Shaun Moses, IT Operations Manager at ECPC, recently joined a speaker panel hosted by CTKIDS, a youth development nonprofit in Hartford. The panel’s mission was to empower students to:

• Make informed decisions about their career paths
  
• Cultivate a clearer sense of direction
  
• Feel motivated to pursue their aspirations with greater confidence and clarity
  

One of the questions Shaun addressed was: “What skills are essential for success in this career?”

Shaun shared that in the world of IT, change is constant. New technologies and software are emerging every day, and adaptability is critical. He pointed to artificial intelligence (AI) as a prime example—while it’s becoming a hot topic, many people don’t fully understand how it works.

In his role, Shaun takes on the responsibility of researching and learning how tools like AI can be applied in the workplace, especially to benefit the medical practices he supports. His advice to students was clear: staying curious, adaptable, and committed to lifelong learning is the key to thriving in the tech field.

MANCHESTER – For the second year, Eastern Connecticut Pathology Consultants (ECPC) collaborated with Eastern Connecticut Health Network (ECHN) at the Read to Grow Bookmobile event at Bowers Elementary School’s summer camp on July 25th.

The income-based summer camp program allowed 130 children to choose an age- and language-appropriate book to keep. Read to Grow’s mission is to promote language skills and literacy for children, beginning at birth, and to support families as their babies’ first teachers. ECPC is proud to be part of this event.

Shaun Moses and Raheem Porter from ECPC provided each student with an insulated bottle, and Kona Ice donated their tasty shaved ice treats for the kids and volunteers. ECHN CEO Deborah Weymouth met a camper who aspires to become a doctor and assisted as he listened to one of ECHN’s therapy dogs’ heartbeat.

MANCHESTER – Members at Manchester Country Club gathered for the annual Holes for Hope golf tournament, hosted by the Rotary Club of Manchester in partnership with ECHN. The event raises critical support for several local nonprofits making a meaningful impact in the lives of families across the region.

This year, ECPC was honored to serve as one of the event sponsors, contributing to an effort that benefits organizations such as the Connecticut Child Guidance Clinic, Journey Found, Rebuilding Together Manchester, Midwest Food Bank, and the Manchester Knights youth sports program. These groups provide essential services ranging from mental health support and food access to home repairs and youth mentorship.

Representing ECPC in this year’s foursome were:

• Kevin Pelland, MD (ECPC Pathologist)
• James Boley, PA-C (ECPC Pathologists’ Assistant)
• Brian Schimdtberg, MD (Guest participant)
• Mark Cloutier, PA-C (Guest participant)

The team enjoyed a great day on the course alongside other community members—all coming together in the spirit of service and support.

At ECPC, we’re deeply committed to supporting the communities we serve, both inside and outside the lab. Partnering with Rotary for Holes for Hope is one way we give back to the people and organizations doing important work locally—because healthier communities start with strong support systems.

To learn more about the event and the causes it supports, visit ManchesterCTRotary.org.

We are honored to share that Dr. Elizabeth Rinehart, Chair and Medical Director of the Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Department at Waterbury Hospital, has been selected as one of only ten physicians nationwide to receive the 2025 Outstanding Performance Award from the Commission on Cancer (CoC) Cancer Liaison Physician (CLP) program.

This prestigious award is presented each year to Cancer Liaison Physicians who show exceptional leadership and dedication to the quality and coordination of cancer care. These physicians play a vital role in maintaining the highest standards within their cancer programs and in supporting the CoC’s mission to improve patient outcomes and strengthen care coordination.

Dr. Rinehart’s expertise, commitment, and leadership have been instrumental in advancing cancer care excellence at Waterbury Hospital. This recognition reflects not only her personal dedication but also the strength of the multidisciplinary teams she works with every day.

Please join us in congratulating Dr. Rinehart on this well-deserved national honor. Her work continues to inspire excellence in cancer care.

Waterbury Hospital, one of ECPC’s hospital partners, has attained national accreditation from the American College of Surgeons National Accreditation Program for Rectal Cancer (NAPRC) – becoming only the third hospital in Connecticut to achieve this distinction.

Elizabeth Marie Rinehart, MD, FCAP, an ECPC pathologist and Chair and Medical Director of Waterbury Hospital’s Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, was part of the team that worked toward this accreditation.

As a participant of the NAPRC, Waterbury Hospital has earned distinction as an ACS Surgical Quality Partner – which means the hospital is dedicated to maintaining the highest standards in surgical care.

“Earning this accreditation means we provide some of the best care in the country to rectal cancer patients. Each case is rigorously reviewed by the multidisciplinary team to ensure the care plan for
each patient is the best course of action and one that can deliver the best results,” said John Zhang, MD, a colorectal surgeon. “This approach delivers personalized, patient centered care and is the first and major step towards Waterbury Hospital becoming a world class digestive disease center.”

WASHINGTON, DC — Elizabeth Marie Rinehart, MD, recently met with federal lawmakers to advocate for protections for pathology services. Rinehart, a long-time pathologist with ECPC, is also a delegate for the College of American Pathologists (CAP) House of Delegates.

On April 16, Rinehart and CAP members met with lawmakers to discuss how Congress can mitigate Medicare payment cuts to physicians, set limits on future clinical laboratory fee cuts, and increase the medical workforce to address current shortages.

Rinehart met with the Connecticut delegation in Congress, including Sen. Richard Blumenthal, Sen. Chris Murphy, Rep. Joe Courtney, Rep. John Larson, and Rep. Jim Hines.

These align with key CAP priorities that are vital to pathology, including:

• Medicare physician payment reform
• Saving Access to Laboratory Services (SALSA) Act
• Conrad State 30 and Physician Access Reauthorization Act

The advocacy meetings coincided with CAP’s annual Hill Day and the 2024 Pathologists Leadershp Summit.

Dr. Rinehart has held multiple committee assignments within the College of American Pathologists. She was included in The Pathologist magazine’s 2016 Power List of inspiring leaders, researchers and educators. The Power List highlights pathologists with exceptional and influential achievements.

MANCHESTER — Monica Srodon, MD, FCAP, has been awarded the Hospital-based Physician of Excellence Award at Eastern Connecticut Health Network (ECHN). Dr. Srodon’s received her award among other 2024 Milestone Award recipients at the John. A. Dequattro Cancer Center. The honor recognizes her unwavering commitment to excellent patient care.

Dr. Srodon, Vice President and Secretary of ECPC, is also co-medical director of the cancer program, which has been recognized with an Outstanding Achievement Award by the Commission on Cancer. Only 14 percent of hospitals nationwide receive this award.

Our team at ECPC welcomes three new babies to our practice family, with two girls and a boy arriving at the end of 2023.

We wish to congratulate the following team members and their families:

• Dr. Kevin Pelland’s daughter Flora Marie was born on Sept. 1 at 7:35 a.m., weighing 20.5 inches and weighing 7 lbs 2 oz. Flora joins her big brother Jameson and proud parents Kevin and Lilly.
• Dr. Cindy Wepy and her husband James welcomed a baby boy in December.
• Pathologists’ Assistant James Boley welcomes his daughter Norah Marie, born on Nov. 20 at ECPC’s own Manchester Memorial Hospital, weighing 7 lbs 9 oz. Norah joins her big brother Carter and proud parents James and Danielle.

Congrats to James and Drs. Pelland and Wepy on their growing families.