Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Army Veteran Shannon Blake, of Shelburne, VT, is participating in the 2019 National Disabled Veterans TEE (Train, Expose, Experience) Tournament being held in Iowa City, September 8-13. The 26th National Disabled Veterans TEE Tournament (NDVTEE) is an annual rehabilitative event sponsored by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Disabled American Veterans (DAV). The week-long event promotes rehabilitation by offering visually impaired veterans and those with other disabilities the opportunity to enjoy therapeutic adaptive golfing and other recreational sports.

Vermont Business Magazine More than 90 percent of people who died by suicide showed symptoms of mental health conditions, yet 59 percent of US adults with a mental health condition received no mental health services in the past year, according to a new report. States with a high rate of access to mental health care tend to have low prevalence of mental illness, Vermont was nearly opposite. The state has high incidence of mental health conditions (7) and also a high rate of access (2). Vermont also has a growing rate of suicide.

Vermont Business Magazine Brattleboro Memorial Hospital’s Chief Medical Officer, Kathleen McGraw, MD, was awarded the credential of Certified Physician Executive through the certifying body of the American Association for Physician Leadership on August 15. 2019. For more than 40 years, The American Association for Physician Leadership has “helped physicians develop their leadership skills through education, career development and thought leadership, by providing a supportive community of peers.” 

The Certified Physician Executive credential is CPE is awarded by the Certifying Commission in Medical Management, and signifies the completion of a rigorous course of study. 

Vermont Business Magazine Rutland Regional Medical Center is pleased to welcome anesthesiologist, Erika M Cyr MD to their team. Dr Cyr received her Doctor of Medicine from Boston University School of Medicine. She completed her residency in Anesthesiology at Walter Reed National Military Center and internship with Madigan Army Medical Center. Dr Cyr is board-certified in Anesthesiology. 

A practicing physician since 2015, Dr. Cyr pursued a career in anesthesiology because “I enjoy the fast pace and constantly changing environment of anesthesiology. It also allows me to interact with many different healthcare disciplines.”

Photo: A temporary hospital unit will be provided by the Vermont Department of Health for a joint emergency preparedness drill involving UVM Health Network Porter Medical Center, Middlebury College and the Vermont Department of Health on September 13-14.  The temporary hospital will be set-up in Kenyon Arena on the College campus.

From Friday, September 13, to Saturday, September 14, UVMHN Porter Medical Center, Middlebury College and the Vermont Department of Health will be conducting a joint emergency preparedness exercise to create a 40-bed temporary hospital unit within Chip Kenyon Arena on the College campus.

The Vermont Department of Health currently maintains two 20-Bed Portable Hospital units, each packaged in a 28’ tow-behind trailer readily available to medical facilities in need.  During an emergency, they can be activated independently or together as a 40-bed unit.

A new store featuring CBD and healthy living products has opened in Hanover. AroMed Essentials is located at 6 Allen Street and sells their own line of products containing CBD (cannabidiol) oil, essential oils, and other healthy lifestyle products. CBD oil is derived from the cannabis hemp plant and is widely reported to help those suffering from anxiety and pain.

Attorney General T.J. Donovan today announced joining 48 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico in a multistate, bipartisan investigation of Google’s business practices in accordance with state and federal antitrust laws. The bipartisan coalition announced plans to investigate Google’s overarching control of online advertising markets and search traffic that may have led to anticompetitive behavior that harms consumers. Legal experts from each state will work in cooperation with federal authorities to assess competitive conditions for online services and ensure that Americans have access to free digital markets.

“For the free market to work, there must be competition,” said Attorney General Donovan. “A healthy and fair marketplace provides consumers with choices, allows innovation to flourish, and maintains users’ privacy.” 

Plug-in electric vehicles (EVs) are making inroads with Vermont drivers; as of July there were 3,288 passenger EVs registered in the state. But with more than 40 percent of Vermont’s greenhouse gas emissions coming from the transportation sector, the push is on to encourage even more Vermonters to get charged up about EVs. 

A series of events across the state, organized in conjunction with National Drive Electric Week starting Sept. 14, aims to help Vermonters get a closer look at EVs – many of them driven by their neighbors who are lending their cars to the cause – and learn more about the many advantages EVs offer over conventional gasoline-powered cars, including cleaner air and thousands of dollars in potential savings on fuel and maintenance.

This season Sugarbush Resort is offering discounted season passes and tickets for active duty and veteran/retiree military members, as well as their registered dependents.

The discount is 50% on all 2019/20 Premium Passes. The following military branches are eligible for the discount: Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard, Army National Guard, Army Reserve, Marine Corps Reserve, Navy Reserve, Air National Guard, Air Force Reserve and Coast Guard Reserve.

Additionally, military members and their dependents can enjoy 50% off window ticket rates all season long.

These discounts are available for both telephone and on-site purchase using the SHEER ID verification service or by providing valid military identification.

Governor Phil Scott today announced he appointed 25 Vermonters to state boards and commissions during the month of August.

Boards and commissions serve an important role in state government, giving Vermonters numerous opportunities to serve their state and communities. The Governor’s office is currently soliciting applications to fill vacancies and upcoming term expirations. All those interested in serving on a board or commission should visit the Governor’s website at http://governor.vermont.gov/boards-commissions to apply.

by Joy Choquette, Vermont Business Magazine At the Franklin County Regional Chamber of Commerce, Lisamarie Charlesworth, chamber manager, said that while she recognized the challenges faced in the current economy in Franklin County, she was also excited by the potential for growth.

by Brandon Arcari, Vermont Business Magazine The farm families of St Albans Cooperative Creamery voted to approve a merger with Dairy Farmers of America (DFA) July 29. The vote, with 108 of the 307 voting members casting a vote, was 99-9 in favor of the merger.