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Two student athletes – Taylor Alfano (West Haven HS) and Cooper Callahan (Fairfield Prep) – are the recipients of the 2024 Southern Connecticut Conference “Comeback Player of the Year” awards. Both students suffered severe injuries yet were able to overcome them to become outstanding role models in their respective schools.
A long-time corporate sponsor of the SCC, Connecticut Orthopaedics offered a Comeback Player of the Year Scholarship for student-athletes who participated in an interscholastic sport during the 2023-2024 academic year and showed great leadership both on and off the field after their injury.
Coaches and school’s athletic directors nominated these student-athletes after they each suffered an unfortunate injury that prohibited them from playing for their high school teams. Both will receive a financial scholarship to be used for their college education.
“This is our 14th year awarding student-athletes from the SCC with scholarships,” said Susan Bader, CEO of Connecticut Orthopaedics. “Our goal is to acknowledge student-athletes who have overcome the challenges of an injury and, through hard work and determination, become positive role models for their fellow teammates. As sports medicine specialists, we understand intimately what it takes to recover from an injury and return to playing sports at a high level. We also recognize the importance of scholastic achievement and applaud these individuals for their commitment to both.”
“Many thanks to the doctors and staff at Connecticut Orthopaedics for their support of the SCC and these scholarships,” explained SCC Commissioner Al Carbone. “Our league has many outstanding student-athletes who excel in the classroom and on the playing fields; but it is a tremendous gesture to recognize traits like courage, perseverance and selflessness.”
2023-24 SCC/Connecticut Orthopaedics Comeback Players of the Year
TAYLOR ALFANO, WEST HAVEN HS (volleyball, ice hockey, softball)
A three-sport standout for the Blue Devils, Taylor suffered a hip impingement and torn labrum injury. A true leader on and off the playing fields, Taylor worked tirelessly through the mental and physical aspects of the injury and rehabilitation to return to the ice this past winter.
She served as the team’s captain this winter and earned All-SCC Second Team honors as a defenseman. This spring, she played shortstop and earned All-SCC Second Team softball accolades.
An outstanding student (4.78 GPA) who ranked eighth in her class, Taylor will attend Endicott College in the fall.
COOPER CALLAHAN, Fairfield Prep (football, basketball, lacrosse)
A three-sport captain (believed to be just the second Prep student-athlete to have such a recognition), Cooper tore the ACL, MCL and meniscus in his knee during the fall of 2022 while playing football.
Through his hard work and dedication, he returned to the lacrosse field in the spring of 2023 and played a handful of games for the Jesuits, who made it to the state championship. This spring, he has led Prep to the SCC title and a spot in the state title game. Cooper earned All-SCC Second Team honors from his long stick midfield position.
Cooper signed a national letter of intent to Sacred Heart University and will continue to play lacrosse for the Pioneers.
ABOUT THE SOUTHERN CONNECTICUT CONFERENCE
The 2023-24 academic year marks the 30th year of existence for the Southern Connecticut Conference. The SCC is comprised of 23 high schools with more than 23,000 students representing 16 communities. Recognized as one of the best athletic conferences in the state, the SCC also has a great tradition of offering first-rate non-athletic programs and events that enrich the overall high school experience of our young people to help them become responsible students, athletes and citizens. For more information on the SCC, visit www.southernconnecticutconference.org
ABOUT CONNECTICUT ORTHOPAEDICS
Connecticut Orthopaedics is a premier team of orthopaedic doctors, surgeons and health care professionals who provide compassionate and innovative care to keep you moving forward with life. With over 50 doctors serving 20 locations, including 7 Urgent Care | Walk-In centers, three orthopaedic-only Surgical Centers and 12 state-of-the-art Sports Therapy | Rehab locations, we make it convenient for you to get the orthopaedic care you need, close to where you live.
There’s simply no other Connecticut practice that offers the convenience, personalized care and comprehensive experience that you’ll find with Connecticut Orthopaedics. From your first visit, to diagnosing your injury, to treatment and rehabilitation, we offer end-to-end orthopaedic services designed to accommodate your every need. To learn more, visit ct-ortho.com
Congratulations to this year’s Top Doctors
Castle Connolly Top Doctors represent the top 7% of all U.S. practicing physicians.
Castle Connolly Top Doctors are peer-nominated, and thoroughly vetted by our physician-led research team. These doctors are best-in-class healthcare providers, embodying excellence in clinical care as well as interpersonal skills.
In 2023, we had 17 doctors named to the list, and this year we are proud to announce that we have 29. This remarkable increase is a true testament to the exceptional caliber of our doctors and their unwavering commitment to patient care.
2024 Top Docs
Stephanie Arlis-Mayor , MD, FAAFP
John M. Beiner, MD, FAAOS, EMT/DMT
Isaac Cohen, MD
John Daigneault, MD
Richard Diana, MD
John D. Kelley, MD
John Marino, MD
David Martin, MD
Thomas P. Moran, MD
Glenn S. Russo, MD
Patrick A. Ruwe, MD
James Spak, MD
Mark Wilchinsky, MD
James J. Yue, MD
Southport, CT – The Pequot Running Club, is excited to announce Connecticut Orthopaedics as the presenting sponsor for its renowned Thanksgiving Day Race.
This new partnership heralds a significant enhancement for the Thanksgiving Day Race, a cherished community event that unites runners and walkers from various backgrounds in a celebration of fitness, community, and philanthropy.
“Partnering with Connecticut Orthopaedics not only elevates the race experience for our participants but also strengthens our support for local charities and community projects,” stated David Butt, Executive Director of The Pequot Running Club. “It’s a privilege to collaborate with a sponsor whose commitment to health and community wellness mirrors our own.”
The support from Connecticut Orthopaedics will allow for the ongoing success of the race and the increased contributions to this year’s designated charities.
“We are thrilled to collaborate with the Pequot Running Club for the Thanksgiving Day Race,” stated Diane Griffin, COO at Connecticut Orthopaedics. “This partnership underscores our dedication to promoting active lifestyles and our commitment to the health and well-being of the communities we work and live in. With offices in Fairfield, Westport, Trumbull and Shelton, it’s now even more convenient to get an appointment with any of our orthopaedic specialists. No matter what the condition is, we have an expert who can see you.”
About the Pequot Running Club:
The Pequot Running Club has been in existence for 47 years and is the sponsor of the Thanksgiving Day Five Mile Race in Southport, Connecticut as well as other running and walking events. Over the years, the Club has given more than $1,000,000 to local charities.
About Connecticut Orthopaedics:
Connecticut Orthopaedics is a premier team of orthopaedic doctors, surgeons and health care professionals who provide compassionate and innovative care at over 20 locations across central and southern Connecticut – including Urgent Care | Walk-In centers, Sports Therapy | Rehab locations, and three state-of-the-art surgical centers. Started in 1963, Connecticut Orthopaedics is the largest privately-owned orthopaedic practice in New England, making it convenient for you to get the expert orthopaedic care you need, close to where you live.
On Wednesday February 21st, the ribbon was cut followed by cheers from the student-athletes on their new wellness center. With the support of official sponsor Connecticut Orthopaedics, Southern Connecticut State University can now provide a comfortable environment for its student-athletes to rest and regroup in a location that is convenient to their training facilities. The primary space was equipped with a technology upgrade and is a great spot to study and work with learning specialists. The secondary space provides the Owls with an area to foster community with couches, a HD television, multiple gaming consoles, foosball table and refreshments. In addition, “The Owls Nest” is an area designed to enhance student athletes recovery, equipped with zero-gravity chairs and leg compression machines as well as a state-of-the-art massage chair.
Connecticut Orthopaedics CEO, Susan Bader said, ” We are thrilled to join the Owls family and I know that Dr. Jordan Gruskay and the rest of our CO team will provide exceptional care to their student-athletes. I think one of the most exciting things happening is beyond the sidelines with a true academic partnership. We are working diligently to create a pathway
to careers in health care for SCSU students on a campus-wide scale. This will include internship and clinical training programs as well as flexible job opportunities throughout our organization. Connecticut Orthopaedics currently has over 650 employees and we are pleased to be able to nurture these future healthcare professionals as they consider their choices for the future.”
World Spine Outreach is an incredible organization that provides international spine care to some of the most underserved areas of the globe. Dr. Shirvinda Wijesekera has been a long-standing member of this mission and, in recent years, has been joined by Dr. Glenn Russo. They have worked with other volunteers, local and nationwide, to provide safe and complex corrective surgery, in an austere environment, to children suffering from scoliosis in the Dominican Republic.
Together, the team works in collaboration with local surgeons to treat patients, educate trainees, and develop safety protocols to enhance patient care now, and for years to come. Without exception, each team member demonstrates exceptional professionalism, talent, commitment and compassion. “It is truly a humbling experience working with a team of this high caliber of character,” said Dr. Glenn Russo. While the days are long, grueling and there are no robots or guided navigation systems, these experts take on the hardest cases with unwavering dedication. This year’s team was made up of 48 volunteers, which is the biggest group to date! “I have been lucky to be part of this amazing mission with World Spine Outreach as we have traveled the world treating patients with scoliosis. We have now treated over 800 patients in DR at one location in the past 15 years. It is a privilege to be part of the team and serve as the medical director. Great patients, great work and a great team.” said Dr. Wijesekera.
The mission group helped approximately 19 local pediatric patients with spinal deformity this year.
Revolutionizing Patient Access: Connecticut Orthopaedics Partners with HURT! To launch Ortho On-The-Go Offering 24/7 Access to Orthopedic Specialists
February 29, 2024 – Connecticut Orthopaedics is thrilled to unveil our recent partnership with HURT!, which allows us to expand our services to the communities we serve under the brand Ortho On-The-Go powered by HURT!. As the first and only group in New England to join hands with HURT!, we are looking forward to enlighten the communities we serve and the athletic programs we support.
“Connecticut Orthopaedics is always looking toward the future when it comes to providing patient access to care and Ortho On-the-Go is the next advancement for our organization.” said Susan Bader, CEO. We are delighted to be the first in New England to offer this experience.”
Co-founded by Dr. Brett Miller in 2020, The HURT! App rapidly separated itself as a revolutionary solution to assist in navigating people in need of orthopedic care to local in-market specialists. A key component of the app is the ability to communicate with a HURT! care navigator in real-time 24/7, 365 days a year and more often than not, avoid costly emergency room visits. The HURT! care navigators are experts in orthopedics, and users get a human-to-human interaction without the use of ‘bots’ or AI. HURT!’s core values are personal interactions with users and navigation to local orthopedic practices for specialty care.
” Connecticut Orthopaedics is a forward-thinking practice that shares our mission of providing patient-centered care”, said Dr. Brett Miller, MD, Co-Founder of HURT! “We are honored to partner with them and work together to provide our technology to the communities they serve.”
The Hurt! smartphone app is free to download and utilize. There is never a charge to the user or their insurance plan. It is available in the App Store and Google Play. For more information or to download the app click here
About HURT!
The HURT! mobile app provides free 24/7, 365 days a year access to orthopedic expertise. Their mission is to provide users access to orthopedic specialists across the country in their time of need. The HURT! orthopedic network continues to expand rapidly nationwide and engages in partnership models with physician groups who are steadfast to patient-centric and an unmatched access experience, specifically during non-peak hours for their patients and the communities they continuously strive to serve. For more information, please visit hurtapp.com
About Connecticut Orthopaedics
Connecticut Orthopaedics is a premier team of orthopaedic doctors, surgeons and health care professionals who provide compassionate and innovative care at over 20 locations across southern Connecticut – including seven Urgent Care Centers, Sports Therapy | Rehab locations, and three state-of-the-art surgical centers.
Started in 1963, Connecticut Orthopaedics is the largest privately-owned orthopaedic practice in New England, making it convenient for you to get the orthopaedic care you need, close to where you live.
Connecticut Orthopaedics is pleased to announce that Pam Czapor, has joined the Leadership team as our new Chief Financial Officer. Pam brings over 20 years of experience in the health care sector and most recently held the dual role of CEO/CFO for OrthoConnecticut, headquartered in Danbury. Prior to that, she was the Director of Finance and Budgeting for Hartford HealthCare.
“I am very excited to welcome Pam Czapor to our practice. Pam brings a wealth of knowledge and experience, not only in financial matters, but in the healthcare industry, which will be beneficial for our organization as we continue to grow and innovate. She brings the skills and experience needed to play a key role in Connecticut Orthopaedics’ future success.” Susan Bader, CEO said.
Learn more about Pam Czapor here