There’s a lot new and rebuilt at two CT hospitals. But ‘we are just getting started,’ CEO says

Hartford Courant – Thursday, July 16, 2026
By Helen I. Bennett

1,600 new computer stations.

Making sure all the elevators work.

Those are just two of the multitude of improvements done since Hartford Healthcare bought and began to integrate Manchester Memorial Hospital and the Rockville campus into the massive system’s statewide operation.

“We are working with a great deal of purpose to build, with expertise that was there,” said Jeffrey A. Flaks, president and chief executive officer of Hartford HealthCare in an interview with the Courant. “We are seeing already today more advanced treatment being done locally.”

Flaks spoke as Hartford Healthcare was preparing to mark a little more than six months since the system purchased the two hospital from the private equity company Prospect Medical Holdings. Gov. Ned Lamont joined the healthcare system Thursday as it marked the milestone.

Hartford Healthcare official have previously said there had been minimal investment in the Rockville and Manchester hospitals for many years.

Flaks noted the 1,600 new computer stations, the 160 news WOWs, or work flow computers on wheels, 2,500 news colleagues and returning the hospitals to not-for-profit status; others mentioned the elevators. But one of the real triumphs of the work, he said, was the integration of the hospitals into the Hartford Healthcare Epic system, which maintains all patient information and records.

Using the integrated patient record system allows providers everywhere in the system to be able have information about patients right away for care coordination, and not have to wait to obtain records.

“We had to rebuild the entire infrastructure of Manchester and Rockville … update entire cybersecurity systems,” he said. “It’s a massive undertaking and enables making dramatic improvements in quality and safety.”

The integration also brings expanded access to specialists and advanced services, with improved colleague support. Flaks said. For example, if a person were come to the Rockville campus and then need to be transferred to another Hartford Healthcare facility, with Epic it would be done seamlessly in terms of all of their data traveling with them, he said.

“It’s done without friction … standard protocols are consistently applied across all of our settings,” he said.

“Bringing a level of health care …to make health care better:and more accessible,” Flaks said. “Much more seamless health care, more access, it is very meaningful.”

“We are now able to bring it closer to home,” he said, referring to the regions around Manchester and Rockville.

Flaks said Hartford Healthcare has been “well received and supported” at Manchester and Rockville, and the work to date “is the beginning of the beginning” in terms of what will be brought to practitioners and patients there. “In so many ways I feel like we are just getting started.”

“I could not be more grateful to our colleagues,” he said. “Together what they have done for the community is truly exceptional.”

Flaks noted other benefits of the integration include practitioners with different specialties being able to work at different locations, upgrading technology, such as in radiology, upgrading electric and power grids to state-of-the-art and that leaders from Hartford Healthcare are now working full-time on those campuses

The investment in the two hospitals will be more than $300 million over the next several years and that includes complete overhaul of all the IT, Flaks said.

On the conversion of the hospitals back to not-for-profit status, Flaks said, “we are deeply embedding ourselves in thc communities,” and the Hartford Healthcare model of “investing locally and being purposeful…. Is a very focused effort .”

“We are fundamentally a community-based organization,” he said. “It’s been a very successful undertaking.”

Prospect had faced financial challenges, including delayed payments for physicians and vendors to health care provider shortages, with and state and federal officials claiming that the company has maximized profits at the expense of patient care. Prospect Medical filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy last January with bankruptcy court proceedings in the Northern District of Texas Dallas Division.

Hartford HealthCare has more than 500 locations in 185 towns and cities, according to information on the health care system.

Dr. Adam Steinberg, Hartford HealthCare president of the greater Manchester region, said the investments to date “in our colleagues and programing” are working toward achieving “the expectation of what we have in Hartford Healthcare.”

And that, he said, is the goal “to improve health in the community.” Facilities that have been neglected, “we are righting that.”

“We are building a foundation of trust, growing relationships,” Steinberg said. “We are prioritizing the health of the citizens of communities we serve We are committed and living our mission to improve the health care of all.”

Another aspect of the goal is to bring the highest level of care, close to home, he said. “We are trying to improve health so people do not need us.”

Steinberg said the 2,500 new colleagues have embraced all the change and the challenge and he has “tremendous gratitude” that they have been able to “integrate into a new system, a new culture, in six months.”

“It is energizing for use and the leadership team,” he said. “I am just so excited for the future.”

Manchester Mayor Jay Moran has said Hartford HealthCare is focused on a community-based approach to health care.

“They want to be part of the community,” he has said. “They want to be part of helping and fundraising. They want to be part of the Chamber of Commerce. They want to be part of the local nonprofits in supporting things.”

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