Americares Honors Danbury Hospital & Affiliates For Work At The Free Clinic

DANBURY — AmeriCares, the international disaster relief organization, recently honored Danbury Hospital for its support of the AmeriCares Free Clinic of Danbury. This was the first year that the domestic programs at AmeriCares recognized an organization that had made a significant contribution to a program.

Since the Main Street clinic opened in 1997, Danbury Hospital, Danbury Office of Physician Services, Danbury Radiological Associates, and several community doctors have provided in-kind patient services. In addition, the hospital also provides lab, X-ray and diagnostic testing services, and a diabetes and nutrition program. George Terranova, MD, chairman of Emergency Medicine at Danbury Hospital, serves as the volunteer medical director of the clinic.

“Danbury Hospital has been generous beyond belief,” said Karen Gottlieb, executive director of the clinic. “We really couldn’t ask for anything more. Its support is really unprecedented. No other hospital provides the same range and quantity of services.”

“Danbury Hospital proudly supports the AmeriCares Free Clinic here in Danbury,” said Dr Terranova. “Emergency physicians and PAs, as well as numerous physicians and nurses from this community, have acted as staff at the clinic and provided consultative services, lab, and imaging services. The clinic has made a significant impact on the health and well-being of the patients we see who might not have gotten into the healthy-care system without the clinic.”

Ms Gottlieb estimates that the hospital and its affiliates have contributed more than $500,000 in in-kind services, mostly in patient exams and treatment, and diagnostic services.

Hospital President and CEO Frank Kelly received the award at the Tribute to the American Spirit event in New Canaan recently from Congressman Christopher Shays, who represents lower Fairfield County. Norwalk Hospital was also honored.