Praise from West Hartford Fire Department

West Hartford Fire Department

Department of Fire Service, Engine 1

January XX, 2018

To: Gary Allyn Chief, Chief of Department

 I just wanted to send you a quick Email regarding a favorable response from Aetna Ambulance last evening. E-1 responded to [a nursing home] for difficulty breathing. E-1 and Medic-1 found the patient critical. Bradycardic, and No blood pressure and needed BVM assistance. Medic- O’hara dropped a few lines into him, intubated him etc…

The Medic on the rig was a guy named Preston who was FANTASTIC!!!! The EMT was great as well. If you have the ability can you please pass on the praise, it was a huge relief to have such a genuine crew show up with a truly challenging call that had so many problems to long to explain via Email.

Once again, thank you for the assistance and professionalism of your staff.

LT. [Engine 1]

Upcoming Charity Events

 

 

 

 

For the month of February, Aetna and ASM will be ordering pins in recognition of American Heart Month. Crew members, dispatchers and office personnel may purchase a pin for a donation of one to five dollars. All proceeds with be donated to the American Heart Association at month end.

On March 4th, Team ASM-Aetna will be partaking in the 2018 Connecticut Brain Freeze. Those interested gain the opportunity to plunge into the ocean to raise awareness/resources for brain tumor-specific programs. Please consider joining the fun! For instructions on how to register, copy the link below and follow the instructions provided.

1. Select “Register”
2. Select “Join as a New Participant”
3. Team Name – “Team ASM-Aetna”
4. Select “Join” and follow prompts

http://events.braintumor.org/connecticut-brain-freeze/

 

 

 

 

Further out…

ASM/Aetna will be hosting an American Red Cross blood drive for employees at our headquarters in Manchester on Tuesday, May 1st 2018.

 

 

 

 

April- Autism Awareness Month

May- ALS Awareness Month

Absolutely Amazing!

Below are a few recent quotes from the comment section of Aetna’s Patient Satisfaction Surveys. Keep up the great work!

 

Absolutely Amazing. I asked a million questions and they were able to answer everything and keep me calm.

Professional, caring, sensitive to my feelings, reassuring and kind.

Very kind and caring, comforting.

They were some of the kindest people around.

CT Children’s and State Police Toy Drive in Pictures – 2017

The 2017 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. The Toy Drive took place December 14th-17th at Toys R Us locations in Manchester, Newington and West Hartford and brings in cash donations and toys for children treated at Connecticut Children’s Medical Center locations through out the year.

Aetna Newsletter, Volume 3

Aetna Ambulance Service is happy to release the third issue of The Grady Report, the Aetna employee newsletter. Released quarterly, The Grady Report 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!

No Shave November Results!

ASM is proud to announce the winners of the first annual No Shave November competition. Please join us in congratulating Team Captain Mikhail Uddin and Alternate Charlie Lodge.

Team Captain

 

Runner Up

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you to everyone who donated to the cause and partook in this event. With all of your generous contributions, Team ASM/Aetna was able to raise $635 to support Men’s Health!

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

HARTFORD — On November 20th, 2017, six 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.

Antonina M. Miller: PART TIME, EMT. My name is Nina Miller and I am 25 years old. I received my EMT certification at Code One in New Haven. I have a B.A. in Linguistics from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst and I am currently working on a second Bachelor’s Degree in Health Science at the University of Bridgeport. I am also an NSCA certified Personal Trainer. My goal is to get quality direct patient care experience as a BLS provider. My long term plan is to apply to a PA program. I’m looking forward to becoming a contributing member of the Hartford Aetna team!

 


Matthew Allard: FULL TIME, EMT. Hi, my name is Matt Allard. I am 36 years old and I’m from Middletown, CT, where I live with my two children. I am a UMass Lowell graduate, and I’ve been volunteering at Windsor EMS for about a year and a half.  Emergency medicine has been an extremely rewarding experience for me, and I decided to transition to this career field after my years of experience in the Air Force, corporate technology, sales, marketing, and training. I plan on furthering my career by attending Paramedic school within the next year. In my downtime I enjoy photography, hiking, swimming and the beach. I’m very grateful for the opportunity to be a member of the Aetna team!


Sean DiFilippo : FULL TIME, EMT. I am 23 years old and graduated from UCONN with a B.S. in Biology. My goal is to gain medical experience before becoming a PA that specializes in one of the following fields: orthopedics, emergency medicine or neurology. I grew up in Killingworth, CT and currently reside in Berlin, CT. I enjoy being outdoors and reading.

 

 

 


Chris Burdick: FULL TIME, EMT. My Name is Chris Burdick I am 24 years old and from East Hampton CT. I am currently a volunteer certified Firefighter /EMT for my home town, as well as a volunteer EMT for the local ambulance Association. I come from a family of first responders ranging from police, fire, and EMS. I am expanding my knowledge in the EMS field and looking into becoming a paramedic in the future. I am excited and eager to learn and grateful for the opportunity to be a part of the Aetna team. I look forward to serving the communities with everyone.

 


Shivani Patel: PART TIME, EMT. Hi! My name is Shivani Patel. I am 22 years old and recently graduated from UCONN with a BS in Biology and Psychology. I’m from the small town of Jewett City (out by the casinos). I decided to become an EMT to gain patient care experience for PA school and have been working at Wethersfield for about 8 months. I love to eat and binge watch Netflix. I also enjoy traveling, and really want to visit Europe one day!

 

 


Darrell Salley: FULL TIME, EMT: My name is Darrell Salley and I’m 37 years old.  I am looking forward to starting a rewarding new career as an EMT. I attended New Britain EMS Academy and finished in June of this year. I’m currently a volunteer firefighter and I’m looking to take my experiences at work to be a bigger asset to my department and community.

Aetna Participates in Wethersfield First Responder Food Drive

Wethersfield- On Sunday, November 5th 2017, Aetna employees attended a Food Drive at Stop and Shop (1380 Berlin Tpke) hosted by Wethersfield PD, FD and EMS. Nick Caisse and Lauren Hartwell teamed up with members of the Wethersfield agencies to collect goods for donation to the local food bank at event end.

ASM & Aetna Join the Fight Against Breast Cancer-2017 Totals

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Year one fundraising for Team ASM-Aetna was a great success. Through the efforts of our employees, family members, and friends, we were able to raise close to $1,100 for Breast Cancer Research. With the company match, and proceeds from the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk this past Sunday, a total of $3,288 has been donated to the American Cancer Society. Thank you to everyone involved for your generous contributions and dedication to the cause.

Cleared for Independent Dispatch: Aetna’s Blake St. John Completes Precepting Phase

HARTFORD – As of October 27th, 2017, Aetna’s Blake St. John has been cleared by Hartford Hospital medical control for independent dispatch as a paramedic to the towns that Aetna serves. His preceptor was Paramedic Greg Kendall. Blake has been working in EMS for 11 years. He started at Aetna in August of 2015, and graduated from Capital Community College Paramedic Program.

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

ASM & Aetna Join the Fight Against Breast Cancer-Vol. 2

Pink T-Shirts weren’t enough! As you’ll note in the pictures provided, Aetna crew members have joined the battle by purchasing specially designed rubber bracelets and pins. Their generous donations will be matched by the company and offered to the American Cancer Society at the end of the Month.

 

 

 

 

Important Reminder!

Aetna Call Taker Kelly Shapiro is acting as Team Captain for the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer of Hartford Walk on Sunday, October 29th, 2017 at 930 am. Please consider joining Team ASM-Aetna or making a donation. Use the link below to register.
http://main.acsevents.org/goto/teamASM-AETNA

ASM & Aetna Join the Fight Against Breast Cancer!

According to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, one in eight woman in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. Each year, it is estimated that over 252,710 women in the United States will be diagnosed. In an effort to raise money for research, and in honor of those affected, the Ambulance Service of Manchester has offered employees pink long sleeve t- shirts and rubber bracelets (Livestrong style) for the price of a small donation. At the end of the month, the company will match the total contribution and direct all of the proceeds to the American Cancer Society.

In addition, Aetna Call Taker Kelly Shapiro is acting as Team Captain for the
Making Strides Against Breast Cancer of Hartford Walk on Sunday, October 29th, 2017 at 930 am. Please consider joining Team ASM-Aetna or making a donation. Use the link below to register.
http://main.acsevents.org/goto/teamASM-AETNA

Check back on Wednesday for pictures and details of Aetna’s involvement!

Aetna Participates in 2017 CT Veterans Stand Down

ROCKY HILL- On Friday September 22, 2017 Aetna Paramedic Shannon Whalen, and EMTs Laura Cashman and Thomas Whalen were on hand during the Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs “Stand Down 2017”  As provided on Connecticut’s Official State Website ( link available below), “this event provides CT Veterans with access to a variety of federal, state and local services such as: veterans benefits, medical, dental, mental health,  recovery services, legal, housing, employment, education and much more.”

 

http://www.ct.gov/ctva/cwp/view.asp?a=1992&q=566332

A Special Note…

WETHERSFIELD – In late August, Aetna Ambulance Service received a hand written letter addressed to Paramedic Matt Carter and EMT Eric Marandino. The note, as depicted below, is in regards to a transport completed a few weeks prior.

 

I am most pleased with the service that was provided. Thank God that this EMT/Paramedic was sent to my home that morning. The EMT/Paramedic [was able to] diagnose what I had before we left my home. I will forever be so thankful for the EMT/Paramedic who solved the mystery of what was affecting me. Please pass on this thankfulness to the one who took very good care of my health needs that day.