United Technologies Donates $1.5 Million to Create New Family Resource Center at Connecticut Children's Medical Center

Jan 22, 2015 2:00 PM ET

A $1.5 million grant from United Technologies Corp.(UTC) will support the construction and staffing of a new family resource center at Connecticut Children’s Medical Center. The new facility will provide expanded resources to help families better understand and manage their children’s health and medical care.

The new United Technologies Family Resource Center will be centrally located within Connecticut Children’s main campus in Hartford. It will serve as the heart of the medical center, providing information and services that support comprehensive family-centered care for patients and their families.  Construction will begin in February 2015 and be completed later in the year.

“Coming in for medical care can be an isolating experience for families,” said Martin Gavin, president and CEO of Connecticut Children’s Medical Center. “At present, there is no centralized space designed for families to gain knowledge and support as they navigate their care journey and move from diagnosis through treatment. The creation of the United Technologies Family Resource Center will provide this exceptional space for all of Connecticut Children’s patient families, and for that we are extremely grateful,” he said.

“United Technologies has a long history of supporting leading institutions in our community and is proud to partner with Connecticut Children’s Medical Center,” said Gregory Hayes, UTC President & CEO.  “When completed, the Family Center will serve as a valuable new resource for children, parents and caregivers in our community and we are honored to support Connecticut Children’s investment in improving patient care.” 

Care Components
At the center, families will have access to a specialized Medical Resource Librarian and highly trained volunteers to answer questions and assist with research. In addition, families will have access to a Family Library, Children’s Library, Family Learning Center and Hospitality Center. These provide dedicated space for families to read, relax, watch a movie, or send a quick e-mail to family and friends.

The United Technologies Family Resource Center aligns with Connecticut Children’s core value of family-centered care, empowering families to find the information and support they need to collaborate with their health care providers in a comfortable environment that acknowledges families’ diverse values and cultural traditions.

Every Patient and Family Will Benefit
Whether a family is visiting Connecticut Children’s for a single outpatient appointment or an extended inpatient stay, they will have access to support services that will meet their special needs at the new United Technologies Family Resource Center. 

“Connecticut Children’s has always had a vision to create this space for our families,” said Gavin. “As our clinical services have expanded to care for kids who require more complex care, the need for this resource has increased. United Technologies’ partnership with us will both allow for the creation of the space and ensure that all services are offered free of charge to families.”

About United Technologies Corp.
United Technologies, based in Hartford, Conn. and provides high technology products and services to the building and aerospace industries worldwide. For more information, visit our website at www.utc.com or follow us on Twitter: @UTC. In addition to supporting Connecticut Children's Medical Center, UTC has contributed millions to non-profit organizations throughout Connecticut, including the United Way, Yale Cancer Center, Connecticut’s colleges and universities, and many more.

To learn more about UTC’s commitments in the communities where it operates visit www.utc.com/makethingsbetter.

About Connecticut Children’s Medical Center
Connecticut Children's Medical Center is a nationally recognized, 187-bed not-for-profit children's hospital serving as the primary teaching hospital for the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine. Named among the best in the nation for two of its pediatric specialties in the annual U.S. News & World Report "Best Children's Hospitals" rankings, Connecticut Children's is the only free-standing children's hospital in Connecticut that offers comprehensive, world-class health care to children. Our pediatric services are available at Connecticut Children's Medical Center in Hartford and at Saint Mary's Hospital in Waterbury, with neonatal intensive care units at Hartford Hospital and the University of Connecticut Health Center, along with a state-of-the-art ambulatory surgery center, five specialty care centers and 11 other locations across the state. Connecticut Children's has a medical staff of nearly 1,100 practicing in more than 30 specialties.

For more information, visit www.connecticutchildrens.org or connect with us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/connecticutchildrens and Twitter at www.twitter.com/ctchildrens.

MEDIA CONTACT: 
Monica Buchanan
Media & Public Relations Manager
(860) 837-5701
MBuchanan@connecticutchildrens.org