Thank You Letter Invokes Aetna Founder Jean Grady

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Aetna Wallpaper 2Please forgive the lateness of this note, but understandably, I have been dealing with a lot on my plate. My sister passed away very suddenly and unexpectedly on January 31st. Luckily, I was with her and was able to call for an ambulance. Aetna Ambulance responded as well as the Hartford Fire Department. I can not praise your company enough. Everyone was so professional, yet caring. I was completely overwhelmed by the whole experience. They recognized this and acted accordingly.

I had a personal connection to the Jean Grady, the previous owner of Aetna, so everything came full circle. I was also born and raised in Hartford and was never prouder of my hometown on that day. My son-in-law just started his own ambulance company in South Carolina. When I recounted my experience, he was so proud to be a paramedic and company owner.

Thank you to all that you do and a special thanks to the men that responded to Franklin Avenue on that day.

Sincerely,

Sister of Patient — #14-9217

Letter appears with permission.

Campbell and Mathiau 2Crew: Matthew Campbell and Kevin Mathiau (again)

 

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

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HARTFORD — On March 27, 2014, one EMT, one AEMT 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.

Jason Chasse:   FULL TIME, AEMT. My name is Jason Chasse. I am 22 years old and am from Burlington, CT. I have been an EMT since 2009 and an AEMT since 2011. I began my career in EMS as a volunteer for the Burlington Volunteer Fire Department in 2008. Before my employment at Aetna Ambulance I worked as a per-diem AEMT at ambulance services in Waterbury and Bristol. I graduated in the fall of 2013 with a Bachelor’s of Science in Criminal Justice from the University of New Haven and plan on perusing a career as a police officer. In my free time I enjoy spending my time outdoors with my friends and my German Shepherd named Indie. I enjoy outdoor activities like hiking and shooting and am also an avid Jets fan.  I am very excited for the opportunity to join the Aetna Ambulance team. 

Adam Ordway: FULL TIME, Paramedic. My name is Adam Ordway, recently I graduated from paramedic school through Goodwin college. I am from Middletown and very excited to take the next step in my EMS career. I’m very happy to be working for Aetna Ambulance. Hopefully I can to live up to the great reputation Aetna has throughout the state and learn from some of the best. Previously, I worked for another commercial ambulance service in the central part of the state for about two and a half years. Currently, I am in the National Guard and served two deployments to Afghanistan as an Infantryman. I also worked as an emergency vehicle technician for a few years after graduating from high school.  I’m looking forward to working with everyone. 

Collin Whalen: FULL TIME, EMT. My name is Collin Whalen and I am 21 years old from Rocky Hill. I am a firefighter with the Rocky Hill Fire Department and a Volunteer with Rocky Hill Volunteer Ambulance. I started with Rocky Hill Fire Department at 14 years old as a cadet. In the summer of 2012 I took my EMT and joined Rocky Hill Ambulance. Public Service has run in my family for many generations as firefighters, EMT’s, Paramedics and police officers. I am glad to continue the tradition along with my brother Scott, who is a firefighter and who has also recently graduated from Army boot camp. I am looking forward to taking my paramedic in the future, after gaining valuable experience as an EMT. I am very excited to be apart of the Aetna team.

ASM’s Alpha Five: Volume 7: David White

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Dave White AJohnson Medic Dave White describes his career path.
I grew up in the small town of Sterling and graduated Plainfield High School in 1998.   I joined the Connecticut Army National Guard in 1997, went to basic training at Fort Leonard Wood and went to Fort Eustis VA for ten months of aircraft avionics school.  I spent the next five years going to drills and traveling throughout the country for training.  I left the Guard six months before my unit was sent to Iraq. 

When I returned home in 1998 I joined Sterling Fire Department and went to Fire Fighter-I school and Medical Response Technician training.  I felt a greater connection to EMS.  I joined two of the local EMS departments; K-B Ambulance and Moosup-Plainfield Ambulance in 1999.  I took an MRT to EMT-B bridge class and became Moosup-Plainfield Ambulance’s training officer shortly after I became an EMT-B.    I remained active in both departments for the next three years until I moved out of the area. I was hired at ASM in March of 2002 and worked as an EMT-B and Dispatcher for the next two years. I started Paramedic school and returned to working only the road while I attended Hartford Hospital’s paramedic program.  For the next 16 months I worked hard and finished first in my class.

In 2005 I became a paramedic and started precepting with Bob O’Neil as my primary preceptor and with Don Hart.  After I was cleared and on my own as a paramedic I was lucky to be one of the first full time Paramedics to work out of ASM’s Johnson Memorial Medical Center office.  Continue reading →

Praise Again for Aetna’s Matt Campbell and Kevin Mathiau

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Campbell and Mathiau 2HARTFORD — On February 15, 2014 Aetna Ambulance crew members Matt Campbell and Kevin Mathiau responded to a motor vehicle accident in Wethersfield. Within two weeks the patient was randomly selected to receive a Patient Satisfaction Survey. The patient sent back a response on the care she and her family received.

Matt and Kevin received “Strongly Agree” in every response category. When asked to use a word or phrase to describe us, the patient wrote “Timely, professional, informative and caring.”

The following was handwritten in the additional feedback space provided:

“We truly appreciated the kindness that was shown to us and to our children by the EMTs and Paramedics. We were in a side rollover with our two small children and the EMTs and Paramedics helped make a very scary situation very positive. Keep up the excellent work. Everyone was very personable and we felt as if we were being cared for by good friends or family members.”

– Run #14-13714 (Information appears with permission).

Words That Describe Us: Volume 21

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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:

  • Good x 4.
  • Professional and prompt.
  • Sympathetic and professional.
  • Good team!
  • Very good x 2.
  • Caring and considerate.
  • Excellent service. The ambulance arrived shortly after being called and I felt relief right away. The attendants were very professional and informed me about all the procedures. I felt very secure in their hands. Thank you very much. (14-4436; T. Allbee, J. Lentini).
  • Polite, helpful, competent, friendly. (14-3308; E. Sheils, M. Khan).
  • Professional. Thank you. I really needed your services.
  • Excellent service.
  • Very professional.
  • Beyond my expectations!! Excellent.
  • Great x 2.
  • Great care.
  • Caring professionals.
  • A1, efficient.
  • Great job
  • Very professional and kind.
  • Very professional and caring.
  • Competent.
  • Helpful, knowledgeable.
  • Professional x 8.
  • Great that you’re around.
  • Very capable and concerned. Very soothing and kept me calm (14-6515; M. Carter, T. Webster).
  • Professional, kind, caring, non-judgmental (13-105889; R. Davenport, M. Guertin).

ASM Visits South Windsor’s CREC International Magnet School

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SOUTH WINDSOR — On March 6, 2014 ASM AEMT/FTO Stephanie Boutot and AEMT Brian Langan visited CREC‘s International Magnet School for Global Citizenship in South Windsor as part of public safety day. Stephanie and Brian gave an age-appropriate talk to the kindergarten students about what EMTs and Paramedics do and when to call 911. They passed out ASM coloring books and gave a tour of the ambulance.

Photos with permission.

Renovation and Expansion of ASM’s “10-1″: Volume 14

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MANCHESTER — Additions and renovations to the Ambulance Service of Manchester’s main headquarters, known to employees as “10-1,” continue. As of this writing:

  • The painting and flooring in the main hallway is complete.
  • The small conference and training room is now housing a  temporary dispatch center during the renovation.
  • The foyer flooring is complete and the reception window is functional.
  • The locker room is complete and in use.
  • The new training room is mostly complete including the placement of a integrated training podium. Installation of the drop down screen is pending.
  • The new storage area is open and medical supplies and other materials are being moved in.
  • Demolition of the old dispatch area is underway.
  • The wall between dispatch and a defunct office space has been cut through to accommodate the placement of a new wheelchair van dispatch office.

The next steps are renovating and expanding the new Dispatch Center, opening the new main entrance, completing the main hall drop ceiling, re-configuring the main call-taking office, installing water fountains and demolishing the old storage cages for more ambulance and wheelchair van parking.

The addition and renovation are part of ASM’s continued commitment and investment in the towns it serves.

ASM’s Alpha Five: Volume 6: Johnson Memorial Hospital Renovates EMS Work Area

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Note the ASM ambulance outside. From left to right: Patrick Mahon, chairman, JMMC Board of Directors; Neil Moynihan, M.D., president, JMH Medical Staff; Paul Wentworth, EMS coordinator; Beth Van Alstyne, senior director, Nursing; Patricia Jagoe, assistant vice president, Patient Care Services; Jennifer Moskal, Emergency Department manager; David Herr, M.D., chairman, Department of Emergency Medicine; and Stuart E. Rosenberg, president & CEO, JMMC. (Gregory Palmer / February 27, 2014)

Note the ASM ambulance outside. From left to right: Patrick Mahon, chairman, JMMC Board of Directors; Neil Moynihan, M.D., president, JMH Medical Staff; Paul Wentworth, EMS coordinator; Beth Van Alstyne, senior director, Nursing; Patricia Jagoe, assistant vice president, Patient Care Services; Jennifer Moskal, Emergency Department manager; David Herr, M.D., chairman, Department of Emergency Medicine; and Stuart E. Rosenberg, president & CEO, JMMC. (Gregory Palmer / February 27, 2014)

by Gregory Palmer Read the full Hartford Courant article here…

STAFFORD — In 2007 Alan and Terry Silver made a generous donation to Johnson Memorial Hospital (JMH) for the renovation of the EMS work area and lounge. Seven years later the room has been updated to better meet the needs of the EMS community. Hospital staff and EMS professionals recently gathered at JMH to celebrate the event and ribbon cutting. Johnson Memorial Medical Center, parent organization of JMH, is grateful for the dedication and support the EMS members provide throughout our service area and our surrounding communities.
About Johnson Memorial Medical CenterJohnson Memorial Medical Center (JMMC) is the parent organization of Johnson Memorial Hospital (JMH), Evergreen Health Care Center (EHCC) and Home & Community Health Services (H&CHS). JMMC provides a full spectrum of health care to those living and working in North Central Connecticut and Southern Massachusetts. For more information please visit: www.jmmc.com.

Historical Photos: Aetna Ambulance Service #7

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HARTFORD — Date unknown, likely mid to late 1950′s (comment if you can discern the make, model and year of the car). Note the extent of the damage to the car in picture one and the delivery of what could be last rites in picture two. It is unknown if the pictures are unrelated.

Aetna Historical 062

Aetna Historical 024

Words That Describe Us: Volume 20

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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:

  • Highly professional x 2.
  • Good job done. Thanks for helping me.
  • There are no words for TLC to this extent from this group except HOORAY! (13-113431; S. Allen, R. Fraley).
  • Caring and professional.
  • Superb.
  • Very impressed. Not only were they all helpful with my husband, they helped ease my anxiety and nerves. Thank you all very much and God bless. (14-1025; T. Oliver, T. Luetjen).
  • Caring and efficient.
  • Great! Unfortunately I have forgotten their names but the paramedics were fantastic! (14-594; R. Buechele, J. Traber).
  • They were wonderful.
  • Compassionate.
  • Kind and professional. Very important in my distress for friendly service. They comforted me the best possible. Helped ease my stress level with the pain I was in. They got me to Hartford ER and Hartford saved my life. Good job. I am forever grateful. (14-273; J. Platero, M. Carter).
  • Caring and excellent. My wife and I have used your services several times and have never had a complaint. You all do an excellent job and you care. (14-103; A. Hedberg, C. Rockoff).
  • Professional and caring.
  • Wonderful.
  • Professional, kind, reassuring. (13-104909; T. Lachappelle, R. Fross).

Snow made for a tough day for emergency crews

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HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH)– This snow made for a tough day for emergency crews around our state to get to medical situations that could be life or death.

WTNHSome ambulance crews went out with help in the form of a snow plow leading the way. Read the original WTNH article and see the video here…

Kevin pushed the ambulance through 6 to 8 inches of slop on the roads as he heads to a call in Wethersfield. It has been a busy evening for this crew.

“We had a gentleman who had his fingers cut off in a log splitter today, thankfully we haven’t had any snow blower accidents yet today. We had a cardiac arrest this morning,” said Matt Campbell, Aetna Ambulance.

And now they are heading lights and sirens to a slip and fall patient in Wethersfield. The problem isn’t the snow, Kevin is used to driving in it and the plows are clearing the way… it’s the other drivers.

“A lot of people, they don’t want to get stuck in the snow, so they don’t want to move over for you, and a lot of people don’t need to be out,” said Kevin Mathiau, Aetna.

But they are out and they are clogging the roads so for big storms like this Aetna Ambulance brings on more crews and more equipment so they can spread it around and shorten response time.

“We will stage ambulances all over the city, we have 2 or 3 in every part of the city. The crews know already to slow down, take your time,” said Mark Hannegan, Director Aetna Ambulance

Telling an EMT or paramedic to slow down isn’t in their nature, but safety is and as long as they can get the patient into the ambulance quickly they can stabilize them for a long ride ahead. But with un-shoveled walks and un-plowed side streets crews sometimes have to carry the patient out to the main road rather than risk getting the ambulance stuck.

“We had to carry out a patient on a back board and there were 4 people on it, and it was a 200/300 yard carry, and it makes it difficult without any snow clearing,” said Mathiau.

“We pride ourselves on speed, and to get to the hospital efficiently and safely, and in this weather it is very difficult to get there safely so it takes a lot longer,” said

Appreciation from Mansfield Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation

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Mansfield Center for Nursing and RehabilitationJust sending a quick note of sincere gratitude for the exceptional service of your ambulance personnel.

We had a multiple stretcher day here today and the nurses expressed their genuine appreciation for the professionalism and courtesy of your staff both in picking up the patients and returning them.  They were all very genuine in their care for the patients as well as communications to the nursing staff.

Thank you again and as always for continuing to provide exceptional service to MCNR,

WE APPRECIATE ASM !

Regards,

— Sandra Burgess,  Health Unit Manager/Clinical Care Coordinator

East Hartford Daisy Troop Visited by ASM Crew

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EH Daisy TroopEAST HARTFORD — On February 6th, ASM’s Polina Yakushchenko and Jacob Truebig visited Girls Scout Daisy Troop 10862 during a troop meeting.

“Thanks for sending the ambulance yesterday to our Girls Scout Daisy Troop 10862. The girls enjoyed going inside the ambulance and getting the coloring books.  I asked Jacob to explain about the stethoscope and I think that was one of the favorite part for many girls. Thanks so much again for sending them I know winter is kind of crazy with emergency calls.” – Troop Leader Barbara Valdes