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

MANCHESTER — On May 13th, 2019 five 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, Kalya Katt, Kenneth Shaffer, Stephen Michna, Anthony Freitas, Danielle Kamenskiy

Kayla Katt: FULL TIME, EMT. My name is Kayla Katt. I am 24 yrs old and am from New York, originally, but moved to Connecticut 6 yrs ago to get my Bachelors in Biology from the University of New Haven. I gained my love for EMS when I attended my EMT course in efforts to complete prerequisites to attend PA school. After getting a taste of EMS and serving my surrounding community, I haven’t been able to leave. I am an enlisted member in the Connecticut Air National Guard and I am in the most recent graduating class of paramedics from Capital Community College. I look forward to taking advantage of the experience being provided to me and becoming the best provider possible.

Kenneth ShafferFULL TIME, EMT.My name is Kenneth Shaffer, I am 26 years old. I have been an EMT going on 2 years. I fell in love with EMS after seeing parents serve the community as EMT’s as I grew up. I am currently in paramedic school looking to one day become a Firefighter Paramedic. I look forward to the experience and knowledge I will obtain here at ASM. 

Stephen MichnaFULLTIME, EMT. Hi there, my name is Stephen and I have served as an EMT since 2006. I worked for a private service in the Boston area for 3 years and have been a member of Harwinton Volunteer Ambulance for 7 years. I enjoy the opportunity to serve my community, and have wanted to be an EMT since I was 8 years old. I also have a background in engineering, and spent several years living in Germany working with wind turbines. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my family and riding motorcycles. I look forward to joining ASM!

Anthony FreitasFULL TIME, EMT.  Hello my name is Anthony Freitas, I am 22 years old from Marlborough, CT. Apart from working out and traveling, pursuing a medical career has been my dream forever. I grew up listening to hospital drama during family dinners and events. Becoming a cardiac monitor technician at St. Francis Hospital, I began to hear and learn more about the medical field, leading me to pursue a profession in healthcare. Currently I am taking classes to become a Physicians Assistant, while obtaining patient contact hours as an EMT. New to EMS, I was fortunate enough to become another team member of a proud and respected company such as ASM. I look forward to learning not only how to do things right, but to do things better than “by the book”. Through experiences and training with ASM, I will become a valued teammate and responder.

Danielle KamenskiyFULL TIME, EMT.My name is Danielle Kamenskiy and I am 22 years old. I grew up in Simsbury, but am now living in Vernon. I am a recent graduate of UConn with a degree in Molecular & Cellular Biology, and am hoping to become an ophthalmologist in the future. I obtained my EMT-B certification through CPR Training Professionals. In my free time, I enjoy being outdoors or spending time with family and friends. I am passionate about helping others, and I look forward to working with ASM to make a positive impact on my community.

ASM hosts National EMS Memorial Bike Ride

The “National EMS Memorial Bike Ride” is a long distance bicycle ride from Boston to Washington D.C. every May comprised mainly of EMTs and Paramedics who ride for EMS Line of Duty Deaths and Legacy. Ambulance Service of Manchester hosted approximately 130 riders and support staff on Mother’s Day, May 12th 2019. Bicyclists traveled from Sturbridge Massachusetts to ASM in cold weather rain and even hail during this leg of their journey. When they arrived at ASM, employees pulled together providing a home cooked lunch, hot coffee and blankets as a safe haven from the unsettling weather.

A special thanks to Ambulance Service of Manchester employees Briyanna Decaprio, Michael Sparks, Mike Makulis, Matt Kleeza, Josh Traber, Adam Fine, and Carolyn Edwards. All went above and beyond to provide food, fuel and encouragement to the deserving riders and supporters. We look forward to next year’s ride!

Bike Route:

Orientation (May 10) – Boston in the evening
Day 1 (May 11) – Boston, MA to Sturbridge, MA
Day 2 (May 12) – Sturbridge, MA to New Haven, CT
Day 3 (May 13) – New Haven, CT to Yonkers, NY
Day 4 (May 14) – Yonkers, NY to Princeton, NJ
Day 5 (May 15) – Princeton, NJ to Wilmington, DE
Day 6 (May 16) – Wilmington, DE to Annapolis, MD (join Southern)
Day 7 (May 17) – Annapolis, MD to National Harbor, MD
National EMS Memorial Service at National Harbor May 18, 2019

For additional information please visit www.muddyangels.org

Team ASM-AETNA Blood Drive Results

MANCHESTER- On Wednesday May 1st, 2019 Team ASM-Aetna hosted its third American Red Cross Blood Drive at ASM’s headquarters. Numerous employees, friends, and family members participated in the day-long event. Aetna and ASM have committed to hosting a drive at least twice a year. Thank you to all of the new and returning donors and we look forward to the next event!

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A note from Red Cross Account Manager for Donor Recruitment
Alissa Haight Aguda:

“ASM smashed it out of the park on Wednesday. To recap our results we had 30 presenting donors, 3 deferrals for a grand total of 27 successful donations. This will ultimately help 91 hospital patients in need of blood plasma and platelets!”

“Thank you so much again for your dedication to the American Red Cross!”

ASM Visits Manchester Girl Scout Troop

On Thursday April 25th, 2019 Ambulance Service of Manchester’s Bianca Krzynowek and Andrew Hedburg presented the basics of Emergency Medical Services and gave ambulance tours to local Girl Scout Troop 10646. (Picture approved by Troop Leader).

ASM Attends Honor Wellness Event

MANCHESTER- In early April, Ambulance Service of Manchester participated in the first annual Honor Wellness “Touch a Truck” event at Raymour & Flanigan. Honor Wellness provides counseling services for local first responders, corrections officers and military personnel.

ASM Attends MHS Career Fair

MANCHESTER- On March 28th, 2019 Ambulance Service of Manchester EMTs Themalina Nisyrios and Philip Zetterstrom attended Manchester High Schools Spring Career Fair. The team fielded questions related to job opportunities in the EMS field while interacting with students and staff. This year’s event was attended by over 30 local agencies and businesses.

Upcoming Charity Events

Team ASM-AETNA will be participating in two large charity events in the coming months. The first, an American Red Cross Blood Drive, will be hosted at Ambulance Service of Manchester’s headquarters on New State Road on Wednesday May 1st, 2019. Employees, friends, family and community members are all encouraged to register.

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Team ASM-Aetna is also returning to Hubbard Park on June 15th, 2019 for the Purple Stride Walk to End Pancreatic Cancer. Details on how to join our team will be avaiable in the coming weeks.

Team ASM-Aetna Participates in 2019 CT Brain Freeze!

Year two fundraising for Team ASM-Aetna was a great success. Through the efforts of employees, family members, and friends, over $1,700 was raised for Brain Tumor Research. All proceeds were donated to the National Brain Tumor Society. Thank you to everyone involved for your generous contributions and dedication to the cause. Please enjoy pictures from the event below!

Manchester “Sheroes” Project

MANCHESTER- Ambulance Service of Manchester teams up with Manchester Chamber of Commerce, Manchester-Fire-Rescue-EMS, Manchester Police Department and Bully Breed Training for an upcoming women’s empowerment program. For more information, click here read to Hartford Courant Staff Writer Quoron Walker’s article. ASM will be hosting one of the four events at our home office on New State Road!

CT Children’s and State Police Toy Drive in Pictures – 2018

The 2018 “Stuff a Cruiser” Toy Drive was again a great success. Below you will find a collage of pictures from the days spent collecting toys for Connecticut Children’s Medical Center. Thank you to ASM and Aetna employees, friends and families for their continued involvement and dedication to this event.

STATE POLICE “STUFF A CRUISER” TOY DRIVE UNDERWAY

Friday, December 14, 4:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Saturday, December 15, 9:00 am to 9:00 pm
Sunday, December 16, 9:00 am to 9:00 pm

Locations:

Walmart Manchester – 420 Buckland Hills Dr, Manchester, CT
Click for Google Maps driving directions

Walmart East Windsor – 44 Prospect Hill Rd, East Windsor, CT
Click for Google Maps driving directions

Walmart Cromwell – 161 Berlin Rd, Cromwell, CT
Click for Google Maps driving directions

No Shave November 2018 Results

Ambulance Service of Manchester is proud to announce the winners of the second annual No Shave November competition. The new ASM Team Captain Charlie Lodge was able to edge out last year’s winner Mikhail Uddin by a whisker. As Team Alternate, Mikhail will assume command if Charlie is unable to fulfill the obligations as Team Captain.Thank you to everyone who donated to the cause to support Men’s Health!

A Sincere Thank You for Aetna Ambulance Service

In mid-November, Aetna Ambulance Service received the following letter from the son of a recently treated patient.

To Aetna Ambulance Management:

Please accept this letter of appreciation regarding the below:

Aetna Ambulance was dispatched to my house in [xx] by 911 and they arrived very promptly. Miracle after miracle happened from that moment. My father’s heart went flat while the ambulance crew was trying different techniques to bring the heart beat up and THEY DID. This wonderful crew rushed him to [xx hospital] where a pacemaker was placed, the only option for my father to live. While speaking to all kinds of doctors in the ER in regards to my father’s condition, doctor [xx] stated that he was very impressed with the ambulance crew that brought him in the ER. It was very pleasing to hear that.

Late evening, when we were still in the ER waiting for the available bed in the ICU, a young man entered the room and asked about my father’s condition. He also stated the he brought him in the morning to the ER and was so happy to see him alive. I almost cried. This was Matthew Carter- Paramedic for Aetna Ambulance. Dear Matthew, if you are reading this letter, I would like to thank you again for everything you and your crew did to keep my father alive. Please extend my appreciation to Trisha Webster- EMT, Tessa Harrington-Paramedic and Alex Zhakov- EMT. It is really wonderful to know that there are people in this world who care. Thank you guys again from me and my family!!!!!!

Matthew, just in case you are wondering how my father is now: he has a permanent pacemaker placed on [xx 2018] and is now in short term rehab.