From the introductory chorus of “Fiddler on the Roof,” the theme of the seventh annual Backus Bennies event was tradition to correspond with the hospital’s 125th anniversary.
Held in the East Region System Support Office on April 6, the Bennies celebrated the various groups that have sustained Backus Hospital over the last 12 decades and helped it become a valued community resource and champion of keeping healthcare local whenever possible.
“We must continuously stretch to improve processes, services and availability,” Donna Handley, Hartford HealthCare East Region president, said, noting that the Backus facilities improvement plan is moving ahead with the goal of creating a soothing yet functional environment for inpatient and ambulatory care. “The plan puts our mission of improving access to care into tangible form as we expand our facilities, bring in new technology and new providers to meet the needs of our community.”
Evidence of the Backus mission was woven throughout the program, which honored the Backus Auxiliary, School of Nursing Alumnae Association, Medical Staff and Backus employees for their dedication and innovation.
The Auxiliary, formed just a few years after the hospital opened in 1893, remains the largest group benefactor, providing scholarships to people pursuing healthcare careers, camisoles for breast cancer patients and other support items while operating the hospital gift shop and canteens. The group most recently pledged to raise a total of $625,000 over the next five years, starting with a $125,000 donation in recognition of the historic anniversary.
“This is hopefully going to be a great year of growth for the Auxiliary,” noted President Fran Leta when accepting the group’s award. “We are delighted to continue to support this wonderful hospital.”
The Backus Hospital School of Nursing trained hundreds of clinicians in its 110-year history and the contribution of each one merited the second Bennie of the evening, presented by Rebecca Durham, RN, Interim VP Patient Care Services.
“We all have fond memories of our days in the nursing school and at Backus,” said Nurse Alumnae Association President Mary Ellen Warykas. “We are very proud of our long history of supporting young nurses in their careers, and happy to continue to support the hospital and the nursing profession with our scholarship program.”
Working alongside the nurses, the Backus medical staff now numbers almost 500 physicians in a variety of specialties but it is their dedication to helping the community that earned the group a Bennie.
“This is a team of many unique personalities that always manages to work collaboratively, keeping the best interest of our patients and their families top of mind,” said East Region Vice President of Medical Affairs Robert Sidman, MD, in presenting the award to the Backus Hospital Medical Staff
One of the most powerful moments of the evening came toward the end of the program in a video that told the story of a former patient who had a near-fatal heart attack as he walked through the Backus lobby. A team of staff converged on him and his wife to help stabilize him for transport to Hartford Hospital where he was treated successfully.
“Our employees really are the heart of healthcare,” Handley noted as she and Gen Schies, Development Program Manager awarded the final Bennie to longtime employees and donors Rose Fratoni and Karen Brouwer in recognition of the entire hospital staff.
Handley asked those in attendance to remember the night’s honorees and, as we celebrate Backus’ 125th anniversary, to take a moment to appreciate what having such an outstanding hospital in our community has meant in their lives.