09/18/2007
(HARTFORD, Conn.) The Hartford Regional Lead Treatment Center/Lead Safe House Program, which is headquartered at Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center, was a 2007 finalist for a NOVA award from the American Hospital Association.
The application submitted by Saint Francis was one of 10 finalists for the prestigious national awards that honor innovative, collaborative projects that are focused on improving community health status.
Being selected as a finalist for a NOVA award is recognition of the vital service that the Lead Treatment Center provides to families that are dealing with the devastating effects of lead poisoning,� said Christopher M. Dadlez, the Hospitals President and Chief Executive Officer.
The Hartford Regional Lead Treatment Center serves patients at both Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center and the Connecticut Childrens Medical Center.
The program also collaborates with the Connecticut Department of Public Health, the Connecticut Citizen Research Group and Lead Action for Medicaid Primary Prevention.
The Center, which was expanded to a regional program in 1993, screens more than 5,000 children yearly for symptoms of lead poisoning. Since it was established in 1994, the Lead Safe House has provided temporary housing for more than 500 children who have been unable to return to their homes because of high lead levels.
Lead exposure continues to be a significant health risk to the children of North Central Connecticut because so many of the regions housing units were constructed before lead paint was banned,� said Lisa Menillo, M.D., the Centers Medical Director. Being named a finalist for the NOVA award is a reflection of the effectiveness of our program.�
Founded in 1897, Saint Francis is a major teaching hospital licensed for 617 acute inpatient beds and 65 bassinets and is the largest Catholic hospital in New England.
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