It is with great sadness that the ConnAPA Board of Directors notes the death of one its former Presidents and major contributors to the practice of medicine for PAs in Connecticut, Drew Morton, PA.
Drew served not only as President in 2005. He worked tirelessly on numerous committees on both the state and national levels. Most notably, he served as ConnAPA’s Chairman of the Legislative Committee for many years, both spearheading our legislative initiatives as well as personally testifying on behalf of the organization time and time again. His efforts lead to numerous improvements in the PA law.
Drew has been recognized for his efforts with both the Leadership Award in 2000 and the Service Award in 2014. Further acknowledgment of his contributions will be made at the upcoming Charter Oak Conference.
In remembrance, Justin Champagne, also a former ConnAPA President, offered this note:
“Shortly after graduating from Quinnipiac’s PA Program, I joined the ConnAPA Board as PR Chairperson. Before I even had a chance to attend a meeting, Drew invited me to join him for drinks at Maggie McFly’s to discuss my ideas for the role, as well as to simply welcome me to the Board. That small gesture of taking time out of his busy schedule to welcome a newbie like myself created a profound, lasting memory. I immediately wanted to live up to the expectations he had implicitly set for me at that meeting. It led to 10 years of service on the ConnAPA Board and bleeding “ConnAPA blue.” Over that time I worked with Drew on multiple committees; he was a true leader and professional. His commitment and dedication to the PA profession were fierce and tireless, and he will be sorely missed.”
Other comments received:
Sandra Harding, AAPA Senior Director, Federal Advocacy: Drew was a terrific man who was always willing to contribute his time, energy, and experience. I am so sorry to learn this sad news.
Sheree’ (Rascati) Piperidis,Clinical Coordinator, Quinnipiac University: Drew was a true leader and advocate for our profession. He will be deeply missed.
William Kohlhepp, Dean, School of Health Sciences, Quinnipiac University,: He was a talented clinician; a leader in his practices, in his community, in his profession; and he was beloved by his family.
From the Republican-American:
SOUTHBURY— Charles Drew Morten departed this world in the early morning hours of March 16, 2016.
He leaves behind his best friend and wife of 36 years, Donna Pereira; his daughter Amelia Edelman (Christopher) and three adoring grandchildren, John, Charlotte and Walter.
Born in Lawrence, Mass. to Charley E. Morten, an officer in the U.S. Navy, and Lina (DeCesere) Morten, an elementary school teacher, Drew, as he was known to all, spent most of his childhood in Middletown, R.I. He graduated from the Portsmouth Abbey, and went on to study at Fordham University in the Bronx, where he earned a B.S. in biology and psychology in 1974.
In 1977, Drew and his future wife moved to St. Louis, Mo., where Drew completed a physician assistant program, and later earned a master’s degree in public health from Saint Louis University. After a number of years in clinical practice, Drew entered the field of health care administration, occupying a number of senior leadership positions with health care organizations in Missouri and later, in Connecticut, where he settled with his family in 1997.
In 2000, he returned to work as a clinician, ultimately becoming the staff clinician at the Cartus Corp. in Danbury, Conn., the position from which he retired in 2014. Drew was very proud to have served as a member of the U.S. Naval Reserves for 11 years, during which time he was called upon to serve as a PA in Bahrain as part of Operation Desert Shield.
He was also very active in his community. He served as the president of the Missouri Academy of Physician Assistants, had held multiple committee positions with the American Academy of Physician Assistants and served as president of the Connecticut Academy of Physician Assistants.
In 1998 he was recognized as the Saint Louis University Allied Health Alumnus of the Year. Drew served three terms as chairman of the board of the Western Connecticut Chapter of the American Red Cross.
He was past chairman of the Southbury Democratic Town Committee and in 2011 was re-elected for a second term as district delegate to the Connecticut State Democratic Party. He was recently honored by the Connecticut Democratic Party as the first recipient of the John M. Bailey Award.
Drew enjoyed traveling; he liked to explore new places and to try new foods. But no matter where he traveled or even lived, he remained a Rhode Islander at heart: he loved the beach, and all things Rhode Island, including the family of his wife, a native of East Providence.
Drew was a loving and supportive father and a devoted grandfather. He was also a loyal friend, and is sorely missed by all those who had the privilege to know him.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 2, at 10 a.m. at the Heritage Hotel in Southbury.
Memorial contributions can be made in his name to the Regional Hospice and Home Care Center, 30 Milestone Road, Danbury, CT 06810 or the Smilow Cancer Center Closer to Free Fund at P.O. Box 1849, New Haven, CT 06508.
Munson Lovetere Funeral Home is handling the arrangements. Online condolences can be left for the family at www.munsonloveterefuneralhome.com.