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

Jeffrey Pan examines a patient in the dental clinic. (Photo by Ze Horak)

New Generation of Family Dentistry

Jeffrey Pan is the student speaker representing the UConn School of Dental Medicine at the 2016 UConn Health Commencement Ceremony on Monday, May 9.

May 4, 2016 | Christopher DeFrancesco

Alex Hennessey is trained in both music and medicine. (Photo by Chris DeFrancesco)

Dr. Hennessey’s Opus

Alex Hennessey is medical school student speaker for UConn Health's 2016 Commencement ceremony on Monday, May 9.

May 3, 2016 | Christopher DeFrancesco

That Tan Is Not Healthy, and Other Tips for Melanoma Monday

May is National Skin Cancer Detection and Prevention Month. The American Academy of Dermatology designates the first Monday in May as Melanoma Monday. Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer.

April 27, 2016 | Christopher DeFrancesco

UConn Health Employee Engagement Survey Coming May 9

UConn Health, in partnership with Press Gainey, is administering a survey for employees starting on May 9. Dr. Andy Agwonobi encourages all employees to participate to improve our workplace culture to make it better for everyone.

April 22, 2016 | Christopher DeFrancesco

UConn Health’s Rodriguez: Woman of Innovation

Dr. Annabelle Rodriguez-Oquendo, whose research has led to two patents and a startup company that is developing a drug that could help millions with particular genetic variations, is this year’s winner of the Connecticut Technology Council’s Women of Innovation Award for Research Innovation and Leadership.

April 14, 2016 | Christopher DeFrancesco

Rosemary Melchionna, a nurse in the post-anesthesia care unit, shows the updated central monitoring technology.

Connected Care: New Tower, New Technology

With UConn Health’s new hospital tower comes new systems of information technology designed to enable clinical staff to do even more to enhance patient care, safety and satisfaction.

April 14, 2016 | Christopher DeFrancesco

Construction work continues on the UConn Health campus. (Photo by Janine Gelineau)

Economics of the New Hospital Tower

As UConn Health nears the milestone of opening the new hospital tower, the centerpiece of the Bioscience Connecticut capital projects, another major milestone has been surpassed. More than 5,000 construction jobs have now been created on the UConn Health campus

April 7, 2016 | Christopher DeFrancesco

UConn Health April 2016 Programs, Events

UConn Health has many community programs and events scheduled for April and early May 2016.

April 3, 2016 | Chris DeFrancesco '94 (CLAS)

2016 UConn Health Nightingale Nurses

UConn Health Announces Its 2016 Nightingale Nurses

UConn Health has announced the 10 nurses who will be presented with Nightingale Award for Excellence in Nursing later this year.

March 18, 2016 | Christopher DeFrancesco

Dennis Ragoza (left) and Eric Silver are going to New York City for their dental residency training. Ragoza was accepted into the general practice residency at St. Barnabas Hospital in the Brons, while Silver will train in oral and maxillofacial surgery at King County Hospital Center in Brooklyn. (Photo submitted by Dennis Ragoza)

UConn Dental Residency Placement: Another Great Year

All but one member of the UConn School of Dental Medicine Class of 2016 will start a residency program upon graduation.

March 11, 2016 | Christopher DeFrancesco