Cleared for Independent Dispatch: Aetna’s Chris Johnston Completes Precepting Phase

HARTFORD – As of June 10th, 2019, Chris Johnston has been cleared by Hartford Hospital medical control for independent dispatch as a paramedic to the towns that Aetna serves. Chris started at Aetna in January of 2019. His preceptor was Paramedic Dan Hope. He offered the following sentiment:

“Chris began precepting in April 2019 and over a period of roughly 9 weeks, I am proud to see the incredible progress he has made leading up to earning his medical control. The precepting process for new paramedics is both challenging and tiresome but Chris kept a great attitude and willingness to learn throughout the entire process. I’m very proud of Chris and his accomplishment and I look forward to working alongside him throughout the weeks to come.”

As with all precepting phases at Aetna, Chris’s final approval came from Hartford Hospital after shadowing him and his preceptor in the field as they responded to emergency calls. On behalf of the Aetna Family, we would like to wish Chris the best of luck and say we are very proud to have such skilled professionals on staff.

Cleared for Independent Dispatch: Aetna’s Aidan Mace Completes Precepting Phase

HARTFORD – As of April 9th, 2019, Aidan Mace has been cleared by Hartford Hospital medical control for independent dispatch as a paramedic to the towns that Aetna serves. Aidan started at Aetna in November of 2018. His preceptor was Paramedic Dan Hope. He offered the following sentiment:

“I recently finished up my paramedic program at Capital Community College. I started as an EMT with AMR, worked at Glastonbury EMS, and am very excited that I’m a part of the Aetna Team since November. The environment at Aetna is very conducive to someone who wants to learn as much as possible. My preceptor, Dan Hope is a wealth of knowledge and I was fortunate enough to see a variety of situations with each of them during my weeks of precepting.”

As with all precepting phases at Aetna, Aidan’s final approval came from Hartford Hospital after shadowing him and his preceptor in the field as they responded to emergency calls. On behalf of the Aetna Family, we would like to wish Aidan the best of luck and say we are very proud to have such skilled professionals on staff.

Cleared for Independent Dispatch: Aetna’s Emma Becroft Completes Precepting Phase

HARTFORD – As of October 15th, 2018, Emma Becroft has been cleared by Hartford Hospital medical control for independent dispatch as a paramedic to the towns that Aetna serves. Emma started at Aetna in February of 2018 and graduated from New Britain EMS Academy’s Paramedic Program. Her preceptor was Paramedic Dan Hope who shared the following sentiment:

“I met Ms. Becroft as a brand new paramedic preceptor. Throughout this process, I have watched Emma shine through a process that is both physically and emotionally challenging. We had our arguments, our laughs, our frustrations and our celebrations, but nothing made me happier than to see her become the provider I knew she could be. I cannot express how honored and how proud I am of her accomplishment and I look forward to working alongside her in the days to come. Emma, my friend; you have earned every bit of the congratulations, praise and love you have received throughout this very challenging process.”

As with all precepting phases at Aetna, Emma’s final approval came from Hartford Hospital after shadowing her and her preceptor in the field as they responded to emergency calls. On behalf of the Aetna Family, we would like to wish Emma the best of luck and say we are very proud to have such skilled professionals on staff.

Praise for Aetna Paramedics

Aetna Ambulance Service Paramedics Dan Hope Emma Becroft were recognized yesterday by Hartford Hospital for their outstanding performance while assessing and transporting a patient in late August. While in the midst of the precepting process, Dan and Emma responded to a call in the city. Their assessment included a 12-lead EKG which was indicative of a STEMI. The crew wirelessly transmitted the 12-lead EKG to Hartford Hospital, activating their cardiac catherization lab from the field. Both team members received jackets from the Hartford Hospital Heart and Vascular Institute (displayed above). Please join Aetna in congratulating Emma and Dan.

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

HARTFORD — On February 10, 2016 two EMTs and two Paramedics 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.

Brigid Cox:   FULL TIME, EMT.  My name is Brigid Cox, I am 22 years old, and I am from South Windsor. I graduated in May from Fairleigh Dickinson University in New Jersey.  I earned my B.S. in Biology with a concentration in Anatomy and Physiology. I have always wanted to work in the medical field. Within the last couple of years I finally decided that I wanted to be a Physician’s Assistant.  I am interested in emergency medicine, making EMS a perfect way for me to work towards my career goals. I like spending my free time outdoors; hiking, camping, or swimming and I would really like to start rock climbing.  I also love traveling and trying new things, especially different foods. I am really excited to be starting my first job in the medical field and to finally be able to help out my community.

Kyle Durand:     FULL TIME, EMT. My name is Kyle Durand, I am 22 years old and I am from Bristol, CT. I graduated from the University of Connecticut in 2015 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Physiology & Neurobiology. After graduation I enrolled in an EMT program in South Windsor and obtained my license in October of 2015. I originally attended UConn with the goal of graduating with a Bachelors in Fine Arts in acting, as my career goal at the time was filmmaking. While filmmaking is still a very passionate hobby of mine, my interests shifted to the medical field my first semester after I attended a Neurobiology lecture. Since then I have been enamored with the medical field, having worked for the St. Francis Radiology Department, volunteering for Americorps in Willimantic, and helping research genomic markers for familial disorders and diseases. In my spare time I like to play football, rock climb, go hiking, learn a new language and travel as much as possible. I could not be happier to work for Aetna as an EMT and help make a difference in the community I live in. The experience I gain working for Aetna Ambulance will be an invaluable asset to my future career goals and myself. I’m very excited to be a part of the Aetna Ambulance team and all of the new opportunities that lie ahead.

Dan Hope:    FULL TIME, Paramedic. My name is Dan Hope and I am 28 years old. As a recent graduate of the Capital Community College Paramedic Program. I am excited to join the team of EMTs and Paramedics at Aetna Ambulance. As a resident of Monson, Massachusetts, I have worked full and part time as an EMT-Basic for both private ambulance and municipal Fire Department services. After working mostly service-based jobs since high school, I have discovered a true passion for EMS since 2013 and have dedicated much of my time to improving my skills and knowledge base as a field provider. In my spare time, I am an avid hiker and enjoy traveling. I look forward to beginning my career in paramedicine with Aetna Ambulance.   

Amanda Kneipfer:    FULL TIME, Paramedic. My name is Amanda Kneipfer and I am 23 years old, originally from Wallingford, CT. I graduated from Colby-Sawyer College in 2014 with a degree in Child Development and a minor in Psychology. While in college, I studied abroad for a semester in Madrid and travelled to four other countries during my time there. I love to travel and have been to nine different countries to date. I originally thought that I wanted to go to grad school to become a Social Worker, but quickly found a passion for EMS after taking my EMT course. I have been volunteering for Wethersfield Ambulance for a little over a year, and just completed the paramedic program through New Britain EMS Academy. I am very excited for the opportunity to be a part of the Aetna team and can’t wait to meet and work with everyone!