ASM Newsletter, Volume 2!

The Ambulance Service of Manchester is happy to release the second issue of Pulse, the ASM employee newsletter. Released quarterly, Pulse features numerous articles outlining company news and events, training opportunities, case studies (periodically), health and wellness tips, and more. Additionally, each issue will contain an Employee Spotlight article, recognizing an EMT or Paramedic that has demonstrated a commitment to patients and co-workers alike via positive attitude, work ethic, and overall inspiring demeanor. Please enjoy!

Meet the Newest Members of the Team: Aetna Hires Seven – 2017

HARTFORD — On June 26th, 2017, seven EMTs were added to the Aetna team. As part of our continued growth, Aetna and ASM seek out only the best candidates. We look for employees who are focused on high-quality patient care, are team oriented and conduct themselves in a professional manner. During the orientation, employees learn about company philosophy and goals, quality assurance, and policies and procedures.

Luisa F. Marulanda: PART TIME, EMT. Hello everyone! My name is Luisa Marulanda and I am 24 years old. I’ve been a BLS instructor and EMS administrator for two years at CPR Training Professionals where I also received my EMT certification. I realized a few years ago that my calling involved a career that allows me to help others. This led me to become an EMT and begin my journey as a first responder. My ultimate goal is to become a Paramedic. I plan to accomplish this in the near future and after gaining experience as an EMT for Aetna. Thank you for the opportunity.

 


Kristen Wall: PART TIME, EMT. Hi! My name is Kristen Wall. I am 22 years old and just graduated from the University of Maryland where I studied Kinesiology. I have lived in Avon my whole life and have returned after college to gain some more medical experience before hopefully matriculating to an east coast PA school. Ultimately, I am hoping to be a PA specializing in emergency medicine. In my free time, I like to work out and travel. I just returned from Europe where I was backpacking for 3 weeks!

 


 

Anthony Chirico: PART TIME, EMT. I am 21 years old and currently a senior at UCONN. I am pursuing a B.S. in Biology and Psychology. After college, I plan on applying to medical school or PA school. I have been a Connecticut resident for my whole life. I live in Glastonbury currently, but I grew up in Manchester, Connecticut. Outside of work, I like to get active! I enjoy hiking, skydiving, biking, and traveling. I look forward to working for Aetna Ambulance and I am happy to be a part of the team!

 


Kristen Askin: FULL TIME, EMT. I’m 27 and originally from Boston, but have spent most of my life in Danbury. I’ve been working at Nelson Ambulance since February 2016, and volunteering for Newtown Ambulance since November 2015. I got into EMS after lifeguarding for 3 years on Candlewood Lake in Danbury. I graduated from WCSU with a BA in writing but have found being a first responder to be a much more rewarding experience. I plan to attend the medic program at Capitol Community College. Outside of work I enjoy reading and kayaking.

 


Nick Caisse: PART TIME, EMT. My name is Nick Caisse. I’m 24 years old and from Portland, CT. I currently reside in East Hampton, CT. I joined the military 7 years ago as a Military Police Officer and deployed to Afghanistan in 2012 to 2013. In 2014, I re-classed to a Combat Medic and became the Training NCO of a medical unit within the state. I began volunteering in my local community where I decided to pursue EMS as a career. I’m currently coming off of active duty and attending a Paramedic program either at Capitol Community College or New Britain EMS Academy starting this September with the goal of eventually becoming a Flight Medic. I’m excited, and thankful for the opportunity to work with and learn from all of you!


Nicole Kozlak: FULL TIME, EMT. My name is Nicole Kozlak and I am from Torrington, CT. I am 22 years old and I just graduated from UConn with a B.S. in Allied Health Sciences and a minor in Molecular and Cell Biology. I have been an EMT for a year and a half and I am a volunteer EMT with Winsted Area Ambulance Association. For the final two years at UConn, I was one of the instructors for the EMT class offered at the Storrs campus. I really enjoyed teaching and interacting with students and helping them to develop their skills. I also just recently became a CPR instructor. I plan on applying to PA school within the next year and a half and am very interested in Emergency Medicine and Orthopedics. I’m so grateful to now be a member of the Aetna team and can’t wait to start learning and gaining experience!


 

Lauren Hartwell: FULL TIME, EMT. I graduated from CCSU with a Bachelor’s degree in Bio-molecular Science. I started in EMS in 2014 at Vintech Ambulance Service in Litchfield County. Future plans involve either further school for a PA degree, or pursuing a career in pharmaceutical sales. Traveling is my passion and seeing the world is my goal.

 

ASM Participates in Local Food Drive

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SOUTH WINDSOR- Earlier this month, crews from the Ambulance Service of Manchester assisted South Windsor Community Center TRIAD with a food drive at both Geissler’s Supermarket and Stop and Shop. Members of the Hartford Evergreen Lodge #88 of Freemasons were also on site participating in the event. Please note ASM EMT’s Charlie Lodge and Elizabeth Miller contributing in the pictures provided.

ASM appears in ECHN Commercial!

 

 

 

 

 


Over the course of the next several weeks, ASM will be featured in a television commercial recently produced by Eastern Connecticut Health Network. EMT’s Erind Muco and Chris Tevnan can be viewed within the advertisement along with a clip of a Mercedes Sprinter ambulance. The commercial represents a portion of the comprehensive campaign; demonstrating just a few of the technological advancements offered within ECHN’s community setting.

Please click the link below to check it out!

 

ECHN is not just east of the river, it’s East of Ordinary.

ASM Attends the 2017 CT EMS EXPO

The annual Connecticut EMS Expo is the largest emergency medical services conference in New England. In addition to offering numerous classes and workshops, the event is a tremendous networking opportunity. Several forms of entertainment are offered as well, including the popular cornhole tournament. Please note ASM Paramedic’s Jeff Rasmussen and Dave Pozniak at this year’s event. According to Jeff, attending both the golf tournament and weekend lectures/ activities has become a yearly tradition.

 

Cleared for Independent Dispatch: Aetna’s Camilo Quezada Completes Precepting Phase

HARTFORD – As of May 19th, 2017, Aetna’s Camilo Quezada has been cleared by Hartford Hospital medical control for independent dispatch as a paramedic to the towns that Aetna serves. His preceptor was Paramedic Matt Carter. Camilo started at Aetna in August of 2012, and graduated from Capital Community College Paramedic Program.

As with all precepting phases at Aetna, Camilo’s final approval came from Hartford Hospital after shadowing him and his preceptor in the field as they responded to emergency calls.On behalf of the Aetna Family, we would like to wish Camilo the best of luck and say we are very proud to have such skilled professionals on staff.

Cleared for Independent Dispatch: Aetna’s Cora Gingras Completes Precepting Phase

HARTFORD – As of May 23rd, 2017, Aetna’s Cora Gingras has been cleared by Hartford Hospital medical control for independent dispatch as a paramedic to the towns that Aetna serves. Her preceptor was Paramedic Greg Kendall. Cora started at Aetna in December of 2016. She graduated from the Goodwin College/Hartford Hospital Paramedic Program after studying psychology at Eastern Connecticut State University. As with all precepting phases at Aetna, Cora’s final approval came from Hartford Hospital after shadowing her and her preceptor in the field as they responded to emergency calls.

On behalf of the Aetna Family, we would like to wish Cora the best of luck and say we are very proud to have such skilled professionals on staff.

EMS Recruitment Tool – PSA Video

The link below leads to a video recently produced by the Public Information and Education (PIE) Subcommittee of the Connecticut EMS Advisory Board. The video demonstrates the true value of EMS professionals within the healthcare continuum. In addition, it acts as a recruitment tool for prospective EMS providers.

 

Click Here!

ASM Teams Up with East Hartford Middle School’s Special Education Department!

MANCHESTER- On Tuesday May 30th, 2017 employees from the Ambulance Service of Manchester were invited to East Hartford Middle School’s Special Education Department, in order to familiarize students with emergency personnel. ASM EMT’s, Kyle Caldwell and Kaitlyn Duley, fielded questions and interacted with schoolchildren to provide them with a sense of understanding of the first responder community. The event was coordinated by Special Education Teacher Christine Sposito, who acts as the program leader for East Hartford Middle School’s progressive “Independent Living Skills Class.” In addition to a general overview of EMS life by the crew, the students received an equipment demonstration, tours of the ambulance, and a mock patient care scenario.

Schedule of EMS Week 2017 Events and Activities

EMS Week 2017


Monday, May 22nd

  • 0730-1200: Hartford Hospital: Annual EMS Week Symposium, ERC 221. A multidisciplinary group if physicians deliver engaging , EMS-specific presentations. No charge, all level of providers are encouraged to attend. To register please email David.Bailey@hhchealth.org.
  • 1000: The staff of OEMS will join the Council of Regional Chairpersons (CORC) in celebration of the annual EMS awards at the State Capitol. All are welcome. The Ceremony will take place in the Old Judiciary Room and will honor individuals and services from throughout Connecticut.

Tuesday, May 23rd

  • 1100-1300: Saint Francis Hospital Fajita Festival Lunch

Wednesday, May 24th

  • 1200-1400: Hartford Hospital (outside of Conklin Building) Annual Cook-out.
  • 1700-1900: Saint Francis Hospital Fajita Fling Dinner
  • 1700: Saint Francis Hospital Emergency Department: Annual EMS Champion Award.
  • 1730-1900 Hartford Hosptial (outsdie of Conlkin Building) Annual Cool-out.

Thursday, May 25th

  • 1800: Johnson Memorial Hospital BBQ. CME follows BBQ at CMEC Ammpitheater (the building on the right as you enter the main hospital driveway) 201 Chestnut Hill Road, Stafford Springs.

Friday, May 26th

  • 1700-2000: Ambulance Service of Manchester Employee BBQ. 275 New State Rd, Manchester.

If your organization, facility or agency is having an EMS Week event in the greater Hartford area and you do not see it listed here, please email it to a member of our management team, fill out the contact form, post it as a comment, or email it to us at info@asm-aetna.com.

Fundraiser for Mike Makulis

Mike Makulis has worked in the Emergency Department at Manchester Memorial Hospital for nearly 38 years, and has been an employee at the Ambulance Service of Manchester for over 26 years. On April 13th of this year, he underwent 11 hours of surgery related to a vascular issue that almost took his leg. Due to severe complications, an additional surgery was required on April 14th. The second surgery lasted for over four hours, and successfully established blood flow to his leg. Both of these extensive procures have left Mike unable to return to work at either job until further notice.  In addition to supporting him emotionally, we are hoping to help him with some of the financial difficulties he will face as a result of being out of work.

There will be a fundraiser for Mike on May 25th, from 6 to 10 pm at the Elks Club of Manchester, located on 30 Bissell Street. Tickets are available from the Charge Nurse in the Manchester Memorial Emergency Department, or at ASM from either Ryan McConville or Patrick Gleason. Please help us celebrate Mike’s recovery with food, refreshments and raffles! Tickets are $30 per person. If you are unable to attend the festivities, please consider making a donation. Thank you in advance for your generosity. If you have any questions, please call 860-647-9798 x258

National Nurses Week 2017

 

ASM and Aetna would like to extend a sincere thank you to all of the nurses our employees interact with on a daily basis. Your continued dedication and compassion remains an essential aspect of the patient care experience. Please know that your efforts will never go unnoticed.

 

 

Aetna Attends “Touch A Truck Event” in Hartford!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HARTFORD — On May 6, 2017 Aetna Ambulance Service attended a Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood themed “Touch a Truck” event held at CPBN Television Station on Asylum Avenue in Hartford. The event, organized by a group of military veterans, encouraged kids to interact with Police, Fire, and EMS personnel in order to gain a sense of familiarity with first responders. Event Coordinator James Reeves’s motivation for the project was “creating, coordinating, and executing a family-friendly event that highlights the importance for children and families to “be a good neighbor” and become more involved in their communities.”  Mr. Reeves also stated “we feel that kids should be unafraid of those in uniform to the point that they can communicate freely and openly, especially in times of urgent need.”

Aetna Field Supervisor Matt Campbell, and EMT’s Alexandra Zhakov and Anthony Mazzola provided ambulance tours and the entertainment for those in attendance, giving out coloring books and posing for pictures.

 

ASM Participates in “Life is a Picnic” Senior Health Fair

MANCHESTER- On Thursday May 4th, 2017 the Ambulance Service of Manchester participated in Manchester Health Department’s “Life is a Picnic” Senior Health Fair.  Over 40 organizations took part in this event offering services and demonstrations to hundreds of seniors within the community. ASM’s Kyle Caldwell and Karisa Welch spent the afternoon fielding questions and interacting with participants like long time Senior Center Volunteer Earl Parent, featured in the picture above.

Aetna’s Amy Griskus Promoted to Medicare Office Supervisor

MANCHESTER — On April 28th, 2017 Aetna’s Amy Griskus was promoted to the position of Medicare Office Supervisor.

Amy has worked for Aetna since October 2007, reviewing and processing Patient Care Reports (PCR’s), interacting with Medicare patients and payors, maintaining a knowledge of billing practices to ensure Medicare compliance, and much more. On behalf of Aetna and ASM, we would like to congratulate Amy and look forward to more great things from her.