See topics forRecognition
Pumpkin Palooza at UConn Health brings the spirit of fall to life with a festive mix of creativity, community, and wellness! Join us for an unforgettable afternoon featuring pumpkins, donuts, and flu shots—because nothing says autumn like a little fun and a lot of care.
UConn Health’s Pumpkin Palooza returns October 29 in the Center Courtyard, with fall vibes, artistic flair, and spirited competition! Under an autumn sky, employees, students, residents, and volunteers gather from 11 am to 1 pm to celebrate creativity, community, and all things pumpkin. With donuts and cider on hand, the treats made it a feast for both eyes and taste buds!
Check out what made last year's Pumpkin Palooza so spooktacular!
Last Year's Highlights
1. In-Person Pumpkin Entries: The Center courtyard turned into an art gallery of pumpkins, each one decorated with incredible detail and a dash of spooky fun! Teams and individuals alike brought their creative “a-maize-ing” skills, displaying everything from traditional jack-o’-lanterns to elaborate themes that captured the Halloween spirit. Laughter and cheers filled the courtyard as participants proudly showcased their pumpkins for everyone to admire and vote on.
2. Virtual Pumpkin Submissions: Our remote community also joined in on the fun! From spooky to downright hilarious, photo and video submissions from around campus and beyond made this Palooza a truly inclusive event. These virtual entries added a unique twist to the competition, allowing everyone to feel part of the festivities.
3. Courtyard Voting and Flu Shots: Guests hearted/voted for their favorite pumpkin entries virtually via Padlet, sparking friendly rivalries and lots of smiles. To add to the wellness theme, an on-site flu shot drive was available, rounding out the event with a dose of care for our community. Donuts and community spirit fueled the event, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere celebrating the seasons and the UConn Health Family.
2024 Palooza Results
1st Place - Fishy Wake up by UConn Orthodontics
2nd Place - Pumpkin Reaper by Neurosurgery: Will Kelsey, Melissa Cooper, Magdalena K., Madeline Medina, Janelle Starosciak
3rd Place - Beatrice Fast by Inpatient Rehab
Honorable Mention - Cuterus by Uterus by Gyn-Oncology "Paps Pumpkin Possy"
Honorable Mention - A Cinderella Story by Quality and Patient Safety
Honorable Mention - Beetle Juice, Beetle Juice, Beetle Juice by IT Kathryn Updike
Honorable Mention - Psychiatric Help: Lucy by Psych 1
Participants
Cells R Us by Cytology – Joanna Ciambriello, Spiros Kapolas, Kristen Saucier, Natalie Wentland
Clinical Trials is Our Super Power – CTO Bears Cares by the Clinical Trials Office – Vincent Rella, Maria Ortiz, Kasia Naftri, Jill McNamara, Madison Lowe, Kristen Brandimico, Annie Ali
It’s No Trick; Diversity is a Treat by Graduate School DEI Committee – Kristina Delgado, Debolina Ghosh, Stephanie Rauch
Medical Surgical Nurses Run on Dunkin by UT5 – Nanette Pink
Project Search Town by Project Search
Starbucks vs. Dunkin Runds on Pumpkin by the Cato T. Laurencin Institute for Regenerative Engineering
There’s No Place Like UConn Health by Patient Experience – Yarelis Wilson, Lisa DeToma, Cindy Valdez, April Mansi, Madison Huebel, Katelyn Puglisi, Tamara Cardozo
Time is Pulp by UConn Health Stroke Team – Chantel Grouter
Toothy by AEGD
Witches Brew by Torrington IMA – Allyson Petrauskas, Christine Cswercko, Kala Kemp, Kelly Quijano, Cat Lynn, Mollie Sogliuzzi