Years of planning led to this moment. From the first sketches to the final steel beam, a team of architects, engineers, builders, community leaders, and clinicians dedicated themselves to creating a place where compassion meets innovation, and where every space was designed with the needs of children and families in mind.
The ceremony kicked off with welcoming remarks from emcee and ESPN/ABC sports anchor Kevin Negandhi, who reflected on his own experience as a patient family at Connecticut Children’s. Jim Shmerling, Connecticut Children’s President and CEO, recognized the many champions in attendance whose commitment and advocacy made the new Tower possible:
- Jeanette Weldon, Executive Director Connecticut Health and Educational Facilities (CHEFA)
- Peter Lisi, Board Chair, CHEFA
- Ned Lamont, Governor of Connecticut
- Sean Scanlon, State Comptroller
- Luke Bronin, former Mayor of Hartford
- Andrea Barton-Reeves, Commissioner, CT Department of Social Services
- Susan Hamilton, Commissioner, CT Department of Children and Families
- Dr. Manisha Juthani, Commissioner, CT Department of Public Health
- Arunan Arulampalam, Mayor of Hartford
- Julio Concepcion, CT State Representative, 4th District
- Jason Rojas, Majority Leader, CT House of Representatives
“We are truly surrounded by partners who share our belief that when we invest in children, we invest in the future of our state,” said Shmerling. Mayor Arulampalam and Carey Shea, Co-Chair of the Frog Hollow Neighborhood Revitalization Zone, emphasized the importance of Connecticut Children’s to the residents of Frog Hollow and the city of Hartford. “This tower will stand here in this neighborhood for generations to come,” noted Arulampalam, who described his own children as “frequent flyers” at Connecticut Children’s.
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