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22 H A R T F O R D B U S I N E S S J O U R N A L | A M E R I C A A T 2 5 0 AMERICA AT 250 • LETTERS FROM CONNECTICUT'S BUSINESS LEADERS A s our nation approaches its 250th anniversary, I've been reflecting on the moments and milestones that have shaped who we are today both as a country and as a healthcare community. Here in Connecticut, we are fortunate to be part of a legacy that has long embraced innovation, service and a deep commitment to the public good. is year carries special meaning for those of us at Yale New Haven Health. In 2026, we mark the 200th anniversary of Yale New Ha- ven Hospital, which was founded in 1826 as the General Hospital Society of Connecticut commonly known as the State Hospital or New Haven Hospital and later known as Grace-New Haven Community Hospital. For two centuries, this institution has cared for generations of families while also helping to redefine what modern medicine can achieve. From our earliest days, progress has been part of our story. We were among the first hospitals to introduce natural childbirth and the Rooming-In program as a standard service, changing how families experience one of life's most important moments. Breakthroughs pio- neered here with our Yale School of Medicine colleagues, like the fetal heart monitor and the fiberoptic endoscope, transformed how clinicians diagnose and care for patients. In 1960, the opening of the world's first newborn intensive care unit changed the trajectory of care for our smallest and most vulnerable patients. Our history is also deeply tied to advances in cancer care. Yale researchers were the first to discover the use of mustard compounds to shrink tumors, leading to the first successful application of chemotherapy in 1942. at moment marked the beginning of an entirely new era in oncology, one that continues to evolve today, offering hope to countless pa- tients and families. None of this work happens in isolation. Our longstanding collaboration with the Yale School of Medicine has fueled discovery, education and clinical excellence for generations. Together, we have helped train physicians, nurses and healthcare leaders who have gone on to serve Honoring 250 Years of Progress While Shaping the Future of Care communities across the country and around the world. From the earliest days of the Connecti- cut Training School for Nurses in 1873, which would become the Yale School of Nursing, we have believed deeply in the power of education to elevate care. Today, we carry that legacy forward with purpose. As a leading academic health system and a vital safety-net provider, Yale New Haven Health is committed not only to advancing the science of medicine, but also to ensuring that high-quality care is accessible to all, especially those who need it most. Our recent 5-star CMS quality ratings at two of our system's hospitals reflect that commitment to both excellence and equity. We are also investing in the future of care in meaningful ways. Early next year, we will open the Adams Neurosciences Center, a space designed to bring together advanced science and compassionate care for patients facing complex neurological conditions. e center will strengthen our ability to deliver leading-edge treatments while advancing new discoveries that will shape the future of brain and spine care. Milestones like these invite us to look back, but they also ask us to look ahead. e progress we celebrate today was made possible by peo- ple who believed deeply in the idea that care could always be better, more compassionate, more effective. It's now our responsibility to carry that spirit forward. As we recognize 250 years of our nation's history and 200 years of care at Yale New Haven Hospital, I feel a profound sense of gratitude for those who came before us and for the patients and communities who continue to place their trust in us. Together, we have the opportunity to shape what the next chapter looks like: ad- vancing care, expanding access and continuing to make discoveries that will define the future of medicine for generations to come. By Christopher O'Connor, CEO, Yale New Haven Health Christopher O'Connor, CEO, Yale New Haven Health