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<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nI also presented a snapshot of the makeup of our public entity which might serve as a refresher for some readers:<\/p>\n\n\n\n As you can see from the graphic above, our total revenues are $2.1 billion, which represents amazing growth over the last decade. What you may not be aware of is that the state portion of our revenues is 8% or $144 million. The rest of the $2.1 billion represents internally generated revenues, with the majority being from patient care. As you can see from the graphic below we internally allocate most of that state revenue to our schools and research with only $10 million of the $144 million going to our clinical enterprise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You may recall that we have a strategy to eliminate the reliance of the clinical enterprise on state operational support, and we are making headway, as you can see from the chart below, in which the $10 million to the clinical enterprise will become $5 million next year. One important caveat is that we are requesting funding to cover wage increases negotiated at the state level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Before I leave the topic of the accomplishments each of you has driven over the years, I want to emphasize that no matter your role, you are critical to the mission of UConn Health. For example Dr. Scott Allen, our chief medical officer, sent this email to our facilities leadership this week:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Gentlemen: Each year, the residents who are leaving UConn (almost all are graduating) fill out a survey of their experience at the various hospitals in the Consortium. This year, JDH received the highest score (4.30\/5.00) for “Cleanliness and upkeep of facility.\u201d So, please extend a note of appreciation to your staff that maintain JDH in the great condition it is in. This is not just inside the walls of the hospital, but our grounds outside as well. Please join me in thanking J.J. Odom, our building and grounds director, and the whole Environmental Services Department.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Along the lines of supporting our employees, we are entering the final week of our 2026 Employee Engagement Survey. So far, 2,454 employees, 46% of our workforce, have participated. Thank you to everyone who has responded. This is meaningful progress, but we are not yet where we need to be to reach our 65% goal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This week, Jonathan, our Husky mascot, walked an impressive 9.5 miles across UConn Health, visiting employees and departments during our survey engagement tour<\/a>. Thank you to everyone who welcomed him and helped build energy around the survey. Now, we need to turn that energy into participation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The number matters because representation matters. Participation remains uneven across UConn Health, particularly among some of our hospital, clinical and frontline teams. We need stronger participation from every part of our workforce if the results are to give us a complete understanding of the employee experience and help us make the right decisions about where improvement is needed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you haven\u2019t already done so, please take a few minutes today, if possible, to complete the survey. I\u2019ve completed it and it takes less than 15 minutes, and responses are confidential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Press Ganey sent a reminder Thursday morning containing your unique link. You may also use the Employee Engagement Survey shortcut on your computer desktop or the QR code on our Take the Survey<\/a> page.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I would also ask our leaders to make this a priority during the upcoming week: Speak directly with your teams, reach employees across every shift, and provide time and access to complete the survey when operationally possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The survey is scheduled to close on Friday, Aug 7<\/strong>. If you have already participated, thank you. If you have not, please take the time now; do not wait. Progress happens together, and we need everyone\u2019s participation to shape what comes next.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This week we announced the arrival of Antoinette Schoenthaler as our new AVP for inclusion and health equity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Antoinette is coming to us from NYU Langone Health and its Institute for Excellence in Health Equity and brings an impressive record of leadership in advancing health equity and inclusivity across health systems, academic medicine, and national partnerships. She will report to Dr. Jeffery Hines, VP of our Office for Inclusion and Civil Rights, and me, with the charge of working with key stakeholders to advance diversity, inclusion, belonging, and health equity initiatives throughout our organization. Please read more about her on The Hub.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Antoinette is joining us in September. Let\u2019s be sure to give her a warm UConn Health welcome!<\/p>\n\n\n\n I\u2019d like to take a moment to recognize Dr. Peter Schulman, who is retiring after 44 years of service in our medical school and Calhoun Cardiology Center.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hundreds of students, residents, and fellows have gained from Peter\u2019s wise mentorship, while thousands of patients have benefited from his outstanding patient care. In all ways he is a model to generations of cardiologists. Our institution, our state, and the field of medicine are better off because of him. I invite you to take a moment to read more about Peter and his reflections on his time here on UConn Today<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Please join me in thanking Peter for his legacy of excellence and wishing him the very best in retirement. We certainly will miss him!<\/p>\n\n\n\n I have a wonderful patient letter to share with you to close the week. This was sent to our radiology leadership (edited for privacy):<\/p>\n\n\n\n [Recently] I visited the MSI 1st floor for an imaging appointment and was greeted at the front desk by Tafaria Jackson. She was warm, welcoming, and incredibly efficient, checking me in quickly and making the process seamless. What a fantastic acknowledgement of Tafaria representing UConn Health in such a positive \u2014 and noticeable \u2014 manner! Thank you, Tafaria, for making such an impact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And thank you, to everyone reading this, for all you do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Andrew C. Agwunobi, MD, MBA Why can’t the shuttle pick employees up at the end of lot MR1 (Munson Road)? It takes half the time of walking to main campus as it does to walk from the lot to the front of the Munson Road building to meet the shuttle. The lack of parking is already an inconvenience.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Good question. As Janel Simpson, our chief administrative officer, explains, the shuttles have designated drop-off and pick-up locations to prioritize pedestrian safety and maintain predictable schedules. These specific stops are selected to minimize potential hazards for pedestrians and assist shuttle drivers in adhering to a reliable timetable, ensuring efficient service.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We appreciate your understanding as we continually assess measures that enhance both safety and timeliness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are very large wasps that are flying around the ivy beds surrounding the main hospital. Several of them are harassing people walking out of the buildings. Which department handles insects?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Our building and grounds team oversees pest control and, I\u2019m happy to report, already has taken care of this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Thank you for bringing it to our attention, and thank you to J.J. Odom, our building and grounds director, for working with our vendor to handle in a timely manner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Have something you want to ask Dr. Andy? <\/em><\/strong>Submit your question on The Hub.<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Jonathan makes the rounds to remind us to take the employee engagement survey.<\/strong> Have you taken yours yet?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Dr. Harold Moskowitz is still going strong at age 90<\/a>,<\/strong> coming in regularly in retirement to mentor radiology residents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Our latest UConn Health Minute on CPTV features Dr. Francesco Celi and his study to improve hypothyroidism treatment<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n Note:<\/em><\/strong> Unlinked content is only available on The Hub<\/a>, for which you must be on the UConn Health network to access.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n Read about a protein shake found to have benefits for those with Parkinson\u2019s disease<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Dr. Peter Schulman<\/strong> reflects on more than four decades of cardiology and academic medicine<\/a><\/strong> at UConn Health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Of note: we received the highest score last year as well.😊
Scott<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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While I waited for my appointment, I heard her greet each patient who arrived. Even without hearing every conversation, I could \u201chear\u201d the smile in her voice. She found a genuine way to connect with each person and make them feel welcome. I also noticed her patiently explaining the parking process to several elderly patients and offering a gentleman a wet towel after something had spilled. These small acts of kindness spoke volumes about her attentiveness and kindness.
I wanted to let you know that you have an excellent first point of contact in your department. Tafaria made a great impression, and her professionalism, kindness, and genuine care set a wonderful tone for the entire patient experience. She is truly an asset to your team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/strong>Chief Executive Officer
EVP for Health Affairs
UConn Health<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nDear Dr. Andy<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Hub Highlights<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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