08/12/2026
Congratulations to 2026 CHA Healthcare Hero Sara Heath, Occupational Therapist, Autism Center 🌟 Hospital for Special Care describes their honoree 👇
Sara is an exceptional member of the Hospital for Special Care (HFSC) team who consistently exemplifies the organization’s core values – Caring, Integrity, and Pursuit of Excellence – while going above and beyond for her patients. Creative, passionate, and deeply dedicated, she brings both professionalism and heart to her work. Her calm approach, remarkable ability to make every patient feel seen and heard, and consistent positivity is invaluable to the team. Sara is a thoughtful collaborator and an outstanding representative of HFSC.
While working as a staff therapist in the Autism Center, Sara recognized the limited recreational opportunities available to her patients and took the lead in creating an inclusive Fun and Fitness Program in partnership with the Adaptive Sports Program. It provides vital recreation and socialization for the community and has been thriving for two years. Sara has recruited community experts, expanded programs to meet diverse interests, and pursued additional training, including water safety certification, to better serve participants. The program has not only benefited the children but also strengthened connections among families and staff.
Sara has also extensively supported the New Britain School system and played an instrumental role in developing the neurodiverse track for the HFSC Ivan Lendl Adaptive Sports Camp, expanding opportunities to participate in sport-specific activities for this underserved community.
Her clinical excellence is equally evident. An example of her expertise and care is when Sara identified concerning blood pressure changes during an occupational/physical therapy visit with a patient. She ensured prompt medical follow-up, assisted the patient safely to the car, and checked in the next day.
Hardworking, proactive, and compassionate, Sara continually seeks opportunities to improve patient care and resources. She is always willing to lend a helping hand and truly is an everyday hero within HFSC.
