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

patient and scheduler in masks in the GI clinic

UConn Health Opens Esophageal Disease Center

The newly-launched UConn Health Esophageal Diseases Center brings together specialists equipped to focus on problems with the gateway to our digestive system.

Diabetes testing materials displayed on a table

Diabetes: Knowing Is (At Least) Half the Battle

A UConn Health certified diabetes care and education specialist explains, with the help of a medical student, how ignorance is the enemy when it comes to managing diabetes, 

nurse with custom-fitted frame over her mask

UConn-made COVID-19 Mask Solution Coming to Market

Licensing deal with Connecticut Biotech of South Windsor enables commercial production of custom-fit mask frames developed by UConn’s Connecticut Convergence Institute for Translation in Regenerative Engineering.

Drs. Beebe and Solovyova portaits, white coats

Dr. Roy Beebe, Longtime Orthopedic Surgeon, Retires

Dr. Olga Solovyova succeeds him as the total hip and knee replacement expert at UConn Health's orthopedic and sports medicine practice in Avon.

Group portrait (wearing masks) by the sign for Ojakian Commons

Bringing COVID-19 Testing to the Community

UConn Health Multiple Sclerosis Center leads an effort to test vulnerable patients for COVID-19.

Web conference screen grab with the students wearing bike helmets

Pedaling Past a Pandemic With Four UConn Health Students

The annual summer "Coast to Coast" fundraising cycling tour by UConn Health students has become a "House to House" tour, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

fitness icons

Still Taking Steps to Support Lung Health

The UConn Health-sponsored American Lung Association Fight for Air Climb is a virtual event this year, and there’s still time to be part of it.

Representatives of groups that donated and UConn Health staff/vendors with six boxes of personal protective equipment in front of the UConn Health main entrance

Help From All Over the World

Donations of personal protective equipment and other supplies have been coming to UConn Health from near and far.

Demonstrators in white coats or scrubs and masks, Capitol in background

‘White Coats for Black Lives’ Movement

UConn medical and dental students, alumni, residents and faculty are among the estimated 1,000 demonstrators who recently marched in Hartford.

photo of University Tower with U.S., Connecticut, and Pride flags, and "Inclusive Care" logo

A Welcome Environment for Transgender Patients

With services including a dedicated gender-affirming hormone therapy program, UConn Health aims to break down historic barriers to LGBTQ+ health care access.