At UConn Health, leadership means more than holding a title, it means driving change, advocating for others, and setting a standard of excellence across the entire organization. This year, one of our own has been recognized for doing just that. Dr. Scott Allen, Chief Medical Officer, has been named a 2025 Connecticut Hospital Association Healthcare Hero an honor that reflects his decades-long commitment to patient safety, clinical quality, and compassionate care.

This prestigious award recognizes the extraordinary contributions of healthcare professionals who go above and beyond to make a difference in their organizations and communities. Each year, one individual from every hospital in Connecticut is selected for this honor and this year Dr. Allen represents John Dempsey Hospital.

Dr. Allen joined UConn Health in 1994 as an assistant professor of medicine and medical educator. He quickly became an integral part of the Primary Care Internal Medicine Residency (PCIMR) program and held several leadership roles over the years. In 2009, he partnered with then-Chief Nursing Officer Ann Marie Capo to establish UConn Health’s Department of Quality, serving as Medical Director of Clinical Effectiveness and Patient Safety, as well as Patient Safety Officer for John Dempsey Hospital.

In 2018, Dr. Allen was named UConn Health’s first Chief Quality Officer. While continuing in that role, he was appointed Interim Chief Medical Officer in July 2019 and officially assumed the permanent CMO role in July 2021.

In his nomination, a colleague wrote:

“He understands that the culture of suppressing emotions and being stoic can be harmful to well-being—and that staff well-being is critical to patient satisfaction and outcomes. When it takes courage to challenge the status quo, that is our definition of a hero. And when that happens in healthcare, that is the definition of a healthcare hero. Dr. Scott Allen works every day to challenge the status quo, and that’s why he is John Dempsey’s Healthcare Hero.”

As part of the statewide celebration, Governor Ned Lamont offered the following recognition:

“This award celebrates your exceptional leadership and professional accomplishments in healthcare. Through your dedicated work, you have demonstrated excellence and extraordinary service to your organization, your community, and the State of Connecticut. Therefore, I, Ned Lamont, Governor of the State of Connecticut, on this 17th day of June 2025, officially convey honor and recognition upon Dr. Scott Allen.

Congratulations Dr. Allen on this well-deserved honor.