Praise again for Aetna’s Eric Thepsiri and Donna Achilli

Eric Thepsiri

Eric Thepsiri

WETHERSFIELD — In late July Aetna’s office received a patient satisfaction survey from a patient treated in Wethersfield in June by Eric Thepsiri and Donna Achilli. The patient had checked off every box with “Strongly Agree” to questions like, the Paramedic was highly skilled, kept you informed, relieved pain and anxiety. 15 boxes in total.

Donna Achilli

Donna Achilli

When asked to use a word or phrase to describe the crew the patient wrote, Fabulous!!.

In the narrative section the patient went on to write, “I was picked up by the Great Eric + Donna. They treated me above and beyond what I expected. We connected well. They were so professional and friendly. They stayed with my in the hospital until they had to leave and came to say goodbye! They are the absolute best!! We had some good laughs too 🙂 Tell them I say Hi!”

Note: Run #16-47131, certain information redacted for privacy.

Praise for Aetna’s Eric Thepsiri and Donna Achilli

In an email from late January 2016:

Eric Thepsiri

Eric Thepsiri

“Just before we got onto the highway, mom was in such distress that we decided to pull over and call 911 so that an ambulance could transfer her and treat her along the way. A few minutes later, mom was in the ambulance, shaking from extreme chills, extreme lower back/hip and leg pain, and nausea.

Donna Achilli

Donna Achilli

The terrific professional ambulance paramedic named Eric and his associate EMT Donna, (who drove the ambulance) reassured mom, while Eric checked her vitals (including blood pressure which was good) and gave her a dose of Fentanyl (a fast-acting pain killer) that immediately brought her some relief.  He also wrapped her in blankets which helped her to warm up quickly. Meanwhile, I rode in the back of the ambulance with mom and shared info on her meds and background on the infusion treatment with Eric.

The ambulance crew was so professional and amazing — both in their treatment of mom and their compassion and emotional support for all of us. Please thank the crew for us.”

Note: Run #16-6852, certain information redacted for privacy.

Artist Sends Aetna a Picture with his Two ‘Top Guns’

Julio Artist with Thepsiri and Basora

(L to R): Eric Thepsiri, Julio Henriques, Jason Basora.

HARTFORD — In October 2015 Aetna received a photograph from Artist Julio Henriques of him standing in Bridgeport Burn Center with an Aetna Ambulance crew he called his two ‘Top Guns’.

On October 18th Mr. Henriques was burned on his hands, arms and face while cooking; a 911 call in South Windsor that was responded to by Ambulance Service of Manchester paramedics. Henriques, who has been working with his hands as an artist since 1961, was transported to Hartford Hospital. Due to the sensitivity of the areas involved, he was treated and then transferred by Aetna Ambulance’s Eric Thepsiri and Jason Basora to Bridgeport for burn care.

Mr. Henriques was very taken with the Aetna crew who transported him, also describing them as top shelf, sharp, attentive, sincere, disciplined, and pros. He wanted to share his thanks and the picture with all involved.

An example of Julio Henriques’ work from 1991 during Desert Storm:

Julio Henriques Drawing from 1991

Note: All personal and medical information contained herein appears with the express permission of the patient.

Aetna On Hand for Rocky Hill Veteran’s Home ‘2015 Stand Down’

ROCKY HILL — On September 18, 2015 crews from Aetna Ambulance were on hand for the Connecticut Department of Veteran’s Affairs 2015 “Stand Down.” The eight hour event offers veterans access to medical screenings, veteran benefit information (State and Federal), legal and motor vehicle assistance and employment and educational assistance.

Cleared for Independent Dispatch: Aetna’s Eric Thepsiri Completes Precepting Phase

HARTFORD –  As of August 21, 2015, Aetna’s Eric Thepsiri has been cleared by Hartford Hospital medical control for independent dispatch as a paramedic to the towns that Aetna serves.

Eric started at Aetna in March of 2015 and graduated from the Hartford Hospital-Goodwin College Paramedic Program. His preceptor was Paramedic Matt Campbell. The full precepting phase can take ten to 12 weeks or more as the paramedic is prepped for the realities of the field. Eric started in EMS at 16.  He is currently continuing his education at UConn with an eye towards medical school.

As with all precepting phases at Aetna, Eric’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 Eric the best of luck and say we are very proud to have such skilled professionals on staff.

The Story of Teddy the Trauma Bear

Teddy the Trauma Bear AHARTFORD — This bear started it’s cycle in Boston, MA thank so some EMS people from Boston EMS. It’s job is to circulate wherever via ambulance trips. Teddy would like to visit as many areas as possible. If you have received Teddy, it will bring you good luck…Teddy should be passed on to another crew at a hospital or wherever.

Please keep it going and lets enjoy the travels of Teddy the Trauma Bear!

Meet the Newest Members of the Team: Aetna Hires Nine

HARTFORD — On March 27, 2015 seven 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.

Raymond Berwick:   FULL TIME, EMT. My name is Raymond Berwick and I am 21 years old. I currently live in Ellington, Connecticut. I was born in Vernon but moved from Connecticut to North Carolina at a young age and then on to Mississippi. I eventually ended up finishing out my high school years at Rockville High School, right here in Connecticut. As soon as I could hold a hammer I was building various things with my father. Naturally after high school I quickly became a carpenter. I joined the United States Army Reserve which is where I has my first contact with emergency medicine. I took a “combat life saver course” and immediately knew I loved it. Just the thought of helping people on one of the worst days of their life. Or the possibility of maybe one day being able to save one of my brothers or sisters in arms is amazing. I run a “small time hobby farm” which includes around 30 chickens and a few pigs. In my spare time I enjoy hunting, fishing, backpacking and camping. I cannot wait to explore this new chapter of my life and I am counting down the days until orientation.

Israel Cardona:    FULL TIME, EMT. My name is Israel Cardona Jr. and I am 23 years old. I was born and raised in Hartford, CT. I received my GED with Honors in 2011 and then graduated from Lincoln Technical Institute in New Britain for Medical Assisting. Since then I have worked for both U.S Security Associates and Allied Barton Security Services for the past two years now. I have worked primarily as security for the Phoenix Life Insurance company in Downtown Hartford. I started as a part-time third shift officer and I was fortunate enough to land a supervisor position within a year. While working at the Phoenix I attended the EMT-Basic course at Code One Solutions in East Hartford which was a great experience and made my decision to be an EMT one I would not regret. I went for my EMT-B certification because I love the challenges that the EMS field faces and know that it is a career that would always push me to learn more. Although I will miss my friends and coworkers at the Phoenix I look forward to working alongside the Aetna Ambulance staff for many years to come. Within the next year I hope to attend paramedic school to further my knowledge in the EMS field.

Joseph Kosswig:     FULL TIME, EMT. Hello my Name is Joseph Kosswig, I am 23 years old and from Plainville, CT. About five years ago years ago I joined the Volunteer Fire Department in Plainville. When I started there I completed fire school and loved helping people in their time of need. I enjoyed it so much I decided to continue my education and took an EMT-B course at New Britain EMS Academy. It was a fast course, full time over a span of a six week period in the Summer of 2013. During the time of this course I began to take on as much ride time with New Britain EMS as I possibly could, as a student. I loved helping the patients and knew I wanted to continue my career. During this time I have also been enlisted in the CT Army National Guard, serving as part of the Charlie Company in the 1-102 INF. I have been in the military for about five years now in which I have taken on the responsibilities of a Team Leader. I have also completed a couple of military courses such as Army Mountain Warfare School and Warriors Leadership Course. I have been a student at Tunxis Community College for a few semesters now and have only eight classes to finish my degree. I plan on finishing my degree and hopefully one day I become a Paramedic. I look forward to starting my career at Aetna Ambulance and becoming part of the greatest team.

Muath Omari:    FULL TIME, EMT. My name is Muath Omari, I am 27 years old. I am newly married and having my first born son this year. I thank Aetna for giving me the chance to start my new life with a wonderful new career with their company. I love helping people and love the emergency medical field. I am grew up in the streets of NYC most of my life. CT is my new home for my new family. I have work hard to achieve my goals. I have struggled through many obstacles in life to get to where I am today and plan to finish school as a paramedic. My life has changed for the better, but the man who loves football and cars will never change. Now I will look forward about teaching my son about all the things I learned in life and loved in life. Thank you to everyone at Aetna who believed in giving me a chance.

Dennis Pelletier:    FULL TIME, EMT. My name is Dennis Pelletier, I am 26 years old and currently live in Windsor, CT. I grew up in Coventry and joined the US Air Force right out of high school. I served five years in the Air Force in Security Forces and I was fortunate enough to travel around the world and live in Turkey and Guam for some time. My deployment to Iraq opened me up to EMS and I discovered I had a passion for it. Once out of the Air Force I started college and worked at Cabelas in the firearms section. I took my EMT class in the Summer of 2014 at Code One in East Hartford and I currently have an Associates Degree in Homeland Security from Goodwin College in East Hartford. I am also finishing up my Bachelors degree in Public Safety and Security at Goodwin. My ultimate career goal is to have a career in emergency management however EMS is not just a stepping stone, I see it as a career as well. I eventually want to get my Paramedic license and a Master’s Degree in emergency management with a focus on public health. I am excited to begin a career with Aetna Ambulance and to provide a public service.

David Rivera Jr:     FULL TIME, EMT. My name is David Rivera Jr. I am 27 years old and currently reside in East Hartford, CT. I became a certified EMT about two years ago. I am a volunteer member of the Manchester Fire Department as a Firefighter/EMT. I have always been so interested in how the human body works and its functions. That small fire really burned within me when I went on my ride along with Aetna while working on my certification. Volunteering with the fire department and going on emergency calls just confirmed that this was what I wanted to do. Everyone in this world has a purpose/calling and I truly believe that this is mine. I am a new father to a beautiful baby girl. I will take care of every child as if they were my own. I will a care of every mom, dad, brother, sister, grandmother and grandfather as if they were my own. I spend my free time with my family, loved ones and two dogs. I give thanks to God as He is the rock in my life. My hobbies are working out, fishing and reading. I am blessed and thankful for this opportunity with Aetna and I look forward to the experiences and room for growth.

Shawn Testa:    FULL TIME, EMT. My name is Shawn Testa and I was born and raised in Bristol, CT. I am a six-year veteran of the United States Army. After graduating high school I joined the Army as an Airborne Infantry Medic and was stationed in North Carolina for four years. I was deployed for two combat tours in Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom VIII and X with the 82nd Airborne Division. I was attached to an infantry company of the 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment and participated in daily patrols as the first line of immediate medical attention. Aside from battlefield medicine, I was responsible for clinical and daily care of the soldiers in my unit. The final two years of my military career were completed as a reservist in New York. After my initial enlistment I went to school and recently graduated from Tunxis Community College with an Associates Degree in Science. I enjoy spending time out doors and camping with my family and close friends. My favorite holiday is The Fourth of July. America!

Eric Thepsiri:     FULL TIME, Paramedic. My name is Eric Thepsiri, I’m 22 and I grew up in Vernon, CT.  I first got started in EMS when I became an EMT at 16.  My first call was a respiratory arrest.  I remember being excited, nervous and scared all at the same time. When I began to bag the patient and they started breathing again, it was the best feeling I’ve ever felt. That was the call that sparked my love for medicine. I decided to continue my education at the University of Connecticut as a pre-med student.  As I was going through my studies at Uconn, I came to the realization I wanted more out of my education. Not only did I want a degree but I wanted my education to be practical.  I wanted to learn how to care for patients, how to make tangible differences and explore emergency medicine. Therefore, after my junior year at Uconn, I decided to become a paramedic. I enrolled in Goodwin College/Hartford Hospital’s Paramedic Program, where I recently graduated in December 2014. Currently, I work as an EMT for the town of Vernon and help to teach with the Department of EMS Education at Hartford Hospital. When I’m not working, I enjoy spending my time with friends and family, taking pictures, traveling and providing sustainable medical care overseas. I’m excited to start my journey in paramedicine here as a member of the Aetna Family, while continuing my education towards medical school.”

Information unavailable on ninth new hire at time post was published; a full time Paramedic.