Looking at the bigger picture of access to care
I have been working in health care for 30 years. One year ago, I began what I now realize is a real-time experiment in how care delivery can be improved, and how an urban center like Bridgeport is an ideal place for this transformative work.
I returned to Connecticut’s largest city to lead St. Vincent’s Medical Center here and the network that comprises Hartford HealthCare’s Fairfield Region. I marveled at the technology and talent in place for world-class care. But I was also reminded of the immense human need — the imperative to address what some experts call “the social determinants of health,” but I see as our mission to provide care for the most vulnerable.
In this work, touches matter more than tech; outreach, not just appointments, are the goal. And I saw how the many things we do, small and large, combine to paint a bigger picture of providing access to care for all the people we serve.
Beets plus heartbeats: ⏩ Our Farm Stand kicked off its 14th season and this year we have two Community Health Workers to screen individuals for health-related social needs and connect them to community resources. Patrons can have their blood pressure checked and take a blood pressure monitor home with them.
Free, fulfilling care: Our ⏩ eighth annual Medical Mission at Home will return this November to Cesar Batalla School, providing free medical services to those most in need. Last year, we served more than 200 patients in one day. This year we are extending this service to the youngest members of our community with on-site pediatrics experts.
Swimmers with soul: The 35th ⏩ annual Swim Across the Sound event is now in the books. Intrepid swimmers finished a 15.5-mile shore-to-shore New York-to-Bridgeport event — all to raise funds and awareness for cancer screenings and financial support for cancer patients.
This is not traditional health care. These are examples of full hearts and minds striving — and succeeding — at making a difference for people they may never know or meet.
At the same time, we know we need to create a health care environment that’s more convenient and has lower-cost options.
Since joining Hartford HealthCare in 2019, St. Vincent’s has added access points from Milford to Stamford. Multispecialty HealthCenters opened within the last year in Milford and Wilton, allowing patients the choice of where they receive care. Our outpatient rehabilitation has expanded to include locations in Westport, Stratford, Monroe and coming soon, Milford. Many people have fallen behind in maintaining important check-ups due to the pandemic which even further underscores the importance of quick, convenient access to our experts. We continue to make investments in primary care, urgent care and ambulatory care centers, and through a network of homebased and community services. Just last year, we served 31,000 patients at St. Vincent’s five urgent care centers, providing safe and efficient care outside of a higher-cost hospital setting. Two more centers, in Westport and in Norwalk, open this fall.
Our ambulatory surgery centers in Trumbull, Milford and Wilton provide expertise and convenience while lowering the cost of care and opening up space at St. Vincent’s Medical Center to provide more complex care for stroke, heart and spine surgery when needed.
Hearts and hands. High-tech and high-touch. This past year has shown me that we can transform care — and lives, right here in Bridgeport. It’s happening now, and accelerating tomorrow. I am proud to be back, and to lead these efforts in our region.
These are examples of full hearts and minds striving — and succeeding — at making a difference for people they may never know or meet.