(West Hartford) – A University of Hartford alumnus made a discovery in his West Hartford basement lab that would soon save lives around the world. Now a new book about the story is set for release and will be celebrated at a special event on UHart’s campus.
Frank Hursey ’77, inventor of QuikClot, as well as business partner Bart Gullong, will be speaking about the life-changing innovation June 1 in a book launch for IN THE BLOOD: How Two Outsiders Solved a Centuries-Old Medical Mystery and Took on the U.S. Army (Grand Central Publishing, May 2023). Author Charles Barber, of Middletown, will also be a part of the event, which will feature a panel discussion, Q&A session, and book signing. Registration to attend is open now at hartford.edu/bookevent.
Years ago when Hursey toiled away in the basement experimenting with a mineral called zeolite, he never could have predicted the journey that awaited him. His discovery led to his invention of QuikClot, a product that stops life-threatening bleeds in military action and traumatic events.
The forthcoming book details the discovery, the product’s impact, the lives it saved, Hursey’s and Gullong’s battle in convincing the Army to use it, and much more.
For hundreds of years, the mystery of how to stop uncontrolled hemorrhaging could not be solved—until Hursey’s innovation came to life. After his discovery, Hursey and Gullong later went on to found Wallingford-based Z-Medica, the manufacturer of QuikClot.
Today, the life-saving blood clotting product is now embraced by all branches of the military, first responders, and emergency rooms around the globe.
During the UHart program, guests will have a chance to get up close and personal with zeolite, the mineral used in QuikClot, while celebrating the accomplishments of the people who brought it to the world. They will also have the chance to purchase the newly released book.
The panel discussion and Q&A at the book event will be moderated by Rebecca Stewart, vice president of content strategy at Hartford HealthCare.
About the University of Hartford
Spread across seven dynamic schools and colleges, the University of Hartford has been guiding the purpose and passion of students for over six decades. On our 350-acre campus alongside Connecticut’s capital city, approximately 4,000 undergraduate and 1,800 graduate students representing 48 states and 45 countries come together for a common purpose: to collaborate across different disciplines, diversify perspectives, and broaden worldviews. We’re a four-year private university focused on advancing the public good through meaningful connections within our communities. Our unique approach to comprehensive education gives us the critical perspectives that lead to impact change, regionally and beyond. With degree programs spanning the arts, humanities, business, engineering and technology, education, and health professions, we focus on doing the work that matters.