Category Archives: Staff News

Three ASM Medics Complete Fundamentals of Critical Care Support

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Boston Medflight FCCS

Photo courtesy of Boston MedFlight

BOSTON — Kenya Russell, Mike Levasseur and Greg Derosier attended the Fundamentals of Critical Care Support (FCCS) course on July 18th and 19th. Hosted by Boston MedFlight at Hanscom Air Force Base, FCCS was developed by the Society of Critical Care Medicine to help prepare health care personnel to manage critically ill patients for the first 24 hours or until care has been transferred to a tertiary care center or proper consultation can be arranged.

FCCS has been completed by MD’s, RN’s, and Paramedics enabling them to better prioritize the assessment and manage significant changes in the unstable patient. ASM would like to thank Boston MedFlight for their hospitality. Additional information regarding this course may be found at www.sccm.org or for this and other great training opportunities visit www.bostonmedflight.org.

ASM in ‘Run or Dye’ 5k, Most Interesting Ambulance Crew in the World

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HARTFORD — On July 20, 2013 a team from the Ambulance Service of Manchester participated in a Run or Dye event in Hartford.

According to their website, “Run or Dye is the world’s most colorful 5K, is a recreational 5K that celebrates fitness, friendship and fun while blasting participants with safe, eco-friendly, plant-based dye powder. A leader in the fitness literacy movement, Run or Dye’s mission is to encourage better health, fitness and nutrition decisions among its participants and supporters. With races planned in more than 50 high-profile venues across the country, it is expected that more than 500,000 people will Run or Dye in 2013.”

A picture of Team ASM after the event appeared on the Facebook page “The Most Interesting Ambulance Crew in the World”.

Words That Describe Us: Volume 9

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Aetna Ambulance Service - Ambulance Service of ManchesterMANCHESTER and HARTFORD — Aetna Ambulance and ASM send Patient and Customer Satisfaction Surveys to a random sampling of patients who have received emergency or STAT inter-facility services from our companies.

The final question in the survey asks “Do you have any suggestions on how we can improve our service?” And, “Please use one word to describe us.”

Some of the answers/responses included:

  • Excellent x III.
  • Respectful, professional.
  • Very good.
  • Excellent service.
  • Thankful.
  • Comforting.
  • Friendly.
  • Dependable.
  • Wonderful.
  • Competent.
  • Excellent!!
  • Wonderful!! Thank you for helping me get to the hospital when I needed your specialized help.
  • Reassuring.
  • Professional x IIII.
  • Good.
  • Outstanding.
  • Excellent! I very much appreciated the calm, gentle, quick manner of the medics. Wonderful folks. Thank you for your kind service.

Cleared for Independent Dispatch: Aetna’s Mitch Karr Completes Precepting Phase

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Mitch Karr - Aetna Ambulance Service, Inc.

(L to R): Hartford Hospital’s MIke Zacchera and Mitchell Karr

HARTFORD – As of June 26, 2013, Aetna’s Mitchell Karr has been cleared by Hartford Hospital medical control for independent dispatch as a paramedic to the towns that Aetna serves.

The full precepting phase can take ten to 12 weeks or more as the paramedic is prepped for the realities of the field. As with all precepting phases at Aetna, Mitch’s final approval came from Hartford Hospital’s Mike Zacchera after shadowing he and his preceptor in the field as they responded to emergency calls.

Mitch is originally from California but migrated east with family. He began his career in EMS by volunteering for a fire department in his home town. Realizing he was more interested in the patient care aspect of firefighting, he enrolled in Goodwin College’s Paramedic Program where he graduated in December of 2012. Mitch has said he hopes to make it back to the west coast someday and further his career in healthcare by becoming a mid-level or an MD.

On behalf of the Aetna Family, we would like to wish Mitch the best of luck and say we are very proud to have such skilled professionals on staff.

Early Praise for ASM’s Jason Bak on a Paramedic Intercept

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ASM's Jason BakMANCHESTER — In May 2013, ASM received a Patient Satisfaction Survey related to a paramedic intercept performed by ASM Paramedic Jason Bak, while completing his precepting phase. The patient checked all of the Strongly Agree boxes and wrote in the word “Wonderful” to describe the service. Additionally he hand wrote the following:

“Jason, the [Paramedic] who came onto the ambulance was amazing. He made me feel very comfortable, that is, I felt safe and in the good hands of someone qualified. He was very reassuring and should be recognized as a very valuable person on your staff.”

– [13-32929]

Cleared for Independent Dispatch: Aetna’s David Noyes Completes Precepting Phase

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(L to R): Hartford Hospital's Mike Zacchera and David Noyes

(L to R): Hartford Hospital’s Mike Zacchera and David Noyes

HARTFORD – As of June 19, 2013, Aetna’s David (DJ) Noyes has been cleared by Hartford Hospital medical control for independent dispatch as a paramedic to the towns that Aetna serves.

David’s preceptor was Preston Ryzak. The full precepting phase can take ten to 12 weeks or more as the paramedic is prepped for the realities of the field. As with all precepting phases at Aetna, DJ’s final approval came from Hartford Hospital’s Mike Zacchera after shadowing he and his preceptor in the field as they responded to emergency calls.

On behalf of the Aetna Family, we would like to wish David the best of luck and say we are very proud to have such skilled professionals on staff.

Words That Describe Us: Volume 8

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Aetna Ambulance Service, Inc. - Ambulance Service of Manchester, LLC. MANCHESTER and HARTFORD — Aetna Ambulance and ASM send Patient and Customer Satisfaction Surveys to a random sampling of patients who have received emergency or STAT inter-facility services from our companies.

The final question in the survey asks “Do you have any suggestions on how we can improve our service?” And, “Please use one word to describe us.”

Some of the answers/responses included:

  • Excellent personnel.
  • Excellent.
  • Professional x 4.
  • Very professional.
  • The best.
  • Good.
  • Great.
  • Efficient x 2.
  • Caring.
  • Excellent. I called approximately 10 times in the past year. I believe the ambulance staff has saved my life each time. Now they know where my extra key is and they use it when I cannot get to the door. Thank you all!
  • Terrific.
  • Keep doing everything you are doing as your company seems to have the key to running a successful business down pat. Great job. (13-29357).
  • Thoughtful.
  • Reliable.
  • Fantastic.

Cleared for Independent Dispatch: ASM’s Jason Bak Completes Precepting Phase

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Jason Bak - Ambulance Service of Manchester, LLC.MANCHESTER – As of May 15, 2013, ASM’s Jason Bak has been cleared by Eastern Connecticut Health Network medical control for independent dispatch as a paramedic to the towns that ASM serves.

Jason’s preceptors were Paramedics Mike Panciera and Don Hart. The full precepting phase can take ten to 12 weeks or more as the paramedic is prepped for the realities of the field. As with all precepting phases at ASM, Jason’s final approval came from Eastern Connecticut Health Network after shadowing Jason and his preceptor in the field as they responded to emergency calls.

Jason started at ASM as an EMT-Basic in December of 2007, has a Bachelor’s of Science from the University of New Haven and graduated from Goodwin College/Hartford Hospital Paramedic Program. 

On behalf of the ASM Family, we would like to wish Jason the best of luck and say we are very proud to have such skilled professionals on staff.

Cleared for Independent Dispatch: Aetna’s Gregory Kendall Completes Precepting Phase

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Greg Kendall - Aetna Ambulance Service, Inc.

(L to R): Greg Kendall and Hartford Hospital’s Mike Zacchera

HARTFORD – As of May 13, 2013, Aetna’s Greg Kendall has been cleared by Hartford Hospital medical control for independent dispatch as a paramedic to the towns that Aetna serves.

Greg’s preceptor was Matthew Campbell. The full precepting phase can take ten to 12 weeks or more as the paramedic is prepped for the realities of the field. As with all precepting phases at Aetna, Greg’s final approval came from Hartford Hospital’s Mike Zacchera after shadowing he and his preceptor in the field as they responded to emergency calls.

Greg Kendall is 26 years old and grew up in the Bridgeport area of Connecticut. During high school and college he worked as an auto mechanic and earned an Associate’s in Science from Housatonic Community College in Bridgeport, CT. He started volunteering in EMS in the Bridgeport area about 4-5 years ago and decided to make EMS a career. He enrolled in Hartford Hospital/Goodwin College’s Paramedic Program and was hired at Aetna.

On behalf of the Aetna Family, we would like to wish Greg the best of luck and say we are very proud to have such skilled professionals on staff.

Words That Describe Us: Volume 7

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Aetna Ambulance - Ambulance Service of ManchesterMANCHESTER and HARTFORD — Aetna Ambulance and ASM send Patient and Customer Satisfaction Surveys to a random sampling of patients who have received emergency or STAT inter-facility services from our companies.

The final question in the survey asks “Do you have any suggestions on how we can improve our service?” And, “Please use one word to describe us.”

Some of the answers/responses included:

  • Professional  x 10
  • Excellent x 6
  • Great x 5
  • Efficient x 4
  • Competent x 3
  • Helpful x 2
  • Good x 2
  • Friendly x 2
  • Efficient, very professional.
  • Concerned.
  • Did their job perfectly.
  • Highly skilled professionals.
  • Very dependable.
  • Very Good.
  • Compassionate.
  • Excellent service.
  • Excellent staff.
  • Very good service.
  • Knowledgeable.
  • Pleased with service.
  • The two gentlemen were the very best. Thank you.
  • The staff that attended to my father’s needs were excellent. Very caring and attentive individuals.
  • Excellent service. Impressed with professional and kind service. Ryan McConville helped handle the paperwork for the hospital. He was very helpful during this stressful time.

Cleared for Independent Dispatch: ASM’s Tim LaChappelle Completes Precepting Phase

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Tim LaChapelle - Ambulance Service of Manchester, LLC.MANCHESTER – As of May 6, 2013, ASM’s Tim LaChappelle has been cleared by Eastern Connecticut Health Network medical control for independent dispatch as a paramedic to the towns that ASM serves.

Tim’s preceptors were Supervisor-Paramedics Beth Sheils and Scott Thompson. The full precepting phase can take ten to 12 weeks or more as the paramedic is prepped for the realities of the field. As with all precepting phases at ASM, Tim’s final approval came from Eastern Connecticut Health Network after shadowing Tim and his preceptor in the field as they responded to emergency calls.

Tim started at ASM as an EMT-Basic in 2006 and graduated from Capital Community College’s Paramedic Program. Tim is currently the Assistant Chief of Coventry Volunteer Fire Association, Inc in his hometown. 

On behalf of the ASM Family, we would like to wish Tim the best of luck and say we are very proud to have such skilled professionals on staff.

Cleared for Independent Dispatch: Aetna’s Mike Weller Completes Precepting Phase

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Aetna' s Mike Weller

Mike Weller

HARTFORD – As of April 19, 2013, Aetna’s Mike Weller has been cleared by Hartford Hospital medical control for independent dispatch as a paramedic to the towns that Aetna serves.

The full precepting phase can take ten to 12 weeks or more as the paramedic is prepped for the realities of the field. As with all precepting phases at Aetna, Mike’s final approval came from Hartford Hospital via Mike Zacchera after shadowing Mike and his preceptor in the field as they responded to emergency calls.

Mike is 24 years old and has worked as a DJ all over Connecticut and New England. He has worked and volunteered at Cromwell Fire Department and is a graduate of Hartford Hospital-Goodwin College’s Paramedic program.

On behalf of the Aetna Family, we would like to wish Mike the best of luck and say we are very proud to have such skilled professionals on staff.

Aetna’s Steve Matters and St. Baldricks – The After Picture

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Steve Matters - Aetna Ambulance Service, Inc.I hope this message finds you in good health and spirits. I just wanted to thank everyone who contributed to the fundraiser I took part in over the weekend. Although many donations I received were from direct family, I would say 80% came from Aetna employees!!!! I was able to raise over $1,300! Our event total for the day was over $20,000 thanks to members and family from Avon Fire Department, Bradley Airport Fire, Hartford Fire, and New Hartford Fire Department. The funds go directly to childhood cancer research grants.

Thanks again everyone. Have a great and safe day.

Steve

Words That Describe Us: Volume 6

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Aetna Ambulance - Ambulance Service of ManchesterMANCHESTER and HARTFORD — Aetna Ambulance and ASM send Patient and Customer Satisfaction Surveys to a random sampling of patients who have received emergency or STAT inter-facility services from our companies.

The final question in the survey asks “Do you have any suggestions on how we can improve our service?” And, “Please use one word to describe us.”

Some of the answers/responses included:

  • [Aetna’s] Ryan (835) and Mike (942) were excellent EMTs (13-18633)
  • Professional and highly competent. The medics were wonderful handling a 911 situation. They knew exactly what to do, were calm and very good at relaxing the patient in a stressful and frightening situation. It was helpful having them give the information to the hospital upon arrival and to assist in getting a bed in the ER. (Per the writer’s mother, the patient)
  • Always pleased with service!!!! (SNF)
  • Glad we called Aetna.
  • The best.
  • Very caring for the person in need of care.
  • Caring.
  • Caring professionals.
  • Very professional and caring.
  • I want to thank them for the great care I received!
  • Good.
  • Very good.
  • Serious.
  • Prompt, efficient.
  • Proficient.
  • Did best to put me at ease.
  • Helpful and cared.
  • The entire crew was very pleasant and informative of whatever questions I had asked.

Aetna Promotes Tiago Paula Santos to Field Training Officer (FTO)

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Tiago Paula Santos - Aetna Ambulance Service, Inc.HARTFORD — On April 9, 2013 Aetna Ambulance Service promoted Tiago Paula Santos from within its AEMT ranks to the post of permanent Field Training Officer. FTOs are utilized primarily to train newly hired employees in the performance of their duties in the provision of emergency care. Tiago had been an Acting FTO for the last, large hire class.

The FTO and new employee spend several shifts together, with an EMT partner who acts as a driver. During this time the new employee learns the ins and outs of the job done the ASM or Aetna way, including clinical skills, operations, radios, facilities, equipment and much more. FTOs are selected for their knowledge of the company, their positive attitude, willingness to teach and dedication to quality. Our companies are fortunate to have a “deep bench” in this regard.