Hartford HealthCare Medical Group

05/14/2026

At Hartford HealthCare Medical Group Primary Care in Winsted, five colleagues turned a routine appointment into a birthday celebration to remember.

When a patient arrived for her visit on her 85th birthday, Patient Service Coordinators Alexis Moranino, Ashlee O’Connor and Lee Stavola grabbed party hats to help celebrate the occasion. Medical Assistant Helenna Hauser decorated the exam room door, and Dr. Stephanie Morton joined in with her own festive headband throughout the visit.

The patient later joked that it was “a much better birthday gift than her mammogram earlier in the morning.”

Small moments like these can make a lasting impact and remind us that healthcare is about more than appointments — it’s about making people feel seen, valued and cared for. 🎉

05/07/2026

Join us in honoring the incredible recipients of the 2026 Hartford HealthCare Nightingale Awards for Excellence in Nursing! These annual awards recognize outstanding nurses who have made significant contributions to the profession and have been nominated by their patients or peers.

✨Robyn Jones, RN, OCN✨

In the personal and sensitive field of gynecology, Robyn creates nonjudgmental space and spends time educating patients about their diagnoses and treatment options, empowering them to make informed decisions. She blends clinical excellence and empathy, making difficult experiences more manageable and dignified. With peers, Robyn fosters a collaborative team environment where questions are encouraged and learning is continuous. She played an active role in MSK concordance initiatives, streamlining processes, improving communications and ensuring the delivery of evidence-based care, all to improve patient outcomes.

Thank you for celebrating the remarkable impact of our nurses and their vital role in healthcare!
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05/06/2026

Join us in honoring the incredible recipients of the 2026 Hartford HealthCare Nightingale Awards for Excellence in Nursing! These annual awards recognize outstanding nurses who have made significant contributions to the profession and have been nominated by their patients or peers.

✨Savanna Costa, RN✨

Concerned about patient outcomes — especially those who decline recommendations to seek care in the emergency room — Savanna routinely makes follow-up calls to check their safety, reemphasize patient education and ensure they understand their care plans. She is a strong advocate for patients, communicating with providers to ensure concerns are addressed and care needs met. She also shares her behavioral health experience with colleagues and patients, and forges key connections between patients and helpful HHC and community resources.

Stay tuned as we share more stories of exceptional nurses and their vital role in healthcare!🩵

05/04/2026

Quick thinking and teamwork made a life-saving difference at Hartford HealthCare Medical Group Primary Care in Winsted.

When Brittany, LPN, noticed a critically high International Normalized Ratio (INR)—a measure of how quickly blood clots—she acted right away. She alerted the care team and contacted the patient. Although the patient felt fine, they agreed to go to the emergency department.

That decision mattered. When EMS arrived, the patient was already in critical condition and needed urgent care. They were admitted and spent nearly a month in the hospital.

Because of Brittany’s quick thinking and follow-through, this patient got the care they needed—right when it mattered most.💙

04/29/2026

Saving lives doesn’t always start in the emergency room—it can begin with a simple phone call. ❤️

At Hartford HealthCare Medical Group Primary Care in Old Lyme, teamwork and quick thinking made a life-saving difference for a patient who called to cancel an appointment because they weren’t feeling well.

Kelly Swiderski, office coordinator, recognized that something wasn’t right and quickly connected the patient with LeAnn Gauthier, RN, for triage. During the call, several medical warning signs raised concern and led to clear guidance to seek emergency care right away.

That guidance proved critical. The patient was later diagnosed with a unique type of heart attack and received prompt treatment. Today, they are home and recovering well.

Moments like this are a reminder of how important it is to listen, ask questions and act quickly when something doesn’t feel right.

04/09/2026

From exam room to center stage, one Hartford HealthCare Medical Group colleague is making an impact in more ways than one.

Daniela Karanda, APRN at Hartford HealthCare Medical Group primary care in Hebron, recently returned to a lifelong passion for performing in a local production of Sister Act at Bacon Academy Auditorium in Colchester. She even shared the stage with her brother, Antonio La Rosa, an ICU manager at Hartford HealthCare’s William Backus Hospital — making it a true family moment.

The show brought plenty of laughter and energy to the community, while also raising $1,400 for the Colchester Youth & Social Services Food Distribution Center. Daniela’s colleagues from Hebron came out to support her, showing that the spirit of care and connection extends far beyond the walls of our practices.

It’s a reminder that healthcare is just one part of how our colleagues contribute to their communities.

02/24/2026

For the latest updates on weather-related closures and delays, visit https://hartfordhealthcare.org/about-us/news-press/winter-storm-update

02/23/2026

Virtual care is always available with the HHC 24/7 app.

❄️ Winter Storm Update

📲 Virtual care is always available with the HHC 24/7 app.

⚠️ For the latest information about cancellations, closures and delayed openings across our system, please visit the link below.

hartfordhealthcare.org/about-us/news-press/winter-storm-update

02/22/2026

For the safety of our patients and staff, all primary care and specialty care ambulatory offices are closed for in-person visits on Mon., Feb. 23. All scheduled appointments will be conducted virtually, if appropriate.

For updated information on all Hartford HealthCare closings and delays, visit https://hartfordhealthcare.org/about-us/news-press/winter-storm-update

02/17/2026

Think you need an hour at the gym to get healthier? Think again.

Mehak Gandhi, MD, family medicine in Fairfield, says a few 10-minute walks throughout the day can be just as effective as a traditional workout for your heart and metabolism.

“Small increases in daily movement add up to big health benefits,” says Dr. Gandhi.

Ready to make movement easier? https://healthnewshub.org/5-new-years-resolutions-your-doctor-wishes-youd-make/