NEW HAVEN, CT. — (June 12, 2026) – Yale New Haven Health is proud to announce that employees from Bridgeport Hospital, Greenwich Hospital, Lawrence +Memorial and Yale New Haven Hospital have been honored with the 2026 Connecticut Hospital Association (CHA) Healthcare Heroes Award.
The 2026 CHA Healthcare Heroes Award celebrates and recognizes the invaluable contributions of exceptional healthcare workers, both to their field and to the community at large. This year, CHA presented the award to a cohort of heroes from hospitals across the state.
Bridgeport Hospital: Krystin Gaetano, RN, is a dedicated nurse in the Medical-Coronary Intensive Care Unit (MICU) at Bridgeport Hospital, known for her strong commitment to patient safety and clinical excellence. Through her vigilance and attention to detail, Krystin identified a defect in IV tubing during routine care and took immediate action to report the issue through the hospital’s safety system. Her thorough documentation helped escalate the concern to the supply chain team and ultimately contributed to FDA intervention, leading to the removal of the defective product from circulation. Krystin’s proactive approach exemplifies nursing professionalism and highlights the powerful impact one clinician can have in advancing patient safety on a broader scale.
Greenwich Hospital: James Pallett, MD, serves as chief of Hospitalist Medicine at Greenwich Hospital, where his leadership and clinical expertise have strengthened patient care and operational performance. Since joining the hospital in 2017, Dr. Pallett has advanced patient centered care and led key initiatives, including a Yale New Haven Health System effort to ensure ventilator availability during the pandemic. He has driven improvements in patient flow, length of stay, discharge efficiency, readmissions and mortality outcomes while overseeing continuous hospitalist coverage. He earned the hospital’s coveted Partner in Care Award in 2023 and continues to influence quality and safety through his roles on the Medical Executive Committee and as Chair of the Department of Medicine Quality Committee and Peer Review.
Lawrence + Memorial Hospital: Jessica Mancarella, RN, is the Trauma Program manager at Lawrence + Memorial Hospital, is recognized for her exceptional dedication to advancing trauma care. She played a pivotal role in securing the hospital’s Level III Trauma Center designation, leading a complex, multi-year effort to meet rigorous clinical and operational standards while coordinating alongside a major Emergency Department renovation. Jessica has strengthened regional access to life-saving care, expanded trauma services and championed community education through initiatives like the Trauma Survivors Network and “Stop the Bleed” training. Known for her tireless work ethic, humility and vision, Jessica has made a lasting impact on patient outcomes and community safety, exemplifying the qualities of a true healthcare hero.
Yale New Haven Hospital: Tom Fedora, RN, a Rapid Response nurse at Yale New Haven Hospital, is widely recognized for his clinical expertise, calm leadership and deep compassion in high-pressure situations. He plays a critical role across the York Street Campus, responding to urgent patient needs while mentoring colleagues and supporting teams through challenging moments. Consistently going above and beyond, Tom volunteers his time to guide newer nurses, leads debriefs after difficult cases and creates small but meaningful gestures to boost morale. He has also fostered a strong sense of community among staff and has driven meaningful improvements for night shift employees. Patients and families frequently express gratitude for his reassuring presence and genuine care, noting the lasting impact he has on their experience. Through his dedication, integrity and commitment to patient-centered care, Tom makes a lasting difference for patients, families and colleagues across the hospital community.
Since 2002, CHA has included a celebration of healthcare heroes as part of its Annual Meeting. This year’s meeting, which took place on Thursday, June 11, 2026, included the recognition of healthcare heroes who represent all types of care from every corner of Connecticut. Heroes received a certificate from CHA and a proclamation from the Office of Governor Ned Lamont recognizing their outstanding leadership.
Read more about each of the 2026 CHA Healthcare Heroes here.
Yale New Haven Health (YNHHS), the largest and most comprehensive healthcare system in Connecticut, is recognized for advanced clinical care, quality, service, cost effectiveness and commitment to improving the health status of the communities it serves. YNHHS includes five hospitals – Bridgeport, Greenwich, Lawrence + Memorial, Westerly and Yale New Haven hospitals, several specialty networks and Northeast Medical Group, a non-profit medical foundation with several hundred community-based and hospital-employed physicians. YNHHS is affiliated with Yale University and Yale Medicine, the clinical practice of the Yale School of Medicine and the largest academic multi-specialty practice in New England. Yale New Haven Hospital is the primary teaching hospital of Yale School of Medicine. www.ynhhs.org
