NEW BRITAIN, CT, July 12, 2024 – Hospital for Special Care (HFSC) presented annual Servant Leader awards, recognized board service, and celebrated a successful year at the organization’s annual meeting hosted at the Bristol Event Center on June 26, 2024. Over three hundred volunteers, patients, donors, staff, corporators, and board members gathered to celebrate the honorees and the hospital’s recent achievements.
During the event, participants had the chance to hear inspiring stories of resilience and recovery from patients whose lives have been positively impacted by the hospital’s dedicated staff and innovative programs. Community members and patient advocates whose contributions have been instrumental in enhancing the quality of healthcare services HFSC provides were also honored with the organization’s Servant Leader awards.
The Servant Leader award recognizes individuals who have demonstrated a commitment to putting community above self and focusing on the greater good.
“Hospital for Special Care has a strong community that works alongside us and strengthens our mission each day. Our donors and community partners are an important part of our formula for success,” said Lynn Ricci, President & CEO.
Honorees included:
- Nino and Juliana Pisanzio, La Marea Ristorante owners
- Mark Deluse, Farmington native and patient advocate
- Brian Savo, Branford native and patient advocate
- Nicole Cyr, Kensington native and patient advocate
- Laura Roix, Manchester native and patient advocate
Also honored was former leader and healthcare visionary, President David Crandall, who passed away in April and friend, former board member, and ambassador, John Downes, who passed away in January.
(Photo 1 From left to right: Lynn Ricci, FACHE, President and CEO, Laura Roix, Nicole Cyr, Mark Deluse, Juliana and Nino Pisanzio. Not pictured: Brian Savo.)
“David left an incredible mark on HFSC, with his dedication to growing and expanding care and services for our patients and our community,” said Diane Chace, HFSC Board Chair. “John was passionate about Hospital for Special Care’s mission and served on the hospital’s Foundation board as well as on multiple capital campaign cabinets. Quite literally, John helped the hospital to grow, build and expand — through philanthropic support and construction work completed by Downes Construction.”
The event celebrated the unwavering support and collaboration of the HFSC community that allows the organization to continue the mission of providing high-quality care and support to those in need. Additionally, the annual meeting served as an occasion to honor the exceptional dedication of staff members who have gone above and beyond in delivering compassionate and personalized care to patients.
(Photo 2: Crandall Family)
Looking ahead, the Hospital for Special Care reaffirmed its commitment to
advancing healthcare through ongoing research, innovative therapies, and community outreach initiatives. With the continued support of its dedicated community, the organization aims to further expand its impact and reach even greater heights in the coming year.
(Photo 3: Downes Family)
About Hospital for Special Care
Hospital for Special Care (HFSC) is the fourth largest, free-standing long-term acute care hospital in the U.S. and one of only two in the nation serving adults and children. HFSC is recognized for advanced care and rehabilitation in pulmonary care, acquired brain injury, medically-complex pediatrics, neuromuscular disorders including ALS research, spinal cord injury, comprehensive heart failure and comprehensive inpatient and outpatient treatment for children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder.
Located in New Britain and Hartford, CT, HFSC operates inpatient and outpatient facilities serving Southern New England and the Tri-State area on a not-for-profit basis. For the latest news and information, please visit www.hfsc.org, and follow us on Facebook @HospitalforSpecialCare and Twitter @HospSpecialCare.