www.HartfordBusiness.com • April 27, 2020 • Hartford Business Journal 13
CONNECTICUT HEALTH CARE: LEADERSHIP IN A TIME OF CRISIS
Dear Business Leaders,
Across Hartford HealthCare, I am inspired every day by my
30,000 colleagues, true heroes, working in unprecedented
times. As we move through this pandemic, our focus is clear
cut across HHC: Each one of us is doing all we can to stop the
spread of COVID-19 and protect the health and safety of our
patients and families we care for, as well as our colleagues.
At the same time, we must continually look ahead so we can
meet the needs of our communities in the coming weeks. As I
promised weeks ago, I am steadfastly committed to commu-
nication, transparency and accessibility to care.
Across our campuses, you will notice increasingly more
restrictive visitor and screening policies throughout Hartford
HealthCare. Everyone in Hartford HealthCare who works where
patient care is provided is equipped with a mask. Any colleague
entering any one of our Hartford HealthCare hospitals and
ambulatory sites now is screened for fever and other symptoms.
We are actively sourcing critical personal protective equipment,
scouring the globe — and thankful for the many donations
coming from near and far to support our front line.
We want you to know that we will be here for you, whatever
the future brings.
Our 24/7 toll-free hotline at 833.621.0600 is staffed by
healthcare professionals, ready to help if you need answers
regarding COVID19.
Drive-through testing centers are conveniently located on
our hospital campuses. To qualify for testing, patients must
have a referral from the COVID Command Center or from the
Hartford HealthCare Medical Group.
We provide virtual health visits where you have the option
of receiving care in the comfort of your home. Call your Hart-
ford HealthCare Medical Group provider or find one here.
We know the pandemic has taken its toll. Hartford Health-
Care is a leading provider of mental health with the Behav-
ioral Health Network. Help is available; learn more online. Or,
if you just need to talk, leave a message at 888.984.2408 and
we will call you back.
New emergency department capabilities are taking shape as
we bring tents and trailers to triage patients at each of our hos-
pital campuses. These are there to provide for safe assessment
outside of the emergency department and prevent exposure.
You can receive text alerts for the most reliable and up-to-date
information by texting COVID19 in the message field to 31996.
Online, we provide the latest news and information at
www.hartfordhealthcare.org/coronavirus
Finally, I would like to share a story. A Hartford HealthCare
colleague was filling up her car with gas after a long shift in
these uncertain times. She had on her badge and didn't think
much of it, until she heard clapping. Others joined in. Soon
the entire, crowded gas station was clapping, applauding her.
They told her thank you. "Thank you for everything that you
and all the other nurses, doctors, everyone for what you are
doing to take care of people who are sick, and preventing the
rest of us from getting sick."
This and numerous other acts of kindness, small and large,
are wonderful to see and provide our healthcare workers both
inspiration and encouragement.
These are extraordinary times, and I am so proud of the
caring, courage and compassion of everyone at Hartford
HealthCare. We are here to take care of you whenever you
need us — in this emergency and always.
Stay safe and be well.
Jeffrey A. Flaks
President and Chief Executive Officer
Hartford HealthCare
P.S. I hope you will join me to show your support for healthcare workers everywhere — a word of thanks, a social media post
or print a heart "Thank you" sign on your door. Together, we will get through this.
HartfordHealthCare.org | p: (860) 972 8100
