Spiritual Care Staff

Reverend Carol Pusey, MDiv, BCC

Carol’s calling to serve others is rooted in her belief that every person deserves dignity, hope, and peace, regardless of faith affiliation or cultural heritage.

For Carol, chaplaincy is more than a profession. It is a calling to honor, serve, and provide compassionate care to everyone she encounters.

Carol earned a Master of Divinity from Liberty University in Virginia. She is a Board Certified Chaplain, licensed minister, and servant leader in several community care groups.

Before becoming a chaplain, Carol worked as a nurse and police officer. She is the author of The Story of an Overcomer and From Pieces to Peace.

“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”
— Mahatma Gandhi

Reverend Hanz Jouissance, MDiv, BCC

Reverend Hanz earned his bachelor’s degree from Oakwood University, where he studied religion, theology, and biblical languages. He later earned a Master of Divinity from Andrews University.

As a pastor in Seattle, he developed a deep passion for community advocacy through ministry in correctional settings and work that helped divert young people from the criminal justice system.

A Board Certified Chaplain, he has provided compassionate spiritual and emotional support to patients, families, and staff since November 2024.

“I come as one, I stand as 10, 000.”
— Maya Angelou

Rolando Hernandez Lizcano, MDiv

Chaplain Rolando is passionate about accompanying people on their spiritual journeys.

He holds a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from Major Seminary San José in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico, and a Master of Divinity from Catholic Theological Union in Chicago.

His experience as a youth minister in Chicago allowed him to encounter the young face of God in the enthusiasm and curiosity of young people.

Rolando provides spiritual care in both Spanish and English to patients, families, and staff.

“I was a stranger and you welcomed me.”
— Matthew 25:35

Rabbi Daniel Fliegel, MAHL, BCC

Rabbi Daniel Fliegel was ordained by Hebrew Union College–Jewish Institute of Religion in 2015, one year after earning his Master of Arts in Hebrew Literature.

He completed his chaplaincy residency at Westchester Medical Center in 2016, specializing in palliative medicine. After moving to Connecticut that year, he joined Hartford Hospital Spiritual Care as a per diem chaplain and transitioned to the full-time team in late 2019.

Daniel is a member of the Central Conference of American Rabbis and Neshama: Association of Jewish Chaplains. He earned board certification in 2025.

Daniel believes that supporting the emotional and spiritual needs of patients, families, and colleagues through chaplaincy is the best way he can bring light into this crazy world.

“The whole world is a very narrow bridge, but the most important thing is not to let fear control you.”
— Rabbi Nachman

Reverend Stanislava Gadeliya, AAS, MA

Rev. Chaplain Stacy (Stanislava) Gadeliya holds a Master of Arts in Chaplaincy with an emphasis in counseling from Denver Seminary.

She joined Hartford Hospital’s Spiritual Care team in 2019 after serving at the Medical Center of Aurora, Swedish Medical Center, and several hospices in Colorado. Before chaplaincy, she worked as a cardiovascular sonographer, clinical supervisor, educator, and medical liaison in cardiac imaging.

Stacy has also volunteered as assistant director of a ministry for families affected by disability, reflecting her commitment to supporting people in vulnerable situations.

Originally from Ukraine, Stacy’s experience of religious persecution under Soviet rule informs her respect for religious freedom and empathy for people in crisis.

Fluent in Polish, Ukrainian, and Russian, she brings a compassionate, interfaith approach to care. Stacy feels privileged to support people of all faiths, as well as those with no religious affiliation, who seek spiritual and emotional care.

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted.”
— Psalm 34:18

Jeanne Pedane, MDiv

Chaplain Eugenia (Jeanne) Pedane has served as pastor of Morris Congregational Church since 2014. Before seminary, she worked as a music and Special Education teacher in Northwestern Connecticut.

Jeanne spends her free time with her three children and grandchild. She enjoys travel, the shoreline, building and refurbishing stone walls.

Jeanne feels privileged to support patients and families in the ICU and Women’s Health and to provide spiritual care to staff as needed.

She earned a Master of Divinity in Biblical Studies and Multi-Faith Chaplaincy from Hartford Seminary and completed her chaplain residency at St. Francis Hospital in 2015.

“Carry each other’s burdens.”
— Galatians 6:2

Reverend La Toya Wright, MDiv

Reverend La Toya Wright earned both her Bachelor of Science in Marketing and Master of Divinity from Virginia Union University. She is currently pursuing a Doctor of Ministry at Hartford International University for Religion and Peace.

Before entering professional chaplaincy, La Toya worked as an educator. That experience continues to shape how she communicates, connects with others, and creates space for people to feel seen, heard, and supported. She also serves as Youth Pastor at City of Life Church in Waterbury, Connecticut.

Her professional interests include trauma-informed spiritual care, staff well-being, bereavement support, and compassionate approaches to decedent care. While at Virginia Union University, La Toya was an NCAA scholarship bowler.

Outside of work, ministry, and school, she is the proud mother of her adult son, Dante’, and dog mom to Daisy and Niko. She enjoys caring for her plants, spending time with close friends, bowling when she gets the chance, laughing often, and maintaining a very serious appreciation for Playa Bowls.

“Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed.”
— Isaiah 1:17

Tajloi Cunningham, MDiv

Chaplain Tajloi (Taj) completed his Bachelor of Arts in Theology with a minor in biblical languages at Walla Walla University in Washington State in 2013. He earned his Master of Divinity from Andrews Theological Seminary in 2018.

Tajloi has served on the spiritual care teams at Yale New Haven, Bridgeport, and Bristol hospitals.
His theology of chaplaincy centers on treating everyone with dignity and care as children of God.

Outside of work, he enjoys going to the track, working out at the gym, and exploring technology. Taj is also a licensed private pilot and enjoys flying when possible.

“Do to others as you would have them do to you.”
— Luke 6:31

Lorena E. Cuevas, MDiv, BCC

pronouns: (she/her)

Lorena is a Board Certified chaplain with the National Association of Catholic Chaplains, where she serves as a state liaison.

She has served Hartford HealthCare since 2018 and also holds certifications in Youth Mental Health First Aid and H3W White Belt.

A graduate of Union Theological Seminary in the City of New York, Lorena’s interests include social justice, grief, and mental health.

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.”
— Matthew 5:4

Dr. Bido Aguessy, Psy.D., LPC-A

Dr. Bido Aguessy is a clinical psychologist specializing in end-of-life care, hospice, and grief. His research explores trauma and the mental health effects of dying and loss. He integrates theology and spirituality into his work with patients and families navigating the end of life.

Dr. Aguessy has developed therapeutic resources for grief care, including the Seven Weeks Processing Tool for complicated grief groups, the Complicated Grief Diagram, and the Three R Method for emotional balance during grief. His book, Let’s Talk About End-of-Life Psychotherapy, advocates for greater attention to psychological care in hospice.

His clinical experience includes work with Mental Health Associates in Chicopee, Massachusetts; Hopewell Health Solutions in Glastonbury, Connecticut; and Hartford Hospital. He also maintains a private practice in Hartford, the Psychotherapy Center for Grief, Hospice and Integrated Psychotherapy.

“The good life is a process, not a state of being.”
— Carl Rogers

Reverend Michal Jan Gitner

Ordained Minister

Rev. Michal Jan Gitner is an ordained minister of the Polish National Catholic Church in the United States.
Born and raised in Poland, Michal was ordained a priest in the Catholic tradition. He spent most of his adult life and ministry in Australia, serving in parishes, schools, universities, and Indigenous communities.

His interests include contemplative prayer, social justice, and staying physically active.

“Either we acknowledge that God is in all things, or we have lost the basis for seeing God in anything.”
— Richard Rohr

Chaplain Ronald Herrmann, MSOR, MAHL

Chaplain Ron transitioned from a long engineering career spent making computers work for many clients in many industries to a more spiritual path. A convert from Catholicism to Judaism at 40, he invested many years commuting to Hebrew Union College–Jewish Institute of Religion in NYC while working full-time, eventually spending the required year in Israel in 2005–06 and later receiving his rabbinic degree in 2009 at age 62.

His 17-year “retirement career” has been in chaplaincy, primarily at Hartford Hospital, first as intern, then volunteer, resident, and ever since as a very active part-time hospital chaplain.
For some time, he was also a hospice chaplain. For 25 years, he has served as chaplain at the State of Connecticut’s Southbury Training School for the developmentally disabled. He is a member of Neshama: Association of Jewish Chaplains.

Ron is active in his religious community in Southbury, leading study groups at synagogue and at a local assisted living community and officiating at funerals, baby namings, and weddings.

A would-be scholar always, he has been plodding his way through the Kabbalistic text the Zohar in Aramaic with translation since COVID-times. He hopes to complete the main corpus before his 81st birthday next September.

“[Strive to] Be Holy, for I, your G-d Adonai, am Holy!”
— Leviticus 19:2b

Reverend Winston Wilks

Bishop, U.S. Army Chaplain (Ret.)

Chaplain Wilks serves the hospital community with a deep commitment to warm, compassionate, and inclusive spiritual care for patients, families, and staff.

An ordained Pentecostal bishop and retired U.S. Army chaplain with two combat deployments, he brings decades of leadership and a steady, comforting presence to life’s most challenging moments.

His experience in high-pressure military environments and his current work as a correctional chaplain have shaped his empathy, resilience, and nonjudgmental approach to healthcare chaplaincy.

While rooted in his own faith, he honors and supports people of all faith backgrounds and beliefs with respect and confidentiality.

Outside of ministry, he is a devoted husband and father of three. He offers prayer, supportive conversation, and quiet companionship so patients, families, and staff do not have to face difficult moments alone.

“Blessed are the peacemakers.”
— Matthew 5:9

Annette Wright, MDiv, DMin

Chaplain Annette Wright lives in Windsor, Connecticut, with her husband, John. She earned a Master of Divinity, Master of Arts in Christian Education, and Doctor of Ministry from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in South Hamilton, Massachusetts, where she also serves as an adjunct professor.

Annette is ordained in the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church.

She enjoys reading, traveling, walking, and spending time with her five grandsons and one granddaughter.

“Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom.”
— Proverbs 4:7

Reverend Demetrio Penascoza, STL, PhD

Fr. Demetrio Penascoza—better known as “Fr. Dee” or simply "Dee"—serves as a Staff Chaplain at Hartford Hospital. He offers a listening ear, prayer, and Catholic sacramental care to patients, families, and staff. He welcomes people of all faiths and backgrounds, hoping that a conversation or a quiet moment together can help someone feel less alone.

As priest of the Diocese of Cheyenne, Fr. Dee has served in parish ministry, spiritual formation, and education in the Philippines, New Zealand, and Wyoming. His studies include philosophy, theology in Spain and Italy, and doctoral studies in development management. He completed chaplaincy training in California and Virginia and served at Saint Francis Hospital in Hartford before joining Hartford Hospital.

Fr. Dee continues to learn from the people he meets and finds God's presence in simple acts of kindness and care. Instrumental music from different genres gives him time to pause and refresh his spirit. He also hopes to relearn golf, with patience and appreciation for being a beginner again.

"You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it rests in you.“
— St. Augustine, Confessions