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2021 Connecticut's Healthcare Heroes Awards

Connecticut’s finest found here

During the pandemic, our region's healthcare workers have had to call on their reserves of resiliency and resourcefulness. On the front lines of caring for those with the virus, they have witnessed not only how it affects patients, but patients' loved ones as well. They have delivered care for a medical condition with circumstances like we've never seen before as a society- its long-term effects still unknown- all while providing other ongoing medical services with professionalism while striving to meet their organization's standards of quality care.

Ironically, they were working to heal others while wondering if they themselves could be harmed. Donning PPE to avoid contracting COVID-19, following Centers for Disease Control guidelines, these workers put their own health at risk, an additional stressful aspect of their jobs. 

These Health Care Heroes came to the attention of Hartford Business Journal in perhaps the most organic way possible: From those who work alongside these individuals or organizations or are impacted by their work. More than mere names plucked from headlines, clients and co-workers came forward to praise these heroes to our editorial board. For these winners, their influence is the result of what happens when passion drives one's work and dedication fuels commitment- even throughout a global crisis.

It's time to congratulate these Health Care Heroes for a job well done. 

2021 Honorees

  • Jessica Abrantes-Figueiredo, M.D.
    Jessica Abrantes-Figueiredo, M.D.
    Chief of Infectious Diseases, Saint Francis Hospital
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  • Lisa Antel
    Lisa Antel
    Counseling Center Director, Post University
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  • Wildine Felix
    Wildine Felix
    Lead Respiratory Therapist; Acute Care, Adult, Yale New Haven Hospital
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  • Philip M. Hritcko
    Philip M. Hritcko
    Dean & Professor of Pharmacy Practice, UConn School of Pharmacy
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  • Lisa Kalafus, MSN
    Lisa Kalafus, MSN
    Vice President & Chief Nursing Officer, Gaylord Specialty Healthcare
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  • Remi Kyek
    Remi Kyek
    Chief Experience Officer, Mental Health Connecticut
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  • Camelia Lawrence, MD
    Camelia Lawrence, MD
    Director, Breast Surgery at The Hospital of Central CT and Midstate Medical Center, Hartford HealthCare Department: Surgery
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  • William J. Lee Jr.
    William J. Lee Jr.
    Director of Supply Chain, Connecticut Children's
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  • Tina Loarte-Rodriguez, MSN, RN, CIC, CPPS, CPHRM
    Tina Loarte-Rodriguez, MSN, RN, CIC, CPPS, CPHRM
    Vice President of Nursing, Wheeler Health
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  • Jim Moylan
    Jim Moylan
    Chair, Board of Trustees, Wheeler Health
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  • Dr. Daksh Rampal
    Dr. Daksh Rampal
    CEO, Priority Urgent Care
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  • Dr. Ronald Schwartz
    Dr. Ronald Schwartz
    Senior Director of Continuum Health Services, Masonicare
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  • Dr. Anand K. Sekaran
    Dr. Anand K. Sekaran
    Division Chief and Medical Director, Inpatient Services, Connecticut Children’s
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  • Silver Fern Healthcare
    Silver Fern Healthcare
    Advancement in Healthcare - Prevention
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  • The Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation
    The Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation
    Advancement in Healthcare - Innovation
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  • Trinity Health Of New England Vaccine Team
    Trinity Health Of New England Vaccine Team
    Advancement in Healthcare - Innovation
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  • HHC Neighborhood Health Teams, HHC Mobile Testing Teams, HHC Mobile Vaccination Teams
    HHC Neighborhood Health Teams, HHC Mobile Testing Teams, HHC Mobile Vaccination Teams
    Advancement in Healthcare Prevention
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Previous years

2021 Connecticut's Healthcare Heroes Awards