Hartford HealthCare to run UHart’s student health services

Photo | Contributed Hartford HealthCare CEO Jeffrey Flaks.

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By Matt Pilon

Under a newly announced agreement, Hartford HealthCare will operate the University of Hartford’s on-campus health center.

Under the affiliation deal, HHC nurses will staff an after-hours phone line for non-emergency care, and HHC will provide orthopedic services to students and student-athletes, including through its Bone & Joint Institute.

Financial terms and the length of the deal were not disclosed, but the arrangement is similar to one announced by Hartford HealthCare and Trinity College last year, aimed at cutting costs and increasing student access to specialists.

“Through Hartford HealthCare, UHart students will have access to so much more,” HHC CEO Jeffrey Flaks said in a statement.

UHart trainers and strength and conditioning coaches will become employees of Hartford HealthCare, under the deal, and the health system will also provide orthopedic physicians to sports teams.

The two parties have planned an announcement for halftime at Wednesday evening’s Harford Hawks Men’s basketball game at Chase Family Arena in West Hartford.

There’s also an academic component to the partnership.

HHC has pledged to increase the number of experiential learning opportunities, such as clinical rotations, at its hospitals as well as its Center for Education, Simulation and Innovation (CESI).

“By unifying all healthcare needs, from student health and wellness to outstanding athletic care, our students’ medical needs and services will be professionally coordinated and delivered, UHart President Gregory Woodward said in a statement.

“Additionally, Hartford HealthCare is committed to working with us to train and develop tomorrow’s healthcare leaders who will continue to serve our community for many years to come,” Woodward continued.