Gaylord Receives Awards from Connecticut Hospital Association

At its 101st Annual Meeting at the Aqua Turf, the Connecticut Hospital Association (CHA) presented two of its annual awards to Gaylord Specialty Healthcare, a rehabilitation-focused healthcare system based in Wallingford.

CHA’s 2019 Healthcare Hero Award was presented to Gaylord gynecologist Dr. Anna Tirado, MD, FACOG, for her work caring for women with profound disabilities.

CHA and the Connecticut Department of Public Health also jointly presented Connecticut’s Hospital Community Service Award to Gaylord Specialty Healthcare’s Gynecological Clinic for Women with Disabilities.

Twenty years ago, Hamden resident Tirado launched Gaylord’s Gynecological Clinic for Women with Disabilities after aggressive treatment for leukemia left her with permanent disabilities that she says “changed my practice, not my heart.”

After her return to work, Dr. Tirado resolved to find something to add to her life - and her practice - to counterbalance what was “taken away from me.” She was approached by Gaylord’s Spinal Cord Injury program director who asked if she would develop and staff a new in-house clinic for women with disabilities.

“I knew that women with profound disabilities such as spinal cord injuries are considerably less apt to seek regular gynecological care. As someone with disabilities myself, I immediately said yes,” she said.

Tirado explained, “After a spinal cord injury, many women aren’t able to access services at standard OB/GYN offices as they can’t transfer to a typical exam table. Some doctors are uncomfortable or unaware of how to treat women with special needs. Women with spinal cord injuries cannot feel if something is wrong so it is vital to get regular checkups to screen and prevent UTIs, infections, address pressure sores, and for early cancer detection.”

“Women who have had strokes, Multiple Sclerosis, amputations, developmental or mental disabilities may also feel more comfortable at a clinic that offers adaptive equipment and care by a professional who understands and advocates for those with disabilities,” she continued.

Anna balances her job as a gynecologist at County Obstetrics & Gynecology Group in New Haven with office hours for patients at the Gaylord clinic in Wallingford. She sees approximately 10-15 patients a month at the Gaylord clinic and each patient receives care well beyond the time and scope that would be expected at a typical gynecological visit for an able-bodied woman.

Gaylord Specialty Healthcare pays for Tirado’s services. However, she donates all money back to Gaylord Specialty Healthcare, as she has considered it her pro-bono work for the last 20 years.

“The clinic’s benefit to the community is immeasurable and draws patietns throughout the state,” said Gaylord Chief Medical Officer Stephen Holland, M.D. “Finding talented physicians willing to treat disabled patients is

difficult, but Dr. Anna Tirado actively seeks new ways to improve women’s access to care. We are very proud of her achievements and of the quality care that the clinic has provided over the last two decades.”

About Gaylord Specialty Healthcare:

Gaylord Specialty Healthcare is a rehabilitation-focused, nonprofit health system located in Wallingford, Connecticut, that provides inpatient and outpatient care for people at every point in their journey from illness or injury to maximum recovery.

Gaylord Specialty Healthcare includes three components. Gaylord Hospital offers medical rehabilitation for acute illnesses, accidents, or complex medical conditions. Gaylord Outpatient Services offers nearly 40 programs for a wide range of conditions. Gaylord Physical Therapy provides orthopedic rehabilitation for recovery from surgery or injury.