Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Howard Center recently received a $5,000 grant from the National Life Foundation to produce and distribute a free resource guide, “Suicide Prevention Across the Lifespan.” The publication complements other suicide prevention initiatives that are offered through Howard Center’s First Call for Chittenden County, a crisis intervention program that offers help 24/7/365.

Vermont Business Magazine Florida has the highest rate of skin cancer in the nation. While this might not be surprising, Vermont ranks fourth overall, according to a new report released by the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. Meanwhile, dangerous melanoma diagnoses in the US increased 7 percent over a four-year span, according to information released in BCBSA’s Health of America Report. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, people who first use a tanning bed before age 35 increase their risk for melanoma by 75 percent. “Skin exposure to ultraviolet light is as likely to cause cancer as smoking cigarettes,” said Dr. Trent Haywood, senior vice president and chief medical officer for BCBSA. “Americans should enjoy the sun, but also use the proper precautions to avoid too much exposure to ultraviolet light. Tanning beds should be avoided altogether in light of research documenting the strong correlation to skin cancer.”

Vermont Business Magazine Imagine having access to quality health care without an appointment, seven days a week. Yes, even on Sunday! Community Health Centers of the Rutland Region (CHCRR) has opened Express Care centers in Rutland and Castleton where a team of doctors and care providers will handle your minor injury or illness, a cold or the flu, a minor strain or sprain any day of the week.

Vermont Business Magazine Matthew P. Haag has been named the Vice President of Development and Alumni Relations for Dartmouth-Hitchcock Health and the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth. Haag, who previously served as the Associate Vice President of Clinical, Research and Academic Development for the University of Rochester, University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC), in Rochester, NY, was selected after a national search. He begins his new role on September 10^th.

Vermont Business Magazine Physician's Computer Company (PCC), the leading pediatric-focused vendor for independent pediatricians nationwide based in Winooski, has announced new patient portal payment functionality. Coinciding with the company's PCC 8.4 software release, this functionality was created to improve both the patient and provider experience. The ability to make payments in a patient portal greatly improves patient engagement. Rather than posting a payment via a practice's website, portal payments drive the patient directly to the place where there is additional content the practice wants them to see. A patient portal affords the ability to:

​by Seth N Blanchard Healthcare costs are a significant concern for many Americans, particularly for those approaching retirement. One increasingly popular way to manage medical expenses is to save into a Health Savings Account (HSA). If you have access to an HSA, read on for details on how you may use it to optimize your healthcare savings.

Vermont Business Magazine In Senator Leahy’s first full year as Vice Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, funding to protect and restore Lake Champlain is at an historic high water mark. In a statement, Leahy said this is despite a spending plan from President Trump and his administration that would have eliminated many clean water programs.

The EPA Lake Champlain Program is funded at $8.399 million, an increase of $4 million over FY17. The $4 million increase is to be targeted to implement Vermont’s 2016 Phosphorus TMDL while the base of $4.399 will fund ongoing work in Vermont and New York. While still being finalized, the $4 million will enable two new programs targeting the biggest problems:

Developed Lands Implementation Projects: $1.805 million

Vermont Business Magazine Flanked by maple producers at a Vermont sugarbush in Richmond, Attorney General TJ Donovan called on the federal government to amend its proposed guidance on a rule that would require maple and honey producers to declare “added sugar” content on their labels – even for 100% pure single-ingredient products like maple and honey. Donovan said single-ingredient producers should be exempt, or have other options, when the new rule takes effect. And, he unveiled a new webpage that allows Vermonters to comment on the proposed rule and guidance.

“Today, we’re calling on the FDA to listen to Vermonters,” said Donovan. “I support clear and transparent labeling, and I support common sense. That is why I stand with Vermont’s sugarmakers to ask the FDA to amend its guidance so that consumers are not led to believe that anything is added to their 100% pure Vermont maple or honey products.”

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Financial Regulation has issued a cease and desist order to LevelNet, of Irving, California, for violations related to the Vermont Uniform Securities Act. LevelNet is conducting an Initial Coin Offering (ICO) seeking to raise money from investors across the country in exchange for their newly created cryptocurrency. The department’s investigation determined LevelNet is violating Vermont law by deceptively advertising unfounded and unrealistic investment returns and failing to properly register the investment. The department ordered LevelNet to immediately stop advertising and selling in Vermont.

Vermont Business Magazine Otter Creek Awnings of Williston has been purchased by Kristopher and Sarah Larson of Charlotte. Kristopher Larson has worked at Otter Creek Awnings for the past five years, most recently as the Sales Manager. His wife Sarah was employed with the University of Vermont Medical Center for 10 years. Terms were not released.

by Maia Segura Vermont Business Magazine The Town of Wilmington wants your business. More specifically, it wants your business. A crowd of approximately 30 locals and town advocates gathered on Wilmington’s Main Street on May 24, as Wilmington Works kicked off “Make It on Main Street: The Downtown Wilmington, VT Business Challenge,” a “Shark Tank” styled competition which seeks to award $20,000 to a new business launched in Wilmington.

Vermont Business Magazine National Life Group released the following statement Saturday from Ross Sneyd, Director of Corporate Communications. At around 3 pm Saturday, June 2, 2018, a small fire broke out on the National Life campus in the Deane C Davis Building, which is occupied by the state of Vermont. The sprinkler system activated in that area and extinguished the fire. There is, however, considerable water damage on the east side – facing the parking lot – of the second, third and fourth floors of the Davis building.

There were no injuries and the cause of the fire is under investigation.

The offices and operations of National Life were not affected. Representatives of the state of Vermont are reviewing the situation and will be communicating with affected employees.