Meet the Newest Members of the Team: ASM Hires Four – 2020

MANCHESTER — On August 10th, 2020, four EMTs were added to the ASM team. As part of our continued growth, Aetna and ASM seek out only the best candidates. We look for employees who are focused on high-quality patient care, are team oriented and conduct themselves in a professional manner. During the orientation, employees learn about company philosophy and goals, quality assurance, and policies and procedures.

From left to right: Rhys Evans, Mimi Sillman, Brianna Illingworth, Aubrey-Ana Clark

Meet the Newest Members of the Team: Aetna Hires Five – 2019

HARTFORD — On April 1st, 2019, two Paramedics and three EMTs and were added to the Aetna team. As part of our continued growth, Aetna and ASM seek out only the best candidates. We look for employees who are focused on high-quality patient care, are team oriented and conduct themselves in a professional manner. During the orientation, employees learn about company philosophy and goals, quality assurance, and policies and procedures.

From left to right, Nicole Valente, Anthony Fazzino, Shelma Morales, Tyler Driscoll, and Frank Duncan.

Frank Duncan: FULL TIME, EMT. Hello, I’m Frank Duncan. After graduating from UConn in 2015, I spent a few years working as an Office Paraprofessional at WH Public Schools. I also had a passion for firefighting so I became a volunteer with the Town of Farmington where I gained my EMT-B certification. My goals are to expand my EMS experience while strengthening my skills as an EMT. I hope to attend paramedic school in the future as I work to become a career firefighter. I look forward to joining the Aetna team and I’m very excited for the opportunity ahead! 

Nicole Valente: FULL TIME, PARAMEDIC. Hi, my name is Nicole. I just turned 30 and was born/raised in the south end of Hartford. I went to high school in Wethersfield and currently reside in Newington. I began my healthcare career as a volunteer EMT in Newington in 2012 and the ER at Windham Hospital as a tech while finishing my bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences at UConn (2016). I transferred to Hartford Hospital on the Cardiothoracic Surgery/LVAD floor (Bliss 9E) as a PCA in addition to working per diem as an EMT for AMR’s Hartford Division. I recently graduated from the Hartford Hospital (CESI) Paramedic Program. I am considering a future career in medicine as a Physician Assistant. For fun, I love to hike in the White Mountains and am always on a quest to find the hottest cuisine/chili peppers known to man. I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to serve the community I grew up in as a Paramedic. I am honored to join the team at Aetna and to continue my relationship with Hartford Hospital. 

Shelma Morales: FULLTIME, EMT. I enjoy watching horror movies, listening to music and being outdoors. I love to play sports, especially baseball and volleyball. I was born and raised in Puerto Rico, currently live in New Britain. Lastly, I am a first generation college student and aspire to become a PA in the oncology/hematology specialty.

Anthony Fazzino. FULL TIME, PARAMEDIC. I am a proud graduate of Hartford Hospital’s Paramedic Program and excited to begin my career in EMS. I recently moved back to Connecticut after living in Hawaii for 4 years. My goal is to continue my education in order to earn my Bachelor’s degree. Outside of work, I enjoy hiking, traveling, and scuba diving. I look forward to being a part of Aetna Ambulance as I continue to improve as a paramedic. 

Tyler Driscoll: FULL TIME, EMT. My name is Tyler Driscoll. I am from South Windsor and currently reside in Manchester. I have been working as an EMT in East Windsor for 5 years now, and I am excited to learn the Aetna ways and grow as an EMT. I look forward to working alongside some of the best providers in the area! Stay safe out there!

Meet the Newest Members of the Team: ASM Hires Seven – 2017

MANCHESTER — On February 23, 2017 seven EMTs were added to the ASM team. As part of our continued growth Aetna and ASM seek out only the best candidates. We look for employees who are focused on high-quality patient care, are team oriented and conduct themselves in a professional manner. During the orientation, employees learn about company philosophy and goals, quality assurance, and policies and procedures.

William Lund:  FULL TIME, EMT. My name is William Lund and I am 25 years old. I am originally from Monson, MA. I was a four year college athlete at Westfield State University (soccer), and currently I am an Active Air Force Reservist, serving as a Medical Technician. It is through the Air Force that  I received my EMT certification. My hobbies include anything outdoors but specifically fishing, camping, snowboarding, soccer, and corn hole.


Jenna Kinghorn:  FULL TIME, EMT. My name is Jenna Kinghorn. I am twenty-one years old. My interest in EMS came about when I started school, still not knowing what I really wanted to be, or what I wanted to do with my life. I began volunteering at Manchester 8th District Fire Department and quickly realized that I was more drawn to the medical calls. Shortly after, I enrolled in Hartford Hospital’s accelerated EMT program, and I knew I made the right decision. I immediately established a strong passion for emergency medicine. I have spent the past few months working in the Emergency Department at Hartford Hospital and while I loved the fast paced work environment, I am very excited to experience the first responder side of patient care through my role at ASM. My future goal is to become a K9 Officer. I believe ASM will help me achieve this goal by the experience I will be gaining in emergent situations, and provide me with the confidence and skill set needed for public safety. I am grateful for my opportunity to work at ASM, and I’m looking forward to becoming a part of the team.


Chris Dibenedetto:  FULL TIME, EMT. My name is Chris Dibenedetto I am 28 yrs, old, and from Manchester. I started working in the medical field as a Medical Assistant in 2010 at a doctors office. From there I took a job at ST. Francis Hospital. I received my EMT License in the summer of 2016, and started working as an ER Tech at the hospital. What made me want to become an EMT is the fact that I like being hands on with patients, and out in the field when a patient calls for help. A few hobbies of mine are being outdoors in the summer time, hanging out with my dog, or working on my car and traveling to different states to be in shows.


Orlando Diaz:  FULL TIME, EMT. Hello, my name is Orlando Diaz I’m 22 years old. I currently live in Meriden. I’m a Volunteer Firefighter/EMT for the town of South Meriden. I’ve been there for over a year now. That’s where I received my experience so far as an EMT. I joined the South Meriden Fire Department to become a career firefighter one day, but the more EMS calls I go on, the more I fall in love with EMS. Eventually, I’m hoping to become a Paramedic. I love helping others, I’m a people person. Making people smile makes my day a lot better. I’m thankful ASM has given me a chance to get the EMT experience I need to become a Paramedic one day. I’m looking forward to learning and contributing as much as I can to ASM, and all of our communities.


Elizabeth Dowdy:  FULL TIME, EMT. My name is Liz Dowdy.  I am 24 years old, and originally from Wethersfield, but currently live in Rocky Hill, CT.  I have worked as a waitress for five years and have been coaching the Wethersfield High School Gymnastics team for the past two years while going to school.  During my time in college, I studied Criminal Justice for three years and decided to expand my education in Emergency Services and obtain my EMT certification.  I took my EMT class in the Fall of 2016 in East Hartford, and developed a strong interest in EMS.  I am beyond grateful to have this incredible opportunity to not only work for such a great company as ASM, but to also gain new experiences while caring for the community.


Kaitlyn Duley:  FULL TIME, EMT. I am 25 years old and a student at Capital Community College where I am working towards my nursing degree.  When I found out that my school offered an EMT-B program, I thought that it would be a great opportunity for me.  I quickly fell in love with emergency services, and I am thrilled to become a part of the ASM team!  In my free time I enjoy riding my horse Mark, and spending time with my family.  I am a lover of nature and being outdoors, and basically anything to do with animals!


Brian Silver Jr:  FULL TIME, EMT. My name is Brian Silver Jr.  I am 24 years old.  I was born and raised in Michigan. I moved to the East Coast in 2011 and then moved to Connecticut in 2014. I currently live in Ellington, CT.  I took my EMT class in the winter of 2015 at CPR Training Professionals in South Windsor, CT.  I graduated from my class in the spring of 2016. Once I completed the class, I went on to be certified in the state of Connecticut. After earning my certifications, I started volunteering for the Somers Fire Department. I one day hope to become a paramedic, and further my career in EMS and emergency medicine. I am looking forward to joining the team here at ASM. In my free time I enjoy going for walks, spending time with my wife, reading and anything outdoor related.

Meet the Newest Members of the Team: Aetna Hires Three – 2016

HARTFORD — In October, 2016 two EMTs and one Paramedic were added to the Aetna team. As part of our continued growth Aetna and ASM seek out only the best candidates. We look for employees who are focused on high-quality patient care, are team oriented and conduct themselves in a professional manner. During the orientation, employees learn about company philosophy and goals, quality assurance, and policies and procedures.

Courtney Graham:  FULL TIME, Paramedic. My name is Courtney Graham, I am 20 years old and currently live in Harwinton, CT. I have been in the field of Fire and EMS since my junior year of high school, volunteering for Harwinton Ambulance and HWSFD. I graduated college with a degree in Fire Science while attending classes at Wolcott State Fire School, and working as an EMT for Vintech the past couple years. I also help teach in the summer for Camp Fully Involved, an all women’s introduction to the fire service program at New Hampshire Fire Academy. After graduating, I attended New Britain EMS Academy Paramedic Program, where I found my true passion in Emergency Medicine. During the program I had the chance to complete part of my field internship with some of AETNA’s Paramedics and EMTs. I completed NBEMSA’s paramedic program in August as a part of Class 0815. I would like to work towards becoming a flight paramedic and eventually a D.O. where I hope to specialize in Pediatric Emergency Medicine. Outside of EMS, I enjoy traveling, hiking trips to Vermont and New Hampshire, sketching, photography and being with friends and family. I’m very excited to be continuing my EMS career as a Paramedic with AETNA and meeting the rest of the team!

Kyle Kureczka:  PART TIME, EMT. Hi my name is Kyle Kureczka, I am from Berlin, CT. For the last 5 years I have lived in Newport, RI where I went to school and played at Salve Regina University. The last year I have been working in the ER of four hospitals as a medical scribe. Aetna will be my first time working as an EMT. I plan to use my experience as an EMT to one day go to PA school. In my spare time I like to play soccer, work out, read, and be outdoors.

Michael Quezada:  FULL TIME, EMT. My name is Michael Quezada, I am 25 years of age .I got into EMS because I enjoy helping others and it is a very rewarding job. This will be my first time working for EMS and I wish to gain as much medical experience as I can while working for Aetna Ambulance. My future plans for EMS include: working as an EMT for a few years and then going back to school to obtain my Paramedic license. My hobbies are: long boarding, bodybuilding, calisthenics, playing video games and martial arts. I look forward to working with everyone at Aetna Ambulance and making new friends!