Meet the Team: ASM’s Vinnie Maston

Posted on July 27, 2012 by ASM-Aetna

ASM’s Vinnie Maston

At the age of 28-years-old this is my tenth year in the pre-hospital emergency medical system. I got my start at Thomaston Volunteer Ambulance Corps (TVAC) at the age of 18. Five months after joining TVAC I completed an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) course and proudly acquired my EMT certification. Over the next two years as a member of TVAC I gained my EMT-Intermediate level through more education and became an advisor of TVAC’s Explorer post.

In August, 2003 I was employed by an EMS Management and Staffing Service. My role included staffing Volunteer Ambulance companies throughout the state of Connecticut. By staffing twelve different volunteer ambulance associations and receiving medical control through seven hospitals my knowledge and adaptability was expanded upon. Continue reading →

Aetna’s Leslie Prado Graduates Health Leadership Program

Posted on July 23, 2012 by ASM-Aetna

Aetna’s Leslie Prado

WEST HARTFORD — On June 20, 2012, in a ceremony held at The Pond House Cafe in West Hartford, Aetna’s Leslie Prado graduated from the Connecticut Health Foundation’s 2012 Health Leadership Fellows program.

According to their website, “CT Health established the Health Leadership Fellows Program to create leaders and change agents through who have the knowledge, skills, and abilities to recognize and seize opportunities to act for health equity. Every year we select up to 20 applicants who work in fields of influence such as public policy, health practice, health care administration, and other related fields.” Continue reading →

ASM’s Alpha Five: Volume 3: Don Hart

Posted on June 11, 2012 by ASM-Aetna

STAFFORD SPRINGS — Beth Van Alstyne, Director of Critical Care Services for Johnson Memorial Medical Center in Stafford Springs, wrote a complimentary endorsement for ASM’s Don Hart. Don is a seasoned paramedic and a known fixture at JMMC. He has been stationed on ASM’s Alpha 5 (also known as The Johnson Medic) for several years. Read more about The Johnson Medic here…

ASM's Don Hart at Johnson Memorial Medical Center

Here is an excerpt from Beth’s note: “Don has become an integral part of the JMH ED family! Everyone throughout the hospital knows Don and even where “Don’s desk” is located in the ED. He is even a stop on every ED tour! Don is the epitome of selfless hard work and team spirit. He is always willing to help out. He is friendly, courteous and compassionate with all patients and will assist patients and visitors as appropriate.

As a medic, Don is top notch. Continue reading →

ASM’s Beth Sheils is Lead Instructor for Capital Community College Paramedic Program

Posted on June 5, 2012 by ASM-Aetna

ASM's Beth Sheils

HARTFORD – As of January 11, 2012 Ambulance Service of Manchester’s Beth Sheils became Capital Community College’s Paramedic Program lead instructor for the night program. In this role, Beth leads didactic instruction for the 18-month program, guiding 20 paramedic students through extensive education and training in the delivery of emergency medical care.

Beth is a Paramedic Supervisor for ASM. She has a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from Mount Holyoke College and a Masters in Public Health from the Boston University School of Public Health, and is herself a graduate of the Capital Community College Paramedic Program. Continue reading →

Aetna’s Leslie Prado Competing in Triathlon to Benefit Leukemia and Lymphoma Society

Posted on June 2, 2012 by ASM-Aetna

Aetna's Leslie Prado

Hello Family and Friends. It has always been a goal of mine to do a triathlon for a good cause. And this year, I am swimming, biking and running to raise funds for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Team In Training (TNT).

I have committed myself to raise $800 by June 10th, 2012 for this incredible organization that leads the way in funding research to treat blood cancers and in providing financial aid to patients and their family. Seventy-five percent of all the money we raise goes directly to the LLS mission of funding research based on medical need without regard to commercial return or market size. Continue reading →

Cleared for Independent Dispatch: ASM’s Rory Leslie Completes Precepting Phase

Posted on May 30, 2012 by ASM-Aetna

ASM's Rory Leslie with East Hartford Daisy Scouts

MANCHESTER – As of May 23, 2012, ASM’s Rory Leslie has been cleared by Eastern Connecticut Health Network medical control for independent dispatch as a paramedic to the towns that ASM serves.

His preceptors were Paramedic Supervisors Vinnie Maston and Beth Sheils. The full precepting phase can take ten to 12 weeks or more as the paramedic is prepped for the realities of the field. As with all precepting phases at ASM, Rory’s final approval came from ECHN after shadowing Rory and his preceptor (by proxy) in the field as they responded to emergency calls. Continue reading →

A Thank You Letter for a Cancelled Call?

Posted on May 6, 2012 by ASM-Aetna

MANCHESTER — On April 3, 2012 the Ambulance Service of Manchester received the following letter in regards to a 911 call that ended in a refusal of transport and care.

On Sunday April 1, 2012, I had a medical problem that led my wife to call 911. Within a very short time up rolls your ambulance with Mike Panciera and Jeff Rasmussen.

They jumped in Continue reading →

Cleared for Independent Dispatch: Aetna’s Ashley Harkins Completes Precepting Phase

Posted on May 4, 2012 by ASM-Aetna

Aetna's Ashley Harkins and Hartford Hospital's Mike Zacchera

HARTFORD – As of April 26, 2012, Aetna’s Ashley Harkins has been cleared by Hartford Hospital medical control for independent dispatch as a paramedic to the towns that Aetna serves.

Ashley’s preceptor was Paramedic Preston Ryzak. The full precepting phase can take ten to 12 weeks or more as the paramedic is prepped for the realities of the field. As with all precepting phases at Aetna, Ashley’s final approval came from the Hartford Hospital EMS/Trauma Coordinator who shadowed Ashley and her preceptor in the field as they responded to emergency calls.

On behalf of the Aetna Family, we welcome our newest Paramedic, Ashley Harkins and would like to wish her the best of luck. We are very proud to have such skilled professionals on staff.

Benefit for Aetna’s John Cafazzo and Family

Posted on April 30, 2012 by ASM-Aetna

: Aetna’s John Cafazzo

Friday, May 11, 2012 at the Polish National Home, 60 Charter Oak Avenue, Hartford, CT, 6:00 pm-close.

Tickets are $25 and includes a buffet dinner, cash bar and raffle.

John Cafazzo of Hartford Fire Department Ladder Company 3 and EMT Basic for Aetna Ambulance in Hartford was diagnosed with Continue reading →

Meet the Newest Members of the Aetna Team

Posted on April 27, 2012 by ASM-Aetna

HARTFORD — On April 26, 2012 three EMTs and two Paramedics 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.

: Aetna’s Steve Jachym

: Aetna’s Emory Meyerjack

Continue reading →

Kudos from the Cath Lab: Volume 3

Posted on April 24, 2012 by ASM-Aetna

Kudos from the Cath Lab

(Content that follows is excerpted from an email from the Hartford Hospital cardiac team…)

Great job everyone.

I though you would like to know that today’s STEMI times were as follows:

Door to Balloon Time – 36 minutes

EMS to Balloon time – 69 minutes

The system-organized response was initiated in the field (town withheld) where the pre-hospital ECG was transmitted by AETNA Ambulance to the Hartford Hospital Emergency Department and then forwarded to the Cath Lab (Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory). Many should be congratulated, in particular:

Drs. McKay and Almahasnen and the Cath Lab team (A. Almeida, R. Fisher, E. Letoutneau)
Drs. Smally, Sullivan and the ED team (C. Urso, A. Mugovero)
Last but not least, the AETNA Paramedics Ashley Harkins and Preston Ryzak for timely ECG interpretation and transmission. Continue reading →

Aetna Promotes Terry Perry to Field Training Officer (FTO)

Posted on April 20, 2012 by ASM-Aetna

Aetna's Terry Perry

HARTFORD — On April 11, 2012 Aetna Ambulance Service promoted Terry Perry from within its EMT ranks to the post of Field Training Officer: FTOs are utilized primarily to train newly hired employees in the performance of their duties as EMTs.

Terry was hired by the Grady family to work for Aetna in September 2006 as an Emergency Medical Technician. He has worked in the EMS field for 16 years including in the Emergency Department at Hartford Hospital, and truly enjoys what he does. He subsequently worked for the hospital in the Continuing/EMS Education Department. Continue reading →

ASM Promotes Three to Field Training Officer (FTO)

Posted on April 13, 2012 by ASM-Aetna

MANCHESTER — On April 10, 2012 the Ambulance Service of Manchester (ASM) promoted two from within its EMT ranks to the post of Field Training Officer: Stephanie Boutot and Ray Stovall. FTOs are utilized primarily to train newly hired employees in the performance of their duties as EMTs. (Third FTO removed).

ASM’s Stephanie Boutot

Stephanie Boutot: I am a proud mom of five kids: Andrew, Dylan, Joey, Jeremy, and Zoey. I have been married 20 years to my husband and friend Nelson and was a stay-at-home mom before joining the ASM team almost four years ago (August 15, 2008 and I bring cake or cupcakes every anniversary!) I originally became an EMT to volunteer on my local fire department and found out it could be a paid job. I feel like it was a secret, I wish I had Continue reading →

Cleared for Independent Dispatch: Aetna’s Matt Carter Completes Precepting Phase

Posted on April 7, 2012 by ASM-Aetna

: (L to R): Aetna’s Robert Velletri and Matt Carter, Hartford Hospital’s Mike Zacchera

HARTFORD — As of March 28, 2012, Aetna’s Matt Carter has been cleared by Hartford Hospital medical control for independent dispatch as a paramedic to the towns that Aetna serves.

His preceptor was Paramedic Robert Velletri. The full precepting phase can Continue reading →

ASM’s Vinnie Maston Presents to Mended Hearts’ Greater Hartford Chapter

Posted on March 30, 2012 by ASM-Aetna

ASM's Vinnie Maston presents to Mended Hearts

HARTFORD — On March 21st, ASM Paramedic Supervisor Vinnie Maston presented to the Greater Hartford Chapter of “Mended Hearts”. The chapter requested an speaker from the EMS community to present examples of the cutting edge technology presently in use in the field.

According to their website, Mended Hearts is a national and community-based non-profit organization that has been “offering the gift of hope to heart disease patients, their families and caregivers.” Continue reading →

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Category Archives: Employee Spotlight