Southwestern Vermont Medical Center

Congratulations to Brittany Priggen, BSN, RN, who was presented with a DAISY Award for nursing excellence recently, after being nominated by the family of a patient who has Alzheimer's disease and was being treated for an injury.

“She engaged [the patient] completely and recognized and validated her as a whole person, and put us all at ease” the nominator wrote. “She is a credit to the career and is caring and compassionate beyond. [The patient] is a former RN herself and she was treated with the dignity she deserves.”

Priggen was hailed for “having a plan” and for guiding the family through difficult discussions.

“God bless nurses like her,” the nominator wrote.

Priggen is a nurse preceptor in SVMC’s Medical-Surgical Unit, where patients are recovering from surgeries, illnesses and injuries. As a nurse preceptor Priggen helps train new RNs using evidence-based practices.

Congratulations and thank you for all you do!
The DAISY Award is an international recognition program honoring clinical excellence and outstanding compassionate care provided by nurses.

Last week SVMC celebrated the completion of a three-year renovation and construction project that modernized our emergency department, front entrance and other public areas in the hospital.

Here's a look at some of those new and renovated spaces within the Kendall Emergency Department (ED), the Richard and Pamela Ader Foundation Lobby, the Jackie and Tony Marro Café and the Stout Thomson Waiting Area and Outpatient Registration. Our new waiting area and outpatient registration officially opens to patients this week, on Thursday, Sept. 5!

Part of Vision 2020, a Decade of Transformation capital campaign, this project was made possible by the philanthropic support of many community members. Thank you to all the donors, to our ED staff, engineering and vendor teams. And, of course, thanks to our patients and visitors who have been flexible and understanding during the construction.

The next phase of Vision 2020 will be construction of a new regional cancer center. SVMC plans to start construction next spring, pending regulatory approvals.

ED, Emergency Crisis Area (ECA) and cafe photos by Ryan Bent Photography.

Today, Southwestern Vermont Medical Center (SVMC) celebrated the completion of a three-year renovation and construction project that modernized our emergency department, front entrance and other public areas in the hospital.

Part of Vision 2020, A Decade of Transformation capital campaign, the $31 million project was primarily funded through philanthropic giving and included expanding and renovating the emergency department to create the new Kendall Emergency Department (ED), construction of a new front entrance, including the Richard and Pamela Ader Foundation Lobby, the Jackie and Tony Marro Café and the Stout Thomson Waiting Area and Outpatient Registration.

Here are a few photo highlights from today's festivities, which also included burying SVMC's 2018 Centennial Time Capsule.

Learn more about the project and celebration here: https://svhealthcare.org/news/svmc-marks-completion-of-major-construction-and-renovation-projects

Thank you to all the donors, staff, community members and volunteer leaders who made this possible. We are also so grateful to our patients, who showed great understanding and flexibility during the construction process!

Thank you to all the participants and supporters of last week's first annual Jamie Hill Memorial Golf Tournament, which benefitted SVMC Cardiology services.

Special thanks to organizer Teddy Hill, owner of Kevin’s Sports Pub and Restaurant and Greene Oil, for making it all possible.

SVMC’s Medical Director of Cardiology, Scott Rogge, MD, along with other SVMC providers, staff and family, were also thrilled to participate in this great event, held August 16 at Mt. Anthony Country Club.

Community support like this ensures SVMC can continue to provide exceptional health care and comfort to our community.

While you can’t be by your kids side for the entire first day, there are things you can do in advance to make sure they’re mentally and physically ready to conquer the new school year.

Check out these tips for making the summer to school transition as smooth as possible: https://svhealthcare.org/Wellness-Connection/getting-kids-ready-for-back-to-school

Proud to be a sponsor of this free event with the Bennington Banner. It all kicks off Tuesday, Aug. 20 - from 4 to 7 p.m. in Lower Willow Park. Kids must be present to receive a backpack stocked with goodies!

Bennington's 7th Annual Backpack Giveaway returns on August 20th BENNINGTON — The Bennington Banner, along with the Bennington Police Department and Bennington Auto Mall will host the 7th Annual Back to School Backpack Giveaway Challenge on Tuesday, August 20,

At SVMC, we are seeking compassionate, collaborative, and driven individuals to join our 5 time designated Magnet Center for Nursing Excellence medical center.

If nursing is your passion, or you are interested in starting a career as a nurse, we welcome you to browse our current open positions at: www.svmc.org/careers

For more information, contact Jessica Woodward at (802) 447-5319

One week until the free, no ID required dental, vision & medical clinic at the Mt. Anthony Union Middle School! Services will include:

Services available at the free RAM clinic will include dental cleanings, dental fillings, dental extractions, dental X-rays, eye exams, eye health exams, eyeglass prescriptions, eyeglasses made on-site, women's health exams and general medical exams.

Adults & children are welcome.

By raising awareness and fostering supportive environments, we can ensure that all families have the resources and encouragement they need to thrive during National Breastfeeding Month and beyond.

Read more for tips and classes offered by SVMC's Women's and Children's Services:

https://svhealthcare.org/Wellness-Connection/celebrating-national-breastfeeding-month

Three Southwestern Vermont Medical Center (SVMC) nurses and an emergency department technician were honored recently for their commitment to patient care.

Laurie Darby, RN, Caraline Sprague, RN and Olivia Sandquist, RN were each presented with DAISY Awards this summer. The DAISY Award is an international recognition program honoring clinical excellence and outstanding compassionate care provided by nurses. Ryan Rogge, a technician in the Kendall Emergency Department at SVMC, was honored with the hospital’s internal PETAL Award, given to staff who go above and beyond in their work.

Read more about each of the award winners here: https://svhealthcare.org/news/svmc-nurses-and-technician-honored-for-exceptional-patient-care

Congratulations to these wonderful clinical staff members. Thank you for helping SVMC achieve its mission to provide exceptional health care and comfort to our community.

We're hiring! 🧑‍⚕️🩺👩‍⚕️

Join our award-winning team of caregivers in the Emergency Department, Medical Surgical Unit, and Operating Room.

🔗Med. Surgical Unit RN: https://pm.healthcaresource.com/CS/svhealthcare/ #/job/3373

🔗Emergency Dept. RN: https://pm.healthcaresource.com/CS/svhealthcare/ #/job/3535

🔗Operating Room RN: https://pm.healthcaresource.com/CS/svhealthcare/ #/job/3718

Learn more about our open positions at www.SVMC.org/careers

Congratulations to SVMC's Tom Dee, who was officially awarded Citizen of the Year from the Vermont Chamber last Thursday at the Everett Mansion in Bennington.

This special celebration brought together a wonderful group of leaders and guests from the region, state and the Dartmouth Health system to honor Tom Dee's contributions and accomplishments, at SVMC and beyond.

Read the Banner's coverage of the event here: https://www.benningtonbanner.com/local-news/citizen-of-the-year-award-ceremony-celebrates-dees-contributions-to-hospital-community/article_ec7d4fe6-50fa-11ef-8ea5-8f42caa1f5b1.html

Event photos by Lorianna Weathers Photography & Design

Lundgren Subaru of Bennington and The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s local chapter made a very special delivery to the Dartmouth Cancer Center at Southwestern Vermont Medical Center (SVMC) last month.

The cancer center received 80 individually packaged blankets and 30 patient care kits, containing items like colored pencils and coloring book, stress balls, socks, eye masks, and collapsible water bottles.

Lundgren and LLS also donated "messages of hope" cards, filled out by customers who visited Subaru during the month of June. Our cancer center team loves to share these beautiful community messages with our patients, along with cozy and thoughtful self-care items. These items and messages truly bring a smile to the faces of our patients coming in for treatment and care.

Thank you, Lundgren Subaru and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Northeast Connecticut-Albany-Eastern New York!

Dartmouth Health

The Summer/Fall 2024 issue of Healthy+ is on a newsstand near you! The free SVMC magazine covers a lot of health and lifestyle topics, including the benefits of volunteering, diabetes management, breast density, Baby Café and healthy summer recipes.

Check your local grocery store, restaurants and other community hubs for a copy.

You can read a digital version at this link: https://svhealthcare.org/Healthy

FYI: to any of our SVMC community who planned to attend tonight

Tonight’s game at Joe Wolfe vs The Valley Blue Sox has been cancelled

“Being on the front lines of patient care in our community comes with unique challenges and triumphs. For our Emergency Department team to be recognized among just 94 departments, nationwide, demonstrates the level of excellence and commitment that has been fostered here.” - Pamela Duchene, PhD, APRN, Chief Nursing Officer and Vice President of Patient Care Services at Southwestern Vermont Medical Center

Congratulations to the Kendall Emergency Department (ED) at SVMC for being selected as a recipient of the Emergency Nurses Association’s 2024 Lantern Award®! The Lantern Award highlights excellence in leadership, practice, education, advocacy and research performance.

SVMC's team was among less than 100 EDs throughout the country to receive this three-year designation and is the first ED in Vermont to receive the award.

Learn more about this prestigious honor at the link:
https://svhealthcare.org/news/southwestern-vermont-medical-center-recognized-for-excellence-in-emergency-nursing

Is Early Education your career calling? Join our team!

The Learning Tree, SVMC’s onsite childcare center, is an accredited 5-star program through STARS (STep Ahead Recognition System), Vermont’s Quality Recognition and Improvement System (QRIS) for child care, preschool, and afterschool programs. The Learning Tree is rated outstanding in the areas of regulatory history, staff qualifications, families and communities, program practices, and administration.

Learn more and apply today: https://pm.healthcaresource.com/CS/svhealthcare/ #/job/3759

Betty and her dog, Nellie, are here to wish everyone a happy Monday! ☀️🐶💚

📸: Greg Nesbit Photography

A warm welcome to Morgan R. Bazyk, MS, APRN, who recently joined SVMC Orthopedics!

We're thrilled to have Morgan and each of these talented providers join the Dartmouth Health system.

We recently welcomed seven new providers at various hospitals and clinics around the Dartmouth Health system. These providers span several healthcare disciplines and practices across four Dartmouth Health locations: Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, Dartmouth Hitchcock Clinics Manchester, Dartmouth Health Children's, and Southwestern Vermont Medical Center. A complete list of new providers is available at: https://www.dartmouth-hitchcock.org/stories/article/dartmouth-health-adds-new-providers-multiple-disciplines-across-health-system?utm_campaign=SocialShareSS&utm_content=1720461960&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook

Wishing everyone a safe and happy Independence Day!
❤️🤍💙

At SVMC, we are looking for driven, positive people to join our award-winning culture.

If nursing is your passion, or you are interested in starting a career as a nurse, we welcome you to browse our current open positions at: svmc.org/careers

For more information, contact [email protected]

Thank you, WCAX-TV for featuring the CoWin media walls we have installed in our new Emergency Crisis Area. This de-esclation tool has been invaluable for patients experiencing a mental health crisis.

Having innovative tools like this helps our clinical teams provide compassionate and exceptional care to our community.

Health Watch: Vt. hospital adds new tech to help calm those in crisis

Great resources from Dartmouth Cancer Center for

Resources for Cancer Survivors Resources are available to cancer survivors this Cancer Survivor Month and all year long.

*7/11 UPDATE: The main phone line at Twin Rivers has been restored and resuming normal operations.

_____________________________________________

As of 6/27, Twin Rivers Medical has been experiencing issues with the main phone line. If you are unable to get through, please call this alternative number to speak with a member of our staff: 1-802-440-4094

An update will be provided when the issue is resolved. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Twin Rivers Medical Group Twin Rivers Medical strives to provide you with the best tools available when managing your health records and communicating with us.

The Summer Gala—Southwestern Vermont Health Care (SVHC) Foundation’s signature fundraising event and the region’s premier philanthropic occasion—netted a record-breaking $1.5 million on June 8 at the 1768 Hubbell Homestead at Colgate Park in Bennington.

The event, which hosted nearly 400 people, shattered all previous fundraising records in support of building a new regional cancer center at Southwestern Vermont Medical Center (SVMC).

“The tremendous generosity we received this year is a testament to the exceptional cancer care SVMC’s team provides and the importance of having a facility that matches their level of excellence and expertise,” said SVMC’s Vice President of Corporate Development Leslie Keefe. “Our Summer Gala Committees, guests, sponsors and employees sent a powerful message with their contributions. The matching dollars committed by Honorary Gala Committee Co-Chair Susan Hunter and her husband, Doug Watson and SVMC’s Board of Trustees brought this cause to the next level, making it a monumental night for our organization and the communities we serve.”

The plans for the new Hoyt-Hunter Cancer Center at SVMC is part of Vision 2020, A Decade of Transformation. The capital campaign previously raised $25 million for major renovation projects at the hospital, including the nearly completed renovation of the hospital’s Emergency Department and main entrance. With plans to break ground on the new cancer center by spring 2025, the building will double the number of infusion and exam rooms. The state-of-the-art facility will also enhance the center’s integration with Dartmouth Cancer Center, one of only three National Cancer Institute-Designated comprehensive cancer centers in New England.

The Summer Gala celebration included the presentation of the Vision Award for Health Care Leadership to Eric Seyferth, MD and the Sean L. Casey Distinguished Community Service Award to Constance “Consie” West.

“Dr. Seyferth and Consie West represent the very best of our community,” said Keefe. “Both of them, in their respective areas and vocations, have demonstrated great leadership, selflessness and a tireless commitment to improving the lives of others. They were the perfect honorees for such a notable evening.”

The event was organized with the help of a dedicated group of volunteer Gala Committee members, including Chair, Monique Geannelis, and members Rachel Caswell, Caroline Maran Ivanov, Vicki Jerome, Carol Patterson, Janet Thibodeau, Shari Hand and Debra Wilkin. The Honorary Summer Gala Committee members, whose generous contributions to the Putnam Challenge and live auction contributed to the success of the event, included Co-Chairs, Susie Hunter and Doug Watson, along with Bill Hoyt and Tony Hoyt and members Donna and Gordon Calder, Marianne Chaikin, Susan and Lael Kellet, Juliette and Stallworth Larson, Norene Peck, Sallyan and Steve Pelletier, Jane Told and Debbie and Bill Wight.

“An event of this scale can’t happen without a great team of staff and volunteers,” said Keefe. “We’re grateful to our Gala Committee and Honorary Gala Committee members for helping to make this a truly spectacular event in the region.”

Guests also enjoyed a cocktail hour; a raffle including a nearly $10,000 first prize; live auction of items including unique experiences and international and luxury travel; exceptional dinner; and dancing to Rick Express.

The Summer Gala’s Event Sponsor this year was M/E Engineering, followed by Title Sponsors Mack Molding Co. and Old Mill Road Media.

Presenting sponsors included 1768 Hubbell Homestead, Alfred Weissman Real Estate, Allaire Health Services, Coggins Auto Group, Pamela Duchene, PhD, APRN and Rev. Thomas Quattrociocchi, Kathy Fisher and Rocco Maggiotto, Roby Harrington III, John and Deborah Larkin, Sallyan and Stephen Pelletier, and Salem Dentistry. The evening’s Lead Sponsors included: AOW Construction, Davin Healthcare, Tom and Rita Dee, Hayden Plumbing & Heating, Lavallee Brensinger Architects, Wilmington Trust, a division of M&T Bank, Radiology Associates of Bennington, and TRANE. Supporting Sponsors included Consolidated Communications, Jonathan M. Cohen, Attorney at Law, Donna and Gordon Calder, The Gift Garden, Thomas Green and Kristen Johanson, Skanska Consulting & Program Management, and Southwestern Vermont Chamber of Commerce. Host Sponsors included Thomas and Maria Ascher, The Bank of Bennington, Cardinal Land Properties, Carol Conroy, DNP and Dr. Anders Rhodin, William Hoyt, Anthony Hoyt, David Meiselman and Myra Packman, Mt. Anthony Country Club, Norene Peck, Allison and Scott Rogge, and Yura Stoly, MD, PM&R. Community Business Partners included Bennington Express L**e & Car Wash, Jason P. Morrissey, Attorney at Law, Mount Anthony Country Club, Shea Family Funeral Home, Tyler Electric Security and Wassick Tire Service.

“We are deeply grateful for the Summer Gala sponsors and their extraordinary commitment to our mission of providing exceptional care and comfort to those we serve,” said Keefe.

For more information about the event, visit www.summergala.com

We are looking forward to a vibrant and fun day in downtown Bennington! 💚🏳️‍🌈

See you at Bennington Pride, friends!

More information about the schedule, go to our website: https://queerconnectbennington.com/pride-2024/

Parade is at noon - starting from Hemmings, down Main St to TD Bank area where it will spill right in to our Block Party on Pleasant & School St blocks from noon to four.

Website changes in progress to state this as well. 😎