2023 AWARD WINNERS

Each year, the Hartford Medical Society brings the past and present together through webinars and educational events to honor Connecticut's medical history. As we continue to preserve our past to pave the way for the future, we're thrilled to announce our 2023 Award Winners.

We are proud to honor six distinguished individuals for their contributions to the betterment of the Greater Hartford Area through our Horace Wells Humanitarian Awards. We look forward to recognizing individuals who better the world and our local community through volunteer efforts, humanitarian support, and exemplary growth as a medical professional, student, or resident. The Humanitarian Awards will include three categories in which individuals have the chance to be honored: The Distinguished Service Award, Gurdon D. Russel HMS Supporter Award and the Rising Practitioner Award. In support of their work and commitment to giving back, the honorees in each category will be awarded $1,000 to donate to their chosen non-profit organization.

Rising Star Practitioner

Victoria Kozar

Victoria Kozar began her work in Geriatrics and Dementia Care over six years ago, serving as Care Coordinator and Director of Memory Care units throughout Connecticut. As she completes her Medical Degree from the University of Connecticut, she continues her efforts in memory care as a member of the Alzheimer’s Association Medical Science Advisory Council and Health Policy Ambassador to her local legislators.

Victoria has been recognized with the LeadingAge CT Aging Services Award of Excellence, as an American Association of Geriatric Psychiatry Scholar and has shared her experience with the Associated Press News, ABC World News Now, TedX, and more.

Her current research interests include improving accessibility to memory testing and exploring the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on resilience and cognition in older adults, with previous publications in the Annals of Internal Medicine, the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, and the American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry.

Distinguished Service Award

Dr. Pauline Olsen

About Dr. Olsen: Dr. Olsen co-founded a free medical clinic in Hartford in 2004 when she retired from active practice. The clinic traveled to low-income Hartford neighborhoods in a fully equipped van providing free medical care to uninsured adults through volunteer physicians and staff. This program has provided free medical care to more than 50,000 individuals. The Malta Van provides free exams, labs, x-rays, and free medication. So many of these uninsured needy did not have routine healthcare and would often end up in local emergency rooms for care.

Dr. Olsen clearly represents the very best in our medical profession. She recognized the need to provide free medical care for the poor and uninsured of greater Hartford and East Hartford. Care is provided in three different locations. One fixed location and two additional sites that care is provided with the mobile van. In 2022 there were 4658 patient visits. Approximately 1800 patients consider Malta House as their primary care medical provider. Currently, there are 40 medical providers including physicians, APRNs , nurses etc. Nursing students and student APRNs rotate through the Malta House. The clinic does not receive state or federal funding.

Dr. Tracy Brennan

Dr. Tracy Brennan is a champion of women’s health who seeks ways to support and empower women as an advocate and changemaker. A dedicated obstetrician and gynecologist for over 35 years and regularly recognized as one of the best doctors in Connecticut, , Dr. Brennan helped establish a statewide universal screening program for Intimate Partner Violence through the Health Professional Outreach Program at the CT Coalition Against Domestic Violence (CCADV). She has also helped families through her work with A Better World Adoption Agency and by establishing a diaper bank at the Malta Food Pantry. She joined the Board of Directors for Malta House of Care in 2017 and has volunteered at Malta as a direct provider of care or as interim medical director for many years. She has volunteered at the Malta Food Pantry since its inception in 2012. Dr. Brennan is known for her compassion, her willingness to volunteer for multiple causes, and her collaborative attitude. In the words of CCADV’s Director, Ashley Starr Frechette, “Her passion and commitment to women’s health and safety is beyond words. She is truly the best.” A resident of West Hartford and recent retiree, Dr. Brennan is again serving in a volunteer capacity as the Interim Medical Director at Malta House of Care. “Serving women as an OB/GYN has been a joy and a privilege. Now that I am retired and volunteering at the Malta House of Care, I experience that same joy caring for the uninsured in Hartford,” states Dr. Brennan.

Gurdon D. Russell HMS Supporter Award

Dr. Bernard Kosto

Dr. Bernard Kosto is a graduate of Yale College and Yale School of Medicine. He performed his urologic residency at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.

He was commissioned as an ensign in the Navy in 1964. After his honorable discharge, he entered into solo practice, moving into a little brick building on Seymour and Jefferson Street.

Retired now, Dr. Kosto serves as the President of the Hartford Medical Society.

HMS Loving Cup

Dr. David Crombie

Dr. Crombie was educated at Dartmouth College and received his M.D. from Tufts University School of Medicine. He trained in surgery at Hartford Hospital. He served in the U.S. Navy aboard the carrier USS Hancock during the VietNam War, as well as service at the Naval Hospital, Newport, Rhode Island. He had a career in general surgery at Hartford Hospital from 1969 to 2004, mostly as a private practitioner save for a ten year span in which he was full-time in the Department of Surgery. His leadership positions include: Chair of the Hartford Hospital Medical Ethics Committee, Director of the Department of Surgery (1994-97), President of the Hartford Medical Society, President of the New England Surgical Society (2001), Editor of Connecticut Medicine, The Journal of the Connecticut State Medical Society (1999-2011).

Dr. Ira Spar

Ira Spar, MD, is an Orthopedic Surgery Specialist in Plantsville, CT. He earned his medical degree from George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington, DC. He is the immediate past president of the Hartford Medical Society, a board member of the Society of Civil War Surgeons, a fellow of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. He served as a U.S. Army battalion surgeon in the Vietnam War and lives in Farmington, Connecticut.Dr. Spar is the author of two books, New Haven’s Civil War Hospital: A history of Knight U.S. General Hospital, 1862-1865 and Civil War Hospital Newspapers: Histories and Excerpts of Nine Union Publications published by McFarland Inc. Both are available on Amazon.com.