald, RYT
Six-week series: 6 Wednesdays: 11/4, 11, 18, 25, skip a week, 12/9 and 16 ’09, 9:30-10:30am,
HH Newington Campus gym Fee: $90/6 sessions; Preregistration required at 860-545-1888
Description: Join Lynn for a 6-week meditative morning yoga series suitable for all levels
of fitness and yoga experience. Yin Yoga is a quiet meditative Yoga that stretches the connective tissues, such
as ligaments as well as hip joints, pelvis and spine. Poses are supported on the floor and held for 3-5 minutes.
Muscles are not targeted in Yin Yoga as they are in a regular yoga (yang) and helps promote full range of
motion, stability, and strength, helping you do more with greater ease, calm, and comfort. Take into everyday
life what you learn on the mat. Bring yoga mat, water, and blanket (blanket optional but recommended).
Yoga for Weight Loss with Lynn MacDonald, RYT
Six-week series: 6 Thursdays: 11/5, 12, 19, skip a week, 12/3, 10, and 17 ’09, 4:30-5:45pm, HH Newington
Campus gym Fee: $90 / 6 week sessions; Preregistration required at 860-545-1888
Description: Are you serious about getting healthier and ready to take action? Learn tools for stress reduction,
toning and strengthening, as well as mindful eating. Join Lynn for a 6-week yoga series suitable for all levels
of fitness and yoga experience. Class will include meditation, breath work, core strengthening, posture flows,
as well as longer holdings of postures to increase tone, stamina, and jump-start metabolism. Feel energized
while relaxed and open, release stress, build core strength, tone muscles, and learn how to eat more mindfully.
Take into everyday life what you learn on the mat. Bring yoga mat, water, and blanket (blanket optional but
recommended)
Ethics or Compliance Concerns?
If you have any business ethics or compliance concerns, please contact your supervisor or call the
Compliance Helpline
a confidential service at
1-800-431-5572.
Si usted habla espanol, favor llamar 1-800-297-8592
16

Service Awards August 2009
40 Years
From left to right: Jeffrey Motta, Mr. Flaks and Dick
Gallagher congratulate Rhona Baugh Seawright.
30 Years
Mr. Flaks congratulates Gladys Rodriquez and
Clayre Johnson.
25 Years
Mr. Flaks congratulates Terence Talbot,
Mary Madsen, Hernando Garcia, and
Barbara Kaszubski.
20 Years
Mr. Flaks congratulates Bonnie Rowe, Nancy
Kowalchik, Mayra Ayala, Jana Motuzick, Christine
Rizzo, Barbara Nowak, Linda Motyl and Valmore
Stewart.
15 Years
Mr. Flaks congratulates Ronna Gruninger, Jamie Fish-
Fuhrmann, and Michael Gilgenbach.
17

Service Awards, continued from page 17
10 Years
Mr. Flaks congratulates Alice White, Diana
Rodriguez, Beverly Hamer, Thomas Coko,
Francesco Bruno, Dennis Ford, Gerald Green and
Meraly Ortiz.
5 Years
Mr. Flaks congratulates Ana Dos Santos, Linda Raye
Olander, Mary Laurencin, Angela Buchanan-Martell,
John Eaton, Agata Szopa, Derly Foerste, Marymar
Ortiz, Ilona Sapieha and Natasha Robinson.
Volunteers
Mr. Flaks congratulates volunteers on their dedicated
service. From left to right are: Barbara Meier, 500
hours with Pre-Op PACU and Blue Back Square,
Richard Graham, 500 hours of volunteer service
with Patient Relations, Carol Oleasz, 500 hours with
Integrative Medicine and Suzanne Fauerbach, 1,000
hours of volunteer service with Integrative Medicine.
Complete list of August 2009 Service Awards
45 Years of Service
William Lincoski, Donnelly 3N
35 Years of Service
Katherine Kortel, Surgical SVC C91
30 Years of Service
Linda Feldman, Cardiac Rehab/BBS
18
Clare Plourde, Patient Accounts/
Public Cashier
20 Years of Service
Lisa Callahan, Special Education/
Hartford
Sonya Dupre, Med Ed/Psychiatry
Christine Laschever, GI Endoscopy
15 Years of Service
Carl Becker, West Hartford Surgery
Center/Clinical
10 Years of Service
Jeremy Barbagallo, Preventive
Cardiology
Gail Bourdon, PHP/Professional
(continued on page 19)

(continued from page 18)
Ayleen Delmoral, Patient Accounts/
ED Registration
Lori Folk-Barron, Psychological
Testing
Monika Kieltyka, Surgical SVC, Bliss
7 ICU
Beverly Leggitt, Dept. of Surgery
Daniza Mandich, NCCCP Pilot
Sandra Martinez, Finance/
Professional Services Admin
Heriberto Merced, Environmental
Services
Rosemarie Newmark, IS/Finance
Systems
Jeniealiz Ocasio, Dept. of Orthopedics
Rosa Rosa, Patient Accounts/
Newington
Glenn Tadeo, Cardiology/Nuclear
Nereida Valentin, Women’s
Ambulatory Health Services
Angel Vega, OR Assistive Personnel
Raisa Virkerman, Patient Accounts/
Medicare
Mandy Wenis, Department of
Neurology
5 Years of Service
Barbara Bard, Special Education/
Hartford
Phalan Bolden, Cardiology Service
Center 10
Kathryn Dooley, Special Education/
Bloomfield
Nicole Farrelly, Radiology/CT Scan
Renu Khurana, Special Education/
Hartford
Bruce LaSalle, Main Storeroom
Faith Lawrence-McKane, Patient
Accounts/Assesment Center
Nicole Martina, Surgical SVC North 9
Wandy Matos, Surgical SVS C91
Laura McKinnon, Cardiology SVC
Center 10
Gregg Ouellette, Radiology/General
Kylee Panetta, Cardiology Services
Bliss 10 ICU
Frances Petko, Medicine SVC
Bliss 11E
Venisa Ruff, Surgical SVC C91
Narcisa Sahanic, Radiology/
Administration
Elisabeth Scherpenisse, Special
Education/Hartford
Melinda Shedd, Special Education/
Hartford
Karyn Therrien, Nursing Admin/
Women’s Health
Hsinfen Tu, Surgical Service C91
Katie Wandzy, Cardiology/ECHO
Tracy Whittingslow, Special
Education/Hartford
Stephanie Woina, Cardiology Service
Center 10
Lorraine Zapatka, Surgical Service
Bliss 9E
Dragon Docs, continued from back page
All of this was accomplished
despite a difficult training season.
Half of the team’s practices had
to be cancelled for one odd reason
after another – from lightning and
unpredictable weather to dealing
with a sunken boat and a Kenny
Chesney concert that blocked their
access. There was never a practice
with more than 15 people.
“It was particularly rewarding
to have won despite the
obstacles,” said Dragon Docs
Team Member Dr. Peter Bloom
of Connecticut Surgical Group.
Kudos to all the winners!
Dragon Docs
Team Members:
Kris Johnson, MD, CSG
Dave Mudano, OAH
Karlyn Darling, RN, CSG
Sukoshi Clubb, MD, Anesthesia
Associates
Katherine Rhee, MD, CSG
Fran Mcoomb, RN, West Hartford
Surgery Center
Andrez Rivera, Hartford Hospital
John Mudano, Simsbury School
System
Peter Bloom, MD, CSG
Dave D’Annolfo, CPS
Tim Nutt
Brian Craven, CPS
Steve Smith, MD, CSG
Alan Babigian, MD, CSG
Jeannine Ruby, Surgical Resident,
UConn
Alyssa Lynch, CPS
Chris Quallen, CSG
Lori Fredette, CSG
Rob Peterson, CSG
Doug McKell, CSG
19

RxTra
is published by the Planning & Marketing
Dept. each week—with a special monthly
issue on the last week of the month. Submissions should be
sent to announcements@harthosp.org at least two weeks
before the publication date using the submission form found
on the hospital Intranet under the Planning & Marketing
Dept. (The web link for the form is: http://intranet.harthosp.
org/hh/docs/2484). For questions or comments, please contact
Karin Diamond at 545-2199. This publication is printed by
Hartford Hospital’s Digital Print Center (DPC).
Nonprofit Organization
U.S. POSTAGE PAID
Hartford, CT
Permit No. 4361
2009 Dragon Boat Races: More Accolades
Since the story about the Hartford Hospital team
winning the Municipal Community Non-Profit Class A
Championship at Riverfront Recapture’s 2009 Dragon
Boat races ran in RxTra, it has been brought to RxTra’s
attention that there was more Hartford Hospitalassociated
representation in the winner’s circle.
Thirty community teams competed in Riverfront
Recapture’s Dragon Boat races – the
signature event of its annual Asian Festival
along Hartford’s riverbanks. There was
an overall champion, as well as two
subdivisions of corporate sponsored teams
and non-profits. The overall champion and
corporate team winner was CSG Dragon
Docs, a Hartford Hospital partner, and the
non-profit winner was Hartford Hospital’s
own team. The hospital has much to be
proud of as its associated teams won the
competition’s overall title and both divisions,
finishing first and second respectively in the
A Division final race.
The CSG Dragon Docs, with representation
from Connecticut Surgical Group, Hartford
Hospital, CT Physician Services and
Orthopaedic Associates, took the top prize of
the day: Community A Division Champions.
The team clocked times in the qualifiers that put
them ahead of the rest and secured them a spot in the
top speed division among several local corporate and
community teams. In the final race of the day, the
CSG Dragon Docs were the first to cross the finish line
with a winning time of 2:41.18. After officials combined
the times of the day’s three races, the CSG team also
took a second trophy for the fastest race times among
all Corporate Division teams. This is the second year
the CSG Dragon Docs took the top prize.
Dragon Docs, continued on page 19
Above Photos: In addition to the Hartford Hospital team’s victory, the Dragon Docs, whose
team also has representatives from Hartford Hospital and CT Surgial Group, took the
Community A Division Championship at Riverfront Recapture’s 2009 Dragon Boat Races.