Goldfarb Families Make Transformational Gift to Hartford Hospital Honoring Cancer Leader Andrew L. Salner, MD

HARTFORD, Conn. – Hartford Hospital today announced a transformative gift from the Bob and Bill Goldfarb Families to establish the Andrew L. Salner, MD, Medical Oncology Welcome Center at Hartford Hospital, honoring one of Connecticut's most respected cancer physicians and healthcare leaders.

The surprise announcement was made during a retirement celebration recognizing Andrew L. Salner, MD, FACR, FASTRO, longtime Medical Director of the Hartford HealthCare Cancer Institute at Hartford Hospital and its Helen & Harry Gray Cancer Center. The event, led by Peter Yu, MD, Physician-in-Chief Emeritus of the Hartford HealthCare Cancer Institute, brought together members of the Salner family, colleagues, patients, donors, and community leaders to celebrate Dr. Salner's extraordinary career and lasting impact on cancer care.

Subscribe

During the celebration, Dr. Salner was also honored by the American Cancer Society in recognition of his decades of leadership, advocacy, and unwavering commitment to improving the lives of cancer patients and their families.
Located in Hartford Hospital's Jefferson Tower, the Andrew L. Salner, MD, Medical Oncology Welcome Center will serve patients and families receiving care in the hospital's newly renovated medical oncology and infusion centers.

Opened in 2026, the state-of-the-art oncology suites were thoughtfully designed to provide a modern healing environment that promotes comfort, dignity, and well-being throughout the cancer journey. Featuring enhanced treatment areas, improved amenities for patients and caregivers, and welcoming spaces designed to ease stress and anxiety, the renovated medical oncology and infusion centers complement the world-class clinical care delivered by Hartford HealthCare's oncology teams.

As the place where many patients and families begin their treatment experience, the Welcome Center will provide a warm and supportive environment while reflecting Dr. Salner's unwavering commitment to compassionate, patient-centered care.

"Dr. Andy Salner's impact on Hartford Hospital extends far beyond his extraordinary accomplishments in cancer care," said Cheryl Ficara, RN, MS, President of Hartford Hospital and Hartford Region, Senior Vice President, Hartford HealthCare. "For five decades, he has brought expertise, compassion, and humanity to every patient interaction while inspiring generations of caregivers across our organization. This tribute reflects not only his distinguished career, but also the deep admiration and gratitude of those whose lives he has touched. We are very grateful to the Goldfarb Families for their exceptional generosity and for creating a lasting legacy that will support patients and families for years to come."
"There are extraordinary physicians, and then there are people like Dr. Andy Salner," said Jeffrey A. Flaks, President & CEO of Hartford HealthCare. "For nearly five decades, Andy has been a source of hope, compassion, and strength for countless patients and families. He has shaped the very heart of cancer care at Hartford Hospital, and his influence extends far beyond the walls of our organization. The Goldfarb Families' remarkable generosity is a powerful testament to the lives Andy has touched and the relationships he has built. I can think of no more fitting tribute than a place that will welcome patients and families with the same warmth, dignity and compassion that have defined his life's work. This is a legacy that will endure for generations."

"Dr. Salner's impact extends far beyond medicine," said Bob Goldfarb. "For decades, he has combined clinical excellence with genuine compassion, offering comfort, guidance, and hope to patients and families during some of life's most difficult moments. We can think of no better way to honor his extraordinary legacy than by creating a space that reflects the warmth, kindness, and patient-centered approach that have defined his career. It is our privilege to celebrate Dr. Salner while supporting the future of cancer care at Hartford Hospital."

Over a distinguished 50-year career, Dr. Salner helped establish Hartford Hospital as a regional and national leader in cancer care. A visionary physician, researcher, educator, and advocate, he advanced multidisciplinary cancer treatment, championed access to care, and led initiatives that improved outcomes for countless patients.

Among his many contributions, Dr. Salner championed Hartford HealthCare's Take the Time Mobile Mammography Program, expanding access to lifesaving breast cancer screenings in underserved communities throughout Connecticut. He also played a leading role in securing financial assistance and supportive services for patients facing the challenges associated with cancer treatment, ensuring that financial barriers would not stand in the way of care.

Beyond his clinical achievements, Dr. Salner has been a devoted advocate for philanthropy and its power to transform healthcare. Throughout his career, he worked closely with grateful patients, families, and donors, helping connect philanthropy to opportunities that improve care, support innovation, enhance the patient experience, and expand access to world-class cancer services.

"Andy has always understood that philanthropy is about far more than dollars raised. It is about what generosity makes possible for patients and families," said Lynn B. Rossini, Vice President of Philanthropy, Hartford Region. "He has been an extraordinary partner in philanthropy, inspiring generosity, cultivating meaningful relationships, and helping donors create lasting impact. The Goldfarb Families' gift reflects the tremendous respect and affection they have for Andy and the countless lives he has touched through his compassion, leadership, and advocacy. It is a fitting tribute to a physician whose legacy will continue to support patients long into the future."

"The Andrew L. Salner, MD, Medical Oncology Welcome Center serves as a lasting tribute to a physician whose compassion, leadership, and unwavering commitment have touched countless lives and helped shape the future of cancer care in Connecticut and beyond," said Ashleigh G. Leite, SVP and Chief Philanthropy Officer, Hartford HealthCare. "We are deeply grateful to the Bob and Bill Goldfarb Families for honoring Dr. Salner in such a meaningful way while also investing in an enhanced experience for the patients and families who will benefit from their extraordinary generosity for years to come."

The new medical oncology and infusion centers are a key component of Hartford HealthCare's HHC 2035 vision to transform care delivery and create the healthcare campus of the future. By combining advanced technology, innovative care models, and thoughtfully designed healing spaces, Hartford Hospital continues to redefine the cancer care experience for patients across the region.

The naming of the Andrew L. Salner, MD, Medical Oncology Welcome Center ensures that Dr. Salner's legacy of compassion, excellence, service, and philanthropy will continue to welcome and support patients and families for generations to come.