Waterbury Hospital

Craig Mittleman, MD, of Newtown, director of emergency services at Waterbury Hospital, has been appointed president of the Connecticut Chapter of American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP), which promotes the highest standards of patient care through advocacy and leadership efforts. ACEP represents more than 22,000 physician members and is the country’s oldest and largest emergency medicine organization. Dr Mittleman has directed emergency services at Waterbury Hospital since 2000. The service handled 55,000 patient visits in 2003, a 20 percent increase in three years. Prior to joining Waterbury Hospital, Dr. Mittleman served as an attending physician in the Norwalk Hospital Emergency Department. A graduate of the University of Utah and the University of Utah School of Medicine, Dr Mittleman completed a residency in emergency medicine at the Medical College of Pennsylvania. His special interests include pediatric emergency medicine, education, public relations, and risk management

Edward Kwasnik, MD, director of surgery, was elected Connecticut representative to the executive committee of the New England Surgical Society. The professional organization represents 300 general surgeons in leadership roles throughout New England. He was elected by his peers to a six-year term. Dr Kwasnik has served as the director of the Department of Surgery at Waterbury Hospital since 1993. He is also director of the Surgical Residency Program at the hospital, an assistant clinical professor of surgery at Yale University School of Medicine and the University of Connecticut School of Medicine.   

            

Danbury Hospital

Stuart Bussell, MD, a surgeon specializing in colorectal surgery, has earned certification in colorectal surgery from the American Board of Colon and Rectal Surgery, in addition to his certification in general surgery by the American Board of Surgery. Appointed to Danbury Hospital in 2002, Dr Bussell is one of several physicians spearheading the development of the hospital’s multidisciplinary program for the prevention, detection, and treatment of primary and metastatic colorectal cancer. Dr. Bussell performs a variety of procedures to treat cancers and other colorectal problems, including laparoscopic colon surgery, endoscopic ultrasound for staging of rectal cancer, rectal surgery, and procedures for benign anorectal diseases and incontinence. Earlier this year, he performed Danbury Hospital’s first hand-sewn (very low rectal resection) surgery, which allowed the patient to avoid a permanent colostomy and enhanced the patient’s quality of life after surgery.

Catherine Andrew, MA, BS, RN, has been appointed administrative director of Women’s Services and Children’s Services, which includes the Family Birth Center, Perinatal Test Center, Pediatrics, Women’s Health Center, and the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. While managing the overall operation of these programs and services, Ms Andrew will focus her efforts on business planning, quality improvement, and team development to support continuous improvement in clinical care and customer service to patients.

Joseph R. Gordon, MD, FACS, has been named do-director of the Breast Care Program at the hospital with Vijay Patil, MD. Dr Karen Kovacs, the former co-director, will stay actively involved in breast care while also restructuring the hospital’s trauma program. The Breast Care Program, instituted at the hospital in 2001, offers improved access to care and services for women undergoing screening, diagnosis, and treatment for breast cancer. Dr Gordon is a board-certified surgeon with a special interest in breast ultrasonography, surgical oncology, and laparoscopic surgery, joined the hospital last year in general surgery and as a member of the Breast Care Initiative Steering Committee.

Hui Ling (Lynn) Deng, MD, FAAP, a board certified pediatrician, has joined Dr John H. Gundy’s practice, as a practicing pediatrician at Brookfield Pediatrics, LLC, located at 300 Federal Road. Previously she was a practicing pediatrician in Michigan. She speaks fluent English and Mandarin Chinese and comprehends Cantonese Chinese.

Yale-New Haven Hospital

Cynthia Nielsen, a Newtown resident, was among a distinguished group of employees who were recently honored as Yale-New Haven Hospital All-Stars. The awards were given to employees who were recognized by patients and their families for the care they gave to a patient while he or she was cared for at Yale-New Haven Hospital. Ms Nielsen works in the hospital’s psychiatry unit.

Connecticut Family Orthopedics

Gabriel J. Carubia, practice administrator, Connecticut Family Orthopedics, has gained admission as a nominee to the American College of Medical Practices Executives (ACMPE). Connecticut Family Orthopedics, located in Danbury and Ridgefield, includes six orthopedic surgeons, a podiatrist, and three physician assistants.