Aetna’s Preston Ryzak Visits Cherry Brook Primary School

Note: Aetna Ambulance does NOT provide emergency services to the Town of Canton. Always dial 9-1-1 in the case of an emergency.

CANTON — On October 27, 2013 Aetna’s Preston Ryzak visited Canton’s Cherry Brook Primary School, specifically Mrs. Lippincott’s class, to show the students an ambulance, up close and personal.

School visits serve to increase children’s awareness of Emergency Medical Services, when to call 911, what Paramedics and EMTs do to help people and why serving the community is important.

Words That Describe Us: Volume 14

Aetna Ambulance Service, Inc. - Ambulance Service of Manchester, LLC.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 x 8.
  • Good x 4.
  • Excellent x 3.
  • Considerate x 2.
  • Compassionate x 3.
  • Efficient x 2.
  • They were helpful to me as the wife. Asked if there was someone coming to help me. (13-72584: M. Tuttle, R. Leslie, J. Bush)
  • My team was wonderful in listening to my needs in helping them do their job as effectively as possible. I would like to thank each one for their service. (13-76135: C. Chasse, A. Wysocki).
  • Kind, efficient and knowledgeable.
  • Outstanding.
  • Wonderful.
  • Caring and professional.
  • Medic was very professional.
  • Excellent, kind, came to check on me with another call.
  • Wonderful! Thank you so much.
  • I had passed out and was not fully cognizant of some of the questions that I did not answer definitively – Overall experience was satisfactory.
  • Professional. Humane.
  • Great service.
  • Very efficient. Caring with everything.

Meet the Newest Members of the ASM Team: ASM Hires Four

MANCHESTER — On October 14, 2013, 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.

Kyle Baker:    Full time, EMT. Hello my name Is Kyle Baker. I am 22 years old and live in Hebron, CT. I graduated in May of 2013 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Politics from Saint Anselm College in Manchester, NH. The second semester of my freshman year of college I took an EMT-Basic class and almost instantly I fell in love.  I began working Saint Anselm College EMS, a student run volunteer EMS unit that serves the campus community, shortly after finishing my class. I also began volunteering with Andover Fire Department in Andover, Connecticut. I worked with Saint Anselm EMS until graduation and I continue to actively volunteer with Andover Fire Department.  EMS has been my passion for the last four years and I am very fortunate to have the opportunity to turn it into a career.  In my spare I enjoy listening to music, golfing and enjoying the outdoors. I am incredibly excited to begin my new adventure with the Ambulance Service of Manchester and I look forward to the new experiences I will have and the new people I will meet.

Evan Burgess:    Full Time, EMT. My name is Evan Burgess and I am 21 years old. I was born and raised in Manchester, CT and graduated Manchester High School in 2010. I attended the University of Connecticut for two years and then transferred to Liberty University in Lynchburg, VA to study Biblical Studies. Currently I am finishing my senior year of college online via Liberty University. I came home this year to finish school and get an EMT job. This summer I completed my EMT-B certification class at Hartford Hospital. I am very much involved in my church’s activities at Trinity Covenant Church and I enjoy ministering to people there. I love to play the guitar and I am a huge Philadelphia Eagles fan. My brother Colin worked for ASM for a couple years before he headed off to medical school, and he inspired me to become an EMT. I hope to gain experience working with patients and helping them and their families during tough situations. I hope to become a missionary someday, and the experience I gain and learn from this career will aid me in my future endeavors. I am very excited to begin working and learning how to care for people in need.

Polina Yakushchenko:   Full Time, EMT. My name is Polina Yakushchenko and I am 23 years old. I was born in the Ukraine and moved to the United States in 2000. I now live in Vernon, CT. I recently graduated with a Bachelor in Health Science from Saint Francis University in Pennsylvania.  I have had some patient care experience in college working at the student health center along with the local hospitals. One day I hope to go to grad school and continue my education in the medical field. I love to travel and experience new places and cultures. I am very happy to begin working for ASM and I look forward to serving the community.

Larry Magoon’s Retirement Party

Larry Magoon 2Friday, October 11, 2013

5:30 P.M.

Maneeley’s Banquet Hall

65 Rye Street

South Windsor, CT 06074

Tickets $35/person (buffet meal and cash bar)

For tickets and to RSVP, contact Mike Makulis at (860) 250-9012 or email at mmakulis@cox.net. If you intend to buy your tickets at the door, please RSVP to Mike so that he can have an accurate head count.  

Cleared for Independent Dispatch: ASM’s Matt Traber Completes Precepting Phase

Ambulance Service of Manchester, LLC -- Matt Traber

(L to R): ASM’s Vinnie Maston and Matt Traber.

MANCHESTER – As of September 25, 2013, ASM’s Matt Traber has been cleared by Eastern Connecticut Health Network medical control for independent dispatch as a paramedic to the towns that ASM serves.

Matt’s preceptors were Paramedic Supervisors Bob O’Neil and Vinnie Maston. 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, Matt’s final approval came from Eastern Connecticut Health Network after shadowing Matt and his preceptor in the field as they responded to emergency calls.

Matt started at ASM as an EMT-Basic in 2008, has been an EMT in Connecticut since 1996 and also works for the Mohegan Tribal Fire Department. Matt graduated from the Capital Community College Paramedic Program. 

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

Words That Describe Us: Volume 13

Aetna Ambulance Service, Inc. - Ambulance Service of Manchester, LLC.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:

  • Excellent x 5.
  • Skilled.
  • Quick, well informed staff. Thanks!
  • Conscientious.
  • Caring x 2.
  • Incredible.
  • Very caring and professional.
  • Timely.
  • Well suited.
  • Professional x 10.
  • Efficient.
  • Amazing.
  • Excellent!!
  • Professional humans.
  • Great x 2.
  • You probably saved my life. Thank you for your prompt care.
  • Humane.
  • Professional. The techs were very professional and treated the issue very serious[ly]. Listened to me and asked all the right questions. Explained all the moves they made. Very pleased (13-74038; J. Bissell, R. Bilodeau).
  • Very good/excellent.
  • Superb. The two EMTs that responded, Scott Crittenden and Brian Langan, we’re excellent. As a business owner myself, I feel these gentlemen went above and beyond and [were] so kind as well as professional (13-74442).

ASM’s Nick Raiola Prominent on QVCC Catalog Cover

DANIELSON — In September 2013, Quinebaug Valley Community College released its Fall 2013 course catalog with ASM EMT Nick Raiola prominently displayed on the cover. QVCC sought out Nick as a former student now working in the field for which they received training from the college. Nick can also be seen on their homepage as linked above.

Nick Raiola - Ambulance Service of Manchester

QVCC Catalog

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Words That Describe Us: Volume 12

Aetna Ambulance Service, Inc. - Ambulance Service of Manchester, LLC.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:

  • Great x 3.
  • You all were very kind and caring. Thank you. I thank you very much. You all helped save me from more damage to my body. (13-65513; T. Allbee, S. Parent)
  • Helpful.
  • Excellent service, thank you.
  • Good x 2.
  • Efficient x 2.
  • Comforting.
  • Professional x 6.
  • Very professional x 2.
  • Superb! Just thank you so much!
  • Exceptional!
  • Thankful.
  • Wonderful.
  • Professional. Very kind.
  • Dependable.
  • Awesome.

ASM’s Tim LaChappelle Promoted to Supervisor

MANCHESTER — On August 28, 2013 ASM’s Tim LaChappelle was promoted to the position of Supervisor.

Tim started at ASM as an EMT-Basic in 2006 and graduated from Capital Community College’s Paramedic Program. Tim is currently the Assistant Chief of Coventry Volunteer Fire Association, Inc in his hometown.

On behalf of the ASM Family we would like to congratulate Tim on his promotion and look forward to great things from and for him. We are very proud to have such skilled professionals on staff.

Words That Describe Us: Volume 11

Aetna Ambulance Service, Inc. - Ambulance Service of Manchester, LLC.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:

  • Excellent! Staff were highly professional and sensitive to an otherwise embarrassing situation. This was highly appreciated. (13-55969; M. Weller and M. Cafazzo)
  • Quick!!
  • Caring x 4.
  • Professional. Thank you! Joyce was great. Helped me feel safe and taken care of.
  • Competent.
  • Pleased.
  • Perfect.
  • Excellent. Very professional – kind and caring.
  • Awesome.
  • Great.
  • Good job!
  • Excellent x 7.
  • Extraordinary.
  • Very, very good.
  • Fantastic.
  • Adequate.
  • 10 Stars. The driver was great! The medic kept my spirits high. Excellent team!! Thank you so much!! (13-59441; R. Leslie and B. Langan)

Cleared for Independent Dispatch: Aetna’s David Kemp Completes Precepting Phase

Hartford Hospital's Mike Zacchera (L) and David Kemp (R)

Hartford Hospital’s Mike Zacchera (L) and David Kemp (R)

HARTFORD – As of August 7, 2013, Aetna’s David Kemp has been cleared by Hartford Hospital medical control for independent dispatch as a paramedic to the towns that Aetna serves.

David’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, David’s final approval came from Hartford Hospital’s Mike Zacchera after shadowing he and his preceptor in the field as they responded to emergency calls.

David currently lives in Collinsville, CT, where he volunteers for the town Fire and EMS department. He became an EMT in 2009 while studying physical therapy and holistic health at the Eastern Connecticut State University/University of Connecticut. He earned his paramedic license in the fall of 2012 through Capital Community College and hopes to eventually earn a bachelors degree in nursing.

On behalf of the Aetna Family, we would like to wish David 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 Hires Six

 

HARTFORD — On August 8, 2013, six EMTs were added to the Aetna 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.

Jacob Brungard:  FULL TIME, EMT. My name is Jacob Brungard I am 23 years-old and I’m from Waterford, CT. I started doing EMS with my volunteer fire department in Waterford in 2010, obtained my EMT in 2011 and have worked for Waterford Ambulance since then.  I enjoy spending my free time outdoor playing baseball, football, lacrosse, rugby, softball, frisbee and the occasional game of paintball. I spend as much of my free time as possible with my friends and family. I am a die hard Yankees fan and love going to the stadium to watch them play. In the near future I would like to either attend paramedic or pursue a degree in nursing  I have not decided as to which path to go down. I look forward to joining the Aetna team and to learn from and contribute to the company and it’s employees.

Shawn Patrick Finnigan:   FULL TIME, EMT. My name is Shawn Finnigan. I’m 21 years-old and live in Waterford, CT. I obtained my EMT certification five years ago. Since then I have been working with Waterford Ambulance Service and as a volunteer firefighter. In the future I plan to further my education and take a paramedic course. In my free time I like to spend time with my friends and family, and travel to new places. I look forward to expanding my knowledge and experience in the EMS career at Aetna.

Andrew Gomme:   FULL TIME, EMT. My name is Andrew Gomme and I am a 29 year-old West Hartford resident. I am excited to be starting an EMS career with Aetna Ambulance. I received my EMT training in South Windsor at CPR Training Professionals and I hope to eventually continue my education with a paramedic program in the area. In my downtime I enjoy boxing and hiking and I look forward to a future with Aetna Ambulance.

Raymond McDonald:   FULL TIME, EMT. I am 23 years-old and from Wolcott, CT. I was raised in a strong Irish bound family. I’m from a family of seven, with two younger brothers and two younger sisters. Ever since I was young I have had an interest in the medical field. I grew up in a family with Paramedics and a Firefighter. I was originally interested in firefighting as a potential career so I joined the Fire Explorers. I was also a lifeguard for a period of time. After some time I realized that firefighting was not right for me. I found my way into EMS where I have been an EMT full time since 2010. Some of that time I spent as a field training officer. I’m considering furthering my education by becoming either a paramedic or a respiratory therapist. I enjoy spending time with my family and close friends and bonding with my father while hiking and fishing. I enjoy art in the form of tattoos. I find ways to relax through drawing and playing video games. I’m always interested in further expanding my knowledge of the human body. When I was younger I started collecting comic books and I have been interested in the comics and the movies based off of them ever since. I look forward to working with Aetna Ambulance and furthering my EMS career.

Justine Monahan:  FULL TIME, EMT. I am 24 years old and was born and raised in the Eastern Connecticut area.  I graduated from the State University of New York, Canton in 2009 with and Associates Degree in Criminal Justice. Since graduation I have worked in the City of Hartford within an Early Childhood Learning setting as an assistant teacher. I have grown to enjoy the City of Hartford and their people.  I have always had a passion for assisting others in any way, shape and form. I believe that is what made me fall in love with the EMS field. I am a new EMT and anxiously await the opportunity to develop my technical skills along with continuing to  provide assistance to those in need. I love sports, in particular the game of  soccer. I have successfully played through the collegiate level accomplishing several national individual rankings. I also currently play ice hockey and have volunteered my time for eight years mentoring and developing the skills of young children in a learn to play hockey program at the Bolton Ice Palace. I derive great pleasure in traveling, exercising, raising my wonderful Chocolate Lab, hiking, fishing and maintaining great relationships with all my family and friends. I really look forward to beginning this next step in my life with Aetna Ambulance Service.

Adam Wagner:   FULL TIME, EMT. My name is Adam Wagner and I am 22 years-old. I currently live in the Bristol area and have lived in Connecticut my entire life. Many of my family members have careers in both healthcare and public safety. I have been involved in firefighting and EMS since I was in high school and received my EMT in November of 2010. Currently I volunteer as a Firefighter/EMT in Waterford, CT and have been there for a little over three years. Reading and spending free time with family and friends is very important to me. I am a New York Jets and Yankees fan and enjoy going to games when I can. I am excited to join Aetna Ambulance and to be an asset to the service and to better myself as an EMT by learning from others.

Meet the Newest Members of the ASM Team: ASM Hires Six

 

MANCHESTER — On August 7, 2013, six 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.

Jonathan Bush:   FULL TIME, EMT. My name is Jonathan Bush I am 29 years old from Vernon, CT. I was born and raised near West Palm Beach, FL and moved to Connecticut when I was 16 years old with my family.  I just graduated from Capital Community College in Hartford with an A.A. in Fire Science and EMS which is where I received my EMT training.  I have also been a volunteer firefighter in the Town of Vernon for over ten years where I have gained experience with emergency response calls and made a lot of great friends. I am getting married soon and cannot wait to start our new life together.  In my free time I am an avid runner and love to hike, mountain bike, kayak, and in the winter snowboard. I like to relax by watch movies, going to lakes and beaches, and hang out with family and friends. I am excited to start my career with ASM and look forward to all the new experiences I will have and meeting the all of the ASM team members.

Sean Gregg:   FULL TIME, EMT. My name is Sean Gregg and I am 23. I am from Plainville CT, and I graduated from Plainville High School in 2008. I am currently residing in Avon, CT and am actively seeking to relocate to Manchester for a shorter commute. My home life consists of my fiancé and two dogs Foxy and Mini who are a Japanese breed called Shiba Inu. I have spent the last four years of my life as a Cardiac Monitor Tech at Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center. My hobbies consist of cars, and street bikes. I also like to stay up to date with the latest technology and I’m a Green Bay Packers fan. I have successfully completed an EMT-B course at Bristol Hospital in May of 2013. This is the first step of my career, and I am honored to have the opportunity to work for such a great company as ASM, and look forward to furthering my career and education with them. I dedicate my EMS career to my best friend who died last year in a motorcycle accident. As for my  EMS career with ASM I hope to gain much knowledge and experience so I can go back to school to be a Paramedic.

Jared Krajewski:   FULL TIME, EMT. My name is Jared Krajewski. In 2010 I joined the Bolton Volunteer Fire Department to give back to my town. They offered me training as an EMR where my interest in the medical field sprouted. Less than one year after becoming an EMR I obtained my EMT-B. As I am just passing the two year mark as an EMT, I am preparing to pursue a career as a paramedic and will be starting classes shortly. I have spent the past year and a half working in the Intensive Care Unit in Manchester Memorial Hospital and this experience has enabled me to understand patient care in the EMS scene and hospital setting. In the past I was a brick mason/crew leader for my father’s landscaping company and created a portfolio of work that I am proud to show off. I try to be very active and involved person with every aspect of my life including my vast list of hobbies such as shooting, mountain biking, diesel trucks, RC cars, hiking, and fishing. My free time could not all be spent without my three year old German Shepherd Fathom. He will go almost anywhere I go that dogs are legally allowed. I’m looking forward to being part of ASM and furthering my EMS career.

Lauren Mazzoni:   FULL TIME, EMT. My name is Lauren Mazzoni. I am 20 years old and live in Manchester, CT. I’ve volunteered at the fire department for the past three years handling mostly EMS calls. I am a newly certified EMT and live at the fire department full time. As a night crew member I am able to get a lot of experience. I am very excited to start my career at ASM and gain even more experience. Aside from volunteering at the fire department, I am taking classes at Central Connecticut State University for my criminology degree, which I started with plans to become a police officer. During my free time I like going to races at Stafford Motor Speedway, watch NASCAR every Sunday, fish, hike, and play sports. Since I was five and all throughout high school I have played sports, and it’s always been something I enjoy doing. I am open to new and exciting things and while I am not sure what exactly how far I would like to go in my EMS, I am looking forward to gaining as much experience as possible at ASM.  

Evan Vaughn:   FULL TIME, EMT. My name is Evan Phillip Vaughn and I am 34 years old. I live in Coventry with my wife and daughter and have been an EMT for seven years. I was born in Florida and raised in Texas. I started with the El Paso Fire Department and worked there for three years. I then moved to Connecticut and worked for another commercial service in the state for about two years. Eventually I would like to become a paramedic. I spend most of my time with my little girl outside in the woods. I enjoy cooking, fishing, hunting and just being outside. I am very happy to be a new employee of ASM and I look forward to meeting and working with all of you. 

Andrew Wysocki:   FULL TIME, EMT. My name is Andrew Wysocki and I am 27 years old from Marlborough, CT. I graduated from Eastern Connecticut State University with a bachelors in business finance and a minor in psychology. It wasn’t long after college that I realized that being behind a desk wasn’t for me; I wanted to pursue something a little more hands-on. Spending a number in the years in the restaurant business I found that my people skills were my strength. A recent job working with the mentally disabled was  an eye-opening experience for me and a good introduction to the health field. I learned a lot about myself during this time and definitely was put to the test in many different situations. The experience convinced me that “a life living for others is a life worth living”, as well as a fulfilling one. Now as an EMT I intend on continuing my service to the community in a different way. I hope this is the first step in continuing my education in the emergency medical field.

Words That Describe Us: Volume 10

Aetna Ambulance Service, Inc. - Ambulance Service of Manchester, LLC.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:

  • Excellent x 2.
  • Very good.
  • Professional x 5.
  • Compassionate.
  • Very professional.
  • Excellent. D. Noyes and K. Chadbourne were wonderful, professional and caring. I felt comfortable and relieved in their care!
  • Excellent. The paramedic who took care of me could not have been nicer. Made me feel calm in a scary situation. The driver did a great job of getting me to the hospital. Thank you. I am very grateful (13-59620; M. Weller and J. Rodriguez)
  • Was grateful for great help!
  • Great! Thank you! The EMTs were wonderful about keeping me calm in a terrifying situation and making sure my children were cared for. They diagnosed me accurately and successfully treated the problem promptly. My heroes. (13-62182; A. Fine and C. Haag).
  • Comforting.
  • Very professional. Thank you for being prompt and having patience when listening to me talk. Wonderful job!!! (13-55125; M. Karr)

ASM and Aetna Host NAEMT EMS Safety Course

NAEMTMANCHESTER — On July 31, 2013, the Aetna Ambulance and the Ambulance Service of Manchester will conduct/host a National Association of EMTs EMS Safety Course. According to their website, “NAEMT’s EMS Safety course aims to promote a culture of EMS safety and help reduce the number and intensity of injuries incurred by EMS practitioners in carrying out their work.”

“The course increases the practitioners’ awareness and understanding of EMS safety standards and practices and develops their ability to effectively implement them. EMS Safety is the first national and most comprehensive education program of its kind that teaches techniques on how to best achieve safety on the job.

“The curriculum covers crew resource management, emergency vehicle safety, responsibilities in scene operations, patient handling, patient, practitioner and bystander safety, and personal health. It offers an overview of current issues surrounding safety in EMS, presents and discusses case studies, builds risk assessment and decision-making skills and provides an opportunity for participants to relate their own experiences with EMS safety issues.”

Aetna and ASM employees that takes and pass the class and are either ACLS or PALS instructors (or are a licensed teacher) will be able to teach the class in the future. It is possible that the program will be integrated in future learning opportunities and orientations.