Meet Our Staff

Laurie Ann Loiacono, M.D., F.C.C.P.
Medical Director

Dr. Loiacono has completed advanced training in wound care and hyperbaric medicine. She received her medical degree from the State University of New York at Buffalo School of Medicine. She served as an intern and resident in surgery at The Medical College of Pennsylvania Hospital, Philadelphia, and as a fellow in surgical critical care at Hartford Hospital/University of Connecticut.

Dr. Loiacono is a diplomate of the American Board of Surgery and holds a certificate of added qualifications in surgical critical care. She is a member of the Wound Healing Society, the Society of Critical Care Medicine, the Association of Women Surgeons, the Neurotrauma Society and the National Organ Donation Breakthrough Collaborative.

In addition to her duties at the Wound Healing and Lymphedema Center, Dr. Loiacono serves as Vice Chair of the Department of Surgery and Director of Surgical Education.

N. Chandra Narayanan, M.D., F.A.C.S., F.R.C.S.(C)
Associate Medical Director

Dr. Narayanan is a board certified surgeon with over 32 years of experience in general and oncological surgery. He received his medical degree from Calicut Medical College, Calicut, India, and served as an intern at Medical College Hospital, Calicut, India. Dr. Narayanan served as a resident in plastic surgery at J.J. Hospital, Bombay, India, as a resident in surgery at G.T. Hospital, Bombay, India, and as an intern and resident in surgery at Beekman Downtown Hospital, New York. He served as a fellow in surgery at Goldwater Memorial Hospital/New York University, and as a senior fellow in oncological surgery at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York. A diplomate of the American Board of Surgery, he is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of Canada. He is a Past President of the Hartford County Medical Association.

Dr. Narayanan has been a mentor for medical students, physician assistants and surgical residents for the past 30 years. He holds an appointment as a Clinical Assistant Professor of Surgery at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine and has been a visiting professor in Malayasia and India.

Ann Navage, A.P.R.N., C.W.O.C.N., is an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse and a Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurse on the staff of the Center for Advanced Wound Healing and Lymphedema Therapy. A graduate of the Meriden-Wallingford Hospital School of Nursing, she holds bachelor of science in nursing and master of science in nursing degrees from Boston College. She is certified in Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nursing and is a member of the Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nursing Society. Ms. Navage received the organization’s New England Region Outstanding WOC/ET Nurse of the Year Award in 2005 and currently co-chairs its New England Region Education Committee. Ms. Navage began her career at Saint Francis in 1978 as a member of the faculty of the Saint Francis Hospital School of Nursing. She has also held nursing positions at Saint Elizabeth Hospital, Boston, and Meriden-Wallingford Hospital.

Glenda Thomas, A.P.R.N., C.W.O.C.N., is an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse and Clinical Nurse Specialist on the staff of the Center for Advanced Wound Healing and Lymphedema Therapy. A Certified Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurse, she holds a bachelor of science in nursing degree and a master of science in nursing degree from Wayne State University, Detroit. Ms. Thomas is a member of the Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurses Society. She is also a Certified Orthopeadic Nurse and a Clinical Specialist in Medical Surgical Nursing. She has held nursing positions at Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center since 1992. Previously, she was on the nursing faculty of Oakland University, Rochester, Mich. and Mercy College, Detroit. She has also served as a staff and charge nurse at Detroit General Hospital.

Ada Rossi
Program Coordinator

Ada Rossi is certified as a medical assistant, respiratory therapist and cardiopulmonary technologist. She holds an associate’s degree in respiratory therapy from Quinnipiac University and a bachelor of general studies degree in human services from the University of Connecticut. A member of the Alpha Sigma Lambda National Honor Society, she most recently held positions in the medical assisting programs at Stone Academy and New England Technical Institute. Ms. Rossi previously worked in a private physician’s office and served as a cardiopulmonary technologist and a respiratory therapist at Bristol Hospital.

Harold “Pete” West, L.P.N.
Wound Care Specialty Nurse

Pete West is a licensed practical nurse with over 15 years experience in long-term care. Working primarily with the geriatric population in several skilled nursing facilities he has specialized in wound care. He also became certified in Infection control. Prior to Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center Pete was employed as the Director of Infection Control and Staff development at Manchester Manor.

Nicole Tammaro, RN
Wound Care Specialty Nurse

Nicole received her BSN from Saint Joseph College in West Hartford in 1999 and subsequently worked for eight years in medical/surgical nursing at Saint Francis Hospital. During her time at Saint Francis she developed special interest in wound care and has recently completed specialty training in wound, ostomy, and continence nursing. Nicole will take the CWOCN national certification exam this Fall.

Nola Eddy
Clinical Coordinator, Lymphedema Therapy Program

Nola Eddy is an Occupational Therapist and a nationally certified Lymphedema Therapist on the staff of the Center for Advanced Wound Healing and Lymphedema Therapy. A graduate of Quinnipiac University, she holds a bachelor degree in Occupational Therapy and Marketing through the University of Massachusetts. She is certified in Complete Decongestive Therapy through Dr. Vodder, School-North America and Leduc School of Lymphedema Management. Ms. Eddy began her Occupational Therapy career with St. Francis Hospital & Medical Center at the Mt. Sinai Rehabilitation Hospital in 1999 and has also served with the wound staff at Hartford Hospital.

Michelle Aafaedt, M.S., O.T.R., C.L.T.
Lymphedema Therapist

Michelle L. Aafaedt is an Occupational Therapist and a certified Lymphedema Therapist on the staff of the Center for Advanced Wound Healing and Lymphedema Therapy. Michelle was employed at Mount Sinai Rehabilitation Hospital for six years as a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant and then attended the American International College receiving a master in Occupational Science. She is certified in Complete Decongestive Therapy through Norton School of Lymphatic Therapy. Ms. Aafaedt started her career as an OTR, working at National Rehabilitation Hospital in Washington, DC until her return to Mt. Sinai Rehabilitation Hospital in 2007.