Dr. Erica Kesselman Receives Healthcare Heroes Award from Connecticut Hospital Association

Award Recognizes Exceptional Contributions to Healthcare and Community

Dr. Erica Kesselman, gynecologist with Day Kimball Medical Group, was one of just ten healthcare professionals across Connecticut awarded a 2015 Healthcare Heroes Award from the Connecticut Hospital Association (CHA). The award, given at the Association’s annual meeting on June 30, recognizes the invaluable contributions of exceptional healthcare workers, both to their field and to the community at large.

For more than a decade, Dr. Erica Kesselman has cared for women from across Northeast Connecticut. She joined Day Kimball Hospital in 2002, as the hospital was working to grow its OB/GYN practice to expand the birthing center’s capacity and prepare for the future. Her advocacy for women’s health and family wellness, combined with her dynamic personality, has captured the attention of DKH administration, her colleagues, and the Northeast Connecticut community ever since.

Dr. Kesselman’s dedication to improving health and wellness doesn’t stop outside the hospital or office, or even at women’s health issues. She also advocates for women, children and families within the local community and across the state.

In November, 2014 Dr. Kesselman was appointed a member of the State Advisory Council on Children and Families. The council consists of 15 members appointed by the Governor. As a member of the council Dr. Kesselman is tasked with reviewing policies and recommending programs, legislation or other matters that will improve services for children, youth and families. The Council also reviews and advises the Department of Children and Families Commissioner on the proposed agency budget and performs public outreach to educate the community regarding polices, duties and programs of the Department.

In her role as Forensic Medical Examiner in the Emergency Department at Day Kimball Hospital, Dr. Kesselman works with children, families, community members and other judiciary and state services to identify risk factors and evidence for suspected cases of child sexual abuse.

She is also a certified facilitator of the Stewards of Children: Darkness to Light program, which teaches community members how to prevent and recognize child sexual abuse and empowers them to react responsibly when abuse is suspected. Through training provided by Dr. Kesselman and other staff, more than 400 DKH employees have been trained in the program in less than one year, as well as another 100+ community members. Ultimately, the goal is for all 1400 DKH employees to trained in the program by 2017.

With her sharp wit, humor and infectious energy, she’s also an ace at engaging the community on a wide variety of health topics and in a myriad of ways.

She’s been a long time guest on WINY 1350 AM radio, most recently alongside Dr. Marc Cerrone as co-host of The NEW DAY Show. Together Drs. Kesselman and Cerrone build awareness about important health care topics for the residents of Northeast Connecticut – frequently with a few laughs mixed in to keep things engaging.

She is also a force behind Day Kimball’s Give It a TRI Triatholon event, which focuses on participation more than beating a time. As a founding member of the Multi-Sport Team more than six years ago, today she still coaches individuals who are ready to say, “I did it!” but need some extra support “to give it a try.”

In 2012, she became a coach to the region’s HealthQuest Follow the Fifty initiative, which engaged more than 150 women on a yearlong journey to heart health, and saw many of the women participating in the triatholon – including the women she mentored.

Dr. Kesselman is also a founding member of the advisory council of the Northeast Connecticut Women & Girls Fund, a member of the Board of Directors of TEEG and a member of NEST (Northeast Connecticut Support Team), a community collaborative to support health and safety for children and families.

“Dr. Kesselman’s contributions to Day Kimball and to the health of her patients and the communities of Northeast Connecticut is a true gift,” said Dr. John Graham, DKH chief medical officer and vice president for medical affairs and quality. “The excellent care she provides her patients and her commitment to the community have been greatly appreciated by many locally. We’re thrilled that her dedication, passion and efforts over the years have now been recognized by her peers at CHA as well.”