Annual Meeting
On Thursday, June 15, 2023, CHA welcomed to its Annual Meeting over 400 hospital executives, administrators, healthcare providers, and other key decision makers from across the region, along with award winners. The theme for the celebration, Caring for Connecticut: Honoring the Caregivers, celebrated the healthcare workforce and the caregivers who are the backbone of Connecticut hospitals and health systems. The event also honored some of the incredible programs, projects, and people who embody the unparalleled innovation and compassion that defines healthcare delivery in Connecticut. 
The event marked the return of CHA’s traditional Annual Meeting since before the pandemic. The meeting included a recognition of the October 2021 Chairman transition, which occurred at a time when a large formal gathering was not possible during the pandemic. The meeting featured remarks from CHA’s Immediate Past Chairman John M. Murphy, MD, President and CEO of Nuvance Health and current Chairman of the Board Christopher M. O’Connor, President and Chief Executive Officer of Yale New Haven Health.
Dr. Murphy reflected on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the role of CHA and all Connecticut hospitals and health systems in responding to unprecedented challenges.
“The people of our state owe a debt of gratitude to all of you - our incredible hospitals, our CHA team and our state’s leadership,” said Dr. Murphy. “Not only did we allow science to lead our decisions, but we successfully leveraged the trust we have built over so many years to share best practices and scarce resources, limit the spread of misinformation, and quiet the fear of the unknown. We worked hand in hand with government leaders to save countless lives in the midst of a once-in-a-lifetime crisis.”
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HA Board Chairman Christopher M. O’Connor addressed the gathering, highlighting how the collaborative spirit and action that guided hospitals and health systems through the pandemic, enables care providers to continue to succeed in a volatile, changing, and unprecedented landscape. He also discussed the significant and continued contributions of Connecticut hospitals and health systems
“The contributions of hospitals and health systems to Connecticut are all-encompassing, contributing over $35 billion to the state and local economies, providing $2.7 billion in community investments, and generating nearly 230,000 jobs,” said Chairman O’Connor.
Looking ahead, Chairman O’Connor emphasized CHA’s commitment to building a sustainable affordable healthcare system to meet the needs of all patients in an ever-evolving market. That means elevating collective work to innovate in delivery and payment models, to reimagine Medicaid, and to reenergize hospitals’ and health systems’ high reliability work as part of their ongoing commitment to patients.
“Challenges lie ahead. But we are ready for them, because we have grown stronger together. We have hurt, we have faced loss, and we have changed, in many ways for the better,” said O’Connor.
Jennifer Jac
kson, CHA CEO, also addressed the gathering. She spoke to the extraordinary work of Connecticut hospitals and caregivers in responding to the previously unimaginable and painful challenges of the pandemic. Jackson also touched on the strength of working together to support a resolute vision to support and transform healthcare delivery in Connecticut.
CHA presented the 2023 John D. Thompson Award for Excellence in the Delivery of Healthcare Through the Use of Data to Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital for its NICU Network Project to Reduce Potentially Unnecessary Testing. Learn more about the project by watching the award video here.
CHA and the Connecticut Department of Public Health awarded the 2023 Connecticut’s Hospital Community Service Award to Saint Francis Hospital for their Hospital Violence Intervention Program (HVIP). Learn more about the program by watching the award video here.
CHA also presented the 2023 Healthcare Heroes Award to all colleagues working in hospitals and health systems across the state in recognition of their steadfast and exemplary work in responding to the pandemic, inviting representatives from each acute care hospital to accept the award on behalf of their colleagues. Click here to watch a video honoring Connecticut’s caregivers and recognizing all healthcare workers as the 2023 Healthcare Heroes.
Exc
eptional leadership was also recognized, with the establishment of the Marna P. Borgstrom Leadership Award to honor leaders who epitomize the highest levels of excellence and achievement in such a way that others are inspired to excel to support the health of all Connecticut residents.
The inaugural award was presented to Marna Borgstrom, in recognition of not only her 43-year career at Yale New Haven Health, but also the enduring impact of her leadership as it continues to benefit Connecticut, CHA, countless patients, and has inspired the next generation of healthcare leaders to carry on a legacy of excellence and devotion to patient care.
Following the conclusion of the business meeting, guests enjoyed the keynote address and Q&A with Dan Hurley, head coach of the UConn Huskies men's basketball team, the 2023 NCAA Champions. Coach Hurley discussed leadership, hardship, and being passionate about what you do, when faced with near impossible challenges.
CHA gratefully acknowledges the generous Annual Meeting sponsorship of Platinum Sponsor Kaufman Hall.
