GCMF Advocacy & Gianna’s Legacy Honored at Medical Conference on Sepsis Management

The Gianna Cirella Memorial Fund sponsored a landmark medical conference that introduced health care providers and leaders from around the state to the importance of sepsis awareness and interventions. Bridging the Gap: Antimicrobial Stewardship, Sepsis Management, and Infection Prevention in Rhode Island, organized by the RI Department of Health, was attended by 140 doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals. At multiple times throughout the day, speakers acknowledged the important contributions the GCMF and its president Tara Cirella have made in raising public awareness about sepsis and advocating for sepsis regulations to improve care and outcomes for patients.

Dr. Lee Polikoff, a pediatric intensivist at Hasbro Children’s, gave a presentation entitled Protocols for early recognition and treatment of sepsis. “These mandatory sepsis recognition and resuscitation bundles can improve outcomes of patients ranging from the sick neonate to the infirmed geriatric patient,” Dr. Polikoff said. He also praised Tara and other advocates for their work. “I want to thank and recognize three incredibly powerful women: Michaela Otrondo, Tara Cirella, and Alaina Charette. Your strength and fortitude are really incredible. I know that your daughters are very proud of what you’ve accomplished.”

In his closing remarks, Dr. Jerome Larkin, director of RIDOH, thanked the GCMF for its support of the conference, for its advocacy, and for its partnership with RIDOH in helping to educate providers about sepsis. “This is the type of public-private partnership that helps improve the health and safety of Rhode Islanders.” 

Larkin also said that sharing Gianna’s story is a way to remind health care providers about why this work is so important. We couldn’t agree more.