Event Recognizes Special Contributions, Honors at Institute of Living
The annual Institute of Living Awards and Recognition Day was held June 27, and IOL and hospital leaders were on hand to congratulate employees who went above and beyond in the areas of patient care, research, family support and more.
“The work that you do is probably among the most challenging in healthcare,” said Dr. Stuart K. Markowitz, former president of Hartford Hospital and senior vice president of Hartford HealthCare’s Hartford Region and now senior vice President and physician chief for Strategic Imaging. “Your tireless commitment to this work is more important today than ever before. You all are making an incredible difference in this community and in the world.
“Whether they are being honored for their skill, for their commitment, for their longevity or for the compassion they bring to the work each and every day, I want to offer my personal congratulations to all the people who were recognized today,” Dr. Markowitz added.
“We want to express our admiration for everything you all do,” said Dr. Harold Schwartz, psychiatrist-in chief at the Institute of Living and vice president of behavioral health for Hartford HealthCare. “We are truly a team, but some individuals stand out and deserve special appreciation from time to time, and it’s a great pleasure to be able to provide that recognition today.”
The Psychiatrist-in-Chief’s Award was established by Schwartz to recognize outstanding contributions to psychiatry at the Institute of Living and Hartford Hospital. Past awardees have been selected from a diverse group of employees, voluntary staff and members of the community.
This year’s Psychiatrist-in-Chief’s Award winner was Ellen W. Blair
DNP, APRN, NEA-BC, director of nursing at the IOL
“I am so surprised and so honored,” Blair said. “I love working with all of you, it’s a pleasure for me every day.”
Throughout the ceremony, speakers introduced more than thirty winners in more than a dozen award categories.
The Arne Welhaven, M.D. Memorial Award
This year’s winner is Linda Bosnak, special education teacher at the Grace S. Webb School
The Arne Welhaven, M.D. Memorial Award is a humanitarian award that honors the outstanding accomplishments of Dr. Arne Welhaven. It is given each year to a staff person within the Department of Psychiatry who best exemplifies genuine concern, respect and generosity toward patients and a quest for excellence in mentorship or education.
The Ned Graffagnino, M.D. Honorary Award
This year’s honoree is Patty Graham, case worker at the Family Resource Center
The Ned Graffagnino, M.D. Honorary Award honors the outstanding accomplishments of Dr. Ned Graffagnino, former division chief of Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Services. It recognizes an individual employee who has demonstrated distinguished service or job performance in the areas of community-oriented work or collaborative efforts with other mental health professionals, especially in the area of training.
The Linda J. Stacy Service Excellence Award
This year’s winners are Linda Bosnak, teacher at the Grace S. Webb School; Anna Kinghorn, administrative associate II in the Donnelly Building; Junior Lawrence, ED security officer; Paula Rego, case worker at the Family Resource Center; and Justine McGowan, LMSW, Young Adult Services
The Linda J. Stacy Service Excellence Award is given by the Family Resource Center Board to employees who have demonstrated superior understanding and compassion for the unique needs of patients’ families, and towards improving the quality of The Institute of Living’s interactions with its patients and their families.
The Nightingale Award for Excellence in Nursing
This year’s winner at the IOL is Tiffany Otto, RN, of Donnelly 1N
The Nightingale Award for Excellence in Nursing recognizes nurses who demonstrate excellence in clinical practice, leadership, scholarship or education.
The Professional Practice Nursing Award
The Professional Practice Nursing Award was presented to Lorraine Moustakakis, RN, of Donnelly 2N
The Dedicated to Caring Award
This year’s honorees are Inna Roytman, psych tech, D1S; Emily Maldonado, psych tech, D2N; Awilda Almonte, PAA, D1S/CARES; Myriam Monterroso, psych tech, CARES
The Dedicated to Caring Award recognizes PCAs and Psych Techs who support the Hartford Hospital values of integrity, safety, excellence and caring. Employees who develop collaborative working relationships with patients, families and healthcare team members and actively seek new skills that contribute to positive patient outcomes and experiences while encouraging others to learn are among those chosen for the award.
The Every Moment Matters Award
This year’s winner is Faye Jenkins
The Every Moment Matters Award recognizes an employee who goes above and beyond in the jobs they do, making a difference either for the patients they serve, earning customer loyalty or for their colleagues, ultimately connecting to employee engagement.
The Quarter Century Club
Dr. Karen Blank of the Braceland Center for Mental Health and Aging; Stephen Fredette, therapist, Rehabilitation Services; Anne Gerstein, treatment manager, Adult Day Treatment Center; Susan Atamian, manager, ECT; and Marino Boccuzzi, mental health counselor, Grace S. Webb School.
Presenters also recognized staff for awards and honors received from outside organizations. These included:
The Connecticut Association of Private Special Education Facilities Golden Apple Award is given by the Connecticut Association of Private Special Education Facilities to school staff members within the association who have made significant contributions to their students and program. This year’s winners are Denise Ackeifi, teacher, Grace S. Webb School; Jennifer Bolduc, school nurse, Grace S. Webb School; Taniah Callender, assistant teacher, Grace S. Webb School; Jazmin Garcia, instructional assistant, Webb School at Cheshire; Cori Harwood, school clinician, Grace S. Webb School; Marc Miller, assistant teacher, Grace S. Webb School; Krista Pelletier, instructional aid, Grace S. Webb School; Neil Tobin, teacher, Grace S. Webb School.
The New England Association of Directors of Healthcare Volunteer Services President’s Award
The New England Association of Directors of Healthcare Volunteer Services President’s Award was given to Patricia Graham, Laura Durst, Paula Rego and Dr. Nancy Hubbard of the Family Resource Center; and Erin McCallon-Estremera, Eileen Pelletier and Kelley Boothby, of Hartford Hospital Volunteer Services.
Dr. Linda Durst became an official member of The American College of Psychiatrists.
Unlike the American Psychiatric Association, the College is an honorary organization with just 800 members. Each member must be nominated, supported by several letters of recommendation and subjected to thorough vetting.