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Determinants of X By Scott Orsey: By: Scott Orsey Change is hard, especially where structure creates imbalance in perspectives, power and impact. When years of good intentions yield underwhelming results related to health and well-being outcomes, it is time to question the approach. In this four-part blog series

Our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Declaration By Larry Milan: By: Larry Milan Enhancing diversity, equity and inclusion at Connecticut Children’s is a key strategic priority for our organization. We welcome the opportunity to build on our strong foundation to ensure a culture that is welcoming and inclusive for all team members, patient

Building for Health: Peace of Mind The Quintero family of Manchester, Connecticut is breathing much easier these days after the Building for Health initiative fixed hazards in their home and provided support for their daughter’s worsening asthma symptoms. Building for Health launched in 2019 to increase

Care Coordination: Empowering Families to Support Kids Ashley Burkman and her husband, Matt Chella, were thrilled to welcome their sons Calvin and Carter into the world in May 2019. The pregnancy showed no signs of anything abnormal for the twins. However, shortly after the boys’ birth at 38 weeks, Carter’s parents and doctors became

Food is Medicine: The Essential Connection Between Food Security and Health By Nancy Trout, MD: By: Nancy Trout, MD, MPH For more than two years, the COVID-19 pandemic has brought devastating loss along with political, economic and social disruption to our nation. While we no longer see televised images of snaking lines of cars containing food insecure families lined up for

Prioritizing Consistent Sleep To Support Mental Health By Alyssa Nycz, MD: By: Alyssa Nycz, MD The American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) recommends that children ages 6 to 12 receive between nine and 12 hours of sleep during a 24-hour period. Teenagers should regularly sleep eight to 10 hours per night. However, research finds that at least one

Mental Health Crisis: We Must Address Root Causes While mental health providers, policymakers and parents scramble to handle the escalating mental health crisis in children and youth, we must address the root causes through long-overdue systems-level changes in order to make an impact. That’s the message Paul H. Dworkin, MD

Mentoring Program Fosters Career Development By Luis Rivera: By: Luis Rivera As part of Connecticut Children’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, we are launching a new mentoring program as a pilot program to ensure team members who reside in Hartford have the support they need to succeed in their positions and advance their

Help Me Grow Model: 25 Years of Service to Families By Paul Dworkin, MD: The Help Me Grow (HMG) Model is celebrating a milestone anniversary in 2022 – having spent the past 25 years helping children and families in Connecticut and across the country thrive. The HMG Model is an early childhood system building model that partners with families to

Pediatric Meltdown: Parent-Led Health Care Transformation As pediatricians face enormous challenges maintaining practices amid growing expectations, there is optimism that transformational change in pediatric primary care delivery could further support providers and bring about the often-elusive outcomes we have long sought. Paul

Honoring a Trailblazer in Fight Against HIV and AIDS Danielle Warren-Dias is a passionate advocate for women and children who are living with HIV and AIDS. In honor of World AIDS Day 2021, the Connecticut World AIDS Day Committee presented Warren-Dias with the 2021 Trailblazer Award during the virtual 2021 Connecticut World AIDS

Albuterol Shortage Continues: What Parents of Asthmatic Kids Should Know By Melanie Sue Collins, MD: 71,900 children in Connecticut have asthma and there has been a shortage of albuterol sulfate inhalation solution since October. Albuterol is a fast-acting medication used to treat asthma and other breathing issues. What do parents need to know about the continued albuterol

Meet Sarah: Using the Power of Connection in Caring for Patients Sarah Orlando, PA-C, has had a passion for medicine since the tender age of 10 when she attempted to suture her brother’s finger. She didn’t know it at the time, but she would find her niche as a Physician Assistant in the Emergency Department. Once Sarah discovered the non-stop

Beyond Trust: Kali’s Story Krystin Sylva always says her twins came into the world like a storm. Kali and Jada were 28-week preemies born during an actual ice storm in January – at 3:33 am, three seconds apart. They started life in the NICU at Danbury Hospital, receiving care from Connecticut Children's

How to Talk to Kids About Scary or Tragic Events in the News By Robert D. Keder, MD: In the wake of the mass shooting on August 27, 2025 at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis, MN, children will likely have many questions. In addition to seeing disturbing footage on the news and on social media, they are also likely picking up on the stress and sadness