By SCOTT WHIPPLE
Staff Writer

NEW BRITAIN — One way to view the Center of Special Care’s annual meeting Thursday might be net assets. Center of Special Care is the umbrella company for the Hospital for Special Care, Brittany Farms Health Center, Hospital for Special Care Foundation, HSC Community Services, Inc. and Manes and Motion Therapeutic Riding Center.

Total liabilities for 2009 — HSC’s fiscal year starts in April — were $118,973,281, In 2008 they were $125,053,287.

“Though we lost money, because of the efforts of our friends we’re on solid ground,” said HSC’s Co-President & CEO David Crandall. “We’re moving forward with additional beds; we receive 14 additional referrals every other week and we’ve kept our quality intact.”

Crandall and Co-President and CEO John Votto pointed out that there’s a growing need for outpatient services that will allow individuals to remain at home during treatment. Clinical areas are being expanded; the neurosurgeon program has grown. And, there is new space for children living with muscular dystrophy. A clinical trials initiative will begin in the spring and HSC will focus on research related to ALS/Lou Gehrig’s disease and other neuromuscular institutions.

But Crandall, Votto and former HSC President Katherine Ill might insist that the real story is about people — friends of the hospital, workers and patients.

There was Middlesex Chamber of Commerce President Larry McHugh honored with HSC’s 2009 Community Service Award.

”In addition to his consistent efforts in helping to further integrate the Hospital for Special Care into the thriving business community that is Middlesex County, Larry has made professional and personal connections critical in communicating the hospital’s ongoing effort to rebuild lives,” said Crandall.

A strong bond between HSC and McHugh developed in 2008 when a young Middletown man needed complex rehabilitation after a devastating automobile accident. Fortunately, the young man made a complete recovery, and, in the process, HSC “made a new friend in Larry McHugh,” said Crandall. “Since then, Larry has become an ambassador for Hospital for Special Care in the wider community welcoming the hospital further into the life and vitality of Middlesex County.” McHugh, former football coach at Xavier High School in Middletown, was recently appointed by Gov. M. Jodi Rell as chairman of the Board of Trustees at the University of Connecticut. Last week, the governor appointed McHugh as the chairman of a new state board to negotiate a compromise solution for the future of health care in Central Connecticut.

There was East Hartford police officer Todd Mona seriously wounded with his canine partner, Primo. Both made a full recovery.

There was Allen Zolty, a retired labor negotiator, who suffered a brain injury and was in a coma for a month. “I was suicidal,” he said. “But the hospital staff got me out of my doldrums. I regained my love of life.”

There was Employee of the Year 2009, Michelle Medeiros, a service lIne associate in the department of therapeutic recreation. She was honored for her caring, integrity and pursuit of excellence. Medeiros, a Meriden resident, took a lead role in planning and coordinating activity, worked late and juggled her schedule to meet the needs of her patients.

“I received flowers and a beautiful engraved clock,” she said. “My picture will be displayed near the hospital entrance as Employee of the Year. It’s a great honor.”

Medeiros said she views patients as people like herself.

“I try to treat them with passion and do the best I can,” she said.

Former HSC President (1986-1997) and doctor, Katherine Ill said Medeiros — dedicated to her patients, their family members and co-workers — was the perfect choice for Employee of the Year.

Earlier, Crandall had joked that six months after Ill had hired him she confided to him that he was not her first choice for co-president.

“She told me the other person wanted too much money,” he said.

Ill wouldn’t confirm the story.

“David has a great sense of humor,” she said.

In her report from the Hospital Special Care Foundation Diane Chace said the foundation is making great strides. She thanked the foundation’s new friends among the 120 area business leaders — corporators and board members, patient-care volunteers, fund-raisers — “for making the foundation a better, stronger place.”

An officer and his dog

Officer Todd Mona of the East Hartford Police Department said he and his German Shepherd dog, Primo worked together, trained together and went through the incident together. The incident was a domestic violence situation in East Hartford. Mona was shot through his legs, shattering a knee. Primo was stabbed three times.

“I heard this place [HSC] was the best for rehab, and it was,” Mona said. “I was told it would take a year to get back to work; it took me six months.”

Mona said the hardest thing for him to face was being in a hospital for so long a time.

“I had never been a patient,” he said. “But, they made it easier than I expected here.”

His dog was stabbed in the back of the head, in one ear and in the center of the back just missing his spine. Both recovered fully.

For Mona, a Rocky Hill resident, it was a life-changing experience. Now back on the force he takes nothing for granted.

“I live each day as if it’s my last,” he said.