05/06/2002
(HARTFORD, Conn.) -- An advocate for the homeless who was killed at a local shelter in September was posthumously honored today by Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center.
Paul Laffin, who was the associate director of residential services at Hartford's Saint Elizabeth House, was named a recipient of the hospital's Spirit Award during Saint Francis' annual meeting.
Announcing the award, David D'Eramo, Ph.D., the hospital's president and chief executive officer, noted that Laffin had been a tireless advocate for Hartford's neediest residents.
"His personal mission of service to our community was a shining example of the best that humanity has to offer," said Dr. D'Eramo.
Laffin, 42, was fatally stabbed on Sept. 20 when attacked outside the shelter for the homeless. A former seminarian, he was active in the Sisters of Mercy Associates and had worked for the Mercy Housing & Shelter Group, the shelter's operator, for the past 10 years.
In presenting the award to Laffin's mother, Margaret Laffin, Dr. D'Eramo noted that he had met her son through their mutual participation in the Archdiocese of Hartford's Chi Rho youth service program.
"He was a young man who contributed so much to our community in such a brief time," Dr. D'Eramo said.
Established in 1992, the Spirit Award is presented annually to those individuals who demonstrate an unfailing commitment to Saint Francis' mission. Laffin is the first person who was not directly associated with the hospital to be named a recipient of the award. However, Dr. D'Eramo noted that Laffin's ministry embraced the hospitals core values of caring hearts and healing hands.
"There was certainly no heart more caring or hands more willing to toil on behalf of those among us whose lives and spirits are broken," said Dr. D'Eramo.
Also receiving Spirit Awards today were Robert Jeresaty, M.D., of West Hartford, who served as director of the hospital's Section of Cardiology for 37 years, and Rev. Msgr. Charles Johnson, vice chairman of Saint Francis' Board of Directors and the Archdiocese of Hartford's vicar for priests.
Founded in 1897, Saint Francis is licensed for 617 acute inpatient beds and 65 bassinets and is the largest Catholic hospital in New England.
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