Health Center Accolades – June 2013

Communications team wins award; Animal Care earns accreditation; dental school recognizes Dr. Gworek; and Health Center hosts a successful amateur radio field day.

UConn Health Accolades (Shutterstock image)

Congratulations (Shutterstock image)

From left, Chris Kaminski and Tina Encarnacion with the Office of Communications.
From left, Chris Kaminski and Tina Encarnacion with the Office of Communications.

Communications Social Media Team Wins Award

Congratulations to the Office of Communications social media team who recently received a silver Lamplighter Award from the New England Society for Healthcare Communications. The award was in the category of social/new media for the Challenge for a Healthy Heart Facebook campaign.


Dr. Marja M. Hurley
Dr. Marja Hurley

Dr. Marja Hurley Appointed Chair of ADEA Women’s Affairs Advisory Committee

Dr. Marja Hurley has been appointed the chair of the American Dental Education Association (ADEA) Women’s Affairs Advisory Committee (WAAC). The WAAC is an important advisory committee to the ADEA Board of Directors.

Hurley, associate dean for the Health Career Programs in the UConn School of Dental Medicine and the School of Medicine, was chosen by the ADEA leadership for her “insight, breadth of exposure, and the perspective” that she will bring to the Committee. Hurley has prior experience serving as Committee Chair of the ADEA Minority Affairs Advisory Committee. 


Laboratory Animal Care Earns Full Accreditation

The Health Center’s Laboratory Animal Care and Use Program has earned full accreditation by the Association for the Assessment and Accreditation for Laboratory Animal Care (AAALAC).

During its review, the AAALAC commended the staff for providing and maintaining an excellent program of laboratory animal care and use. Especially noteworthy were the well-managed and documented veterinary medical care program; the dedicated and knowledgeable animal care staff; the well-trained and supported Animal Care Committee; the post-approval monitoring program (PAWS); the effective security systems; the comprehensive biosecurity and biosafety oversight; the well-maintained and clean facilities; and the comprehensive environmental enrichment program.


Dr. Thomas Gworek (fourth from right) holding the plaque presented to him by the UConn School of Dental Medicine for his commitment to caring for patients at the South Park Inn Homeless Shelter in Hartford.
Dr. Thomas Gworek (fourth from right) holding the plaque presented to him by the UConn School of Dental Medicine for his commitment to caring for patients at the South Park Inn Homeless Shelter in Hartford.

Dr. Thomas Gworek Receives 2013 Recognition Award

Dr. Thomas Gworek has been recognized by School of Dental Medicine students and faculty advisors for his commitment to oral health care at the South Park Inn Homeless Shelter. South Park’s student coordinators, along with the faculty advisors Dr. Michael Goupil and Dr. Sarita Arteaga, recently presented Gworek with a plaque to show their appreciation for his efforts.

Gworek volunteers with a team to treat patients at the Homeless Shelter on the first Wednesday of each month. Growek, his wife and assistant Gloria, Dr. Mary Pergiovanni (a 1983 UConn School of Dental Medicine alumna) and Ron Gingras comprise the team at the shelter. They started working together several years ago when they traveled to Honduras to serve the oral health needs there but then acknowledged the need right here in Hartford. Gworek has mobile dental equipment and materials that he and his team bring and set up each month to treat the South Park patients.

Dr. Thomas Gworek (fourth from right) holding the plaque presented to him by the UConn School of Dental Medicine for his commitment to caring for patients at the South Park Inn Homeless Shelter in Hartford.


Environmental Safety Officer Mark Petrone and Dr. Jeff Gross during the ARRL Field Day at the Health Center.
Environmental Safety Officer Mark Petrone and Dr. Jeff Gross during the ARRL Field Day at the Health Center. (Daniel McNally/UConn Health Center)

Successful Field Day Held at Health Center

The Health Center hosted a successful Field Day June 22 and 23 for amateur radio operators/stations. The event enabled amateur stations across the country to test their ability to provide emergency communications when no other options (land lines, cellular phones, etc.) are available.

The American Radio Relay League (ARRL) Field Day is the single most popular on-the-air event held annually in the U.S. and Canada. On the fourth weekend of June of each year, more than 35,000 radio amateurs gather with their clubs, groups or simply with friends to operate from remote locations. The Field Day station at the Health Center was located adjacent to Parking Garage 3 and attracted non-ham visitors as well.


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