SEN. FLEXER, REP. BOYD WELCOME POTENTIAL UCONN HEALTH PURCHASE OF DAY KIMBALL HOSPITAL IN PUTNAM

State Senator Mae Flexer and state Representative Patrick Boyd (D-Pomfret) today endorsed the inclusion of Day Kimball Hospital in Putnam in a proposal by the UConn Board of Trustees purchase financially troubled Connecticut hospitals.

Day Kimball is privately owned but has been the subject of recent but unsuccessful mergers with other health care systems. The hospital opened in 1894 after Mrs. M. Day Kimball donated $5,000 for the construction of the infirmary building in memory of her recently deceased son, Day Kimball, with the condition that the hospital be named after him. The hospital is now a 104-bed acute care community hospital that employs about 1,100 local residents and specializes in hip and knee replacement, specialty care maternity, and primary stroke.

Details of the negotiations, cost, and any timeline have not yet been finalized or voted on, but Sen. Flexer and Rep. Boyd believe the purchase would benefit the residents of northeastern Connecticut. Sen. Flexer and Rep. Boyd have been leading key conversations for several year to get to this point as part of their overall effort to support Day Kimball.

“The advancement of this plan for Day Kimball and UConn health is a great moment for our region and our state,” said Sen. Flexer. “The UConn Health Center in Farmington is an award-winning clinical and research hospital while Day Kimball in Putnam is a well-respected, treasured and vital medical center in northeastern Connecticut.  An affiliation between the two would be an absolute game-changer in terms of quality medical care for patients, increased access to a variety of services, and more financial stability for Day Kimball and economic vitality for the Quiet Corner. I am committed to seeing this arrangement through to a successful completion.”

“UConn’s interest in a potential Day Kimball Hospital affiliation is exciting news for the Quiet Corner,” said Rep. Boyd. “The UConn Health Center provides top-quality health care, and expanding these services to our part of the state will improve Day Kimball’s services. This affiliation will expand access to care and provide financial stability to Day Kimball, allowing the hospital to thrive as a top employer in the area. I support this partnership and bringing high-quality health care to our residents.”