For Immediate Release
Contact: Maria Zone
Director of Communications
Archdiocese of Hartford
(860) 541-6491 ext. 127
mzone@aohct.org

The Sovereign Military Order of Malta provides a second Malta House of Care Van to help the uninsured in Waterbury
Funding Comes from the Archdiocese of Hartford

HARTFORD, Conn. – (August 12, 2010) The Sovereign Military Order of Malta is pleased to announce that a second Malta House of Care van will provide free primary healthcare services to the uninsured of  Greater Waterbury at Sacred Heart-Sagrado Corazon Church on 13 Wolcott St. The medical van will treat patients every Tuesday from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. starting on August 24, 2010.

Similar to the first Malta House mobile healthcare van, which began providing free services to the uninsured in Hartford in 2006, the Waterbury van will provide free physical examinations, diabetes and blood pressure checks, prescription drugs, medical tests, and referrals to other physicians as needed. 

The mobile medical van will have two examination rooms and be staffed by volunteer doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals. Patients will be treated on a first-come, first-served basis.

The need for healthcare for the uninsured in Connecticut is critical, because statistics show that over 300,000 residents don’t have health insurance.

 “Getting this medical van up and running has been a long journey involving so many dedicated and caring healthcare professionals, clergy, and business people. To see it come to fruition is an incredibly rewarding experience,” said Michael Culhane, who is the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Malta House of Care-Waterbury, Inc. “We are also grateful to Archbishop Henry Mansell of Hartford for his generous contribution. Without the support of the Archbishop’s Annual Appeal, the van would not have been possible,” continued Culhane.

“I am deeply grateful to Michael Culhane, and the volunteer doctors, nurses, and other professional people making these services possible,” said Archbishop Henry Mansell. “In a special way, I profoundly appreciate the donors to the Archbishop’s Annual Appeal, which is providing significant funding to make available the van and its assistance to people in need,” added Archbishop Mansell.

According to Laura Sanzari, a cardiac nurse who volunteers her services in Hartford, “it’s an honor and privilege to serve this most vulnerable population while working alongside an incredible group of dedicated volunteers and staff. At every visit, the gratitude of our patients is immeasurable. Not a day passes without being asked for a hug. It is their most simple and immediate way of thanking us.”

Sanzari will work during the inauguration of the Waterbury van on August 24.

“I hope my experience as a volunteer with the Malta House van in Hartford will assist in a smooth Waterbury beginning,” said Sanzari. 

Archbishop Mansell will preside over a blessing of the healthcare van, which will be parked in the parking lot of Sacred Heart-Sagrado Corazon Church, on Monday, August 23, 2010 at 11:00am. The blessing will take place rain or shine.

According to Culhane, the healthcare van will be available in the fall at three other Waterbury church locations: (1) St. Francis Xavier, 625 Baldwin St., (2) St. Margaret, 289 Willow St., and (3) St. Stanislaus Kostka, 86 East Farm St.

 “We are still working on the dates, but ultimately, the healthcare van will be visiting four different church locations on Mondays through Thursdays every week,” said Culhane.

In addition to Culhane, Dr. Paul Kelly, Gregory Oneglia and Leslie Swiderski are on the Board of Directors of the Malta House of Care-Waterbury, Inc.