Tag Archives: Aetna Ambulance Service

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

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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

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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!

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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

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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…

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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.

A Day at the Park!

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HARTFORD- On Sunday August 20th, 2017, employees from the Ambulance Service of Manchester and Aetna Ambulance gathered at Hartford Yards Goat’s Dunkin’ Donuts Park to watch the home team take on the Reading Fightin Phils.

Despite the Yards Goats 6-0 loss, the event provided an opportunity for EMTs and Paramedics, families and friends, to connect in a fun and relaxed environment.

Peace Corps Mission!

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Aetna Ambulance is proud to have EMT, Ryan Sullivan back to full time duty after his recent return from a volunteer Peace Corps mission in West Africa. He describes his amazing journey in the summary below!

It’s hard to describe my experience in the Peace Corps. Everything was just so different from what I was used to. I left home and four days later, I was in Guinea, a country where no electricity, no running water, and huge snakes were the norm. Guinea is close to the equator in West Africa. It has 6 months of dry season and 6 months of rainy season. No matter what season it was, the weather was always super-hot. And of course there was no air conditioning. Communication was always a problem. Guinea’s official language is French, but there are over 70 local languages used. All Guineans knew at least some French, but everyone spoke in their local languages most of the time. In my town, people spoke Pular.

Peace Corps provided language and cultural training for the first two months, and after that they placed all of the volunteers in their assigned town. Once I was in my assigned town, my closest neighbors became my family. They took care of me like I was their child. It was a super heartwarming experience to be with them. In return for the generosity, I would give them $25 each month. That is about 250,000 Guinean Francs, so they were very happy with me. I was the only American in my town, the closest volunteer was a 3 hour taxi ride away. Everyone was very eager to start working with me. I felt like a celebrity because everyone wanted to be friends with the American. I was a Public Health Volunteer, so I tried to teach people simple ways to improve their health. How to use a mosquito net, how to properly wash hands, STI prevention, things like that.

Everything had to be communicated in Pular, which made even the simplest concepts hard to explain. I never really grasped Pular, but my host family was always so happy when I could say a simple sentence. Everyone was always super kind to me and I learned many things while in Guinea. The only unpleasant part of my experience was the food. It was usually rice with some sort of dried fish sauce. I ate that 3 times a day, every day. When I got back to America the first thing I did was eat a bacon cheeseburger with a chocolate milkshake. Best meal of my life.

Now that my experience is over, there are definitely things about Guinea I will miss. But my host family calls to check up on me every day, so at least I can still be a part of their lives. And keep my Pular skills strong.

Aetna Newsletter, Volume 2

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Aetna Ambulance Service is happy to release the second 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!

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

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HARTFORD — On June 26th, 2017, seven 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.

Luisa F. Marulanda: PART TIME, EMT. Hello everyone! My name is Luisa Marulanda and I am 24 years old. I’ve been a BLS instructor and EMS administrator for two years at CPR Training Professionals where I also received my EMT certification. I realized a few years ago that my calling involved a career that allows me to help others. This led me to become an EMT and begin my journey as a first responder. My ultimate goal is to become a Paramedic. I plan to accomplish this in the near future and after gaining experience as an EMT for Aetna. Thank you for the opportunity.

 

Kristen Wall: PART TIME, EMT. Hi! My name is Kristen Wall. I am 22 years old and just graduated from the University of Maryland where I studied Kinesiology. I have lived in Avon my whole life and have returned after college to gain some more medical experience before hopefully matriculating to an east coast PA school. Ultimately, I am hoping to be a PA specializing in emergency medicine. In my free time, I like to work out and travel. I just returned from Europe where I was backpacking for 3 weeks!

 

 

Anthony Chirico: PART TIME, EMT. I am 21 years old and currently a senior at UCONN. I am pursuing a B.S. in Biology and Psychology. After college, I plan on applying to medical school or PA school. I have been a Connecticut resident for my whole life. I live in Glastonbury currently, but I grew up in Manchester, Connecticut. Outside of work, I like to get active! I enjoy hiking, skydiving, biking, and traveling. I look forward to working for Aetna Ambulance and I am happy to be a part of the team!

 

Kristen Askin: FULL TIME, EMT. I’m 27 and originally from Boston, but have spent most of my life in Danbury. I’ve been working at Nelson Ambulance since February 2016, and volunteering for Newtown Ambulance since November 2015. I got into EMS after lifeguarding for 3 years on Candlewood Lake in Danbury. I graduated from WCSU with a BA in writing but have found being a first responder to be a much more rewarding experience. I plan to attend the medic program at Capitol Community College. Outside of work I enjoy reading and kayaking.

 

Nick Caisse: PART TIME, EMT. My name is Nick Caisse. I’m 24 years old and from Portland, CT. I currently reside in East Hampton, CT. I joined the military 7 years ago as a Military Police Officer and deployed to Afghanistan in 2012 to 2013. In 2014, I re-classed to a Combat Medic and became the Training NCO of a medical unit within the state. I began volunteering in my local community where I decided to pursue EMS as a career. I’m currently coming off of active duty and attending a Paramedic program either at Capitol Community College or New Britain EMS Academy starting this September with the goal of eventually becoming a Flight Medic. I’m excited, and thankful for the opportunity to work with and learn from all of you!

Nicole Kozlak: FULL TIME, EMT. My name is Nicole Kozlak and I am from Torrington, CT. I am 22 years old and I just graduated from UConn with a B.S. in Allied Health Sciences and a minor in Molecular and Cell Biology. I have been an EMT for a year and a half and I am a volunteer EMT with Winsted Area Ambulance Association. For the final two years at UConn, I was one of the instructors for the EMT class offered at the Storrs campus. I really enjoyed teaching and interacting with students and helping them to develop their skills. I also just recently became a CPR instructor. I plan on applying to PA school within the next year and a half and am very interested in Emergency Medicine and Orthopedics. I’m so grateful to now be a member of the Aetna team and can’t wait to start learning and gaining experience!

 

Lauren Hartwell: FULL TIME, EMT. I graduated from CCSU with a Bachelor’s degree in Bio-molecular Science. I started in EMS in 2014 at Vintech Ambulance Service in Litchfield County. Future plans involve either further school for a PA degree, or pursuing a career in pharmaceutical sales. Traveling is my passion and seeing the world is my goal.

 

Cleared for Independent Dispatch: Aetna’s Camilo Quezada Completes Precepting Phase

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HARTFORD – As of May 19th, 2017, Aetna’s Camilo Quezada has been cleared by Hartford Hospital medical control for independent dispatch as a paramedic to the towns that Aetna serves. His preceptor was Paramedic Matt Carter. Camilo started at Aetna in August of 2012, and graduated from Capital Community College Paramedic Program.

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

Cleared for Independent Dispatch: Aetna’s Cora Gingras Completes Precepting Phase

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HARTFORD – As of May 23rd, 2017, Aetna’s Cora Gingras has been cleared by Hartford Hospital medical control for independent dispatch as a paramedic to the towns that Aetna serves. Her preceptor was Paramedic Greg Kendall. Cora started at Aetna in December of 2016. She graduated from the Goodwin College/Hartford Hospital Paramedic Program after studying psychology at Eastern Connecticut State University. As with all precepting phases at Aetna, Cora’s final approval came from Hartford Hospital after shadowing her and her preceptor in the field as they responded to emergency calls.

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

National Nurses Week 2017

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ASM and Aetna would like to extend a sincere thank you to all of the nurses our employees interact with on a daily basis. Your continued dedication and compassion remains an essential aspect of the patient care experience. Please know that your efforts will never go unnoticed.

 

 

Aetna Company Newsletter

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Aetna Ambulance Service, Inc. is pleased to announce the release of The Grady Report, the Aetna employee newsletter. Released quarterly, The Grady Report will feature 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.

 

Provider Wellness

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Canadian Paramedicine is an informative and progressive magazine complete with numerous research articles beneficial to EMS providers. One such article entitled “Eat, Sleep and be healthy-a paramedic’s guide to healthier shift work,” outlines some of the risks associated with working outside of the traditional 8-hour daytime schedule. More importantly, it provides evidence based suggestions for healthy eating, staying fit, and developing better sleeping habits.

Quotes from the article:

 “Exercise can enhance alertness at work in addition to increasing neural activity and clinical performance. Blocking out 20 minutes (or more) prior to a shift will boost their mood and combat fatigue while working.”

 

“Prepare meals for a number of days  for quick and easy access. Experiment with slow-cookers or freeze portion sizes of healthy meals. Pack healthy snacks such as prepared fruit and easy-to-eat vegetable pieces like baby carrots and celery with hummus, or a small container of mixed unsalted nuts and seeds.”

Find the article in its entirety below:

Eat, sleep and be healthy – a paramedic’s guide to healthier shift work

Stryker Power Pro Stretchers Arrive!

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MANCHESTER- On March 7th, 2017, The Ambulance Service of Manchester and Aetna Ambulance received 50 Stryker Power Pro XT Model 6506 Stretchers to be placed into service in the near future.

 

 “This industry- leading ambulance cot utilizes an innovative battery-powered hydraulic system to raise and lower the cot at the touch of a button.”

 

In addition to the numerous advances that come stock with these units, ASM and Aetna will be adding steering-locks as an after-market upgrade that will increase ease of use and maneuverability. The implementation of these new stretchers will help ensure the comfort and safety for both crews and patients alike. Installation for the ASM vehicles should be completed by the end of next week. Aetna should expect to see them in service in early April.