A chance of showers couldn’t keep the East Region from celebrating the the new Hartford HealthCare HealthCenter in Mystic with an official ribbon-cutting Wednesday evening.
A small group of Hartford HealthCare leaders, providers and community members came together to recognize a special collaboration between Hartford HealthCare, developer David Lattizori and the town of Mystic.
“Healthcare has never been more important than it is in this moment,” said event host and Hartford HealthCare’s Vice President of Content Strategy Rebecca Stewart.
The building at 100 Perkins Farm Drive, visible off Interstate 95 was designed to look like the hull of a ship as a homage to the historic seaside village. Similarly, the tall cylindrical tower at the edge of the building — which lights up at night — is representative of a lighthouse. Lattizori said just as a lighthouse is a beacon of hope, the tower represents a beacon of quality healthcare in the community.
Lattizori also thanked Hartford HealthCare for being visionaries for the land his father purchased 20 years ago.
The 47,000-square-foot space includes primary care, imaging, concierge medicine, physical therapy, cardiology and neuroscience services.
East Region President Donna Handley emphasized the importance of providing access to specialists and services in the region. She shared the story of a patient who was considering traveling to Boston to receive treatment for back pain. Instead, the patient opted to first visit Adrian Hamburger, MD, in Mystic. From there, he was able to receive advanced testing and imaging and undergo a procedure at Backus in order to stay close to home and his family.
Echoing Handley’s theme of access, Hartford HealthCare Senior Director of Infection Control Keith Grant noted that communities that lack access are at risk for many health disparities and by bringing this multidisciplinary building to Mystic, Hartford HealthCare continues to build upon upon its’ mission of improving the health and healing of the people and communities we serve.
Howard Haronian, MD, medical director and vice president of the Hartford HealthCare Heart & Vascular Institute in the East Region, noted in his remarks that the state-of-the-art facility is a great opportunity to recruit physicians and build relationships with providers in the community.
David A. Whitehead, Hartford HealthCare executive vice president and chief strategy and transformation officer, hinted that there might be more to come for Hartford HealthCare in Mystic.
“Mystic is another example of Hartford HealthCare’s commitment to the community and the state of Connecticut of helping people live their healthiest life. This is a proud day for Hartford HealthCare,” said Whitehead.
For more information about services offered in Mystic, click here.