Roughly 250 Saint Mary’s Hospital leaders, colleagues and friends gathered on Saturday, March 15 for the Dancing in Denim event held at La Bella Vista in Waterbury. The event garnered nearly $8,000 for the Colleague Crisis and Care Funds. The evening also offered colleagues the opportunity to provide a grand farewell to Kim Kalajainen, former president of Saint Mary’s. Kim attended the event and expressed her appreciation to friends and colleagues. In addition to a delicious meal and dancing, participants were able to bid on silent auction items and take a chance at winning a raffle basket.
Around 250 Saint Mary's leaders, colleagues, and friend gathered for the Dancing in Denim event that raised nearly $8,000 for the Colleague Crisis and Care Funds.
The Colleague Care Fund was established to support colleague care efforts such as comfort carts, the creation of tranquility rooms and other programs that promote safety, health and well-being. The Colleague Crisis Fund was established to assist colleagues who need aid when they experience a financial emergency.
Many community members were also in attendance. According to Carmelina Calabrese, Patient Relations Specialist at Saint Mary’s, several Waterbury area residents confirmed their desire to join the Patient and Family Advisory Council (PFAC) at Saint Mary’s. PFAC is a group of volunteers, where patients and families join hospital staff to provide guidance on how to improve the patient and family experience. To learn more about PFAC visit https://www.trinityhealthofne.org/for-patients/patient-and-family-advisory-council or call (203)709-6559.
