On behalf of the dedicated staff of UCFS Healthcare, I am honored to share that despite challenges, we remain united in our mission to improve the health and well-being of the community.
This past year, our team has grown stronger, welcoming new providers equally committed to those who rely on us. We advanced services in pediatrics, eldercare, and integrated care.
For children, we recruited pediatric providers, expanded school-based programs, and introduced Nightlight Pediatrics, our popular evening pediatric care option that improves access for busy families.
For seniors, we re-imagined eldercare by adding a behavioral health clinician and a community food pantry to our primary care services for Sheltering Arms residents and Ross Adult Day Center clients. We also launched Cycling Without Age, offering trishaw rides to combat isolation.
From the youngest to the eldest, we strengthened the integration of care by embedding behavioral health providers directly into our primary care teams — ensuring immediate, holistic support. Together with our on-site dental services, pharmacy, and lab, UCFS Healthcare continues to serve as a comprehensive healthcare home for the entire family.
Looking ahead, we will open UCFS Beyond Healthcare, an integrated Patient Solutions Center made possible with federal funding and a bond appropriation sponsored by Senator Cathy Osten.
UCFS Healthcare remains focused on the needs of our community, especially those who choose us as their healthcare partner. We believe that there is power in community, power in unity, and power in purpose.
Jennifer Granger President and CEO
SENIOR MANAGEMENT TEAM
Jennifer Granger, President and CEO
Cara Westcott, Chief Operating Officer
Frank Meaney, Chief Financial Officer
Dr. Ramindra Walia, Chief Medical Officer
Jennifer Bevacqua, VP of People
Pamela Allen Kinder, VP Business Development
Sharon Laliberte, Compliance Officer
Sam Robinson, VP Behavioral Health
Carolyn Trantalis, VP Eldercare Services
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Deborah Kievits, Chair
Adam Sulik, First Vice Chair
Abby I. Dolliver, Secretary
Caroline (Cari) Fortin, Treasurer
Lee-Ann Gomes, Immediate Past Chair
Nicholas (Nick) Caplanson, Director at Large
BOARD MEMBERS
Cyndi Beauregard
Bobbie Braboy
Brian Clinton
Michelle Grant
Connie Hilbert
Erika Lorange
Meg E. Martellotta
Damian M. Rickard
Aimee Seifert
Dr. Robert Strick
POWERED BY PARTNERSHIPS
FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL, AND FOUNDATION
Advanced Behavioral Health
Bob’s Discount Furniture Charitable Foundation
Child and Family Agency of Southeastern CT
Child Health & Development Institute
Chamber of Commerce of Eastern CT Foundation
Charter Oak Federal Credit Union
Chelsea Groton Foundation
Colchester Lions Charities, Inc.
Community Foundation of Eastern CT – Hauptfield Fund
Community Health Center Association of CT (CHCACT)
CVS Health Foundation
Dime Bank Foundation
Dominion Energy
SUPPORTERS
Allen Carpets
Captain and Mrs. Joseph Anderson
Anonymous
Nancy and Tom Barnhart
Bath Liners LLC
Charter Oak Federal Credit Union’s Community Sponsorship Program
Charter Oak Federal Credit Union's Community Giving Committee
Charter Oak Federal Credit Union’s Matching Gifts Program
Leo and Christina Chupaska
CorePlus Credit Union
Eastern CT Association of Realtors
Eastern Connecticut Savings Bank Foundation, Inc.
The Edward and Mary Lord Foundation
Fortin Family Foundation, Inc.
Frank Johnson Trust
Frank Loomis Palmer Fund
Norwich Rotary Foundation, Inc.
RS Gernon Trust
School-Based Health Alliance
Senior Resources Agency on Aging
State of CT Department of: Children and Families
Mental Health and Addiction Services
Public Health
Social Services
Carol Curland
Abby and Bill Dolliver
Eversource
Fischburg Family Donor Fund
Melissa Floyd
Frank Pepe Pizzeria NapoletanaUncasville
Jennifer Granger
Lisa Grealish
Barbara and Peter Guerra
Frank and Connie Hilbert
The Hillery Company
Deberey Hinchey
Lucille Jabs
Jewett City Savings Bank
GRANTS
U.S. Department of AgricultureFood Nutrition Service-Child and Adult Care
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Health Resources and Service Administration (HRSA)
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
Worker’s Compensation Trust WONDR NATION
CITY AND TOWN CONTRIBUTIONS
City of Norwich
Town of East Lyme
Town of Franklin
Town of Griswold
Town of Groton
Town of Lisbon
Town of Preston
Town of Montville
Town of North Stonington
Town of Waterford
UNITED WAY
United Way of Southeastern CT
Charlene and Michael Jones
Nicholas and Danielle Kinder
Pamela and Chris Kinder
Sharon and Tom Laliberte
The Leiser Family Foundation
Kathryn F. Lord
Lynn Macione
Paul Mathieu
Dawn and Phil McDermott
Frank Meaney
Marissa Miller
Maria Miranda
Norwich Public Utilities
Norwich Rotary Sunrise Club
Theodore N. Phillips, II
Kenneth Przybysz
R&W Heating Energy Solutions, LLC
Chris Riley
Shear Timing Hair Salon
Stop & Shop Bloomin' 4 Good Program
Dr. and Mrs. Robert Strick
Andrea M. Sullivan
Sullivan Grandchildren
Cecile Tyl
US Foods
W. R. Allen & Co., Inc.
Denise Weinschenker
Cara and Jeff Westcott
122,244 POWERED BY
17,491 UNIQUE CLIENTS
ACCESS TO CARE 1,476 APPLICATIONS
UNDUPLICATED CLIENTS 1,025 2,381 SCREENINGS
BEHAVIORAL HEALTH VISITS
76,960
4,384 UNIQUE CLIENTS
33,468 PRIMARY CARE AND SCHOOL-BASED HEALTH CENTER VISITS
UCFS was thrilled to host Power In A Shower at our Norwich Health Center during National Health Center Week. The mobile shower unit provided the opportunity for those in need to receive a shower in a respectful, safe, and secure manner. Participants also received a new t-shirt, socks, and undergarments. During this event we were able to provide 13 showers! Thanks to Shear Timing Hair Salon for providing 28 free haircuts. Participants also received food, clothing, and information on programs and services. This event was made possible by the generous donations from: UCFS Healthcare, WONDR NATION, Norwich Public Utilities, The Leiser Family Foundation, Fischburg Family Donor Fund, Carol Curland, The Family of Chris Riley, and Martin & Rona Rutchik.
NIGHTLIGHT PEDIATRICS
In January of this year, UCFS was excited to open Nightlight Pediatrics at our Norwich Health Center. Nightlight Pediatrics delivers convenient, after-hours pediatric sick visits that keep families out of the ER and urgent care. Staffed by pediatricians and pediatric-trained PAs, the team treats acute needs, prescribes when appropriate, and shares visit notes with each child’s primary care pediatrician to ensure continuity. We understand that for many families, balancing work responsibilities with the unpredictability of a child’s health can be challenging, especially when illnesses arise outside of regular office hours. Nightlight Pediatrics fills that gap by offering convenient, compassionate pediatric care Monday–Friday, 5:00 pm–9:00 pm when most primary care offices are closed.
UCFS OPENS ITS TENTH SCHOOL-BASED HEALTH CENTER
UCFS Healthcare opened its tenth School-Based Health Center (SBHC) program to serve students at the Integrated Day Charter School (IDCS) in Norwich, offering on-campus care to Pre-K through 8th grade students. This initiative brings vital behavioral and primary health services directly to where students learn, reducing barriers to care. Led by a Master’s level behavioral health clinician, the center offers assessment, counseling, and treatment planning. In addition, UCFS Healthcare provides monthly primary care clinics, including routine and sports physicals, flu shots, and same-day sick visits identified by the school nurse.
This expansion, made possible by a two-year grant from the School-Based Health Alliance, responds directly to IDCS’s identification of behavioral health as its most urgent student need. Now entering its second year, the IDCS SBHC continues to strengthen collaborations between UCFS Healthcare and the school community, ensuring students receive accessible, coordinated care in a familiar environment.
POWERED BY GENEROSITY
UCFS held our 2025 Golf Tournament on Monday, June 23, 2025 at Stonington Country Club. Thank you to the businesses and individuals who contributed sponsorships, prizes, giveaways, and time to this event.
Dinner Sponsors
Genoa Healthcare
NFP
Golf Cart Sponsor
East Side Clinical Laboratory
Lunch Sponsors
Alera Group
Robinson + Cole
Hole In One Sponsor
Drs. Rachna and Ramindra Walia
Hole Sponsors
B&W Paving
CCi Voice
Callaway Kinder
Norwich Public Utilities
OB-GYN Services, P.C.
Bag Sponsor
Dime Bank
Golf Towel Sponsor
NFP
Golf Bag Tag Sponsors
CorePlus Credit Union
Eastern CT Savings Bank
Putting Contest Sponsor
Charter Oak Federal Credit Union
Par Partners
Adams Wealth Management
Partners of Raymond James
Backus Hospital - Hartford
Healthcare CohnReznick LLP
Integrated Security Systems LLC
Miranda Creative
Performance Environmental Services, LLC
Raffle Donors
Block Island Express
CorePlus Credit Union
Cross Sound Ferry
Eastern CT Savings Bank
Foxwoods Resort Casino
Full Power Radio
Lake of Isles
Mohegan Sun
Norwich Golf Course
Norwich Sea Unicorn
Norwich Spa at Foxwoods
Pequot Golf Club
The Spa at Norwich Inn
UCFS Board of Directors
UCFS Senior Management Team
W.B. Mason
W.R. Allen Company, Inc.
Wireless Zone of Groton & New London
Fairway Friends
Chelsea Groton Bank
The Nutmeg Companies, Inc.
Goodie Bag Donors
CCi Voice
East Side Clinical Laboratory
NFP
Norwich Public Utilities
Robinson+Cole
W.B. Mason
BUILDING TRUST THROUGH INTEGRATED CARE
UCFS embeds behavioral health directly within its primary care “pod,” placing licensed clinicians, a recovery coach, and a substance use specialist alongside providers, medical assistants, and nurses. During a medical visit, patients can receive same-day warm hand offs for brief counseling (typically 2–6 sessions), case management, and connections to resources—addressing anxiety, depression, substance use, and social needs without a separate referral or delay.
This past year, UCFS expanded the model from Griswold to the Norwich Health Center, adding an Integrated Care Support Specialist embedded with the primary care team. Referrals from primary care have steadily increased, enabling faster access, stronger collaboration between departments, and more preventive support before issues escalate to a crisis. By treating mind and body together in one visit through an intervention model and a philosophy centered on relationship building, we are strengthening trust, continuity of care, and helping meet patients’ holistic health needs through increased engagement.
TRISHAW RIDES BRING JOY AND CONNECTION TO UCFS SENIORS AND EXPANSION IS ON THE WAY
What began two years ago as monthly trishaw rides through a partnership with the Mystic chapter of Cycling Without Age has grown into a cherished twice-monthly tradition for residents of Sheltering Arms and participants in the Ross Adult Day Center. These 20-minute outings through Norwich’s historic neighborhoods — often joined by family members and cheered on by local students — have become a highlight for many.
Thanks to increasing demand and a growing team of volunteer pilots in Norwich, UCFS Healthcare is preparing to launch its own local trishaw program. A brand-new trishaw is on order and set to arrive in the fall 2025.
In partnership with Cycling Without Age, UCFS Healthcare will expand this joyful, community-centered service throughout New London County. With a base at UCFS Healthcare and collaborations planned with Rose City Senior Center, the Town of Griswold, and others, the program aims to bring rides to more seniors across the region.
The expanded service will offer more frequent, more accessible rides that connect generations and bring movement, joy, and human connection into the daily lives of local seniors.
Thank you to WONDR NATION, CorePlus Credit Union, Norwich Rotary Sunrise Club, Norwich Rotary Foundation, Inc., Eastern CT Savings Bank Foundation, Inc., Charter Oak Federal Credit Union, and Norwich Public Utilities for your support!
POWERED BY A CENTURY OF CARE, COMPASSION, AND COMMUNITY
CELEBRATING 100 YEARS AT 165 MCKINLEY AVENUE
This year, 165 McKinley Avenue — home to UCFS Healthcare’s Sheltering Arms — celebrates 100 years of unwavering service to older adults in Norwich and the surrounding region. But this milestone is about more than just the passage of time. It’s
• A certified Adult Day Center, where participants receive medical care, meals, social connection, and support — allowing caregivers peace of mind and helping seniors thrive at home longer.
• An Eldercare Food Bank, launched this year, which now serves 60–70 older adults with healthy groceries, reducing food insecurity, and supporting dignity in daily living.
Inside 165 McKinley Avenue, birthdays are celebrated, medications are managed, stories are shared, loneliness is eased, health is protected, and independence is preserved. It is a place where aging is honored, where each resident and participant is seen, heard, and supported.
We observed the centennial with a spring celebration, the planting of two trees, and a newly placed time capsule. We continue to pay tribute to the purpose that has guided this building for a century: to provide care that is personal, purposeful, and rooted in community.
The legacy of 165 McKinley Avenue is not just in its longevity — it’s in the lives touched every day by what happens inside.
