The William W. Backus Hospital
VIDEOS
Backus Safety Camp 2012
Backus Safety Camp 2012 took place Saturday, May 19, and was a great success. The weather was perfect and there were nearly 500 visitors who were able to meet many of our local emergency responders and learn about health and safety issues. The event is organized by the Backus Trauma and EMS Departments and American Ambulance. View this photo gallery for a glimpse at this popular community event.
Backus Safety Camp 2012
Backus Safety Camp 2012 took place Saturday, May 19, and was a great success. The weather was perfect and there were nearly 500 visitors who were able to meet many of our local emergency responders and learn about health and safety issues. The event is organized by the Backus Trauma and EMS Departments and American Ambulance. View this photo gallery for a glimpse at this popular community event.
Nurses Week 2012
National Nurses Week, May 6-12, is a time to thank, recognize and pay tribute to our nurses for all they do to improve the health of our patients. Watch this animated slideshow of Backus nurses in action.
Miracles
The theme of this year's National Hospital Week is "Making Miracles Happen". This video shows a few of the talented and dedicated professionals who make miracles happen everyday at Backus.
The Season for Sneezin'
The early unseasonably warm weather has sent pollen counts soaring. Jan Akus, MD, a member of the Backus Medical Staff, talks about the options and medications that have helped the majority of people who suffer from allergies.
One Small Step at a Time
Matthew Crowe's journey to recovery following a serious accident continues to amaze his family, friends and those who cared for him at Backus. In the past year we have followed Matt from the earliest signs of recovery to walking with assistance just a few weeks ago. The staff at Backus has been behind him every step of the way. Follow Matt on his journey, one small step at a time.
Tips for talking with your doctor
The latest Backus Enjoy LIFE (Lifelong Investment in Fitness and Exercise) program in Plainfield Jan. 23 focused on how to talk to your doctor, how to choose a healthcare provider and the importance of medical homes. Ramindra Walia, MD, Medical Director at United Community & Family Services and a member of the Backus Medical Staff, offered tips to get the most out of your relationship with healthcare providers.
Dr. David Katz offers hope to curb obesity
"Obesity is our greatest health concern in this country and most out of control," said David Katz, MD, a nationally known nutrition expert who spoke Wednesday to a group of community leaders, social service agencies and healthcare professionals in Norwich. Dr. Katz brought an eye-opening awareness to the heath issues that plague our nation, and also offered a variety of solutions that could help reduce heart attacks by 80%, diabetes by 90% and cancer by 60%.
Big Chance Heals Patients
Chance, the latest and, at 160 pounds, the largest dog in the Pet Therapy program at Backus, started his first day as a volunteer by receiving his official badge and then visiting various floors of the hospital where he put a big smile on the faces of patients and staff. Pet therapy dogs can help in the healing process of patients, and on his first day Chance made a big impression.
2011: The Year in Pictures
Backus made lots of headlines in 2011, which made picking top stories of the year particularly difficult. In this video slideshow, you'll see images from the top five we chose, as well as many more photos taken during the past year. See a listing of the top five stories in the News section of our website.
Happy Holidays from Backus
You could see it in the faces of children from the Backus Childcare Center as they wrapped gifts for their "adopted" family. And patients and staff smiled as they listened to a group of carolers and musicians led by Dr. Thomas Lesnik. There have been many signs of the holiday spirit throughout Backus. We wish you a happy, and healthy, holiday.
Silk Soy Nog Cheesecake
Ah, cheesecake for the holidays. Great taste, great holiday tradition, and lots of calories. Guess again! This new version of an eggnog cheesecake is made with silk soy nog with about one quarter of the fat and calories. Combine that with a reduced fat crust and the result is a dessert that is still full of taste but lighter on the calories. A healthy alternative for the dessert table. This is the last of a series of three holiday cooking videos by Backus Registered Dietitian Shannon Haynes.
Sweet Scalloped Potatoes
Holiday meals are a wonderful tradition, but the calories add up fast. Backus Registered Dietitian Shannon Haynes shows how to make delicious and low-fat scalloped potatoes using a combination of red and Yukon Gold potatoes along with sweet potatoes which add a lot of vitamins to this dish. By using low-fat milk and low-fat cheddar cheese in the recipe, Shannon shows how to cut back on the calories. This is the second in a series of three holiday cooking videos.
Healthy Roasted Nuts
This recipe features a variety of nuts mixed with seasonings and baked to a golden brown. The result is a healthier snack or gift for friends and families instead of the traditional cookies and sweets offered during the holidays. This is the first in a series of three holiday cooking videos.
Helping Cancer Patients During the Holidays
The holidays can be a difficult and stressful time for cancer patients who are undergoing treatments. Elynor Carey, an oncology social worker in the Backus Hospital Care Management Department, offers five tips in this video that will help cancer patients and their families during this time of the year.
2011: A Busy Year at Backus
Construction of an Emergency Department in Plainfield. A health program dealing with obesity in young people. A successful weight loss program. Hurricanes and blizzards. It's been a busy year at Backus and in the community. See just a few of the highlights in this animated slide show.
We Are Family
Nineteen stunning models, all breast cancer survivors, took to the stage at Foxwood's Fox Theater Thursday, October 20, for a great night of hope and inspiration during the 2011 Survivors in Fashion Extravaganza. The overall message for the night was about the support provided by family and friends as well as the excellent care provided by the Backus Cancer Center. Watch the video to see a few highlights from the event and also view a photo gallery from the event at backushospital.org/multimedia
Backus TV ad highlights Cancer Center
Backus Hospital's latest television commercial focuses on its Cancer Center. The center, in collaboration with Eastern Connecticut Hematology & Oncology Associates, Yale and other partners, provides the best care close to home.
Script for Health
This summer and fall Backus collaborated with United Community & Family Services and Generations Family Health Center on a new program, Rx for Health, in which physicians “prescribed” farmers’ markets for children who are obese or at risk to be obese. The hospital is underwriting the cost through donations to its annual fund, which is focusing on obesity. Watch the video and find out more about how the program worked.
Cancer Survivors Day 2011
Cancer survivors, their families, friends and caregivers gathered for a special day to celebrate life and the future during Cancer Survivors Day 2011 at Backus Saturday, Oct. 1. Speakers included M. Jodi Rell, former Governor of Connecticut, and Rose Gerber, Director of Patient Advocacy for Community Oncology Alliance Patient Advocacy Network. Both women spoke about their own experience dealing with cancer. Listen to what they had to say.
An Apple A Day
Apples are at their best this time of year and Backus has been celebrating the apple harvest by featuring a variety of fresh local apples and also apple-themed items on the Backus café's hot food menu as well as dessert options. The Backus Child Care center children have been studying apples and one of our Food and Nutrition experts created a fun, edible apple creation. Watch the video and find out more.
PHOTO GALLERIES
Nightingale Awards Night 2012
Eleven Backus nurses were recognized along with many of their peers from the region during the 2012 Nightingale Awards Event that took place May 10 at the Mystic Marriott in Groton. View the photo gallery to see several photos from the gala event.
View photos »
PODCASTS

Wellness Programs
Children are impressionable and often emulate both the positive and negative behaviors of adults. Health and fitness habits ... Listen to the podcast »
Turf Toe
Toe injuries are not often associated with the need to remove an athlete from a contest. Turf toe is a painful foot injury th... Listen to the podcast »

