Backus and Windham Hospital Emergency Services Director Named Connecticut Hospital Association “Healthcare Hero”

July 01, 2015 By Steve Coates

Backus and Windham Hospital director of emergency services Karen Butterworth-Erban, RN, was one of 11 health care workers from across Connecticut honored as a “Health Care Hero” at the Connecticut Hospital Association’s 97th Annual Meeting on June 30 at the Aqua Turf in Southington. The award, established in 2002, celebrates the invaluable contributions of health care workers, both to their field and to the community at large.

“It’s truly an honor to be recognized among my peers. All of the recipients here today are true ambassadors for their organizations and are making a significant difference in providing the best possible care to our communities each and every day. Thank you to the Connecticut Hospital Association for this very special event and recognition,” Butterworth-Erban said.

Butterworth-Erban was nominated in part for her work helping to form the Emergency Services-Community Public Safety Collaborative---a group of community partners working to address substance abuse in Eastern Connecticut. She was also instrumental in helping to create a Hartford HealthCare East Region-Department of Children and Families Partnership to combat child abuse, which has opened new doors between DCF and Hartford HealthCare that have led to positive patient outcomes.

“Karen is not only an effective and visionary leader; she also consistently demonstrates the compassion and dedication that make her an excellent nurse and a mentor and role model for others. She is truly a credit to our profession,” said Cary Trantalis, RN, MSN, Vice President of Clinical Services and Operations for Hartford HealthCare’s East Region.

In addition, Butterworth-Erban has served on the Windham Hospital Labor Management Team, Patient Experience Charter Committee, Emergency Department Education Committee, Disaster Management Committee, Emergency Department Practice Council and as Vice-Chairperson Connecticut Hospital Association Emergency Department Nursing Directors Meeting Group.