Connecticut

Hartford Children's Hospital To Name New ICU After Benefactor

Published

2 years ago

January 25, 2024

Hartford Children's Hospital To Name New ICU After Benefactor

HARTFORD, CT — A major children’s hospital in the state will name a new intensive care unit for babies in tribute to a large benefactor.

Hartford-based Connecticut Children’s, the state’s only healthcare system dedicated exclusively to the care of children, has received a $2.5 million commitment from the DeSimone Family Trust to support neonatology intensive care facilities and services in the hospital’s new tower expansion.

In recognition of this gift, the sixth-floor neonatal intensive care wing of the hospital’s new tower will be named the Jerry and Rose Marie DeSimone Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

“Connecticut Children’s cares for babies born so early they are at the very edge of survivability,” said Jim Shmerling, Connecticut Children’s president and chief executive officer. “The incredibly generous gift from the DeSimone Family Trust will help us expand the world-class care we provide to our tiniest, most fragile patients and their families. We are deeply grateful for their support.”

Clinical studies have shown that NICU babies survive at higher rates when they are in a private room.

The new Jerry and Rose Marie DeSimone Neonatal Intensive Care Unit will feature 25 private NICU patient/family rooms, family waiting rooms, procedure rooms, and team member areas.

There will be another NICU floor with similar features, bringing the total of private NICU rooms to 50.

“This was an easy decision for our family. My mother and father loved babies and struggled during the pregnancies of me and my five siblings. They never forgot the emotional pain they endured, praying that their babies would be okay,” said Joyce Lagnese, family spokesperson and member of the Connecticut Children’s Foundation Board of Directors.

“Every sick fetus and newborn deserves the best chance to thrive and we are so proud of Connecticut Children’s progressive commitment to these precious vulnerable beings and their families. With the support of the generous citizens of our state, Connecticut Children’s is sure to become a national leader in neonatal care.”

Sixty percent of all births in Connecticut occur in one of Connecticut Children’s network hospitals.

In addition, Connecticut Children’s staffs 14 NICUs across Connecticut and New York, with the most critically ill babies receiving care at its Hartford Level 4 NICU.

The new tower in Hartford will add 50,000 square feet of NICU space over two floors.

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Connecticut

Connecticut Launches New Era for Community Hospital Care – UConn Today

Published

2 hours ago

March 4, 2026

Press Room

Connecticut Launches New Era for Community Hospital Care – UConn Today

Marked by a ceremonial ribbon cutting and attended by Governor Ned Lamont, state legislators, Waterbury officials, and community leaders, UConn Health celebrated the acquisition of Waterbury Hospital which as of today is now the UConn Health Waterbury Hospital.

“This is a defining moment for healthcare in Connecticut,” said Dr. Andrew Agwunobi, CEO of UConn Health Community Network. “We now have the opportunity to take the award -winning academic quality and service of UConn Health and share it with the wonderful employees, doctors and community of Waterbury.”

Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont described the initiative as a forward-looking investment in the future of healthcare access across Connecticut.

“Connecticut is leading with innovation,” said Connecticut Governor Lamont. “The UConn Health Community Network reflects a proactive approach to strengthening community-based care by connecting it directly to the capabilities of our state’s public academic medical center. What begins in Waterbury today, represents a new model designed to expand opportunity, access, and excellence for communities statewide.”

In addition to UConn Health Waterbury Hospital, the Network includes UConn Health Community Network Medical Group and UConn Health Waterbury Health at Home. The model preserves each member’s local identity and will grow thoughtfully over time to improve quality, expand access, and reduce the total cost of care.

“This reflects a bold step forward in how we think about healthcare in Connecticut,” said John Driscoll, Chair of the UConn Health Board of Directors. “Today we celebrate the beginning of a new approach to community-based care. We move forward with clarity of purpose and shared commitment to serve our communities better together.”

Comptroller Sean Scanlon highlighted the significance of the model for the long-term evolution of healthcare delivery in Connecticut.

“This partnership represents thoughtful leadership at a pivotal time for healthcare,” said Connecticut Comptroller Sean Scanlon. “By aligning community hospitals with academic medicine, Connecticut is building a modern framework that positions our healthcare system to meet the needs of patients today and into the future.”

“Hosting this celebration on our campus is deeply meaningful for our staff, physicians and the families we serve,” said Deborah Weymouth, President of UConn Health Waterbury Hospital. “Waterbury’s legacy of care continues, and we are tremendously proud to have a strong partner who is deeply committed to our community and help lead this next chapter for healthcare.”

Welcome UConn Health Waterbury Hospital!

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Connecticut

Multiple cars involved in crash on I-84 in Hartford

Published

14 hours ago

March 4, 2026

Press Room

Multiple cars involved in crash on I-84 in Hartford

A multi-vehicle crash temporarily close Interstate 84 on Tuesday night.

The crash happened around 8:30 p.m. and involved four cars, according to the Hartford Fire Department.

Fire crews arrived at the scene and helped one of the drivers who was trapped. The driver was then taken to a local hospital for evaluation and treatment.

Four other people reported minor injuries but declined ambulance treatment at the scene, officials said.

I-84 East was temporarily shut down as crews responded but has since reopened.

The Connecticut State Police is investigating the crash.

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Connecticut

Sleet, freezing rain leading to treacherous travel in parts of Connecticut

Published

1 day ago

March 3, 2026

Press Room

Sleet, freezing rain leading to treacherous travel in parts of Connecticut

As the snow turns to sleet and freezing rain in parts of the state this afternoon, it is causing some treacherous travel on Connecticut roads.

The Connecticut Department of Transportation is reporting several crashes.

There are crashes on both sides of Interstate 691 in Meriden.

A tractor-trailer jackknifed on the eastbound side of I-691 between Exit 5 and 3, closing the left lane. On the westbound side, a single-vehicle crash closed the left lane.

There is a two-vehicle crash on I-91 North in Middletown between Exits 20 and 21. The left and center lanes are closed.

A multi-vehicle crash has closed lanes of I-84 East in Waterbury between Exits 25 and 25A. There is a second crash on I-84 East in Southington near Exit 30.

In Cromwell, a two-vehicle crash closed the right lane of Route 9 North in Cromwell.

On Route 9 South, a crash closed a lane on the southbound side.

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