Former UConn administrator named Natchaug Hospital Board of Directors Chair

Outgoing Natchaug Hospital Board Chairman Dr. Raymond Johnson, center, displays a citation from the State Legislature he received during the annual meeting, along with a clock from the staff, held by new board leader Carol Wiggins, and a plaque designating the naming of a hospital office in the building in Johnson’s honor, held by CEO Stephen Larcen. Photo © Vito J. Leo.

Following an hour of socializing, several awards were presented at the annual Natchaug Hospital Board of Directors Reception on June 10, held at the Coast Guard Academy in New London.

The most enduring of these awards was the naming of one of the hospital’s office buildings in honor of outgoing Board Chairman Dr. Raymond Johnson.

Dr. Johnson praised longtime board member Carol Wiggins – who will step into the chairman’s role – saying that she has established herself as a motivating force within the hospital community. Wiggins is former Vice President of Student Affairs at the University of Connecticut.

“She’s fair, she’s bright, she’s smart and she has integrity,” Johnson said.

Wiggins, in acknowledging this praise, said it is all about, “Helping people find their way,” reiterating the hospital’s mission statement.

She said her primary goal as the board’s new leader would be “to make sure that people realize all the services that Natchaug has to offer.”

“I also intend to continue as a board to be supportive of this incredible staff and all our off-site facilities, especially the schools that Natchaug operates – emphasizing their meaningfulness, that they are paramount in providing special education beyond that which can be provided by public schools,” she said.

The hospital presented Distinguished Service Awards to Dr. Craig Martin, a former Natchaug staff psychiatrist now employed at the Naval Health Clinic of New England, and to Lawrence & Memorial Hospital CEO Bruce Cummings.

Also recognized during the meeting was retiring board member Leila Shepard for her 12 years of service on the board.

Natchaug Hospital is a 53-bed hospital located on Route 195 in Mansfield (supplemented by several locations throughout eastern Connecticut). It provides a continuum of accessible, community-based services for those living with psychiatric illness, chemical dependency, or emotional and related educational disabilities – with a commitment to the dignity and privacy of those needing services, and empowering clients to participate in their own care, education and recovery.

Posted June 18, 2009.