Issue link: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/834276
75 Years of Rebuilding Lives | 1941-2016 Letter from the President & CEO In our 75 years, we have cared for patients with the most challenging chronic and complex illnesses and life-changing injuries ranging from polio in the 1940s to traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries and autism spectrum disorder today. And in partnership with the State of Connecticut, Hospital for Special Care has always been a safety net for our commu- nity's most vulnerable patients, including caring for our state's youngest patients in our pediatric unit, whether for weeks or for their lifetime. Hospital for Special Care truly is a special place. As you read through the sections that follow, you'll get just a glimpse of what we do on a daily basis to deliver on our promise of rebuilding lives. You'll also see how we are evolving and pre- paring to meet the needs of our patients in the years ahead through research and new models of care. With a focus on excelling in each of our specialties, HSC consistently sets na- tional standards in care. As an example, we maintain the best ventilator-weaning rate in Connecticut and one of the highest in the country. In fact, Hospital for Special Care has become a sought-after training facility. HSC has vested relationships with more than 60 colleges and universities, hosting medical professionals and healthcare students for clinical training, all drawn by our repu- tation in care and superior industry-leading patient outcomes. We are proud of our history, but more importantly, we are focused on the future – for our employees, our patients and our community. n Lynn Ricci, FACHE President and Chief Executive Officer Since Hospital for Special Care (HSC) was founded in 1941, we have welcomed thousands of patients from across the state and around the country. From our modest beginnings in caring only for respiratory patients, we have grown into the fourth-largest specialty hospital in the country. 3