News from Wheeler

Here are links to recent news stories highlighting federal-level funding developments and short- and longer-term impact on community health centers in Connecticut.

With a new $250,000, multiyear grant, The Cigna Group Foundation is expanding access to health care in Hartford through a partnership with Wheeler Health.

Valerie Fusco, a pediatric LPN for Wheeler's Susan Walkama Family Health & Wellness Center in Hartford, received the organization's second annual Ethics & Integrity Award. Valerie was nominated by her peers as part of the 2024 Health Care Compliance Association’s Corporate Compliance & Ethics week, November 3 through 9.

"Now, it's just a whole different perspective."

Wheeler Health has announced a $110,000 grant from the Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation. The funds will support the “Walk With Me” program at its Family Health & Wellness centers in Hartford, New Britain, Plainville, and Waterbury, Connecticut, and extend the program and its services to Wheeler’s Bristol, Connecticut, center.

The new year is approaching, and a Wheeler Celebrate Bristol 2025 calendar might be just what you need! Calendars are available for free while supplies last at Wheeler’s Family Health & Wellness Center at One Hope Street, and other locations in the city.

Violet Pastorkova-Jaouen, RDN, CD-N has joined Wheeler’s Family Health & Wellness Center as a registered dietitian nutritionist . Violet comes with 18 years of nutrition and 24 years of dietetic experience, including providing nutritional assessments, education, and counsleing to a broad range of patients with varied diseases and conditions.

Wheeler Health has begun its first residency program for nurse practitioners and physician assistants, designed to cultivate clinical leaders in community health.

Daniel Melchor, LCSW, integrated care supervisor at the Wheeler Family Health & Wellness Center in Waterbury, recently sat with NBC Connecticut and Telemundo to discuss how to manage anxiety and stress in these turbulent times.

An innovative non-pharmaceutical treatment for depression and anxiety is now available in Bristol and New Britain.

Dr. Joshua Jones, a primary care physician at Wheeler Health’s Family Health & Wellness Center in Hartford, has been named a Healthcare Hero by the Hartford Business Journal.

A highly experienced, American Board of Family Medicine-certified, osteopathically trained family physician has moved to Connecticut to become the lead physician at Wheeler’s Family Health & Wellness Center in Bristol.

Pregnant and parenting women with substance use issues and their families can access recovery resources, behavioral health, primary care, and additional supports through Wheeler’s Women’s REACH program (Recovery, Engagement, Access, Coaching & Healing).

Rita Demo, MPH, LMFT, has been named vice president of Community, Crisis, and Prevention Services for Wheeler, providing clinical and administrative supervision for more than 25 programs.

On July 30, more than 200 community leaders, donors, supporters, friends, and employees attended a remarkable celebration of Wheeler’s One Hope Street headquarters and health center, which will begin primary care services on August 13 and all other services beginning on August 19.