August 31, 2012

GOV. MALLOY: INVESTMENT IN HARTFORD HOSPITAL WILL DRIVE INNOVATION

State Funding Will Contribute to $100 Million Private Capital Investment in Advanced Medical Training Facility

(HARTFORD, CT) - Governor Dannel P. Malloy today announced the state will provide a $10 million grant to support a 30,000 square foot expansion of Hartford Hospital's Center for Education, Simulation, and Innovation (CESI). The CESI project is part of the hospital's larger $100 million capital improvement plan, which will make the institution a leader in training the world's healthcare professionals in the latest medical techniques.

"Hartford Hospital has an important role to play in Connecticut's resurgence in the bioscience and health services sectors," said Governor Malloy. "This expansion project is about investing in innovation, research and training-all the things we need to do as a state to stay competitive. While the project will certainly create good paying jobs with good benefits, this state of the art training facility is really about creating a Hartford Hospital that draws the world's top doctors and other healthcare professionals to our Capitol City for years to come."

CESI is a world class training facility that allows healthcare professional to simulate different types of acute crises and higher technology patient treatment. Participants are able to train in a setting similar to his or her actual work environment to create an atmosphere of realism. The facility also allows for the simulation of crises or other high risk medical care across disciplines, so that specialists can work on communication and improve patient safety.

"The state's investment supports Hartford Hospital's commitment to research, education, innovation and the future of medicine. This expansion will attract increased research dollars related to robotic medicine, evidence-based medicine and technology validation in concert with UConn faculty members from Storrs and Farmington," said Jeffrey Flaks, president and CEO of Hartford Hospital. "This allows us to continue our mission and to provide increased opportunities for physicians and other clinicians across the state and beyond to train in the area's most advanced center for leading-edge surgical robotics and other emerging, sophisticated medical technologies."

Since it opened in 2010, CESI has filled an urgent need in the medical community by training thousands of physicians to become the next generation of medical first responders. The center is an international hub for high-technology training and an educational and research center for students and faculty from UConn, as well as from schools and hospitals across the globe.

CESI is currently located in the Education & Resource Center on the Hartford Hospital campus. Expansion to the adjacent Barney Building will provide space for space simulation areas, electronic training facilities, and research laboratories, and is expected to bolster the center's role as an economic engine for the city, region and state.

Hartford Hospital expects the expansion to be completed by 2014.

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For Immediate Release: August 31, 2012

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