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Dr. Christina Mukon DNP, assistant professor in the University of Saint Joseph nursing department has been named one of the Hartford Business Journal’s 2023 Healthcare Heroes. She is one of 20 healthcare professionals chosen by HBJ this year, all of whom will be honored during an event on Dec. 14, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Aqua Turf Club.
“Connecticut’s healthcare industry continues to go through challenging times, as hospitals and other providers face financial and numerous other pressures. But that hasn’t stood in the way of frontline workers and others continuing to help patients in need. To recognize them, the Hartford Business Journal is presenting its annual Health Care Heroes awards,” said in its announcement of the winners on Nov. 13.
Dr. Christina Mukon was named a healthcare hero in the individual category for her volunteer work “bringing high-quality care to underserved populations and advocating for effective health care.
Mukon volunteers for several organizations including the Malta House of Care, Franciscan Center for Urban Ministry and Connecticut APRN Society. “In all of these capacities I strive to advocate for underserved populations and equitable access to high-quality, dignified health care,” said Mukon in her HBJ writeup. “My clinical background is in providing medical care to patients with behavioral health and substance use disorders, which is an honor and privilege. This population has often been stigmatized and marginalized.
“By bringing an awareness of the dignity and humanity of this population, I hope to reduce stigma and increase the quality of care for these underserved populations.”
Dr. Mukon is one of the volunteers who currently provide care to about 1,800 uninsured adults each year at a number of sites as well as from a big, white Malta van that makes its way each week through Hartford’s poorest neighborhoods. At Malta, Dr. Mukon has developed a quality and safety program and meets with staff monthly to review quality issues. She has done behavioral health presentations to educate providers about suicide risk assessment and treatment of anxiety and depression, and she has worked to improve their reporting system through EPIC which has had a significant impact on grant opportunities and funding.
Dr. Mukon currently serves as the health policy chair for the Connecticut APRN Society. She recently provided testimony on SB. 938, AN ACT CONCERNING THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH’S RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE STATE-WIDE ADOPTION OF THE MEDICAL ORDERS FOR LIFE-SUSTAINING TREATMENT PROGRAM and on the 2022 Draft Interstate Compacts Report to the Legislature.
Prior to joining USJ as an assistant professor of Nursing, Dr. Mukon served as a primary care provider and the director of Quality of InterCommunity Healthcare for seven years. There she oversaw training, project management, and quality initiatives for primary care facilities, behavioral health, school-based health centers, detox facilities, and residential treatment. Dr. Mukon currently works clinically providing behavioral health treatment to federal prisoners.
“Christina Mukon is a model volunteer, giving her time and sharing her professional expertise with some of the neediest individuals in the community,” said USJ President Rhona Free. “She works within existing organizations to effectively extend their reach, their efficiency, and their expertise. This while serving her professional organization and doing research that advances knowledge of best practices in her field.”