Prenatal Clinic
Third floor (3 West Wing)
860 456-6796
Staff:
- Beth Cheney: APRN, Women’s Health Coordinator
- Carol Palonen: RN Case Manager, Breast Health Navigator
- Kate Starkey: Outreach Educator, Childbirth Education, and Certified Spanish Translator
- Juanita Vasquez: Social worker
- Nidia Caraballo: Patient access associate
Kate Starkey, Beth Cheney and Carol Palonen |
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Windham Hospital's Prenatal Clinic is a hospital-based outpatient facility serving pregnant women in 19 towns in Eastern Connecticut. A multidisciplinary team provides care to all of the patients. This team includes a nurse practitioner and bilingual/ bicultural social worker as well as a bilingual patient access associate. All prenatal patients undergo a comprehensive medical and psychosocial assessment in order to identify medical and social problems that might affect the outcome of the pregnancy. In addition, they also receive a package of services, which may include medical, psychological and educational components. The clinic staff works closely with the Generations Family Health Center and Mansfield OB/GYN in order to coordinate the care for all patients.
The Windham Hospital Prenatal Clinic recognizes that prenatal care is a good model for a preventative health care program, which focuses on primary and secondary prevention of diseases and pathological conditions during pregnancy and delivery. The Prenatal Clinic's mission is to:
1. Identify women with current health conditions likely to jeopardize the outcome of a pregnancy such as chronic hypertension, diabetes, or malnutrition.
2. Identify currently healthy women who are at increased risk of health conditions likely to jeopardize the outcome of pregnancy such as very young women or women with a poor obstetrics history.
3. Early detection and treatment of health conditions likely to jeopardize the outcome of pregnancy such as pre-eclampsia, anemia, or a urinary tract infection.
4. Teaching pregnant women and their families about health conditions likely to jeopardize the outcome of pregnancy including smoking, sexually transmitted diseases and preterm labor.
Hours of Operation:
| Monday | 8:30 - 4 pm |
| Tuesday | Secretary only |
| Wednesday | Secretary only |
| Thursday | 8:30 am -3 pm |
| Friday | 8:30 am - 3 pm |
The Connecticut Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program
is a state and federally funded program which provides free mammograms, clinical breast exams and pap tests for women without insurance or where their insurance does not cover these services adequately. They must qualify for the program by calling 456-6896 meet the income eligibility. If the woman is over 40, she will also qualify for the WISEWOMAN Program, the cardiovascular screening component of the program. WISEWOMAN Lifestyle Intervention Classes will help women identify problem areas, make healthier choices, and work toward a “wellness lifestyle.”
During the Connecticut Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program a woman is seen by a female Nurse Practitioner, bilingual staff is available when needed. Access to Case Manager and Breast Health Navigator is also available.
Breast Health Navigator
Carol Palonen, RN is the Breast Cancer Navigator at Windham Hospital. In this role, she provides breast cancer patients with support as well as practical help with problems that arise during the day to day struggle with breast cancer. She may be available to assist with issues such as scheduling appointments, arranging transportation, locating financial resources, and dealing with family issues. Studies have shown that patients who use the services of a navigator are often better able to follow their treatment regimen and receive the support that they need. For more information, call Ms. Palonen at 860-456-6896
Women may call 456-6896 or email Carol Palonen at cpalonen@wcmh.org.
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