Budget pg 1 10-8-15
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Budget
cuts stop
partnership
deal with
DKH
PUTNAM — Severe and unexpected cuts by the state of Connecticut to Medicaid payments have affected progress Day Kimball Healthcare (DKH) and Hartford HealthCare (HHC) were making toward a strategic partnership.
In July, the two organizations announced that they had agreed to work together to outline the terms of a proposed affiliation. The immediate goal was to allow HHC to provide management support for select operations determined by DKH. These agreements would have offered economies of scale to help DKH reduce its cost structure.
“Given the magnitude of the state’s cuts, it would be imprudent for us to consider moving forward with such a partnership at this time,” said James Blazar, Hartford HealthCare’s senior vice president and chief strategy transformation officer. “This reckless slashing of Medicaid funding makes it difficult for HHC to create a path forward with Day Kimball Healthcare right now. Both our organizations have just taken a gut punch.”
According to state estimates, HHC would stand to lose $55 million in the cuts and, as a result, needs to curtail major capital expenditures at this time. DKH expects these cuts to result in a $5.6-million loss in state funding to its revenue in this fiscal year.
“Partnering with HHC represented a real opportunity for us to benefit patients and strengthen our finances. We are disappointed that these budget cuts affected HHC’s ability to work towards this opportunity at this time,” said Robert Smanik, FACHE, DKH’s president and chief executive officer. “In addition to this lost opportunity, the budget cuts also caused DKH to lose the small hospital funding that our legislators were successful in restoring just months ago. Despite these challenges, DKH is working diligently to mitigate these revenue losses, and will continue to explore all strategic opportunities for continued growth and expansion.”
Blazar praised DKH’s administration and board for their collaboration in the partnership exploration, and held out the possibility that — with restored funding or under calmer financial circumstances — an affiliation is still desirable.
Pale pg 1 10-8-15
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Clockwise from top left: Barn door at Nelson farm in Pomfret. Chairs on Pomfret Town Hall porch. Milkweed in Putnam. Flowers in window box at Rondeau's in Woodstock.
Then and Now pg 2 10-8-15
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Then
This is the First Congregational Church United Church of Christ in Woodstock around 1900.
& Now
And in more modern times.
WOODSTOCK — Some of us can’t imagine being 60 or 70 years old! Can you imagine experiencing your 325th anniversary? Beginning in October, 2015 and ending in the spring of 2016, the members of the First Congregational Church, United Church of Christ in Woodstock is celebrating.
At 1 p.m. Oct. 11 Leslie Sweetnam will offer a re-enactment of John Eliot as he worked with the local Indians. Come to Eliot Rock , 582 Rte. 169, the property owned by the McClellans.
At 10 a.m. Oct. 25 Pastor Emeritus James S. Harrison will be the Guest Preacher.
At 11:15 a.m. Nov. 22, Professor Clifford Brown will make a presentation about church architecture.
Spring, 2016 Watch for a Poetry Contest and a Hymn-Writing Contest.
At 10 a.m. April 24 Earth Day celebration with a tree planting and the burying of a time capsule by the youth of the church.
Contact the church for more information. 860 928 7405. firstchurchwoodstock.org
Mortensen pg 3 10-8-15
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Sarah C. Mortensen was recently named the first executive director of Northeast Opportunities for Wellness, Inc. (NOW).
NOW announced the creation of an executive director position in July 2015, citing continued growth over its four-year history of providing nutrition and instruction in fitness and sports, regardless of access to financial resources, to youth throughout the Quiet Corner. Mortensen was selected in September to take the helm of the growing non-profit.
The Plainfield native and Brooklyn resident comes to NOW following five years at Stonebridge Press & Villager Newspapers, including four-plus years as an advertising executive overseeing all aspects of advertising for the Killingly, Putnam, Thompson, and Woodstock Villager newspapers.
“It has been a wonderful experience working for Villager Newspapers, and my time there allowed me to establish a great working relationship with a variety of businesses and organizations in the community,” Mortensen said. “I have enjoyed getting to know the names and faces of the paper’s advertisers and have loved working with them toward a common goal. One of the most valuable things I’ve learned from Villager Newspapers is how connected we all are and how much better we are as a community when we work together.”
In addition to professional experience, the NOW Board of Directors was impressed with Mortensen’s track record as a dedicated contributor to various civic and professional organizations.
She is the current president of the Quinebaug Valley Regional Rotaract Club, executive board member of the Putnam Business Association, and member at large of the Killingly Business Association and NECT Chamber of Commerce.
“Northeast Connecticut is a wonderful place to work and live, and I believe the quality of life we experience is directly connected to the many organizations that work to support and improve our community,” said Mortensen.
“I have found so much satisfaction in the projects I have been involved with through both the Rotaract Club and the PBA. Participating in the fund-raisers, beautification projects, and public events of these organizations has sparked a passion for service that I am eager to continue in my new role with NOW.”
She began Oct. 5. Following an on-boarding process, she will begin managing the organization’s day-to-day operations and expanding its scholarship program to serve more children and families in northeastern Connecticut. Mortensen will also become a key player in some of NOW’s most significant ongoing projects, including numerous annual fund-raisers and the multi-million dollar renovation of the Putnam Keech Street armory into a regional recreation facility.
“It’s rare that a candidate and a position are ideal fits for one another, but we believe that’s the case with Sarah Mortensen and the executive director role,” said NOW President Allan Rawson. “She brings the professional skills to get the job done and the passion to champion our mission. We know Sarah will lead NOW to new heights, and we can’t wait to get to work.”