Hartford Healthcare Finds New Ways to Engage Its Community

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Hartford HealthCare (HHC) is dedicated to improving the health and well-being of Connecticut residents through extensive community outreach initiatives. These programs address health disparities, enhance access to care, and promote healthier lifestyles, including an innovative Neighborhood Health Program aimed at providing more equitable care to vulnerable communities.

HHC conducts systematic, data-driven Community Health Needs Assessments (CHNA) to identify disparities and prioritize resources for maximum impact. These CHNA assessments then inform the development of Community Health Improvement Plans (CHIPs), which focus on improving health access, promoting healthy behaviors and lifestyles, and enhancing coordination of healthcare services.

Providing more healthcare access is exemplified by HHC’s Neighborhood Health Program (NHP), which brings services directly to patients in underserved communities. The NHP operates mobile “CareVans,” which serve as daytime health clinics at weekly locations across Connecticut. The CareVans offer health screenings for conditions like diabetes and cancer, mental health counseling, medical referrals, education, and vaccinations.

The program is a strong first step in preventing severe health outcomes. It also connects patients with chronic conditions to specialized care centers for better disease management and provides immediate dental care referrals for patients in need.

The NHP was created in collaboration with community partners and is looking to extend its services with walk-in options for patients.

HHC also invests in community benefit initiatives that provide services, education, and healthcare access free of charge. The health system has partnered with Wholesome Wave, a nonprofit focused on nutrition and access to fresh food, to help address food insecurity. The Wholesome Communities Connecticut initiative provides financial resources for residents to purchase fresh produce.

HHC also has initiatives that stretch beyond traditional healthcare settings. Its own medical mission initiative doubles down on the outreach work to underserved communities, and its Meriden Opioid Referral for Recovery (MORR) program helps those in addiction recovery.

Community outreach can also be found among the leadership at HHC. Rosemary Sheehan, executive vice president and chief people officer (CPO), serves as chairperson for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Massachusetts’ board of directors. Sheehan’s career spans more than three decades, including nearly twenty-five years at Mass General Brigham, one of the nation’s leading healthcare systems.

The EVP joined HHC in 2024 as the organization’s inaugural CPO. In her role, Sheehan is instrumental in shaping HHC’s workforce strategy and living its mission of high-quality care. The executive is focused on employee well-being and professional development while enhancing its ability to attract top talent in a highly competitive healthcare market.

Sheehan previously served as chief human resources officer at Mass General Brigham from 2017 to 2023, the largest private employer in Massachusetts with 82,000 employees.

In 2024, HHC received “Bronze” recognition from the American Medical Association’s Joy in Medicine program. The program was created to empower health systems to reduce burnout. It was an early win for Sheehan, but certainly not the last on her watch.

Sheehan most recently celebrated HHC’s rollout of its virtual primary care platform, HHC 24/7. The new app allows patients to connect with primary care experts twenty-four hours a day with both virtual and in-person care options. Yet again, HHC is aimed at making healthcare more accessible and more affordable for everyone.

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