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 photo of more than 20 volunteers at the Ivanna Eudora Kean High School in St. Thomas

UConn Health Staff Assist in Schools Still Recovering From Hurricanes

Three UConn Health employees recently volunteered in the Virgin Islands, helping provide hearing and vision screenings for more than 10,000 public school children in areas still recovering from the 2017 hurricanes.

Justin Hoffman, Keanna Chang, Yoga Kammili, and Liz Rodier with two bikes in front of UConn John Dempsey Hospital

UConn Med Students Preparing to Pedal Cross-Country

Four first-years seek to raise $20k for Hole in the Wall Gang Camp this summer.

June 2019

UConn Health June 2019 Programs, Events

Here is a list of UConn Health programs scheduled for June and early July 2019. This information will be updated with any additions or other schedule changes.

Diagram of abdominal aortic aneurysm

Aneurysm Detection and Correction

UConn Health’s vascular surgeons can treat blood vessel disease and abnormalities before they turn into life-threatening emergencies.

Lenny Ferri, 99-year-old WWII veteran

Continuity of Care to Reduce Readmissions

Hospital stays are getting shorter, with elderly patients often discharged into a skilled nursing facility. UConn Health’s Dr. Jaclyn Olsen follows them there as their attending physician.

Dr. Easwar Natarajan with the 2019 Charles N. Loeser Award

Teaching Awards Roundup

Several UConn Health faculty recently were honored for their contributions as educators.

Mom and kid in protective clothing

The Fallacy of the Healthy Tan

May is National Skin Cancer Detection and Prevention Month, with the first Monday designated as Melanoma Monday.

Screen grab of myUConnHealth patient portal

UConn Health Reaches EHR Milestone

UConn Health went live with its integrated electronic health record and patient portal one year ago.

Dr. Marja Hurley accepts a 2019 STEM Achievement Award from Connecticut Science Center' Matt Fleury and Amy Sailor, and State Rep. William Petit.

UConn Health Honored for Diversifying STEM Workforce

The Connecticut Science Center honors the Aetna Health Professions Partnership Initiative with a STEM Achievement Award.

Carolina Vicens-Cardona in Panama

Support for UConn Global Health Scholar

M.D./MPH candidate Carolina Vicens-Cardona will continue her study of health care access in Panama with the backing of the Maria and Edward P. Hargus, M.D., Professor Judy Lewis Global Health Education Scholarship.