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

17 Students Awarded at Scholar Symposium

Ten dental students and seven medical students were recognized for their research aptitude as part of UConn Health’s 2022 Medical/Dental Research Day and Clinician Scholar Symposium.

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Podcast: Colon Cancer, Nuts, and Early Onset

UConn Health molecular oncology researcher Daniel Rosenberg's studies find walnut consumption can impact gut bacteria in a way that seems to fight off inflammation in some people. He’s also investigating why colon cancers are turning up more in younger people, in their 40s and even 30s.

Group portrait with UConn police dog in training room

Citizen’s Police Academy Open at UConn Health

Following success in Storrs and a pilot in Farmington last year, the UConn Police Department is offering its citizen’s police academy to the UConn Health community May through June.

Group portait taken on front porch of a home

Homeless No More, Thanks to ‘Guardian Angel’ From UConn Health

“I don’t think I would have lasted another winter.” A man who was homeless for most of the last four decades credits the population health team at UConn Health for helping him find a home.

Susan Bongiorni and Martha Wilke portait collage

3rd Simon Award Honors Leaders in Nursing and Postdoctoral Training

Nurse Manager Susan Bongiorni and Graduate Medical Education Director Martha Wilkie share the 2022 Dr. Richard Simon Excellence in Clinical Neurosciences Award.

Screen grab of five students on web conference

STEM Symposium Sends 5 Students to Represent State

The top five honorees from the 2022 Connecticut Junior Science and Humanities Symposium, sponsored by UConn Health and organized by the Connecticut Area Health Education Center (CT AHEC), are on their way to a national symposium next month in New Mexico.

Dr. Imitola speaking to patient in exam room

Complacency, ‘COVID Fatigue’ Expose Disparities

'As a leading medical school and hospital, we need to remain engaged with our communities, especially the poor and disenfranchised, to provide education about risk-mitigation strategies'

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Podcast: Best Ways to Treat the Feet

Dr. Lauren Geaney, UConn Health foot and ankle surgeon, explains some of the newest, minimally invasive ways to treat common and complex foot problems.

Nurse bandages a patient after shoulder injection

UConn Health: 100,000 COVID Shots and Counting

UConn Health reaches milestone in the ongoing public health effort to minimize COVID-19 infection and illness

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Stroke and the Need to BE FAST

The UConn Health Stroke Center continues to earn accolades for its effectiveness in treating stroke and promoting recovery with minimal disability. Two of the nurses behind the program's success explain in the latest podcast.