Thank You for Joining Us at the 2026 Connecticut Health Care Coalition Conference
The Connecticut Health Care Coalition (CT HCC) Conference took place on Tuesday, April 28, 2026 from 8 AM - 5 PM at the Courtyard Hartford Marriott in Cromwell, CT.
This conference was intended for healthcare providers, public health professionals, first responders, emergency management professionals, and all other stakeholders in healthcare emergency management.
For more information about the conference, as well as speaker materials, please see below.
Conference Materials
The following session materials were shared during this year's conference. Please click the links below to download each presentation.
Richard Lippert, MBA, CSP, MEPP, NRP, CHEP
Regional Manager, Healthcare Emergency Management, Public Health Management Corporation
An Introduction to the Connecticut Land Mobile Radio Network (CLMRN)
Scott Wright
Sr. Telecommunications Engineer II, Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, Division of Statewide Emergency Telecommunications
Vincent Covello, PhD, MA
Director, Center for Risk Communication Co-Founder, Pathway to Risk, High Concern, and Crisis Communications
Communicating with Neurodiverse Populations in an Emergency
Sarah Hardy, PhD, Licensed Psychologist
Hospital for Special Care Autism Center
Community Partnerships in Mass Casualty Response
John Montes Regional Disaster Officer, American Red Cross, Northern New England Region
Allyson Stanczyk Regional Client Care Manager, American Red Cross, Northern New England Region
Certificates of Participation
Certificates of Participation were provided to all attendees at the end of the conference. Each certificate has an OEMS reference number for continuing education credit purposes.
If you did not pick up your certificate on the day of the event, please contact coordinator@cthcc.org to receive a digital copy.
One Voice, Many Partners
Strengthening Communication in Preparedness and Times of Crisis
This year's theme was "One Voice, Many Partners: Strengthening Communication in Preparedness and Times of Crisis." Under this theme, this year's conference highlighted how diverse organizations can align messaging, share information effectively, and operate as a unified system during routine operations, disasters, and large-scale incidents. Through presentations, panel discussions, and interactive sessions, participants explored best practices, lessons learned, and innovative approaches to sustaining effective communication in both preparedness and crisis environments.
Conference Agenda
The below agenda was set for the 2026 CT HCC Conference in collaboration with coalition Training and Education workgroup members.
| Time | Topic |
| 8:00-8:30 am | Registration and Breakfast |
| 8:30-8:40 am | Welcome and Introduction Paul Wentworth CT HCC Chair, Trinity Health of New England |
| 8:40-9:00 am | Remarks by Connecticut Department of Public Health Leadership Lisa Morrissey, MPH Deputy Commissioner Connecticut Department of Public Health |
| 9:00-10:00 am | Before the First Call - From Chaos to Coordination: Interagency Communication Lessons from the Butler Rally Richard Lippert Regional Manager Healthcare Emergency Management |
| 10:00-10:15 am | Break |
| 10:15-11:15 am | An Introduction to the Connecticut Land Mobile Radio Network (CLMRN) Scott Wright Sr. Telecommunications Engineer II, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, Division of Statewide Emergency Telecommunications |
| 11:15 am - 12:30 pm | Communication Tabletop Exercise: Operation Quiet Darkness Ginny Schwartzer, MEP, CEM Chief Executive Officer, All Clear Emergency Management |
| 12:30-1:00 pm | Lunch |
| 1:00-2:00 pm | Crisis Communications During Disasters or High Stress Incidents, With Additional Focus on Challenges Associated with AI Dr. Vincent Covello, PhD, MA Director, Center for Risk Communications Co-Founder, Pathway to Risk, High Concern, and Crisis Communications |
| 2:00-2:15 pm | Break |
| 2:15-3:15 pm | Communicating with Neurodiverse Populations in an Emergency Dr. Sarah Hardy, PhD Licensed Psychologist Hospital for Special Care Autism Center |
| 3:15-4:45 PM | Community Partnerships in Mass Casualty Response John Montes Regional Disaster Officer, American Red Cross, Northern New England Region & Allyson Stanczyk Regional Client Care Manager, American Red Cross, Northern New England Region |
| 4:45-5:00 pm | Wrap-Up and Adjourn |