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HARTFORDBUSINESS.COM | OCTOBER 30, 2023 B7 HEALTHCARE HEROES WINNER CATEGORY Healthcare Staff Hospital for Special Care Respiratory Therapy – Pulmonary Reha- bilitation Team Leader: Pamela Held Team Members: Stephanie Alderman, Laurie Miller, Rhonda Pintek, Crystal Schindo, Betsy Smith, Debbie Wantek, Rhiannon Warzocha The pulmonary rehabilitation team at Hospital for Special Care (HFSC) helps patients live and even thrive with their diagnosis. A skilled team of respiratory therapists guides patients through a structured exercise program three times each week, helping each patient build or sustain cardiopulmonary strength, while monitoring oxygen levels for safety. What have been the team's significant contri- butions to the organization in the past year? If you have chronic obstructive pulmo- nary disease, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) or any of the respiratory conditions that Hospital for Special Care's pulmonary rehabilitation patients experience, you may think carefully about every single breath. The pulmonary rehabilitation team provides weekly education sessions for patients and their caregivers on a broad range of topics helping them understand and navigate the complex issues impacting their health. Classes address the whole person, and help patients and their loved ones better understand their condition, retain independence, enjoy time with loved ones and continue active lifestyles. What's the team's next major goal and/or challenge? The pulmonary rehabilitation team also hosts the HFSC Breathtakers support group to bring patients together to share experiences and learn from one another. Members of the group provide peer support, helping one another cope with the anxiety created by being short of breath. What are some major challenges the team had to overcome? The pulmonary rehabilitation team, though small, has a mighty impact. Two respiratory therapists, supported by a patient care and administrative support team, transform patient lives. These health- care heroes go above and beyond for every patient and every family member. WINNER CATEGORY Healthcare Staff R. Kyle Kramer Day Kimball Health President and Chief Executive Officer Kyle Kramer is president and CEO of Day Kimball Health and is responsible for over- sight and advancement of Day Kimball's mission to serve the healthcare needs of northeast Connecticut. Kramer has responsibility for 1,100-plus employees and the oversight of health- care services for a population of almost 125,000 people. What have been your significant contribu- tions to your organization in the past year? Like most healthcare organizations, Day Kimball has faced significant challenges over the past several years, due to the pandemic and other circumstances. I've emulated what I learned from my father, who was a high school football coach in Texas. I have done everything within my power to lead by example – working alongside our staff in the emergency department, working with our teams in the ICU and other depart- ments to turn rooms, working with our food services team to deliver meals, essentially doing whatever necessary to support oper- ations, our team, and to advance patient care as a servant leader. Tell us about a challenge you were able to overcome. Day Kimball was well on its way to an affiliation with another organization. When that ended, I mobilized our team and redirected our efforts to garner support from the state and to inspire confidence in our team that our organization will go on, regardless of what may come. What's your next major goal and/or challenge? To expand services that are specific to our population, to elevate our staff and to inspire confidence within our market that Day Kimball Health is strong, focused and headed in the right direction for the future. Personal Side Favorite way to relax: Music – playing, writing and performing Hobbies: Music – vocals and guitar, collecting wine and experimental cooking WINNER CATEGORY Healthcare Staff Andrea Williams Hartford HealthCare-GoHealth Urgent Care Director of Operations Andrea Williams is the director of oper- ations for Hartford HealthCare-GoHealth Urgent Care, overseeing daily operations, recruitment and professional development for staff in 26 centers across Connecticut. What have been your significant contribu- tions to your organization in the past year? Through strong partnerships with our talent acquisition and people team departments, and by leveraging creative solutions to expand our team of virtual visit-trained providers and staff during the COVID-19 pandemic, I ensured our centers and staff had the resources necessary to meet patients' needs and keep our promise to our community. I am a leader of GoHealth Urgent Care's Black and African American team resource group, which provides meaningful pathways and connections for team members to grow professionally and personally. I'm also part of GoHealth's strategic planning committee, and I helped identify areas of opportunity and growth across the country. Tell us about a challenge in your job that you were able to overcome. With 26 centers, I wanted our staff to feel connected to each other and our leadership team. I helped launch a market huddle where our staff can ask questions, share updates and ensure their voices are heard. This boosted staff morale, resulting in a 10% decrease in attrition in 2022. What's your next major goal and/or challenge? My goal is to understand the needs of our workforce so that we can collabora- tively expand healthcare access for our community. This includes adding new service lines that meet the community's needs, expanding our hours of operation and opening new centers. Personal Side Favorite way to relax: My favorite way to relax is sitting by the water and meditating. Hobbies: I love to read, sing and go for walks. Favorite movie: "A Walk in the Clouds" Currently reading: "The Transformative Leader," by Amir Ghannad and "The Power of Now," by Eckhart Tolle Favorite cause: My favorite cause is the Hartford Premier & Development League. I am on the junior board, and my husband and children play in the league. The league is more than soccer. It is a resource to empower our youth and teach them life skills. WINNER CATEGORY Mental Healthcare Provider Change Inc. Team Leader: Marcus Steinle Team Members: Eileen Maca, Nicole Brown, Kelsie Bouchard, Ty-East Edwards, Stephanie Fisher, Leslie Davis-Phillips Change Inc.'s mission is to promote positive change through compassionate care and clinical excellence. Change Inc. empowers individuals to achieve their goals, creating a positive impact in their lives through dedicated support and guidance. What have been the organization's signifi- cant accomplishments in the past year? The Change Inc. team has consistently demonstrated a commitment to providing exceptional services to those in need. We are consistent in our inclusive approach to serving vulnerable populations. This year we've expanded our services and incorporated supporting veterans and individuals with autism into our programs. In 2023, we were also re-accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities, which recognizes our adherence to rigorous standards of practice, and provides peace of mind to our clients. What are some major challenges the organization had to overcome? Our agency faced devastating staffing issues during the COVID-19 pandemic. We overcame this by showing appreciation to our existing workforce, hosting a Staff Appreciation Day and nominating our caregivers for the Home Care Association of America Caregiver of the Year award. This boosted morale, reduced turn- over and improved productivity and care delivery. What's the organization's next major goal? Our goal is to consistently provide compassionate and exceptional care to individuals within the comfort of their own home. We seek to collaborate among our clients, families and other professionals in the mental health field. We are committed to positively impacting and changing lives and enhancing awareness of our agency.