HARTFORD —Unknown date (presumably early 1960’s). Not much known about this photograph except that its related to Aetna Ambulance’s early days. Do you know?
Historical Photos: Aetna Ambulance Service #11
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Tag Archives: Grady Family
Historical Photos: Aetna Ambulance Service #10
HARTFORD —Unknown date (presumably early to mid 1960’s) and unknown location (although somewhere in Hartford). Bystanders including children look on at an injured child on a stretcher.
Historical Photos: Aetna Ambulance Service #9
HARTFORD —Unknown date (presumably early to mid 1960’s) and unknown location (although somewhere in Hartford). Howard Grady is visible working to move a patient with the assistance of bystanders. Many historical photos that revolve around trauma include bystander help and assembled crowds.
Historical Photos: Aetna Ambulance Service #8
HARTFORD — Dated from 1950 and appearing in the Price and Lee Company catalog directory, this ad declares Aetna Ambulance, “A service that’s right Day or Night.”
Interesting to note that we still operate an exchange that ends in 6792.
Hartford Hospital ED Presents Plaque Dedicated to Aetna and the Grady Family
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- The plaque as it appears in the ambulance triage area.
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- Dr. Finkelstein makes remarks.
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- Wayne Wright (center), President and CEO, Aetna Ambulance.
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- Diane Evans (in gray) speaks to the group
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- The assembled group of Aetna and Hartford Hospital representatives
HARTFORD — A plaque commemorating Aetna Ambulance and the company’s founding family, the Grady’s, was unveiled at a June 11, 2014 ceremony at Hartford Hospital’s Emergency Department. The plaque hangs in the ambulance triage area.
Remarks thanking the Grady Family and Aetna Ambulance for their contribution to EMS in the area were made by Chief Emergency Physician Dr. Jeff Finkelstein. Ms. Diane Evans, the daughter of Howard and Ethel Grady, was on hand to represent the family and accept the plaque. Photos and light refreshments followed.
Learn more about the history of Aetna Ambulance and the Grady family here…
Thank You Letter Invokes Aetna Founder Jean Grady
Please forgive the lateness of this note, but understandably, I have been dealing with a lot on my plate. My sister passed away very suddenly and unexpectedly on January 31st. Luckily, I was with her and was able to call for an ambulance. Aetna Ambulance responded as well as the Hartford Fire Department. I can not praise your company enough. Everyone was so professional, yet caring. I was completely overwhelmed by the whole experience. They recognized this and acted accordingly.
I had a personal connection to the Jean Grady, the previous owner of Aetna, so everything came full circle. I was also born and raised in Hartford and was never prouder of my hometown on that day. My son-in-law just started his own ambulance company in South Carolina. When I recounted my experience, he was so proud to be a paramedic and company owner.
Thank you to all that you do and a special thanks to the men that responded to Franklin Avenue on that day.
Sincerely,
Sister of Patient — #14-9217
Letter appears with permission.
Crew: Matthew Campbell and Kevin Mathiau (again)
The Hartford Circus Fire and Aetna Ambulance: Volume 8
by Sam Porcello
Miss earlier volumes? Click here…
(Note: This post was written in the Summer of 2013) After advancing through the Regional competition at Torrington High School in March 2013, I participated in the State History Day competition at Central Connecticut State University on April 27th. During the interview portion of the state competition, the judges were intrigued by the photo of the two “doctors” loading a patient into an ambulance, and specifically asked about them.
The exhibit was awarded first place, so I will be participating in the National Competition at the University of Maryland in College Park from June 9-13. In addition, each year at Nationals, one student from each state is nominated to display their exhibit at the National Museum of American History in Washington, DC. I am honored to have been selected this year, so the story of the Hartford Circus Fire and Aetna Ambulance will be on display at the museum on Wednesday, June 12.
Thank you again. Please know that I will be thinking of all of you in June when I compete for Connecticut, and am proud to share this part of Hartford history with others. The story of Aetna Ambulance is remarkable.
The Hartford Circus Fire and Aetna Ambulance: Volume 7
by Sam Porcello
Miss earlier volumes? Click here…
The fact that the business grew and continues to be strong today is a testament to the hard work and ingenuity of this family.
Thank you to Aetna Ambulance and the Grady family for all of your support and your patience, providing photos, information and answering all of my questions. Mrs. Grady and her daughters even came to cheer me on at the Regional competition! Mr. Titus’ first-hand account of the fire was chilling.
After advancing through the Regional competition at Torrington High School in March, I participated in the State History Day competition at Central Connecticut State University on April 27th. During the interview portion of the state competition, the judges were intrigued by the photo of the two “doctors” loading a patient into an ambulance, and specifically asked about them.
The Hartford Circus Fire and Aetna Ambulance: Volume 6
by Sam Porcello
Miss earlier volumes? Click here…
One of the things that surprised me the most during my project research was the fact that the Gradys concealed their ownership of Aetna Ambulance, afraid that, 20 years before the Civil Rights Amendment, people would be reluctant to do business with African Americans. As Mrs. Grady recounted:
“(My family) found it difficult to get loans to finance their business. My dad was a local artist and would use what money he received from selling his paintings into the ambulance business. He was also a barber! They would conceal their ownership in the following ways: 1) By calling their business Aetna [ostensibly named, with permission, after the insurance company that they worked for] instead of Grady Ambulance because they knew that the general public would probably not do business with them because of the color of their skin; 2) When they appeared in photographs together helping patients they were careful not to have their names recorded or their actual relationship to the business recorded. People would believe that they were only the ‘ambulance attendants’ which was the intention.”
A Note About Aetna Ambulance’s Past
“I was surfing the Internet and chanced upon Aetna Ambulance’s page. I was sorry to learn of the passing of Herman and Jean Grady. I knew them back in the late ’70s and early ’80s when I was employed as Communications Coordinator for the North Central Connecticut EMS Council. Of all the ambulance providers I knew and worked with, they were about the nicest and most cooperative folks you could ever have hoped to meet.”
– Michael McMurtrey, Carrollton, TX