Category Archives: Aetna Company News

Meet the Newest Members of the Team: Aetna Hires Five – 2019

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HARTFORD — On April 1st, 2019, two Paramedics and three EMTs and 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.

From left to right, Nicole Valente, Anthony Fazzino, Shelma Morales, Tyler Driscoll, and Frank Duncan.

Frank Duncan: FULL TIME, EMT. Hello, I’m Frank Duncan. After graduating from UConn in 2015, I spent a few years working as an Office Paraprofessional at WH Public Schools. I also had a passion for firefighting so I became a volunteer with the Town of Farmington where I gained my EMT-B certification. My goals are to expand my EMS experience while strengthening my skills as an EMT. I hope to attend paramedic school in the future as I work to become a career firefighter. I look forward to joining the Aetna team and I’m very excited for the opportunity ahead! 

Nicole Valente: FULL TIME, PARAMEDIC. Hi, my name is Nicole. I just turned 30 and was born/raised in the south end of Hartford. I went to high school in Wethersfield and currently reside in Newington. I began my healthcare career as a volunteer EMT in Newington in 2012 and the ER at Windham Hospital as a tech while finishing my bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences at UConn (2016). I transferred to Hartford Hospital on the Cardiothoracic Surgery/LVAD floor (Bliss 9E) as a PCA in addition to working per diem as an EMT for AMR’s Hartford Division. I recently graduated from the Hartford Hospital (CESI) Paramedic Program. I am considering a future career in medicine as a Physician Assistant. For fun, I love to hike in the White Mountains and am always on a quest to find the hottest cuisine/chili peppers known to man. I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to serve the community I grew up in as a Paramedic. I am honored to join the team at Aetna and to continue my relationship with Hartford Hospital. 

Shelma Morales: FULLTIME, EMT. I enjoy watching horror movies, listening to music and being outdoors. I love to play sports, especially baseball and volleyball. I was born and raised in Puerto Rico, currently live in New Britain. Lastly, I am a first generation college student and aspire to become a PA in the oncology/hematology specialty.

Anthony Fazzino. FULL TIME, PARAMEDIC. I am a proud graduate of Hartford Hospital’s Paramedic Program and excited to begin my career in EMS. I recently moved back to Connecticut after living in Hawaii for 4 years. My goal is to continue my education in order to earn my Bachelor’s degree. Outside of work, I enjoy hiking, traveling, and scuba diving. I look forward to being a part of Aetna Ambulance as I continue to improve as a paramedic. 

Tyler Driscoll: FULL TIME, EMT. My name is Tyler Driscoll. I am from South Windsor and currently reside in Manchester. I have been working as an EMT in East Windsor for 5 years now, and I am excited to learn the Aetna ways and grow as an EMT. I look forward to working alongside some of the best providers in the area! Stay safe out there!

Upcoming Charity Events

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Team ASM-AETNA will be participating in two large charity events in the coming months. The first, an American Red Cross Blood Drive, will be hosted at Ambulance Service of Manchester’s headquarters on New State Road on Wednesday May 1st, 2019. Employees, friends, family and community members are all encouraged to register.

Image result for red cross blood drive

Team ASM-Aetna is also returning to Hubbard Park on June 15th, 2019 for the Purple Stride Walk to End Pancreatic Cancer. Details on how to join our team will be avaiable in the coming weeks.

Aetna Attends Food Share Event

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On March 5th, 2019 representatives from Aetna Ambulance Service spent the morning volunteering at Food Share to benefit residents of Bloomfield and surrounding towns. The event was organized by West of the River Networking Group.

Team ASM-Aetna Participates in 2019 CT Brain Freeze!

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Year two fundraising for Team ASM-Aetna was a great success. Through the efforts of employees, family members, and friends, over $1,700 was raised for Brain Tumor Research. All proceeds were donated to the National Brain Tumor Society. Thank you to everyone involved for your generous contributions and dedication to the cause. Please enjoy pictures from the event below!

Cleared for Independent Dispatch: Aetna’s Nick Caisse Completes Precepting Phase

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HARTFORD – As of February 5th, 2019, Nick Caisse has been cleared by Hartford Hospital medical control for independent dispatch as a paramedic to the towns that Aetna serves. Nick started at Aetna in June of 2017 and graduated from New Britain EMS Academy’s Paramedic Program. His preceptor was Paramedic Matthew Carter. 

As with all precepting phases at Aetna, Nick’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 Nick the best of luck and say we are very proud to have such skilled professionals on staff.

Aetna’s Sean Piscopiello Promoted to Operations Supervisor

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HARTFORD — On February 6th, 2019 Aetna’s Sean Piscopiello was promoted to the position of Operations Supervisor. His remarkable dedication to both his patients and co-workers has been consistent throughout his career at Aetna Ambulance Service. He has developed into a role model for health care professionals and continues to positively influence everyone he interacts with.

Sean is 33 years old and spent four years in the Army as a Cavalry Scout with two deployments to Iraq. He became an EMT in 2008 and a Paramedic in 2013 and has worked full time on the road since. He is a graduate of Hartford Hospital’s Paramedic Program. He expressed his gratitude for the well-deserved promotion by stating the following:

I’m very excited to be Aetna’s newest Operations Supervisor and look forward to working with everyone as we continue to grow and produce a quality service.

On behalf of the Aetna family, we would like to congratulate Sean on his promotion and look forward to great things from him.

Meet the Newest Members of the Team: Aetna Hires Six – 2019

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HARTFORD — On January 7th, 2019, one Paramedic and five EMTs and 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.

Hijab Khan: PART TIME, EMT. Hello, my name is Hijab Khan and I am a new EMT at Aetna Ambulance. I am 21 years old and received my EMT-B certification a little more than a year ago. I am a Junior, Allied Health major at the University of Connecticut. My goal is to go onto a graduate from a PA program and become a Physician Assistant. I chose to complete an EMT program because I thought it would be a good fit for me. I’m very excited to begin working as an EMT for Aetna Ambulance Service!

Christopher Johnston: FULL TIME, PARAMEIDC: My name is Chris Johnston. I grew up in East Windsor, and I currently live in Windsor Locks with my fiance. Since being certified as an EMT in 2002, I have volunteered in a few towns, including Broad Brook, Bloomfield and Suffield. I have spent a few years working full time in New Haven and Glastonbury. Some of my passions include being a CPR instructor and EMT skills adjunct. Outside of work, I enjoy hunting, fishing, and spending time with our dogs. I am excited to say that I am a recent graduate of the Capital Community College Paramedic Program. I look forward to joining Aetna’s ranks and to grow as a provider, as I transition into my new role as a paramedic.

Parker McKinney: PART TIME, EMT: Hi there, my name is Parker McKinney. I recently became certified as an EMT this past fall after finishing up my second year at the University of New Haven. Since then I have been working for New Britain EMS, where I am currently employed. I am looking forward to growing as an EMT and getting as much experience as I can in order to better prepare me for paramedic school in the near future. I look forward to being a part of the AETNA team and furthering myself in the emergency medical field!

Katherine Stewart: FULLTIME, EMT: Hi, my name is Kate. I obtained my EMT-B after graduating with my Bachelor’s in 2015. I have since used my certification for volunteering and for working in the emergency department. My goal is to sharpen my practical skills while I progress through my medical career. I am excited to become a part of Aetna’s team.

David O’Brien: PART TIME, EMT. My name is David O’Brien and I became an Emergency Medical Technician 3 1/2 years ago. I was a Full Time EMT here at Aetna over 2 years ago and am very fortunate to be back. I am looking forward to continuing my education and build upon my experience base while working with some of the best EMT’s and Paramedic’s in the area.

CT Children’s and State Police Toy Drive in Pictures – 2018

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The 2018 “Stuff a Cruiser” Toy Drive was again a great success. Below you will find a collage of pictures from the days spent collecting toys for Connecticut Children’s Medical Center. Thank you to ASM and Aetna employees, friends and families for their continued involvement and dedication to this event.

STATE POLICE “STUFF A CRUISER” TOY DRIVE UNDERWAY

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Friday, December 14, 4:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Saturday, December 15, 9:00 am to 9:00 pm
Sunday, December 16, 9:00 am to 9:00 pm

Locations:

Walmart Manchester – 420 Buckland Hills Dr, Manchester, CT
Click for Google Maps driving directions

Walmart East Windsor – 44 Prospect Hill Rd, East Windsor, CT
Click for Google Maps driving directions

Walmart Cromwell – 161 Berlin Rd, Cromwell, CT
Click for Google Maps driving directions

Aetna Appears On Local News

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HARTFORD, Conn. – When Aetna Ambulance EMT Ray Berwick realized his partner Chris Cabral was suffering a stroke last month, he quickly rushed his partner to Hartford Hospital, where the trauma team immediately operated on Cabral.

Cabral had a blood clot near his carotid artery, according to WTIC.

Cabral said suffering the stroke while in the ambulance was a bit like winning the lottery.

“He recognized something wasn’t right,” Cabral said of his partner Berwick. “I was inches away from dying and my partner saved my life.”

Berwick has been working alongside Cabral for the past two and a half years.

“Just seeing him walking around and knowing how lucky it is, it’s awesome,” he said.

In a ceremony Berwick was recognized for his quick thinking, along with the team at Hartford Hospital.

“The role that first responders play is truly, truly lifesaving,” said Jeffrey Flaks, the president of Hartford Healthcare, at the ceremony.

Cabral is undergoing physical therapy but Hartford Hospital neurologists said they expect him to make a full recovery. Cabral noted he hopes to be riding with Berwick in their ambulance again sometime in the spring.

For Full FOX 61 Video Click Here

STATE POLICE “STUFF A CRUISER” TOY DRIVE

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Schedule your holiday shopping and throw a few extra toys in the cart for the kids at Connecticut Children’s!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For 22 years, troopers from Troop H of the Connecticut State Police have been as busy as Santa’s elves carrying out their December Toy Drive.

With assistance from Ambulance Service of Manchester (ASM) and Aetna Ambulance, the troopers have collected more than half a million toys and more than $200,000 in donations to benefit children who find themselves in the Emergency Department at Connecticut Children’s Medical Center during the holidays and throughout the year.

Children who have to visit Connecticut Children’s can be overwhelmed with the unknown. Toys collected by the State Police provide a welcome distraction to children and help encourage communication between a care provider and patient. Making a donation today helps provide smiles all year long. Sometimes a toy can be the one thing a child remembers about their visit – a memory you can create.

Unable to make it to one of the toy drive locations?
DONATE TODAY

 

Schedule:

Thursday, December 13, 4:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Friday, December 14, 4:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Saturday, December 15, 9:00 am to 9:00 pm
Sunday, December 16, 9:00 am to 9:00 pm

Locations:

Walmart Manchester – 420 Buckland Hills Dr, Manchester, CT
Click for Google Maps driving directions

Walmart East Windsor – 44 Prospect Hill Rd, East Windsor, CT
Click for Google Maps driving directions

Walmart Cromwell – 161 Berlin Rd, Cromwell, CT
Click for Google Maps driving directions

A Sincere Thank You for Aetna Ambulance Service

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In mid-November, Aetna Ambulance Service received the following letter from the son of a recently treated patient.

To Aetna Ambulance Management:

Please accept this letter of appreciation regarding the below:

Aetna Ambulance was dispatched to my house in [xx] by 911 and they arrived very promptly. Miracle after miracle happened from that moment. My father’s heart went flat while the ambulance crew was trying different techniques to bring the heart beat up and THEY DID. This wonderful crew rushed him to [xx hospital] where a pacemaker was placed, the only option for my father to live. While speaking to all kinds of doctors in the ER in regards to my father’s condition, doctor [xx] stated that he was very impressed with the ambulance crew that brought him in the ER. It was very pleasing to hear that.

Late evening, when we were still in the ER waiting for the available bed in the ICU, a young man entered the room and asked about my father’s condition. He also stated the he brought him in the morning to the ER and was so happy to see him alive. I almost cried. This was Matthew Carter- Paramedic for Aetna Ambulance. Dear Matthew, if you are reading this letter, I would like to thank you again for everything you and your crew did to keep my father alive. Please extend my appreciation to Trisha Webster- EMT, Tessa Harrington-Paramedic and Alex Zhakov- EMT. It is really wonderful to know that there are people in this world who care. Thank you guys again from me and my family!!!!!!

Matthew, just in case you are wondering how my father is now: he has a permanent pacemaker placed on [xx 2018] and is now in short term rehab.

Aetna Receives Trust Annual Award of Excellence

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HARTFORD- On November 15th, 2018 Carol Fronczek, Worker’s Compensation Trust’s Vice President of Loss Control Services presented Aetna Ambulance Service with “Trust’s Award of Excellence.” Over recent years, Aetna has proactively implemented a number of programs in an effort to improve both patient and provider safety. These initiatives have been developed and implemented by Aetna’s Safety and Health Committee.

Congratulations for Aetna being awarded the Trust’s Award of Excellence.  Your organization was nominated by Sandy Brophy who put together quite a compelling overview of the various safety activities your organization and you do to keep employees safe.

The Trust Award of Excellence is given to members who:

Award of Excellence

Presented to members who have demonstrated a commitment to safety within their organizations. Criteria includes a favorable workers’ compensation loss history, effective and innovative risk management programs, the accommodation of injured workers back to the workforce, and the presence of a strong safety culture.

Carol Fronczek

Worker’s Compensation Trust

Vice President, Loss Control Services

Aetna Participates in Wethersfield First Responder Food Drive

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Wethersfield- On Sunday, November 11th 2018, Aetna employees attended a Food Drive at Stop and Shop (1380 Berlin Tpke) hosted by Wethersfield PD, FD and EMS. Greg Kendall and Madison Nixon teamed up with members of the Wethersfield agencies to collect goods for donation to the local food bank at event end.