{DKH Longest-Serving Employees Spotlight}

In celebration of 125 years of service, Day Kimball Healthcare (DKH) is showcasing many of our longest-serving employees who have dedicated 40 or more years to our organization. Here’s a chance to get a more personal look at the people woven into the history of your community hospital.

This month we recognize Donna Coderre, certified cardiographic technician in the cardiology department at Day Kimball Hospital, who began working at DKH in 1976. Donna’s roots with DKH go further back to her birth here at the Hospital. She grew up in Brooklyn, CT and has lived in Putnam, CT for the past 27 years.

Donna studied allied health at Quinebaug Valley Community College and belongs to Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI) as a certified cardiology technician.

In reflecting on her tenure at DKH, Donna shared “I hope to be the longest, continuous working employee of DKH, setting the bar high to be surpassed in the future. I have loved every moment of it!”

Read on to learn more about Donna, including what inspired her career choices and more in this spotlight.

#DKHTurns125 #DKHEmployeeSpotlight

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What sparked your interest in healthcare? My father died at the age of 49 with a massive coronary as did most of his siblings. I wanted to learn more about cardiology.

Do you remember your first day of work at DKH? I remember that it was a beautiful sunny day and we were busy doing tests all over the Hospital. It was exciting to meet many of the doctors and staff while learning the equipment and how to perform the tests. Everyone was very welcoming.

What roles have you had at DKH? I have been a cardiology technician, supervisor of the cardiology department, and now I am a certified cardiology technician in the cardiology department and critical care coordinator and facilitator for the office of Dr. John Modica.

What do you like most about your job? My patients! They are kind and appreciative. I like to help alleviate any fear that they may have.

What do you like most about working at DKH? What have you gained? I love the fact that we are lucky to have DKH in our community, making it a quick trip to work. I mostly enjoy all patient contact. I have gained an extensive education in cardiology and I feel blessed to work with some of the finest board-certified cardiologists in the Northeast corner of the state. We are truly a “team.”

What is your proudest moment at DKH? Years ago, I worked alone on the second shift as a member of the resuscitation team responding to every code. It was always a good feeling when we saved someone’s life.

What is your fondest memory of your time at DKH so far? Knowing that I have made DKH history. I was only the second technician to work on second shift. I was one of two technicians that were chosen to train for stress testing for our first stress lab at DKH. I was also the first technician to work in the cardiac rehabilitation department when it began.

With this being DKH’s 125th anniversary, what do you think makes DKH so special? The community and the people. DKH has been fortunate to have a very supportive community. For many, it’s a personal experience coming to our hospital. We are one big family because mostly everyone who works here knows a majority of their patients. It’s a small community hospital and I think that is comforting to a lot of our patients.

What do you like to do outside of work? I enjoy playing golf with my husband and our sons. I like to travel, exercise, and entertain our family and friends.