An Update from Vincent G. Capece, Jr., President & CEO of Middlesex Health |
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Dear Friend,
I want to thank you for your continued support as a Middlesex Health donor. Your generosity is vitally important and helps us meet the health care needs of people of all ages in our community.
This update is shared quarterly and includes important news and information.
Should you have any questions about our work, please contact our Office of Philanthropy at 860-358-6200 or donate@midhosp.org.
My thanks and best regards,
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Vincent G. Capece, Jr.
President/CEO
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Giving birth to her first child during a pandemic could have been overwhelming for Sarah Davis. Instead, Middlesex Health made her feel at ease, helping her even when things didn’t go as planned.
In preparation for her delivery, Sarah, who lives in Middletown, took a virtual tour of the Middlesex Health Pregnancy & Birth Center and hoped for a natural birth without pain medication or surgery. She went into labor on October 7, but was not dilated as much as she needed to be and was sent home. This happened a second time. Finally, on her third trip to Middlesex Hospital, she stayed.
Middlesex staff helped her sleep, made sure she was comfortable and reassured and coached her.
“You’ve got this,” Sarah recalls staff telling her as they helped her try different labor positions.
A natural birth wasn’t in the cards. Eventually, she agreed to receive pain medication to help her sleep and to alleviate back pains. She, however, did not end up needing a cesarean section, which she had wanted to avoid if possible.
Arthur, 9 pounds and 14 ounces, arrived on October 9, 2021. He was healthy, but did have a scare when his blood sugar dropped, requiring him to stay a few extra days in the hospital. Staff members answered all of Sarah's questions and were very accommodating, she says, adding that a perinatal social worker helped her adjust to being a new mom and shared information about resource groups. A lactation consultant was also there to help.
Designated as a baby-friendly birthing center by Baby-Friendly USA, Inc., Middlesex Health’s Pregnancy & Birth Center prides itself on providing the best, most caring experience for all family members. It welcomes about 1,000 babies each year, and some of the services provided are funded by your generosity, such as the perinatal social work program that helped Sarah.
“We work hard to provide excellent care and support to our moms and babies,” says Amanda Laureano, the Pregnancy & Birth Center’s nurse manager. “It is important that they have the tools and information they need before they leave our hospital.”
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In 2021, goPINK raised $43,556 to support Middlesex Health Cancer Center patients. All proceeds help cancer patients receive free integrative medicine therapy, including patients who have breast cancer.
Local businesses, schools and sports teams raised money for goPINK this year. In addition, a goPINK Party was held in honor of Dr. Robert Levy, a Middlesex Health medical oncologist. It also held a virtual goPINK Duck Race that was streamed live on Facebook.
Throughout its 12-year history, goPINK has raised $329,823, providing free integrative medicine therapy to nearly 2,000 cancer patients. Integrative medicine includes massage therapy, reflexology and acupuncture — therapies not covered by insurance. They help patients cope with treatment side effects.
“We are always grateful and amazed by the outpouring of support from our community,” says Sarah Moore, Middlesex Health’s director of development. “Thank you to those who supported goPINK. Your generosity will absolutely make a difference to our cancer patients.”
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Earlier this month, Middlesex Health became the basic life support ambulance provider for the town of Durham. This means that it assumed responsibility for all 911 ambulance coverage in the town — 24/7.
Middlesex already provided paramedic level service to the town of Durham. However, Durham Volunteer Ambulance Corps was previously responsible for providing basic life support level service.
This new arrangement is supported by both the town of Durham and the Durham Volunteer Ambulance Corps, and Middlesex had to apply for the basic support level primary service agreement last year. Although the application awaits approval from the state Department of Public Health, the health system has assumed its new responsibilities under a memorandum of understanding.
As part of this arrangement, the assets of Durham Volunteer Ambulance Association were transferred to Middlesex to ensure that the health system has the resources needed to properly and safely care for the community.
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As the COVID-19 pandemic enters its third year, Middlesex Health continues to help the community by providing access to vaccines and testing, along with high-quality medical care.
About Testing
As a reminder, you can get tested for COVID-19 at Middlesex Health Urgent Care Center locations in Middletown and Old Saybrook. To do so, you can make an appointment online.
About Vaccines
COVID-19 vaccines are very safe and effective in preventing severe disease or death, and Middlesex Health continues to vaccinate community members age 5 and older. To date, it has administered more than 54,000 first and second doses and countless additional doses, including booster shots.
To schedule a COVID-19 vaccine appointment at a Middlesex Health Primary Care office, or a booster shot appointment, click here.
For more information about vaccination, boosters and eligibility, click here.
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Middlesex Health | 28 Crescent Street | Middletown, CT 06457
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