Chris DeFrancesco '94 (CLAS)

Chris DeFrancesco has been writing for UConn Health since 2007. He is a proud graduate of UConn’s journalism program. As an undergraduate in Storrs he was one of the play-by-play voices of UConn men’s and women’s basketball on WHUS-FM, a writer for the Daily Campus, and a campus shuttle bus driver. He’s been a freelance writer, editor of two weekly newspapers (Bloomfield Journal and Windsor Locks Journal), and most notably a reporter and anchor on WTIC NewsTalk 1080. He is a four-time winner of the Connecticut Associated Press Broadcasters Association Walt Dibble Award for Personal Excellence in Radio. His work also has earned recognition from the Connecticut pro chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists. Chris is an elected officer in his union (UHP Local 3837) and serves on the board of the Newington Children’s Theatre Company, Connecticut’s longest-running youth theatre program. He lives in Newington with his wife, Caroline, daughter, Audrey, and their dogs, Spot and Alex.


Author Archive

two-portrait collage, Drs. David Banach and Anthony Alessi

‘Healthy Rounds’: How Worried Should We Be About Hantavirus?

Dr. David Banach shares his infectious diseases expertise on Dr. Anthony Alessi’s podcast

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CEO Update – May 15, 2026

From the Desk of Dr. Andy

physician explains imaging to patient in exam room

UConn Health Earns Accreditation for Noninvasive Vascular Testing

Enables early detection of life-threatening heart disorders, stroke, other cardiovascular disease

UConn John Dempsey Hospital on spring day with budding tree in foreground

UConn John Dempsey Hospital’s University Tower Turns 10

Decade of ‘remarkable growth’

portrait of four indoors in front of UConn Health Pat and Jim Calhoun Cardiology Center Anticoagulation Clinic sign

UConn Health Anticoagulation Clinic Again ‘Center of Excellence’

Recognizing care for patients taking antithrombotic medications

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CEO Update – May 8, 2026

From the Desk of Dr. Andy

two-portrait collage, Narwal and Alessi

‘Healthy Rounds’: Stroke Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery

Dr. Priya Narwal, medical director of UConn Health’s stroke program, joins Dr. Anthony Alessi’s podcast

nurse handing a supply to a co-worker in postoperative setting

UConn Health Celebrates Its Nurses

Honoring 1,200+ RNs, APRNs and CRNAs, including 6 Nightingales, for Nurses Week

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CEO Weekly Update: May 1, 2026

From the desk of Dr. Andy

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CEO Weekly Update: April 24, 2026

From the desk of Dr. Andy

Portrait two retired firefighter paramedics holding plaques and citations

UConn Fire Department Celebrates 50 Years of Paramedics

Ceremony honors the first class of paramedics in the region, which included 4 UConn Health firefighters

lawn in front of Outpatient Pavilion in early spring, includes rich green lawn and tulips

Medical School ‘A’ Marks UConn Health Sustainability Progress

Significant energy savings highlight gains since last Earth Day, while the UConn School of Medicine makes the grade on the 2026 Planetary Health Report Card

two-portrait collage, Brugge and Alessi

‘Healthy Rounds’: The Silent Success of Public Health

Douglas Brugge, chair of the UConn School of Medicine’s Department of Public Health Sciences, joins Dr. Anthony Alessi’s podcast

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CEO Weekly Update: April 17, 2026

From the desk of Dr. Andy

model patient with the TrueBeam Linear Accelerator radiation oncology machine

UConn Health Offers New Level of Precision in Cancer Care

High-tech radiation therapy machine enhances accuracy, safety

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CEO Weekly Update: April 10, 2026

From the desk of Dr. Andy

Dr. Scott Allen speaking at microphone in podcast studio

‘Healthy Rounds’: Inquiring About Quality, Patient Safety

Dr. Scott Allen, UConn Health’s chief medical officer, joins Dr. Anthony Alessi’s podcast

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CEO Weekly Update: April 2, 2026

From the desk of Dr. Andy

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CEO Weekly Update: March 27, 2026

From the desk of Dr. Andy

woman (facing camera) and man (back to camera) facing each other in front of microphones in a studio

‘Healthy Rounds’: Dealing With Dementia

Dr. Kristina Zdanys, geriatric psychiatrist in the UConn Center on Aging, joins Dr. Anthony Alessi’s podcast