Saint Mary’s celebrates Long-time Partnership with Local Bakery

Kim Kalajainen, President, Shawna Edwards, MSN, RN, Chief Nursing Officer and Husnain Kermalli, M.D., Chief Medical Officer present Honorary Colleague of the Month certificate to Maria Sanchez.

Saint Mary’s celebrated long-time friend Maria Sanchez on Friday, December 1. Honored as Entrepreneur of the Year by the Waterbury Regional Chamber, Maria, founder and owner of Sweet Maria’s, has been a supporter of her community and of Saint Mary’s since she opened the bakery in 1990. On Friday, the Executive Leadership Team recognized Maria as Saint Mary’s Hospital Honorary Colleague of the Month!

The Waterbury Regional Chamber presented Maria with the “Entrepreneur of the Year Award” in October. The award recognized her for achieving excellence as a small business in Greater Waterbury. Within nine years of opening the bakery, Sweet Maria’s doubled the size of its space and currently employs twelve full-time staff and seasonal help. Sweet Maria’s success can be based on the delicious sweets Maria learned how to make from her mother and grandmother, as well as her personable nature and support of community non-profits and organizations. She published her first cookbook, “Sweet Maria’s Italian Cookie Tray,” in 1995 and has since published several other baking books.