Martin Health Center

Open 24 hours/day, 7 days/week

860-945-7762
860-945-7766 (fax)
healthcenter@TaftSchool.org

The Martin Health Center, located on the ground floor of Congdon House, is a 13-bed infirmary, inspected and licensed annually by the State of Connecticut. It is open 24 hours/day, seven days/week when school is in session. The Health Center staff is dedicated to the belief that students must maintain a healthy and balanced life in order to reap the benefits of a Taft School education. Our goal as allied health-care professionals is to provide excellent health care in order to maximize students’ ability to participate fully in the activities of boarding school life.

Taft is committed to educating the whole student. The mission of the Health Center is to promote and maintain the good health of students by modifying or removing health-related barriers to learning. The dedicated staff is a competent and concerned group of medical professionals with extensive experience working with adolescents who hope to teach students to make informed and mature decisions about their health.

While adolescence is a time when young people are asserting their independence, we recognize that parents are still an extremely important part of their child’s life. We know that receiving a call that your child is sick or injured can be most upsetting. It is our hope that parents will participate fully in making important decisions concerning the health education and well-being of their children. We strive to establish and maintain effective communication between students, parents and the Health Center staff.

Read the Frequently Asked Questions page, or download a copy of the Parents' Guide to Health Services at Taft.

Martin Health Center Staff

Diane Fountas, M.D.
Medical Director/School Physician
She is a pediatrician specializing in adolescent medicine. She is available by appointment.

Lisa Keys
Director of Martin Health Center
860-945-7762
Lisa Keys, PA-C is the school physician assistant and director of health services. Students may see her Mon-Fri from 10am-6pm in the Martin Health Center.

Elizabeth Bacchiocchi
Registered Nurse
860-945-7762

Jennifer Bona
Registered Nurse
860-945-7762

Linda Burmeister
Registered Nurse
860-945-7762

Ingrid Buswell
Registered Nurse
860-945-7762

Irene Caulfield
Registered Nurse
860-945-7762
Irene Caulfield, R.N. is the associate director of nursing. She supervises all student medication. She is on duty Mon-Fri. 7am-3pm.

Heather Chace
Registered Nurse
860-945-7762

Beth DeFiore
Registered Nurse
860-945-7762

Annie Demayo
Director of Nursing
860-945-7762
Annie DeMayo, R.N. is the director of nursing. She supervises a staff of registered nurses. She is on duty Mon-Fri 7 am-3pm.

Kim Henion
Registered Nurse
860-945-7762

Kathleen Masterson
Registered Nurse
860-945-7762

Kathy Mencio
Registered Nurse
860-945-7762

Carolyn Minicucci
Registered Nurse
860-945-7762

Shelia Morisette
Registered Nurse
860-945-7762

Gail Snow
Registered Nurse
860-945-7762

Kathleen Sullivan
Registered Nurse
860-945-7762

Mindy Yabut
Registered Nurse
860-945-7762

Athletic Training

Athletic Training Program (click here for more information)

Counseling Services

Jean S. Piacenza '75
B.A., Yale; M.S.W., University of Connecticut
Director of Counseling and Community Health

Jonathan R. Bernon
B.S., Lafayette; A.M., Harvard; M.S.W., Columbia
School Counselor

Rachel M. Russell
B.A., Swarthmore; PhD, University of Michigan;
School Counselor, Psychology

Local Hospitals and Pharmacy

St. Mary’s Hospital in Waterbury is used for emergency services. The main phone is 203-709-6000. The emergency department phone is 203-709-6004.

Waterbury Hospital services are also available. Phone 203-573-6290.

Health Complex Pharmacy delivers prescription medication to the health center. It is recommended that student insurance information be on file there. Phone: 860-274-8816.

Health Insurance

The Taft School is concerned that all students have adequate health insurance coverage and therefore requires that students confirm their coverage under their existing plan of insurance or, if they do not have any existing insurance, obtain such coverage. One such plan is available through Ace American Insurance Company at www.isminc.com or telephone 302-656-4944.

Families are responsible for all medical expenses including, but not limited to, prescriptions, laboratory charges, orthopedic supplies and treatment and services provided outside the Martin Health Center. A fee is also charged for transportation to medical/dental facilities outside the school.

Immunizations

Detailed immunization records and proof of tuberculin skin testing is required for all new students.

TWO MMR (measles-mumps-rubella vaccines
Tetanus/Diptheria series plus booster within 10 years
Polio series with booster after age 4
Hepatitis B (series of 3)
Varicella (date of chickenpox illness or vaccine)
Menactra (meningitis vaccine)
TB test within past 6 months

Returning students to Taft must complete the "returning student medical form" plus update any additional information including changes in addresses and insurance information.