Trinity Health Of New England Colleagues Honored as Health Care Heroes

Rebecca Lobo helps celebrate Dan Keenan, Minda Muong, Sue Downs and Dr. Karl Hellstrand at the Connecticut Hospital Association Annual Meeting.

The Connecticut Hospital Association event honored Health Care Heroes from hospitals throughout the state. 

Trinity Health Of New England colleagues, Karl Hellstrand, D.O., Physician Leader, Pediatrics, Saint Mary’s Hospital; Minda Muong, Interventional Radiology Team Lead, Saint Francis Hospital; and Susan Downs, Engineering Coordinator, Facilities and Engineering, Johnson Memorial Hospital, received recognition as Health Care Heroes, while Daniel Keenan, JD, Regional Vice President, Advocacy and Government Relations, was named the Grassroots Champion.

Dr. Hellstrand was nominated for his outstanding leadership in advancing pediatric emergency care at Saint Mary’s. Since joining in 2017, Dr. Hellstrand has transformed services for the region’s only dedicated pediatric emergency department, implementing lifesaving protocols, enhancing outcomes, and strengthening partnerships with Connecticut Children's, Saint Francis, and Yale.

He introduced simulation training to improve emergency response and helped Saint Mary’s join national initiatives like the Emergency Medical Services for Children (EMSC) program and the Pediatric Readiness Quality Collaborative—raising the hospital’s pediatric readiness score from 70 to 91. His vision and commitment have elevated care for the community’s youngest patients and positioned Saint Mary’s as a leader in pediatric emergency medicine.

Minda Muong was chosen as the Saint Francis honoree for her exceptional leadership, unwavering positivity, and deep commitment to her team and patients. Minda, who has been a member of the radiology team for over 35 years, has guided the interventional radiology department through numerous transitions, often stepping up during staffing challenges and taking on multiple responsibilities from managing inventory and schedules to mentoring new technologists. Her passion for Saint Francis and dedication to patient care truly set her apart.

Sue Downs has served as Engineering Coordinator at Johnson for the past 10 years, Sue has supporting Facilities and Engineering while also making a meaningful impact in the Stafford community. In addition to managing regulatory documentation and vendor coordination, Sue is deeply involved in local service efforts inspired by her family’s legacy of care.

She leads Johnson’s annual toy drive for the Stafford Holiday Gift Assistance Program—delivering four carloads of toys in 2024—and organizes diaper drives for the Stafford Family Resource Center. Sue also participates in local collaborative efforts focused on supporting children and families. Her simple motto, “I love to help people,” reflects a lifetime of service and compassion.

Dan Keenan was chosen by CHA as the 2025 Grassroots Champion. The award recognizes hospital leaders who effectively educate local, state, and national elected officials, policymakers, and other advocates on major issues affecting their hospital or health system’s vital role in the community. The award recognizes those who have done an exemplary job in broadening the base of community support for their hospital or health system and who tirelessly advocate for their hospital or health system and its patients.

The evening’s keynote speaker was WNBA All-Star and former UConn women’s basketball player Rebecca Lobo. Lobo has been actively involved in the community with various philanthropic endeavors, including founding the RuthAnn and Rebecca Lobo Scholarship in Allied Health at UConn. She shared stories and reflections about her journey and experiences with health care in Connecticut.