Jeffrey A. Flaks, president and chief experience officer of Hartford HealthCare, said the collaboration reflects a shared commitment to advancing education, expanding opportunity and ensuring access to exceptional care across the state. 

“The future of healthcare depends on our ability to develop, inspire and retain the next generation of caregivers, clinicians and healthcare leaders,” Flaks said. “Our partnership with Quinnipiac University is a game changer for the future of healthcare education and workforce development in Connecticut. We are creating innovative pathways that connect classroom learning with real-world clinical experience, giving students the opportunity to thrive while strengthening the pipeline of highly skilled, compassionate professionals in our communities for years to come.” 

Peter Yoo, MD, Hartford HealthCare’s chief academic officer, said the strength of the system’s academic partnership with Quinnipiac lies in a shared commitment to building curriculum and clinical training around the actual needs of Connecticut’s healthcare workforce. 

“We share a focus on pragmatic excellence, preparing graduates for what employers like Hartford HealthCare genuinely require, while equipping them for a lifelong commitment to learning and growth. Together, we are creating world-class learning experiences that define the next generation of caregivers and leaders,” Dr. Yoo said. 

As one of the partnership’s many success stories, a growing network of Quinnipiac graduates now serves as caregivers and leaders at Hartford HealthCare. Among many alumni making an impact on Connecticut’s healthcare landscape is Andrew Turczak ’07, MHS ’09, MBA ’18, the system’s senior vice president of operations in its Fairfield Region. 

Beginning in 2017, Turczak initiated and grew Hartford HealthCare’s Connecticut Orthopaedic Institute at Midstate Medical Center into the largest orthopedic program in the state. Since that time, the center has served more than 70,000 patients.

In 2019, Turczak brought the program to Hartford HealthCare’s St. Vincent's Medical Center in Bridgeport, where he was named executive director of perioperative services in 2020. In 2022, Turczak went on to oversee the entirety of the program at the system level as vice president of Connecticut Orthopaedic Institute, before rising to his current role in 2025. 

After earning his bachelor’s degree and master of health science as a physician’s assistant from Quinnipiac, Turczak started his career in clinical work, and later returned to Quinnipiac to earn his MBA in healthcare administration. 

“As I grew in my career, I wanted to strengthen my business and leadership skill set and choose Quinnipiac University for my MBA,” Turczak said. “It was one of the best decisions I ever made, as it helped refine my skill set and expertise. I now use the clinical, business and leadership skills that I learned through Quinnipiac in providing access and high-quality care to the patients in our communities.”  

At St. Vincent’s, Turczak also works closely with the Department of Medicine chair to support Quinnipiac graduate medical residencies. Completing this full-circle story, Turczak continues to share his knowledge and expertise with Quinnipiac physician’s assistant students as an adjunct professor at the School of Health Sciences. 

Quinnipiac Provost Debra Liebowitz said one of the most powerful outcomes of the Quinnipiac-Hartford HealthCare partnership is seeing graduates thrive as professionals throughout Hartford HealthCare. 

“These alumni work in care provision as well as business, communications, technology and operations areas of Hartford HealthCare,” Liebowitz said. “The partnership demonstrates what is possible when academic excellence is paired with authentic professional experience. The result of this partnership is a stronger educational experience for our students, a more robust healthcare workforce for our state and a shared capacity to improve the health and well-being of the communities that both Quinnipiac University and Hartford HealthCare serve.” 

One of the partnership’s newest collaborations is the Quinnipiac-Hartford HealthCare Pathways Program, designed to create meaningful pathways for future healthcare professionals. Kicking off with the 2026-2027 academic year, an inaugural cohort of 14 first-year Quinnipiac students in nursing, occupational therapy, and social work will spend the year learning from industry leaders through this unique program, culminating in a paid summer employment opportunity.  

Hartford HealthCare Operations and Analytics Manager Cameron Morosky, MS ’25, was among a group of Hartford HealthCare leaders who recently met with the inaugural cohort. 

Morosky has high praise for the students and Quinnipiac for its vision and commitment in joining with Hartford HealthCare to develop innovative experiences that connect academic learning with meaningful career exploration. 

“I'm so grateful for the opportunity to partner with such talented students as they begin their collegiate journeys and explore future careers in healthcare,” Morosky said.  

Morosky first became involved with Hartford HealthCare through his Quinnipiac education while earning a master of science in business analytics with a concentration in healthcare optimization. 

“My connection to Hartford HealthCare began while I was studying at Quinnipiac, where courses in data management and data warehousing with Dr. Rachida Parks sparked my interest in healthcare analytics and information systems,” Morosky said.  

Parks’s research in medical informatics and collaborations with Dr. Barry Stein, Hartford HealthCare’s chief clinical innovation officer, introduced Morosky to the tremendous potential of artificial intelligence and emerging technologies in healthcare. 

After researching healthcare data system interoperability under Tan Gürpinar at Quinnipiac, Morosky undertook an internship with Hartford HealthCare under Dr. Barry Stein and Dr. Rocco Orlando, where they helped design a conceptual framework for responsible AI governance across a statewide health system. 

“Building on my own research into blockchain applications and my growing knowledge of SQL-based relational databases, I pursued an administrative internship in Clinical Innovation and Informatics under Dr. Stein and Dr. Orlando. The experience allowed me to explore how Hartford HealthCare was embracing data and technology to improve care delivery and address complex healthcare challenges,” Morosky said.  

These experiences and others ultimately brought Morosky back to Hartford HealthCare through a year-long administrative fellowship with the health system’s Community Network. There, he supported the expansion of an operational analytics program spanning nine business units and discovered his passion for applying data and technology to frontline healthcare operations. In May of 2026, Morosky became Manager of Operations and Analytics for the Community Network.  

“I now lead the Business Operations Analytics team and partner with executive and operational leaders to translate strategic priorities into measurable outcomes across the full continuum of care,” Morosky said. 

Quinnipiac Chief Experience Officer Tom Ellett said what stands out most in the extraordinary partnership between Quinnipiac and Hartford HealthCare is the ease with which students are able to transition into these roles and become integrated into the Hartford HealthCare community.  

“These experiences are not simply jobs; they are opportunities for learning, growth and professional development. Hartford HealthCare professionals invest their time in teaching and mentoring our students, helping them build confidence, competence, and a clear sense of career direction,” Ellett said.  

Recently, Ellett collaborated with Morosky and other Hartford HealthCare leaders who met with the first student cohort of the Quinnipiac-Hartford HealthCare Pathways Program. Ellett said he’s grateful for the long-standing partnership’s exceptional ability to produce and support this and many other innovative opportunities for students. 

“From a student experience perspective, the Hartford HealthCare and Quinnipiac partnership is exceptional because it moves beyond traditional internships and clinical placements to create a true pathway from student to professional,” Ellett said. “I have witnessed firsthand the remarkable commitment Hartford HealthCare demonstrates in connecting Quinnipiac students with meaningful opportunities across its network. Whether through part-time employment, clinical experiences or mentorship, students gain rich, hands-on exposure that helps them connect classroom learning with the realities of professional practice.” 

The network of Quinnipiac alumni at Hartford HealthCare stretches across a multitude of healthcare disciplines as well as many other professional roles. Jon Sylvan ’06, MPT ’08, senior director of clinical excellence for the Hartford HealthCare Rehabilitation Network, began his educational journey at Quinnipiac, then expanded on his role as a physical therapist by pursuing advanced post-professional training, going on to hold clinical and leadership roles within spine rehabilitation. 

“In 2018, I joined Hartford HealthCare and have had the privilege of serving in several leadership positions, including Spine Clinical Rehabilitation Program Manager, Director of Clinical Excellence, and now Senior Director of Clinical Excellence. Throughout my career, I have remained passionate about advancing evidence-based rehabilitation, developing future healthcare leaders, and improving patient outcomes across the continuum of care. Quinnipiac's emphasis on leadership, service, and professional growth continues to influence how I approach my work today,” Sylan said.  

Hartford Healthcare cardiologist Dr. Stephanie Saucier ‘10, is the co-director of the Women's Heart Wellness Program with a clinical focus on preventive cardiology, lipid management, women's cardiovascular health and cardiac rehabilitation. She says her Quinnipiac experience set her on the path to a career in compassionate care. At Quinnipiac, she earned a bachelor’s degree in psychobiology with a minor in chemistry.  

“My experience at Quinnipiac helped establish the strong work ethic, dedication, and sense of purpose that continue to guide my career today. The rigorous academic environment challenged me to think critically and develop the discipline necessary for a career in medicine. Perhaps most importantly, it reinforced my desire to care for patients and make a meaningful impact on their lives,” Dr. Saucier said.  

Anthony Mio ’06, MBA ’09, joined Hartford HealthCare in 2018 as system director of compliance and internal audit and currently serves as vice president and chief compliance officer. Mio said seeking a Quinnipiac MBA in healthcare management, together with a certificate in healthcare compliance, propelled the launch of his rewarding career in the healthcare sector. 

“My experience in Quinnipiac University’s MBA Program was instrumental in introducing me to the non-clinical side of healthcare and ultimately shaping my career,” said Mio. “Looking back, the education and experiences I gained at Quinnipiac were essential in opening the door to a profession that has been rewarding as well as providing a true sense of purpose.”  

Meaghan Cooper, JD ’09, is Hartford HealthCare’s legal department associate general counsel, head of transactions. Cooper said Quinnipiac School of Law’s health law program is what drew her from New York to Connecticut. 

“I knew that I wanted to pursue a career in health law and be a part of furthering the development of health care delivery models. I was excited about the possibility of supporting health care systems and clinicians in developing new affiliations to improve access to health care within regulatory frameworks,” Cooper said. “While I was at Quinnipiac, I took classes in healthcare law, contracting and insurance, with a focus on regulatory and health care transactional matters, each of which prepared me for my current career.” 

Cooper remained in Connecticut to practice healthcare law. Since joining Hartford HealthCare in 2018, she said she has found a perfect career fit in a role which allows her to contribute and serve clients in a different way.  

“I wanted to form deeper connections to the work and the people, and to be a more integral member of a team,” Cooper said. 

Shannon Flaherty ’22 said joining Hartford HealthCare has not only supported her career aspirations but has allowed her to maintain the same sense of team purpose she valued at Quinnipiac. After earning her bachelor’s degree in communications and media studies, Flaherty began her career with Hartford HealthCare as senior services marketing coordinator and is now a social media specialist for the system. 

“Quinnipiac’s School of Communications core classes helped me be a jack of all trades in communications. I feel proficient in many areas,” Flaherty said. “Working for Quinnipiac’s Integrated Marketing and Communications Office helped me hone in on my skills with content creation, and my leadership role in clubs and organizations helped me to be a well-rounded team member in the marketing team here at Hartford HealthCare.” 

Ellett said the ongoing relationship between Quinnipiac and Hartford HealthCare creates a powerful bridge between education and career readiness, providing students with access to real-world experiences while helping them develop the skills, networks, and sense of purpose needed to thrive as professionals within the healthcare sector. 

“As someone deeply invested in student success, I see this partnership as one of the strongest examples of how strategic collaboration can enhance the student experience and create lasting opportunities for our graduates,” Ellett said. 

Outlining the vision behind this partnership, Flaks said, "This collaboration reflects our shared commitment to advancing education, expanding opportunity and ensuring access to exceptional care across the state.”