BBQ Fundraiser To Benefit Carolyn Edwards’ Foundation Is This Sunday
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Category Archives: Staff News
Stephanie Boutot Represents ASM in Boom Box Parade Once Again
WINDHAM — ASM appeared in Willimantic’s 29th annual Boombox Parade on July 4, 2014 care of AEMT and Field Training Officer Stephanie Boutot. Stephanie has been insistent that ASM participate each year as she was in the very first Boom Box parade.
According to the WILI 1400 AM website, the WILI July 4th “Boom Box Parade is the largest of its kind in the world. In 1986, no marching band could be found for Windham’s Memorial Day Parade. Five weeks later, the “Boom Box Parade” concept was born, as WILI plays the marching band music on the air, while thousands march and watch, loudly playing their radios (boom boxes). Anyone can march or enter a float in “Connecticut’s Unique People’s Parade.”
ASM’s Ray Stovall Receives Medal of Valor from Somers Fire Department
Somers firefighter Ray Stovall gets the business from his two young children, Ella, 4, and Nathan, 2, who can’t resist knocking off his cap, part of his formal uniform, Monday evening, June 30, 2014, outside the Somers firehouse. Moments earlier Stovall received the Medal of Valor for his part in rescuing a woman from a burning home last December in Somersville. (Jim Michaud / Journal Inquirer)
By Gayla M. Cawley
Journal Inquirer (Read the full article here)
SOMERS — The Somers Fire Department on Monday recognized one of its own and a firefighter from the Hazardville Fire Department in Enfield for their heroism in rescuing a woman from a burning building last December.
Somers firefighter Ray Stovall was on hand at the Fire Department on Main Street to receive his Medal of Valor and official citations from the General Assembly and his department, but Capt. Jaime Hurley of the Hazardville Fire Department was unable to attend as he was working.
First Selectwoman Lisa Pellegrini presented Stovall with the citation from the General Assembly, reading aloud some of it, which proclaimed, “You are a model firefighter and an inspiration to us all.”
Pellegrini told Stovall, “You are a hero.”
Somers Fire Chief Gary Schiessl presented Stovall with the Medal of Valor and a citation from the department for “entering a burning structure, rescuing the woman, and bringing her to safety.”
“There is no greater reward for firefighters than to save a life,” Schiessl said.
Somers Deputy Fire Chief Frank Falcone, Jr. also responded to the call that Wednesday morning on Dec. 4, 2013, at a multi-family residence at 61 Main St. He witnessed the lifesaving actions of Stovall and Hurley as they found the woman, Katie Colgan, 34, lying unconscious in her daughter’s second-floor bedroom and carried her outside to safety.
Falcone said the Medal of Valor was fitting and that the rescue was “truly a team effort.”
Stovall agreed, saying, “It was one of those days where everything worked. It’s one of the proudest moments of my career so far. To be able to save a life is definitely awesome.” (Read the full article here)
BBQ Fundraiser To Benefit Carolyn Edwards’ Recovery
Meet the Newest Members of the ASM Team: ASM Adds Four
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- Carolyn Judge
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- Justin Duval
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- Jovany Rosado
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- Laura McHugh
MANCHESTER — On June 19, 2014, four EMTs were added to the ASM team. As part of our continued growth ASM and Aetna 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.
Justin Duval: FULL TIME, EMT. My name is Justin Duval and I am 31 years old. I live in Ashford, CT with my wife and two awesome boys. We have a 110 pound German shepherd babysitter named Major. I am certified at the level of Firefighter II and Wildland Firefighter Type 2. I have been a volunteer firefighter with the Ashford Volunteer Fire Department for five years now. My experience there has given me a passion for the EMS field. I have been an automotive mechanic for the past twelve years and I am ready to pursue a career in something that I enjoy doing and that makes me happy. I feel honored to be chosen for this position and look forward to my new career at ASM.
Carolyn Judge: FULL TIME, EMT. Hi I’m Carolyn and I’m from Weston, CT. I graduated from UConn with a degree in Biological Sciences and subsequently became an EMT. I’ve been living in Newington for about a year and volunteering with Newington Volunteer Ambulance. In my free time I enjoy outdoor sports in particular trail running and backpacking. I am very excited and grateful for the opportunity to be a part of ASM!
Laura McHugh: FULL TIME, EMT. My name is Laura McHugh and I am 23 years old. I grew up in East Windsor, but currently reside in Vernon, CT. I graduated high school in 2008 at EWHS, then attended Ridely Lowell for Medical Assistant. The summer of 2013 I studied for my EMT-B certification at CPR Training Professionals while working at JMH in the Emergency Department. In my free time I enjoy running, hiking, reading, spending time with my family and traveling. I am also a huge New England Patriots fan. I’m excited to begin my career at ASM while serving the community.
Jovany Rosado: FULL TIME, EMT. Well I’m a country bumpkin raised on a pig farm on a tropical island. I’m an easy going gear-head that just loves humanity and firmly believes in that an ounce of honest heartfelt kindness will stop a tsunami of negativity and hatred. I’m a loving husband and father to a three month old baby girl and a 13 going 30 young man whom I swear wants me to get hit by a meteor. As a gear head and an overall science enthusiast I love to tinker, modify, tear things apart and poke about it, whatever it may be. I however am not a hopeless and unreasonable romantic. We live in the REAL world where sometimes bad things happen to good and bad people. Where accidents happen and people do terrible things to themselves and sadly to others. I believe without a doubt that I can somehow in this giant equation of life, I can, with my tiny number, make a significant difference. I’m a liver and lover of life. I believe that life is too short as it is without negative circumstances prevailing. As an EMT-B with his eyes on Paramedic school, I might be able to provide some time of precious life to those who I can extent of my abilities to.
Cleared for Independent Dispatch: Aetna’s Chris Nelson Completes Precepting
(L to R): Aetna’s Chris Nelson and HH’s Michael Zacchera.
HARTFORD – As of June 5, 2014 Aetna’s Chris Nelson has been cleared by Hartford Hospital medical control for independent dispatch as a paramedic to the towns that Aetna serves.
Chris’s preceptor was Kevin Stock. 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, Chris’s final approval came from Hartford Hospital after shadowing Chris and his preceptor in the field as they responded to emergency calls.
Chris graduated from the New Haven Sponsor Hospital Paramedic Program.
On behalf of the Aetna Family, we would like to wish Chris the best of luck and say we are very proud to have such skilled professionals on staff.
Meet the Newest Members of the Aetna Team: Aetna Adds Four
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- Anthony Mazzola
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- David Jackson
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- Andrew O’Laughlin
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- Eric Marandino
HARTFORD — On May 29, 2014, four 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.
David Jackson: My name is David Jackson and I am 22 years old. I graduated from the Boston University with a Bachelor of Science in Human Physiology in 2014. My goal is to go to medical school and to go into the field of emergency medicine. I took my EMT-Basic class in Bridgeport, CT in 2008 at the Bridgeport Hospital Emergency Medicine Institute. I started working in EMS at Westport Volunteer Emergency Medical Services, however, when I moved to Boston, MA for college I began working for Boston University Emergency Medical Services. In my spare time I enjoy scuba diving and boating on the Long Island Sound and I am very excited to start to work towards my Dive Master certification this summer. I truly love emergency medicine in all its forms and I am very excited to be one of the newest additions to this amazing team and to have the opportunity to work in your community.
Eric Marandino: My name is Eric Marandino. After being self-employed for the past 15 years (in the dental industry) I was looking for a career change. I know many people who are, or were EMTS and they all said how much they enjoyed the job. I graduated EMT last summer through Hartford Hospital. I feel very fortunate to have been hired by Aetna Ambulance and look forward to starting my new career.
I have trained in martial arts for 30 years. After extensive training in Tae Kwon Do, Hap Ki Do, Boxing, American Kickboxing and Jeet Kune Do, I began training Brazilian Jiujitsu 10 years ago. I have been fortunate to be able to teach, train and compete a lot in the past five years. I will continue to train jiujitsu for the rest of my life. Some of my other interests include mountain biking, hiking, cooking, movies and working on my house. I am an avid reader and I try to always be reading a good book.
Andrew O’Laughlin: My name is Andrew O’Loughlin. I am 21 years old, and I am from Hebron Connecticut. I am a senior at UMASS Amherst, where I will be graduating with a Bachelor’s of Science in Kinesiology this December. I work UMASS EMS while at school, and I am a volunteer EMT with the Fire Department in my hometown. I have a passion for patient care, and I look forward to working with the team at Aetna.
In my spare time I’m fairly active. I spend a lot of time weightlifting, running, hiking etc. You will see me at a lot of events like the Spartan Races and Tough Mudders. I have also done a few events with GORUCK. They focus on team building, for long hours (24+ for my most recent), under heavy weights. I also recently became a certified scuba diver, and plan on diving the local area this summer.
In the future I plan on continuing my education. My plan is to return to UMASS after graduation to complete a second bachelor’s in Nursing. I’m excited to expand my role in the healthcare field, but EMS will always by my passion. I intend on staying active within the field after I begin my career as a nurse.
Tony Mazzola: My name is Anthony Mazzola, but you can call me Tony. I am 21 years old. I received my EMT last summer and have been working for Newington Volunteer Ambulance for the past six months. Even though I am relatively new to this field, I have developed a passion for it and I feel as though I have a lot to gain from it. I have just recently graduated from Manchester Community College with an Associate’s Degree in Criminal Justice. I am going to be continuing my college career and pursue a Bachelor’s Degree at Central Connecticut State University (CCSU). I love working on cars, particularly, Volkswagens. Yes, I am a Volkswagen guy! I am very excited to be a part of the Aetna team and I look forward to meeting everyone!
Cleared for Independent Dispatch: Aetna’s Shannon Whalen Completes Precepting Phase
(L to R): Hartford Hospital’s Mike Zacchera, Shannon Whalen and Jennifer Pasquale.
HARTFORD – As of May 17, 2014 Aetna’s Shannon Whalen has been cleared by Hartford Hospital medical control for independent dispatch as a paramedic to the towns that Aetna serves.
Shannon’s preceptor was Jennifer Pasquale. 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, Shannon’s final approval came from Hartford Hospital after shadowing Shannon and her preceptor in the field as they responded to emergency calls.
Shannon graduated from the Goodwin College Paramedic Studies Program.
On behalf of the Aetna Family, we would like to wish Shannon the best of luck and say we are very proud to have such skilled professionals on staff.
Injured Manchester EMT Focus Of Fundraising
Carolyn Edwards in a photo taken last fall. She is holding Britton, a family friend’s daughter. (Doug Edwards / May 22, 2014)
HARTFORD COURANT
by Jesse Leavenworth
MANCHESTER — Friends, coworkers and teammates are rallying in support of Carolyn Edwards, a beloved emergency medical technician who was badly hurt in a recent motorcycle accident.
“The reason everybody descended on this is that she’s one of the nicest people you’ll ever meet,” Ambulance Service of Manchester spokesman Dave Skoczulek said Thursday. “I’ve never heard her say a negative thing. She’s one of those people who’s always laughing, positive, upbeat. When this happened, it made a mess out of everybody and they came together as fast as they could.”
Read the original Courant article here…
Edwards, 36, of Manchester, was driving her motorcycle on East Center Street on the morning of May 6 when she collided with a car at the Vernon Street intersection, police have said. She was treated for head and arm injuries in the intensive care unit at Hartford Hospital, but was recently transferred to a rehabilitation facility.
Along with ASM, other organizations raising money to support Edwards’ family and help pay her medical bills include sports teams she belongs to, including the Hartford Wild Roses Women’s Rugby Team. The team is selling t-shirts with “#Carolynstrong” printed on the back. To purchase a t-shirt or a #carolynstrong bracelet, visit http://www.carolynstrong.org.
ASM employees also have been raising money through “cold water challenges,” which involve immersion in swimming pools and other chilly bodies of water. The company’s president and CEO, Wayne Wright, recently took part in one such challenge (see the video at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Carolynstrong/1447016028872363).
Edwards, who was born in New York City, moved with her family to Manchester as a young girl and graduated from Manchester High School, ASM paramedic Kenya Russell said. Edwards, who is single and has no children, has been working for ASM for about five years. Russell said the two were frequent partners.
“She is consistently kind all the time, no matter what the scenario is,” Russell said. “We have stressful scenarios, but she’s always smiling.”
“She was like that as a little kid,” Edwards’ uncle, Doug Edwards, said.
Little by little, Edwards said, his niece’s condition is improving. Her great physical shape before the accident and the many friends she has made are helping, he said..
“Between her physical stamina and her relationships with people, I think that’s really the thing that makes her recovery go well,” Edwards said.
When Carolyn Edwards regains her health, friends plan to convert the fundraising organization they started after the accident into a standing foundation to benefit all emergency medical service workers in the state who face similar crises, Russell said.
Cleared for Independent Dispatch: Aetna’s Halston Mendes Completes Precepting Phase
(L to R): Halston Mendes, Matthew Campbell.
HARTFORD – As of May 15, 2014 Aetna’s Halston Mendes has been cleared by Hartford Hospital medical control for independent dispatch as a paramedic to the towns that Aetna serves.
Halston’s preceptor was Matthew Campbell. 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, Halston’s final approval came from Hartford Hospital after shadowing Halston and his preceptor in the field as they responded to emergency calls.
Halston graduated from the Capital Community College Paramedic Program.
On behalf of the Aetna Family, we would like to wish Halston the best of luck and say we are very proud to have such skilled professionals on staff.
Words That Describe Us: Volume 24
MANCHESTER and HARTFORD — Aetna Ambulance and ASM send Patient and Customer Satisfaction Surveys to a random sampling of patients who have received emergency or STAT inter-facility services from our companies.
The final question in the survey asks “Do you have any suggestions on how we can improve our service?” And, “Please use one word to describe us.”
Some of the answers/responses included:
- Professional, competent, respectful.
- Prompt.
- Excellent service and care.
- Professional x 15.
- Good.
- Excellent. Thank you for your assistance.
- Considerate and caring.
- Thanks.
- Mr. Pacheco was excellent!
- Competent and caring.
- Good job.
- Caring and compassionate.
- Very professional.
- Fantastic and professional
- Very good.
- Excellent x 7.
- Excellent care and concern.
- Awesome.
- Efficient. Offer alternative to ER; perhaps an urgent care center.
- Caring.
- Professional, knowledgeable and caring. All the [EMS Providers] I have dealt with have been very helpful and eased my anxiety. Great job! (14-20949; T. Luetjen, J. Traber).
- Fantastic!!
- Good care.
- Professional and kind.
- Very friendly.
- Very professional x 4.
#CarolynStrong Bracelets Now Available
MANCHESTER — Show your support for Carolyn Edwards and her recovery.
#CarolynStrong bracelets are now available for a minimum donation of $3.00.
Please see the following ASM employees to purchase one, or three or five or a few dozen:
Stacy Debarge
Lauren Mazzoni
Ryan McConville
Heather Carl
Tim Allbee
Jocelyn Heim (MMH ER)
Genny Geres
Click on the following site for more information on how to donate to support her recovery, buy t-shirts, get updates and otherwise show your support: www.carolynstrong.org.
Aetna’s David Noyes Visits Southington Boy Scout Pack 72
Note: Aetna Ambulance does NOT provide emergency services to the Town of Southington. Always dial 9-1-1 in the case of an emergency.
SOUTHINGTON — On April 21, 2014 Aetna’s David (DJ) Noyes visited Boy Scout Pack 72 out of Southington, CT. According to DJ, “we practiced dressing small wounds, looked at all the different equipment and toured the ambulance. We also learned what to expect if an ambulance shows up to their house or at a car accident.”
High Praise for Manchester Fire Rescue EMS and ASM Team
MANCHESTER — On March 30, 2014 a crew from ASM responded with Manchester Fire-Rescue-EMS (MFRE)’s Truck 2 to a complaint of difficulty breathing. The patient responded to ASM’s satisfaction survey and had glowing things to say about the entire team: MFRE Truck 2’s Mike, Tim (paramedic), Jim and Angelo and ASM’s Bobbi Basque and Lauren Mathiau.
The patient answered “Strongly Agree” to all 16 clinical-based satisfaction questions. When asked to use a word to describe the team, the patient wrote “Professional.” The patient was brought directly to the Cardiac Catherization lab at Hartford Hospital.
The patient then hand wrote the following comments: “Thanks to Manchester Fire Rescue and the ASM people…they saved my life. As soon as [EMS] came in they made the decision to get me in the ambulance and moving to the hospital and had the hospital ready. Doctor said ten more minutes and I would not be here. They kept me alive, took me to the right place, in time and the Hospital took it from there. What can I say? Thank you to the people that provided the service and especially [the EMS team]. Time was short and they made the right decision and knew what they were doing. Again, thank you for saving my life.”
-#14-26976
Words That Describe Us: Volume 23
MANCHESTER and HARTFORD — Aetna Ambulance and ASM send Patient and Customer Satisfaction Surveys to a random sampling of patients who have received emergency or STAT inter-facility services from our companies.
The final question in the survey asks “Do you have any suggestions on how we can improve our service?” And, “Please use one word to describe us.”
Some of the answers/responses included:
- Caring and professional.
- Amazing.
- Excellent, caring, compassionate, professional. (14-9832; M. Hoyt, J. Bonneau).
- Prompt and professional.
- No improvement needed.
- Excellent.
- Compassionate, kept me smiling and comfortable. All the folks in the ambulance made me feel comfortable and at ease. They were highly professional and just all around nice people. (14-15936; A. Harkins, J. Benson).
- Good.
- Helpful.
- Super – Keep up the good work.
- Caring and considerate.
- My EMT Matt was very professional. I would like to thank him for remembering to take my wedding rings off before my hand swelled so that they did not have cut them off. His attention to details was excellent (14-16315; M. Campbell, S. McDuell).
- Thank you. Good job.
- Friendly and caring
- Caring x 2.
- Professional, empathetic, caring.
- Kind.
- Perfect!!!
- Professional! All I can say is that I am very grateful for their service. They listened to me and knew what I needed after I told them my problem (14-8036; A. Hedburg, C. Rockoff).