Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Gifford is contributing to the humanitarian effort in war-torn Ukraine by donating medical supplies such as band-aids, IV bags, gauze, rubber gloves, gowns and catheter IVs. The effort started after Ryan Langlois, an associate division manager at Applied Research Associates in Randolph, reached out to neighboring Gifford. Applied Research Associates is a globally recognized scientific research and engineering company with more than 1,500 employee-owners nationwide. In partnership with international logistics provider Meest, Applied Research Associates, is sending humanitarian supplies to Ukraine.

Vermont Business Magazine Southwestern Vermont Health Care’s (SVHC) Medical Matters Weekly with Dr. Trey Dobson is pleased to welcome Tracy Dolan, the director of Vermont’s Refugee Office, at 12 p.m. on Wednesday, March 23.

The show is produced with cooperation from Catamount Access Television (CAT-TV). Viewers can see Medical Matters Weekly on facebook.com/svmedicalcenter and facebook.com/CATTVBennington. The show is also available to view or download a podcast on www.svhealthcare.org/medicalmatters.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports, a nationally recognized nonprofit organization that provides sports and recreational programs state-wide, year-round to people with disabilities, was recently awarded a $30,000 grant from The Hartford for new adaptive sports equipment. The grant enabled Vermont Adaptive, a member of the Move United Network, to purchase four sit skis; two Monique Mono Skis and two Dynamique Bi Skis. Each ski costs more than $5,500, plus other costs for outriggers and custom-fit accessories.

Vermont Business Magazine Sixteen-year-old Marcy Dukette made her way from Northfield School to her health occupations coop as a nurse’s aide, walking between her classes and Mayo’s residential care community. The year was 1974 and, as the world watched the unfolding Watergate scandal, Dukette embarked on a 48-year career with Mayo Healthcare. “I’ve always called Mayo my second family because I’ve been there since high school,” she noted. Marcy Dukette will retire on March 25.

Vermont Business Magazine The Case Management team at Southwestern Vermont Medical Center (SVMC), part of Southwestern Vermont Health Care (SVHC), was the recipient of the DAISY Team Award for Extraordinary Nurses in February. The department was nominated by a colleague who recognized the group’s extraordinary efforts to satisfy the complex needs of their patients.

Vermont Business Magazine In a first-of-its-kind study, research from the University of Vermont Cancer Center has linked phthalates, commonly called the “everywhere chemical,” to higher incidence of specific childhood cancers. Phthalates are chemical additives used to enhance the durability or consistency of plastics and a wide range of consumer products. Humans are routinely exposed to these compounds when they leach out of the products and into the environment. They are also used as inactive ingredients in some medications, especially those that require extended or delayed drug release to work properly, for example, some anti-inflammatory drugs and antibiotics.

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health today is reporting 84 cases of COVID-19 for Sunday, down from 120 on Saturday (142 on Friday). There were no additional deaths, which stand at 611 statewide. There have been four fatalities since March 5. March is shaping up to have the fewest deaths since last July. Vermont is averaging 119 cases over the last 7 days. Cases are down 94% since the Omicron peak. The state loosened its mask guidance on March 14 to individual preference. UVM ended its mask mandate on Saturday. Most cities and towns also have let mandates expire.

Hoffer Says Extremely Fast Grant Process Led to Millions in Improper Payments

Vermont Business Magazine State Auditor Doug Hoffer released an audit today of Vermont’s Health Care Stabilization Grant Program. Administered by the Agency of Human Services (AHS), the program issued 323 grant awards totaling $143.6 million to a wide range of health care providers. The audit reviewed $92.7 million of the awards and found that more than half of those payments – representing $7 million or 8% of the total grant money reviewed – were either too large or should not have been made at all per state statute and federal COVID rules.

Vermont Business Magazine Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont), along with Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vermont) and Representative Peter Welch (D-Vermont), on Monday wrote to Kevin Miller, CEO of the Sciolex Corporation, to express concern over the treatment of Sciolex workers at the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Vermont Service Center (VSC). Formerly based in St Albans, the VSC, now located in Essex Junction, is one of five USCIS service centers in the country that collectively handle between eight and ten million immigration cases per year – performing the essential work of preparing and processing immigration benefits applications and petitions.

The Committee on Temporary Shelter bids farewell to longtime leader, celebrates a lifetime of achievements

Vermont Business Magazine Today, the inimitable Rita Markley formally announced her upcoming retirement as Executive Director of the Committee on Temporary Shelter. Markley will step down on September 30, 2022, after 30 years of service to the non-profit organization.

“When I first walked through the doors of COTS 30 years ago as a volunteer, I had no idea that this organization would become the greatest love of my life, besides my family,” Markley shared. “I am deeply grateful for the remarkable staff, board, volunteers, and donors who have focused on solutions and innovative approaches to ending homelessness. COTS has never been stronger, and I am thrilled to see what the next generation of leadership will achieve.”

Vermont Business Magazine Taconic Capital Advisors and Eastern Real Estate have partnered to acquire University Mall in South Burlington. The 617,000-square-foot shopping destination is the largest in Vermont, as well as the most-visited in the state, with an estimated 3.9 million annual visitors. The property features an 85,500-square-foot JCPenney, an 86,000-square-foot Kohl’s, a 48,000-square-foot Hannaford Brothers grocery store, and a 60,000-square-foot Target – Target’s first and only store to open in Vermont. The mall features over 50 local and national shops and restaurants. The new owners paid $60 million.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund (VSJF) announces the selection of the Energy 2022 cohort of the DeltaClimeVT climate economy business accelerator. Eight early-stage energy companies from across the US and Canada will work with climate economy leaders, industry experts, potential partners and investment professionals over the next three months while completing an intensive curriculum, developed by ecosVC, during online workshops, webinars and mentoring sessions. The Vermont-based business accelerator kicked off the Energy 2022 program (the sixth cohort for the DeltaClimeVT business accelerator) last week.