Annual Report 2004
United in Our Vision

Backus Hospital’s vision extends well beyond the boundaries of its campus. A strong focus on providing health education takes us into the hearts of the communities we serve. At Backus, providing eastern Connecticut with timely, vital and innovative health programs is part of our mission, central to our vision and part of our culture.

Our department of Nursing and Community Education provided more than 230 community health education sessions last year, and touched the lives of more than 6,500 people. Their tools: a variety of special events, lectures, and free screenings designed to stop health problems before they start. The Backus Mobile Health Resource Center, a “health center on wheels,” provided through a generous donation from the Harold Ross Institute for Preventative Care, brings health information to the public in dozens of locations each month.

We have brought breast cancer information to the NAACP Health Fair; blood pressure screenings to the American Heart Walk; prescription drug interaction seminars outside Wal-Mart. In conjunction with Generations Family Health Center, one of our affiliates, Backus has made possible quality and compassionate healthcare services to the area’s homeless.

In these ways and many more, Backus has become a hospital without borders, everpresent with the latest and most important health information.

And we do more. Thousands of other people have attended Backus Hospital’s Cancer Services lectures, backpack programs, parents-to-be sessions, nutrition and exercise classes. These services — led by our physicians, nurses, dietitians, physical therapists and other medical professionals — help local residents be more proactive in staying healthy. We are especially proud of our partnership with members of the Medical Staff, who regularly provide unprecedented public access to their medical expertise.

Innovation plays a role, too. Our “Simple Steps” program was presented by the authors of a book that was featured on the “Oprah Winfrey” and “Today” shows. Approximately 70 women attended the five-week program and learned practical, empowering ways to live healthier, less stressful lives.

We combine health education and celebration at our Cancer Survivors’ Day, which drew more than 400 people. Our year-round approach means Backus is there with safe shoveling tips in the winter, a golf symposium in the spring, skin cancer and sunburn screening in the summer and sponsored walks for the Diabetes Association and Heart Association in autumn.

Backus reacts quickly when events make public health education especially important. When the flu hit unexpectedly early and hard last year, Backus took proactive steps to educate the community. We established a flu-hotline to help you learn the latest on flu vaccine availability, we communicated preventative measures through the media and our web site, our medical professionals reached out to television and other media outlets to teach people “respiratory etiquette.”

We believe good health information begins at birth. That’s why every child born in the Dr. Frederick S. Eadie Birthing Center now receives a first book, and mom and dad get information on the importance of early literacy. We call it “Born to Read.” The program, started this past year, is based on a simple fact: children who are exposed to reading early have a better chance for good mental and physical development.

Backus Hospital has committed itself to making eastern Connecticut a healthier place to live, work and do business. As you can see, that vision finds expression in myriad ways, throughout our community.