Wallingford resident Sonja LaBarbera recognized by Quinnipiac Chamber of Commerce WALLINGFORD, CONNECTICUT, November 6, 2019 - Gaylord Specialty Healthcare President and CEO Sonja LaBarbera, MSOL, MS CCC/SLP, today received the Woman of the Year Award at the Quinnipiac Chamber of Commerce Annual Women’s Achievement Awards Luncheon held at the Wallingford Hilton Garden Inn.
LaBarbera – a Wallingford resident – was nominated by her colleagues for making tremendous progress in growing the healthcare system’s reputation as a regional and national provider of choice for rehabilitation and complex medical management since assuming the helm of Gaylord Specialty Healthcare last January.
Her staff also commended her commitment to patient-centric care, noting that her trademark motto, “It is always about the patient,” is the litmus test for each decision she makes as Gaylord’s leader. She has been instrumental in launching a significant renovation to update 100 patient rooms, nurses’ stations and family areas on four patient floors and advocates for the use of technology to advance care, whenever possible.
“Every day I am motivated to do what’s best for our patients as they recover from life-altering illness or injury,” said LaBarbera at the event. “There’s nothing more rewarding than to watch a paralyzed patient take their first steps in a bionic exoskeleton suit, or see a stroke or a brain-injured patient go home and return to their lives.”
“It’s truly an honor to be recognized for something I am so passionate about.”
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 30 programs for a wide range of conditions. Gaylord Physical Therapy provides orthopedic rehabilitation for recovery from surgery or injury.