Hartford Business Journal

HEALTHCARE HEROES | 2025 AWARDS B10 HARTFORDBUSINESS.COM | OCTOBER 6, 2025 Winner Category | Physician Dr. Robert E Murray Emergency Medicine Physician Bristol Hospital and US Acute Care Solutions LLC D r. Robert Murray graduated from Union College in Schenectady, New York. He completed medical school at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry and an emer- gency medicine residency at the Harvard Affiliated Emergency Medicine Residency at Brigham and Women's Hospital/Massa- chusetts General Hospital, serving as chief resident in his final year. What have been your significant contribu- tions to your organization in the past year? To lead as a physician, I focus on inter- action with patients and families during every encounter. As peer-review chairman, I make any care review as nonconfronta- tional and objective as possible. US Acute Care Solutions staffs the Bristol emergency department. As site quality director, I was directed to improve patient safety in a key risk area: dizziness presentations and improving posterior stroke diagnoses. Nursing, IT and providers raised our National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score documentation metric from 50% compliance to more than 90% compliance. Tell us about a challenge in your job that you were able to overcome. Challenges go beyond the 'chief complaint.' Patients don't simply present with heart attacks, strokes, a fracture or infection. ey present with fears, worries and questions. ey have deeper reasons and deeper needs. e challenge is to connect with patients and families, gain trust and find out truly why they are there. You can then align your goal with theirs while efficiently evaluating, diag- nosing, treating and discharging/admitting. What's your next major goal and/or challenge? Most emergency departments are a place of human emotion, deep personal struggles, fears, tragedy and life-changing events. My challenge is to see the human side of what is in front of me and speak to people like I am in their house. e goal is to connect on a different level and practice what we teach our children. Stay mentally and physically healthy first, work hard, be human and stay focused on the task. at way, I can make a difference beyond diagnosing or writing prescriptions. Winner Category | Physician Dr. David R. Howlett Partner East Granby Family Practice LLC D r. David Howlett earned his degrees, including his doctorate of medicine, from the University of Connecticut. Board certified in family medicine, he completed his internship at Albany Medical Center and residency at UConn Medical School. He has served on the boards of Qualidigm, the Connecticut Institute for Primary Care Innovation, St. Francis HealthCare Partners, and the Connecticut Academy of Family Physicians — where he has been a member since 1996 and served as president in 1999 — as well as the Southern New England HealthCare System, where he has served since 2021. Howlett has taught medical students for the University of Connecticut and Quinnipiac Schools of Medicine. What have been your significant contribu- tions to your organization this past year? For the Southern New England Health- Care System, I facilitated the integration of the tenets of population health and reinforced the concepts of our Patient Centered Medical Home certification with East Granby Family Practice's 12 medical providers. I optimized our electronic medical record to capture and report the care we give to the healthcare system. As a result, our practice is rated as a top high performer in the SoNE accountable care organization system. Tell us about a challenge in your job you were able to overcome. e challenge is having enough time to address all of a patient's concerns at the office visit, while managing their medical problems and ensuring all preventive measures are addressed. rough the implementation of elec- tronic medical records and certification as a Level 3 Patient Centered Medical Home, I learned a team approach, preparation for patient visits, standing orders and electronic medical record optimization with voice dictation and macros helped overcome the challenge. What's your next major goal? My goal is to showcase how independent medical practice can thrive by doing what's best for the patient with the help of tech- nology and streamlined office procedures. Congratulations David Howlett, MD - 2025 Healthcare Hero Congratulations and thank you Dr. Howlett! SoNE HEALTH is grateful for your unwavering dedication to transforming our healthcare system to one that puts patients first and delivers unmatched quality and value. It is a privilege to work with you and an honor to celebrate your success. You are a valued supporter, a friend and a true healthcare hero! East Granby Family Practice, LLC

• Cover