We’re thrilled to share the latest edition of the Malta House of Care newsletter, filled with impactful stories and updates on our work in the Greater Hartford community.
This year’s newsletter highlights our invaluable partnerships with the University of Saint Joseph (USJ), which provide hands-on learning experiences for nursing students while expanding the compassionate care we deliver to our patients. Both Family Nurse Practitioner and Undergraduate Nursing Program students bring fresh perspectives and a holistic approach to patient care, helping to bridge healthcare access for uninsured adults.
At Malta House of Care, we are committed to fostering the next generation of healthcare professionals by offering them hands-on experience while ensuring that our patients receive the compassionate care they deserve. Two partnerships with the University of Saint Joseph (USJ) bring both Family Nurse Practitioner students and undergraduate nursing students into our clinic, allowing them to learn and grow while directly contributing to our mission.
USJ Student Nurse Alex with patient.
A Transformative Partnership
Our partnership with USJ goes beyond traditional education. As Dr. Rhona C. Free, President of USJ, puts it:
“The University of Saint Joseph’s partnership with Malta House of Care enriches our students’ studies through the transformative hands-on experience of providing health care to people who otherwise might receive none. This work shapes their understanding of patient care and is a perfect complement to the part of the University’s mission that speaks to encouraging ‘strong ethical values, personal integrity, and a sense of responsibility to the needs of society.’ I am very proud of this affiliation and the benefits it offers both our students and the patients they serve.”
This partnership embodies the core values of both institutions, fostering not only the education of future healthcare providers but also contributing to the well-being of our community.
Family Nurse Practitioner Program: A Holistic Approach to Patient Care
Led by Lynne Benjamin, an instructor in the Family Nurse Practitioner program, this partnership began in Spring 2023 and has quickly become highly sought after by students. Each semester, one student joins the Malta team for a day each week, gaining unique insights into a free clinic environment that they might not encounter in private practice.
Lynne emphasizes the importance of considering social determinants of health—patients’ access to care, medication affordability, and their ability to maintain sustainable treatment plans. This holistic approach is critical when working with Malta’s patients, who often face complex life challenges that affect their health, from transportation issues to personal loss.
Lynne’s student, Chantal Felix, appreciates the independence she is given at Malta. Chantal, who speaks Spanish, has found that the time and care provided at Malta allow her to develop meaningful relationships with her patients, helping them understand and manage conditions like hypertension, diabetes, and high cholesterol. Chantal notes, “Malta grounds me more—you have to think about the other aspects of a patient’s life and how that impacts their care.”
USJ Nursing Program: A Glimpse into Public Health
In addition to the Family Nurse Practitioner program, Janet Knecht, Director of the Undergraduate Nursing Program at USJ, has been bringing nursing students to Malta for a clinical rotation since 2009. This partnership is part of their Public Health Course and provides students with an opportunity to interact directly with the Malta nursing team.
For novice students, this rotation helps them gain hands-on experience in patient care, often working with our volunteer nurses and medical assistants. More senior students who come in the spring can operate with greater autonomy, using their classroom knowledge in a practical setting. Janet hopes that this experience helps students recognize the barriers some patients face in accessing healthcare and encourages them to consider the ethical implications of providing care in underserved populations.
A Shared Commitment to Healthcare Access
Both programs reflect the shared commitment between Malta House of Care and USJ to provide quality healthcare to uninsured adults in the Greater Hartford area. Through these partnerships, students gain valuable experience and insight, while our patients benefit from the extra attention and care they provide.
We look forward to continuing this fruitful collaboration with USJ and welcoming more students to Malta, as we all work together to create a healthier, more equitable future for our community.
A Memorable Patient Encounter: USJ Student Brings Compassionate Care to Malta
USJ APRN Student Chantal (left) & Preceptor Lynne Benjamin (right)
During her clinical rotation at Malta House of Care, USJ Family Nurse Practitioner student Chantal Felix had a memorable experience with a 68-year-old diabetic patient from El Salvador. The patient, who spoke only Spanish, arrived for a follow-up diabetic appointment with several nearly empty medication bottles.
As a trained medical translator, Chantal was able to communicate directly with the patient, ensuring she understood her medications and the importance of ordering refills—something that required extra explanation due to language barriers. With guidance from her preceptor, Lynne Benjamin, Chantal conducted a thorough medication review and a physical assessment, answering all of the patient’s questions.
At the end of the visit, the grateful patient expressed her appreciation by calling Chantal “little doctor” in Spanish—a term of endearment that touched Chantal deeply. This experience underscored the power of connection and compassionate care, leaving a lasting impact on both the patient and the student.
For the fourth year in a row, Malta House of Care is grateful to partner with Optum Health, who generously provided 180 flu vaccines for our patients. Dr. Dauphinais and his team hosted three clinic days, offering free flu shots to ensure our patients stay healthy this flu season.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to Optum Health for their continued support and commitment to the health and well-being of our community. Their ongoing partnership allows us to offer essential preventative care to uninsured adults in Greater Hartford.
The CDC recommends that everyone 6 months and older should get a flu vaccine every season with rare exceptions. Vaccination is particularly important for people who are at higher risk of serious complications from influenza such as pneumonia. Some people are at higher risk of developing serious flu-related complications if they get sick. This includes people 65 years and older, people of any age with certain chronic medical conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, or heart disease), pregnant people and children younger than 5 years, but especially those younger than 2 years old.
We are thrilled to share some exciting updates and stories in our latest spring newsletter! Here’s a sneak peek at what you can expect:
Unveiling Our New Strategic Plan: Learn about our newly unveiled three-year strategic plan, which outlines our mission, vision, and goals for the future. Discover how we’re working to expand our reach and impact in the Greater Hartford community.
Patient Success Story: Read an inspiring patient success story and discover how Malta House of Care is making a difference in the lives of uninsured adults in our community.
Honoring Malta Founding Members: Join us in honoring the founding members of Malta House of Care, whose vision and dedication laid the foundation for our organization’s success.
Introducing “Minute with Malta,” an innovative program exclusively for our staff and volunteers to stay informed about recent healthcare developments started by Malta’s Medical Director Dr. Angela Stein, M.D. FACP.
Birdies for Charity and Upcoming Wonder Women Event: Get the latest updates on our participation in Birdies for Charity and learn how you can support our mission. Plus, find out all the details about our upcoming Wonder Women event, where we’ll be celebrating extraordinary women making a difference in our community.
Don’t miss out on these inspiring stories and important updates! Be sure to check your mailbox for our spring newsletter, coming soon. And for those who prefer digital reading, the newsletter stories are reproduced as news posts for your reference and convenience. Simply click on the links above to read the full articles. Or view the PDF here.
In January 2023, a dynamic team consisting of Malta’s Board of Directors, staff, and volunteers convened to develop a new three-year strategic plan. With the assistance of Fio Partners, we gathered insights from diverse perspectives including staff, community partners, volunteers, industry experts, and patients. Following thorough data collection, the board held a retreat in June 2023 to review the information and craft a plan aligned with our mission, vision, and desired outcomes. Unanimously approved by the board in September 2023, this plan marks a significant milestone in our ongoing commitment to advancing Malta’s mission.
Here are the updated mission statement and organizational Vision and Values approved by Malta’s Board.
Mission
To mobilize volunteers, partners, and donors to improve the overall health and well-being of uninsured adults in Greater Hartford by providing free primary care health services.
Vision for Impact in the Community
Malta patients are thriving, enjoying improved quality of life — they are physically, emotionally, and spiritually healthier.
Patients receive comprehensive and holistic services through Malta and its partners.
Our community is healthier, with reduced health disparities and lower utilization of emergency services.
A robust healthcare system, built on partnerships and preventative programs, ensures accessibility for all.
Malta’s model of care is celebrated and supported throughout the community.
Values
Malta House of Care was founded by members of the Order of Malta, whose mission is to uphold human dignity and care for people in need. In honoring that tradition, Malta values serve as the cornerstone of our work:
We Provide Care with Dignity and Compassion
We Serve with Integrity and Excellence
We are Committed to Safe and Quality Care
We Respect and Include all People
The 2024-2026 Strategic Plan guides annual goal-setting efforts and staff leadership and the board will jointly track progress by monitoring the Plan’s agreed-upon key results.
2024-2026 Goals
Expand Service Reach: Gradually extend our service area and broaden access to complementary health and social services.
Boost Philanthropic Support: Double our annual philanthropic support to further fuel our mission.
Enhance Community Visibility: Forge deeper relationships and increase visibility within our communities to maximize impact.
Optimize Internal Systems: Strengthen internal systems to measure health outcomes and amplify our impact.
Board Advancement: Evolve our Board of Directors to enhance impact and propel our mission forward.
This strategic roadmap will guide our annual goal-setting endeavors, ensuring alignment with our collective vision for a healthier, more equitable community. Together, let’s embark on this transformative journey to uplift lives and build a brighter future for all.
On December 7, 2023, the Board of Directors and staff of Malta House of Care joyfully gathered to celebrate the holiday season alongside five of the original founding members of Malta House. The seeds of Malta House of Care were planted in 2004, when a group of Hartford-area community leaders affiliated with the Order of Malta recognized the urgent need to address disparities in healthcare access and quality in the Greater Hartford region. Their unwavering commitment to the mission of serving the sick and poor led to the inception of Malta House of Care. Now, two decades later, their dedication and innovative approach have resulted in over 77,000 patient visits, a testament to their enduring legacy. In the photo, we see five of the visionaries whose mission continues to inspire our work today.
From Left to Right: Brien Horan, Dr. Pauline Olsen, Ronald Jarvis, Peter Kelly, Sr., and Jean-Pierre van Rooy
We are delighted to introduce Dr. Angela Stein, MD, FACP, as the newest member of our Malta family as our new Medical Director. With a wealth of experience and a heart dedicated to community health, Dr. Stein brings a remarkable background to our clinic. Graduating with her Medical Degree from the University of Connecticut School of Medicine in 2009, Dr. Stein completed her residency in Internal Medicine at UConn and served as Chief Medical Resident in 2013.
Before joining Malta House of Care, Dr. Stein served as a primary care physician for ProHealth Physicians of OptumCare in West Hartford for seven years. Her commitment to the underserved, evident through her years of practice and involvement in medical leadership, perfectly aligns with our mission of providing free comprehensive primary health care for uninsured adults in the Greater Hartford area.
Join us in welcoming Dr. Angela Stein. Together, we continue to make a difference in the lives of the uninsured, ensuring everyone receives the quality healthcare they deserve.
Thank you to Optum Health for a successful series of Flu Clinics! We are fortunate that Optum donated 300 flu vaccines to Malta and we have administered them to 146 individuals … and counting!
Malta House of Care is excited to announce a series of upcoming Flu Clinics in partnership with Optum Health, aimed at providing accessible flu vaccinations to our valued patients.
Clinic Dates and Locations:
Wednesday, September 20th: 10 am – 2 pm at Malta’s Clinic, 136 Farmington Avenue, Hartford
Thursday, September 28th: 12 pm – 3:30 pm at St. Augustine, 10 Campfield Avenue, Hartford
Monday, October 2nd: 10 am – 2 pm at St. Rose, 33 Church Street, East Hartford
Why It Matters: Influenza vaccination is a critical preventive measure to protect against the flu virus, especially for vulnerable populations. By partnering with Optum Health, we are reinforcing our dedication to patient wellness and promoting a proactive approach to healthcare.
What to Expect: Patients can look forward to a seamless and efficient vaccination experience at these clinics. Our friendly and experienced healthcare professionals will be on hand to administer vaccinations and address any questions or concerns.
Malta House of Care is committed to enhancing the health and quality of life for the communities we serve. We encourage all our patients to take advantage of this opportunity to safeguard their health during the upcoming flu season. We look forward to your participation in these clinics and thank Optum Health for their partnership in promoting community well-being.
Malta recently hosted a Women’s Wellness clinic in collaboration with Hartford Hospital’s Mobile Mammography Van. This initiative aimed not only to provide essential medical services, but also to underscore the significance of proactive healthcare within our communities.
The event was a resounding success as we welcomed eleven women to receive both physical exams and mammograms. The partnership with the Hartford Hospital enabled us to offer comprehensive care in a convenient and familiar setting as part of Malta’s mission and ongoing commitment to ensuring accessible healthcare for all.
The importance of these services cannot be overstated. Routine check-ups and screenings play a pivotal role in early detection and prevention of potential health issues. Our commitment to fostering holistic wellbeing extends beyond mere medical procedures; it’s about empowering individuals with the knowledge and resources to take charge of their health.
We take great pride in providing such initiatives, as they align perfectly with our mission to deliver accessible and high-quality care to our communities. Together, we can continue to build healthier and stronger communities.
For the fourth year in a row, Malta has earned the highest-possible honors for its standards of care from a pre-eminent national group.
The National Association of Free and Charitable Clinics (NAFC), a highly respected trade organization that represents about 1,400 charitable clinics nationwide, awarded Malta the NAFC 2023 Standards Gold Rating for its quality-of-care standards.
The mission of the National Association of Free and Charitable Clinics is to ensure the medically underserved have access to affordable healthcare. The NAFC and our members are dedicated to ensuring that our patients receive quality healthcare. Therefore, to quantify and qualify the care provided at the Free and Charitable Clinic network, the NAFC formalized a set of Quality Standards for member organizations.
Its quality standards include policies and procedures related to:
Planning and managing care;
Tracking and coordinating care;
Identifying and managing patient information;
Measuring and improving performance
Enhanced access and continuity of care;
Providing self-care support and community resources; and
Administration
We are so proud to be recognized with this esteemed honor.