(Washington) – Today, Congressman John B. Larson and Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty announced a $17,448 grant for Northwestern Connecticut Community College's Small Rural Hospital Improvement Grant Program. The grant, awarded through the Health Resources and Services Administration, will be used to support efforts in quality improvement and efficiency training at New Milford Hospital and Sharon Hospital.

"The work at the Office of Rural Health within Northwestern Connecticut Community College aims to lower hospital costs and most importantly improve outcomes for patients," said Larson. "I am pleased to see them receive this funding and look forward to watching their continued efforts to improve access to health care in rural communities in the Northwest corner."

"These grants will support and help improve the great work of New Milford and Sharon Hospitals – providing quality health care to folks in the Northwest corner. I thank the Health Resources and Services Administration for making a critical investment in Northwestern Connecticut Community College and in health care education and access in our part of the state," said Esty.

According to President Barbara Douglass, "Northwestern Connecticut Community College has been privileged to house the Office of Rural Health for well over a decade. We are committed to supporting health care and health care education in our rural service area and delighted to have been able to assist in securing this grant for New Milford and Sharon Hospitals."

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