By Jack Krampitz and David Fortier

Hope, good neighbors and family were among the themes speakers turned to at the grand opening and ribbon cutting of the new Wheeler Health headquarters at One Hope Street Tuesday afternoon where over 100 people gathered for the celebration and afterwards toured the building and sampled catered treats from local eateries.

The facility’s new address, One Hope Street, was alluded to by numerous speakers.

Throughout her introductory comments, president and CEO of Wheeler Health Sabrina Trocchi stressed that everyone involved brought “Hope for a better tomorrow” and, after acknowledging all those invested in the process, concluded with an invitation.

“I want to end where I started,” Trocchi said. “Hope, please join me in having hope for a better tomorrow.”

In her comments, Trocchi thanked, among others, Barnes Group’s chairman emeritus Thomas O. Barnes and the Barnes Group Foundation for its critical, initial and, at the time, confidential pledge of $100,000.

Speakers, in order of appearance, Wheeler Health President and CEO Sabrina Trocchi, Mayor Jeffrey Caggiano, Commissioner of Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services Nancy Navarretta, Wheeler Board of Trustees chair Mary Rodier, Chairman Emeritus Barnes Group Thomas O. Barnes, President and CEO of Central Connecticut Chambers of Commerce Katie D’Agostino, State Representative for the 79th district Mary Fortier and President and CEO Bristol Hospital Kurt Barwis. | Tom Mazzarella

In addition, there were words of praise for the volunteer board of trustees for their contributions, the estate of Hall “Cap” Adams, Jr., the family of Ray Corsini, Voya Financial, the anonymous donors behind a gift in memory of former Wheeler executive director David Berkowitz and the Bradley Henry Barnes and Leila Upson Barnes Memorial Trust at the Main Street Community Foundation.

Aside from contributors and benefactors, Trocchi thanked all of the people involved in bringing Wheeler to One Hope Street including previous and current board members, the administrative staff of the City of Bristol, Mayor Jeffrey Caggiano and the city council and those involved in the actual design and construction of the new facility along with partners such the Bristol Police Dept. and the West End Association.

Bristol Hospital president and CEO Kurt Barwis welcomed Wheeler to the “neighborhood.” He compared Wheeler arriving on Hope Street to having a new neighbor build on the empty lot next to your house.

From upper left clockwise, the audience waves to a drone that is recording the ribbon cutting, members of the audience, participant touring the first-floor hallway of the new building, Barnes Group chairman emeritus Thomas O. Barnes and Bristol Hospital president and CEO Kurt Barwis, with Wheeler Health’s president and CEO Sabrina Trocchi looking on. | David Fortier

“You hope that your neighbor is a good neighbor, … that they build a really nice house, and that they take good care of their house,” said Barwis as he made the point that Wheeler Health was the perfect neighbor for Bristol Health in Centre Square.

Barwis concluded by saying that together the two organizations can work “to help all individuals that we serve achieve the highest health status, so that is everybody, not just some people, it’s everybody in our community.”

Barnes, who was mentioned in Trocchi’s opening comments, spoke of the history of the Barnes family and its role in helping so many institutions in Bristol. He said that Wheeler Health, Bristol Health and other Bristol organizations were also families and aided and gave hope to so many people in the city of Bristol “family.”

Among the families he mentioned was that of former mayor Ellen Zoppo-Sassu, whose administration fostered and provided the foundation for Wheeler landing its headquarters in Bristol, and current Mayor Jeffrey Caggiano, whose administration overcame disagreements about the project before rallying behind Wheeler.

Caggiano spoke of the cooperation of Wheeler in getting the project done in spite of some political roadblocks that could have ended the project before construction began. He also stressed the importance of Wheeler being able to help the people of the area who are facing mental health issues.

From upper left, clockwise, members of the audience gathered outside the entrance to the new Wheeler Health building on One Hope Street, Bristol-Burlington Health director Marco Palmeri and city council member Cheryl Thibeault, State Sen. Henri Martin speaking with former chair of the board of trustees Jim Moylan and his wife Janet, audience members touring the Wheeler Mobile Clinic and council member Jacqueline Olsen and Bristol Fire Chief Rick Hart. | David Fortier

Mary Rodier, chair of the Board of Trustees for Wheeler Health, had a special thank you to her predecessor, James Moylan, “who provided great guidance and leadership for the project” when it first was envisioned.

Rodier summarized the thoughts of the day this way. “Wheeler brings hope, comfort and healing to so many people, and we hope that this building at One Hope Street will be a place where everybody will feel welcome.”

Other speakers included Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Mental Health & Addiction Services Nancy Mavarretta, director of operations for Genoa Healthcare Julia Burkhardt; president and chief executive officer of the Central Connecticut Chambers of Commerce Katie D’Agostino; Department of Children and Families administrator Dr. Frank Gregory and State Rep. Mary Fortier.

After the speeches, Wheeler was open for tours led by employees and participants were able to sample food from The Parkside Cafe, Latin Cravings, Sabaidee Thai Restaurant, Cookie Dough Cookies and South Side Meat Market.

Among the highlights of the tour were the new teaching and demonstration kitchen, which benefitted from the support of Wheeler’s longest-serving trustee, Ray Corsini; a new on-site Genoa Healthcare pharmacy; Bristol Health outpatient lab services; work rooms for employees who work outside of the building and conference rooms with views of North Main and Hope streets, city hall and the new Carrier apartments under construction.

Wheeler will open to primary care services on Aug. 13 and all other services beginning Aug. 19.

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