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

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.

Dr. Andrews and sons at Yellowstone

Graduating to New Goals This Season

Dr. Rebecca Andrews, UConn Health primary care physician, is among those running the UConn Health Half Marathon. She shares how running fits into her life as a health care provider and parent.

Screen grab of web conference

Coming out of COVID: Mental Health

UConn Health psychiatry experts discuss some of the challenges associated with our gradual return to some kind of normal, and how they vary by stage of life.

Classmates hold up Max as he holds up his certificate for placing 3rd

UConn Med Students: ‘Why I Run’

While it may be one of the busiest periods of their lives, an important part of the lives of these medical students is running. Leading up to the UConn Health Half Marathon, 10K and 5K June 4-7, four of them share their stories.

Woman tying running shoe

Running in the Age of Contagion

Whether training for the UConn Health Half Marathon, 10K and 5K or simply resuming an exercise routine, injury prevention now includes infection prevention.