MANCHESTER – On Thursday September 8, 2016 Ambulance Service of Manchester hosted it’s first annual Open House. Those in attendance were able to tour the renovated headquarters including new Dispatch-Communications Center, EMS Training Facility, expanded business office, on-site fleet maintenance, decaling and operations center. The Ice Cream Emergency truck was also on hand to scoop ice cream.
MANCHESTER – As of September 9, 2016, ASM’s Michael Karanda 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 Supervisor Melissa Osborne and Paramedic Joshua Traber.
Michael started at ASM in February of 2016 and graduated from the Capital Community College Paramedic program. He started off in the medical field in 2011 after receiving his EMTB Certification. He has been a member of Glastonbury Volunteer Fire Department since 2008.
As with all precepting phases at ASM, Michael’s final approval came from Eastern Connecticut Health Network after shadowing him and his preceptors in the field as they responded to emergency calls.
On behalf of the ASM Family, we would like to wish Michael the best of luck and say we are very proud to have such skilled professionals on staff.
MANCHESTER – In late September Ambulance Service of Manchester received a letter of praise for Paramedic Kenya Russell and her EMT partner Robert Grzywinski from a patient they transported during an inter-facility transfer.
The letter reads:
“I would like to take this opportunity to let you know the two people who transported me from Windham Hospital to Hartford Hospital on [Date in August] were wonderful to me.
Although I was nervous and upset, they helped to calm me, and put me at ease.
If I remember, the lady’s name was Kenya. She asked me what kind of music I wanted to hear. I said off the top of my head Vienna Waltzes and low and behold she played a [song] which made me smile.
Those two people are certainly in the right line of work. I will never forget their kindness.”
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 part of the survey asks that the respondent, “Please use a word or phrase to describe us and/or the ambulance crew.”
Some of the most recent answers and responses provided in the survey responses include the following quotes:
MANCHESTER — In August of 2016 ASM received an email from a patient in Manchester for a response in July. In it she praised the care she received from ASM’s Luke Zalewski and Sean McNeff working with Manchester Fire Rescue EMS (MFRE) firefighter-paramedics. The email read as follows:
The ambulance crew was so kind to me I have been wanting to send them a thank you note. I was in so much pain when they arrived at my house, and as a young woman I was worried they might not take my complaints seriously, but they did. When they arrived I was in so much pain I could barely stand up. They helped me out of the house, but they also went the extra mile of reassuring me that my two cats did not get out of the house when they left the door open. They described both cats to me and said they had seen them both go into the basement. This really helped me to relax in a difficult situation. They could have just told me not to worry about it, but they took all of my concerns seriously.
On the way to the hospital they administered medication in an IV that helped my pain decrease. I was scared when I arrived at the hospital because I was alone but they reassured me they would not leave me by myself. I typically use alternative medicine because I have previously had many negative experiences with the conventional medical system, but this was not one of them. I am so grateful I called that day and so grateful that the crew treated me with so much care and respect. I felt they really went above and beyond to make sure that I felt as comfortable and safe as possible. What wonderful people! The doctors believe I had a ruptured cyst and I am feeling better now. Thank you so much!
[This redacted and de-identified story and commentary appears with the patient’s express permission]
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 part of the survey asks that the respondent, “Please use a word or phrase to describe us and/or the ambulance crew.”
Some of the most recent answers and responses provided in the survey responses include the following quotes:
The Carolyn Edwards Foundation will be hosting their 3rd Annual Poker Run and Family Picnic on August 20, 2016 at Northwest Park in Manchester, in conjunction with The Road Docs motorcycle club.
EVERYONE IS WELCOME TO JOIN!
This is a great event for adults and kids alike with food, games, music, and great people! This is one of the biggest fundraisers for the foundation of the year and helps them continue their mission.
Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for kids 12 and under, and can be purchased from www.carolynedwardsfoundation.org or from Kenya Russell, Beth Sheils, Greg Shovak, Michael Makulis, Matthew Tuttle, Francis Brunet, Nancy Brunet, Stephanie Boutot or Rachel Woods. If you are considering attending we would appreciate buying a ticket in advance so we can gauge how much food to buy!
More info can be found on the Facebook event page (3rd Annual Carolyn Edwards Foundation Poker Run & Family Picnic) feel free to spread the word!
– The Carolyn Edwards Foundation
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 part of the survey asks that the respondent, “Please use a word or phrase to describe us and/or the ambulance crew.”
Some of the most recent answers and responses provided in the survey responses include the following quotes:
Eric Thepsiri
WETHERSFIELD — In late July Aetna’s office received a patient satisfaction survey from a patient treated in Wethersfield in June by Eric Thepsiri and Donna Achilli. The patient had checked off every box with “Strongly Agree” to questions like, the Paramedic was highly skilled, kept you informed, relieved pain and anxiety. 15 boxes in total.
Donna Achilli
When asked to use a word or phrase to describe the crew the patient wrote, Fabulous!!.
In the narrative section the patient went on to write, “I was picked up by the Great Eric + Donna. They treated me above and beyond what I expected. We connected well. They were so professional and friendly. They stayed with my in the hospital until they had to leave and came to say goodbye! They are the absolute best!! We had some good laughs too 🙂 Tell them I say Hi!”
Note: Run #16-47131, certain information redacted for privacy.
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 part of the survey asks that the respondent, “Please use a word or phrase to describe us and/or the ambulance crew.”
Some of the most recent answers and responses provided in the survey responses include the following quotes:
Note: ASM is NOT the ambulance transport or paramedic service provider in Willimantic. In an emergency, always dial 9-1-1.
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Submitted by ASM’s Stephanie Boutot
WILLIMANTIC — I know the 4th has come and gone, but ASM is still America Strong! It was another successful year at the annual Boom Box Parade in Willimantic. ASM, in our traditional orange and blue, proudly wore red, white and blue to celebrate with the rest of the crowd for the momentous occasion.
The radio set to the 1400 WILI AM station as they played the parade music, a tradition that began in 1986 when no marching band was available for the parade. This year’s parade was held in 82 degree weather and lasted 96 minutes, the longest since the record breaker of 117 min in 2010.
I enjoy the reactions from the parade goers, young and old, with great big smiles, waves and cheers. We may not be the first responders in the town, but they know who we are and they seem to appreciate us here. It’s an event I look forward to every year!
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 part of the survey asks that the respondent, “Please use a word or phrase to describe us and/or the ambulance crew.”
Some of the most recent answers and responses provided in the survey responses include the following quotes:
MANCHESTER – As of June 28, 2016, ASM’s Ashley Linardo has been cleared by Eastern Connecticut Health Network medical control for independent dispatch as a paramedic to the towns that ASM serves. Her preceptors were Paramedics Mike Levasseur and Dave White and Paramedic Supervisor Tim LaChappelle and Beth Sheils.
Ashley started at ASM in October of 2015 and graduated from the Capital Community College Paramedic program. She started off in the medical field five years ago as a Patient Care Technician and a volunteer firefighter.
As with all precepting phases at ASM, Ashley’s final approval came from Eastern Connecticut Health Network after shadowing her and her preceptors in the field as they responded to emergency calls.
On behalf of the ASM Family, we would like to wish Ashley the best of luck and say we are very proud to have such skilled professionals on staff.
HARTFORD — On June 22, 2016 three EMTs and one Paramedic 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.
Cole Ashker: FULL TIME, EMT. My name is Cole Ashker and I am 24 years old. I was born in Burbank, CA, but lived in South Windsor, CT for the majority of my life. After finishing at South Windsor High School I attended UConn for 4 years. In May of 2014 I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics. During school I worked on campus, and continued to do so in a full time capacity after graduation. I never saw myself working a typical 9-5 job, and unfortunately I found that the job wasn’t meeting my desire to help my community. On the recommendation of my best friend Eric Thepsiri, I enrolled in the Hartford Hospital EMT-B course in 2015 and received my certification soon after. I didn’t know what to expect when I enrolled, but I found the material engaging and suited to my interests. When I’m not working I enjoy exercising, playing recreational sports, and finding new adventures to go on with friends. In addition, I’m hoping to start travelling the world and experiencing interesting and new things. I have been looking to enter public service for a long time, and I am extremely excited to start my career in EMS with Aetna Ambulance Service. I look forward to meeting and working the exceptional people of this company.
Chris Nelson: FULL TIME, Paramedic. Hi my name is Chris. I am originally from Rhode Island. I started as an EMT in Cambridge Massachusetts and I went to Paramedic school at Yale New Haven Hospital while working at Aetna. I have been living in Texas and working as a medic at Austin-Travis County EMS. I missed blizzards and pumpkin spice coffee so I am moving back to Connecticut and looking forward to working at Aetna once again.
Anthony Palumbo: PART TIME, EMT. My name is Anthony and I’m 23. I graduated from UHART in May with a B.S. in Respiratory Therapy and I currently attend Capital for my Paramedic. I am new to the commercial ambulance service but have been a EMT for two and a half years. On my off time I volunteer as a firefighter for Farmington and EMT for Rocky Hill Ambulance. I really enjoy working in the medical field and I am excited to start at Aetna and be a part of the family. In my spare time I like grill, go to the beach, fishing and practicing archery along with doing anything else outdoors.
Anthony Valentine: PART TIME, EMT. My name is Anthony Valentine, I am 23 years old an a 2016 graduate of Central Connecticut State University I graduated with a bachelors in Biology. I am from Bloomfield, Connecticut. I have a love for medicine and a strong desire to provide service to the world. I’ve worked at St. Francis Hospital in Hartford, Connecticut since 2011 in patient transport and that opportunity reinforced my desire to work in the medical field and be of service in some way. One of my goals in life is to become an emergency surgeon. I love the anatomy of the body, its function and how everything is connected in someway. Since a child I’ve always trying to identify new ways and new methods of doing things and medicine is a field I believe still needs innovation. I have horrible sinus allergies, hopefully I can find a long lasting cure. Outside of medicine I have an additional love; the ability to create ideas and bring them to fruition. I am a young entrepreneur I currently run a lifestyle magazine that I hope to compete with well known pop culture magazines like Fader and Complex. I enjoy speaking to youth and doing my best to influence them in a more positive direction. Becoming an EMT was something I wanted since the idea was introduced. The day I passed my cert, excitement overwhelmed my prior feelings of disappointment for having thought I failed. I’m Blessed! I am a new EMT and received my schooling through the New Britain EMS academy. I am excited to begin this new journey with Aetna Ambulance Service, a place I am excited to call home.