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2026 Business Convention

This year’s honorees

Union Rep of the Year: Ben Phoenix

Steward of the Year: Chris DeFrancesco

We Are UHP Award: Laura Didden

President’s Award: Shannon Sprowles

Distinguished guests: 

  • Emily Demicco, AFT CT field rep an our chief negotiator
  • Jennifer Porcari, AFT (national)
  • Rosemary Rich, AFT CT communications

Also this year, we honored President Bill Garrity with a special plaque from the executive committee and our membership in recognition of his 30 years of service and commitment to UHP, including the last 10 years as our president. Additionally, State Sen. Matt Lesser presented Bill with a General Assembly Official Citation signed by more than 40 lawmakers in recognition of Bill’s leadership and activism at the local, state, and national levels.

Special thanks to Shaneé Reid, our VP for membership activities, for putting together another wonderful convention!

The view from the dais as VP Membership Activities Shaneé Reid addresses the body

The view from the dais as VP Membership Activities Shaneé Reid addresses the body

Bill Garrity addresses the body in his last business convention as UHP president.

Bill Garrity addresses the membership in his last business convention as UHP president.

Sen. Matt Lesser presents President Bill Garrity with a legislative proclamation.

Sen. Matt Lesser presents President Bill Garrity with a legislative proclamation.

The UHP Executive Committee plus invited guests Emily Demicco (AFT CT) and Jennifer Porcari (AFT)

The UHP Executive Committee plus invited guests Emily Demicco (AFT CT) and Jennifer Porcari (AFT)

Laura Didden accepts the We Are UHP Award from 1st VP Shawn Brown and VP Membership Activities Shaneé Reid.

Laura Didden accepts the We Are UHP Award from 1st VP Shawn Brown and VP Membership Activities Shaneé Reid

Shaneé with Ionela Mihai, who accepted Jean Morningstar Scholarship on behalf of her on Alexander, then later accepted the Rich Michaud Memorial Scholarship for her own studies

Shaneé with Ionela Mihai, who accepted Jean Morningstar Scholarship on behalf of her on Alexander, then later accepted the Rich Michaud Memorial Scholarship for her own studies

Angel Ruiz-Torres and his daughter, Amira Ruiz-Marentes, accepting the Bonnie Bordwell Beattie Scholarship

Angel Ruiz-Torres and his daughter, Amira Ruiz-Marentes, accepting the Bonnie Bordwell Beattie Scholarship

Chris DeFrancesco, VP for communication, accepts the Steward of the Year Award.

Chris DeFrancesco, VP for communication, accepts the Steward of the Year Award

The view from the dais as Bill addresses the assembly

The view from the dais as Bill addresses the assembly

Bill and Chief Steward Jean Morningstar share a moment during the presentation of the plaque honoring his years of service to UHP.

Bill and Chief Steward Jean Morningstar share a moment during the presentation of the plaque honoring his years of service to UHP

Bill with his special plaque from the executive committee and membership

Bill with is special plaque from the executive committee and memberhsip

Shaneé presents the Rich Michaud Memorial Scholarship to VP Tier I (salaried) Employees Marsha Murray-Omega

Shaneé presents the Rich Michaud Memorial Scholarship to VP Tier I (salaried) Employees Marsha Murray-Omega

VP Membership Activities Shaneé Reid presents the Thomas Alsgaard Memorial Scholarship to Janelle Brandon.

Shaneé presents the Thomas Alsgaard Memorial Scholarship to Janelle Brandon

The entire UHP Executive Committee

The entire UHP Executive Committee

VP Membership Activities Shaneé Reid presents the Bonnie Bordwell Beattie Scholarship to Amy Clark, accepting on behalf of her son Ryan.

VP Membership Activities Shaneé Reid presents the Bonnie Bordwell Beattie Scholarship to Amy Clark, accepting on behalf of her son Ryan

Bill with special guest and longtime UHP friend Jennifer Porcari from AFT (national)

Bill with special guest and longtime UHP friend Jennifer Porcari from AFT (national)

Bill with his legislative proclamation

Bill with his legislative proclamation

Scholarship recipients

Rich Michaud Memorial Scholarship (member)

  • Marsha Murray-Omega, Public Health Sciences
  • Ionela Mihai, Clinical Laboratory

Thomas Alsgaard Memorial Scholarship (member pursing healthcare)

  • Camryn Walsh, UMG Internal Medicine
  • Janelle Brandon, UMG IMA, East Hartford

Jean Morningstar Scholarship (college dependent)

  • Olivia Nowak, daughter of Malgorzata Nowak, Dental Financial Services
  • Alexander Mihai, son of Ionela Mihai, Clinical Laboratory

Bonnie Bordwell Beattie Scholarship (high school dependent)

  • Amira Ruiz-Marentes, daughter of Angel Ruiz-Torres, Pediatrics
  • Ryan Clark, son of Amy Clark, Infectious Disease

Constitutional amendments

We passed both this year’s proposed amendments:

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