Hartford HealthCare Contact Information
Hartford HealthCare welcomes inquiries from media outlets. Someone is always available to take your calls. We ask that all journalists call us before contacting a physician, an employee, a patient or volunteer at any Hartford HealthCare facility.
Need An Expert?
Our News Service, an Emmy-winning newsgathering team with more than two decades of experience, can connect you with nationally renowned experts.
We are also an active health newsroom that produces high-quality health news content available for distribution on several platforms: online, in print, radio or broadcast.
Rebecca Stewart
Director, News Service
860.972.4285 (phone)
860.726.8283 (cell)
rebecca.stewart@hhchealth.org
Tina Varona 
Manager, News Service
860.972.4475 (phone)
860.310.7640 (cell)
tina.varona@hhchealth.org
Learn More
Media Contacts
Shawn Mawhiney
Director, Communications
860.634.3383
Shawn.Mawhiney@hhchealth.org
Steve Coates
Senior Communications Specialist
860.634.4477
Steve.Coates@hhchealth.org
Hospitals
Pamela Cruz
860.681.8161
Pamela.Cruz@hhchealth.org
Matthew Clyburn
860.500.0464
Matthew.Clyburn@hhchealth.org
Patient Condition Inquiries
860.545.4200
Learn more >>
Amanda Blaszyk
860.937.4726
Amanda.Blaszyk@hhchealth.org
Corey Hirth
860.471.3845
Corey.Hirth@hhchealth.org
Sue McDonald
860.874.2196
Susan.McDonald@hhchealth.org
Outpatient Services:
Melissa Dethlefsen
860.696.2533
Melissa.Dethlefsen@hhchealth.org
Melissa Dethlefsen
860.696.2533
Melissa.Dethlefsen@hhchealth.org
Hartford HealthCare Behavioral Health Network:
Shawn Mawhiney
Director, Communications
860.634.3383
Shawn.Mawhiney@hhchealth.org
Senior Health Services:
Erika Stinson
860.378.1238
StinsonE@ctseniorcare.org
Physician Practices:
Wheatley Wentzell
860.972.7704
Wheatley.Wentzell@hhchealth.org
Release of Patient Information
Privacy regulations issued by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) strictly govern the use and release of a patient's personal health information. As a member of the media, here is what you need to know if you want information about a Hospital HealthCare patient:
- Media Relations must first check to see that the patient has not secured his/her privacy, in which case we would be unable to release any information. Patients have the right to deny the release of information about their condition. For a minor, the parent or guardian has the authority to make that decision.
- You must have the patient's first and last name before we can release a condition. Without a name, condition reports can't be released.
- If you have the patient's first and last name, the only information that may be released to the media is a one-word condition report.
- Patients have the right to deny the release of any information about their condition - even that one-word condition report. For a minor, the parent or guardian has the authority to make that decision.
- To protect patient confidentiality, patients must sign a release form before reporters can interview them or their doctors about issues specific to their care.
- To protect the privacy of all other patients and families, a member of our media relations team must accompany all reporters and photographers at any Hartford HealthCare facility.
Here are the one-word patient conditions we can release:
Good
Vital signs are stable and within normal limits. Patient is conscious and comfortable; indicators are excellent.
Fair
Vital signs are stable and within normal limits. Patient is conscious but may be uncomfortable; indicators are favorable.
Serious
Vital signs may be unstable and not within normal limits. Patient is acutely ill; indicators are questionable.
Critical
Vital signs are unstable and not within normal limits. Patient may not be conscious; indicators are unfavorable.