Annual Report 2004
United in Our Vision

I’m Proud to be part of an organization that strongly supports community education.

- Mary Tyler, PT, The William W. Backus Hospital Rehabilitation Services Department

Two years ago, my colleague, Judi Laperle, and I had a simple idea: teach children how to load and carry school backpacks so they can avoid serious shoulder, neck and back injuries.

Since then, with the full encouragement of the Hospital, our idea has blossomed into a full-fledged program: “Bearing the Backpack Burden.” We’ve talked with nearly 2,000 students at dozens of schools and civic organizations – from the Shiloh Baptist Church in New London to the Colchester Intermediate School. The program has generated lots of positive publicity – and many grateful parents, teachers and students.

When I first started working at Backus, I was amazed by the tremendous opportunities and potential to serve the community through wellness education. This is one of the reasons I entered healthcare — to touch people’s lives and make a positive difference.

At Backus, an employee with a good idea that can benefit the community is encouraged and supported. Sure, there’s a lot of hard work and commitment involved, but the rewards are enormous. Watching the children’s facial expressions change from skeptical to interested and excited is an uplifting experience.

They’re taking our message seriously and cannot wait to share it with anyone who will listen. This inspires me to seek out other opportunities to help the communities we serve in the Rehabilitation Department — within our facility, and extending far beyond the Hospital campus.

There is extraordinary opportunity here at Backus — an organization that promotes community wellness and supports employees who have creative ideas to turn visions into reality.