Current News

Vermont Business Magazine University of Vermont Medical Center and Hudson Headwaters Health Network have partnered to bring more dental residents to northern New York, in an expansion of the Medical Center’s Dental Residency Program. Leaders from both organizations say the new partnership will increase access to preventive dental care and improve recruitment of dentists in rural communities across the Adirondacks. The partnership between the two not-for-profits, UVM Medical Center and Hudson Headwaters – a Federally Qualified Health Center – adds Hudson Headwaters’ Warrensburg, NY dental center to the training sites that resident dentists practice at during their rotation in the residency program. It is the program’s first New York State-based training site.

Vermont Business Magazine The Associated General Contractors of Vermont has been recognized as a Power of Associations Gold Award recipient by the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) for its successful Vermont Employee Wellness Partnership initiative. AGC/VT and the Employee Wellness Partnership have developed a nationally recognized mental health awareness campaign, led by Reid Wobby and Gregory Tatro. They have been highlighted across various media outlets and have been invited to Association gatherings across the Northeast to help train and educate groups on these issues.

Vermont Business Magazine Community Health in Rutland, the largest of the 12 federally qualified health centers (FQHC) in Vermont, is celebrating National Health Center Week August 4-10. On August 7th, our staff will be showing patients in all of our medical clinics how to connect with their providers through our Patient Portal. It's one of the many services offered to bring healthcare clairty, equity and services to our patients so they can remotely access their healthcare information. The theme of National Health Center Week, “Powering Communities Through Caring Connections,” highlights the essential role community health centers like Community Health play in improving public health. Community Health provides medical, dental, behavioral health, pediatric, Express Care and pharmacy services to everyone regardless of their ability to pay.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Farmers Food Center (VFFC), Rutland Regional Medical Center (RRMC), and Community Health Clinics of the Rutland Region (Community Health) are celebrating the Farmacy Project’s (Farmacy) tenth year this month. Farmacy, which began at VFFC as Health Care Shares, is a produce prescription program that provides fresh locally grown produce to people facing chronic diet-related health conditions. The program was launched in 2015 with a grant from RRMC’s Bowse Health Trust grant to support this community model intersecting healthcare and local agriculture. 

Vermont Business Magazine Age Well has received a 2024 Aging Achievement Award from USAging, one of the highest honors presented by USAging to its members. “Reducing the Stigma—Food Insecurity” was selected in the Home and Community-Based Services category, which was among 22 local aging programs to receive achievement honors during USAging’s 49th Annual Conference and Tradeshow, July 8–11 in Tampa, FL. The 2024 USAging Aging Innovations & Achievement Awards, supported by Caregiving.com and Cumulus.care, recognizes USAging’s Area Agency on Aging members that have found new and innovative ways to support older adults, people with disabilities and caregivers as they live in their homes and communities.

Vermont Business Magazine Union Mutual Insurance Company was recently recognized by the Vermont Department of Health and the Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports with a 2024 Governor’s Excellence in Worksite Wellness Award – GOLD Level. This is the Company’s sixth consecutive top-tier wellness honor. According to the Vermont Department of Health, the annual Worksite Wellness Awards create a standard of excellence for worksite wellness initiatives and recognize Vermont employers’ efforts to enhance productivity, bolster a healthy environment and improve employee wellbeing. The roughly 100-question survey addresses all aspects of an organization’s wellness program – from availability of healthy food options and on-site fitness opportunities to occupational safety and accessibility measures.

Vermont Business Magazine Rutland Regional Medical Center has been named by U.S. News & World Report to its 2024-2025 Best Hospitals list as a High Performing hospital for both Hip and Knee Replacements. This is the highest distinction a hospital can earn for U.S. News’ Best Hospitals Procedures & Conditions ratings. RRMC is one of only two hospitals in the state to receive High Performing ratings for both procedures. The annual Procedures & Conditions ratings are designed to assist patients and their health care providers in making informed decisions about where to receive care for challenging health conditions or elective procedures. For close to a decade, Rutland Regional Medical Center has consistently ranked among the highest performing hospitals for both hip and knee replacement.

Vermont Business Magazine University of Vermont Medical Center, the anchor academic medical center for UVM Health Network, has again earned recognition as Vermont’s top hospital, with 10 high performing procedures and conditions by U.S. News & World Report, which released its annual “Best Hospitals” rankings this week. In addition, two of the health system’s community hospitals in Vermont and Northern New York – Central Vermont Medical Center and Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital – were again recognized for high performing procedures and conditions. Of the more than 4,500 hospitals that U.S. News evaluated, only 38% earned even a single “High performing” rating.

Vermont Business Magazine The American Red Cross urges donors to give blood or platelets now to reinforce the blood supply as much as possible before the summer winds down. Type O blood donors and those giving platelets are especially needed to help keep hospital shelves stocked through August. Donors remain critically needed to support the Red Cross delivery of vital blood products, which are in demand around-the-clock as hospitals work to save lives this summer. When fewer people answer the call to donate, the blood supply can quickly shrink. Help safeguard necessary care for patients − book a time to give blood or platelets by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS or by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App. In thanks, those who come to give Aug. 1-31, 2024, will get a $20 Amazon.com Gift Card.

Vermont Business Magazine Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital (NVRH) received a donation of 80 blankets from Saint J Subaru, which partnered with The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS) as part of the Subaru Loves to Care program, on July 9, 2024. This is the 9th consecutive year that Subaru has partnered with LLS. Since 2016, Subaru and LLS has delivered nearly 350,000. Also delivered with the blankets were messages of hope written by local Subaru customers and staff during the month of June, Subaru’s Loves to Care month. NVRH Med-Surg Educator Teresa Farr-Messenger witnesses the impact of these blankets firsthand.

Public Assets Institute Vermont’s average annual wage rose 3.7 percent in 2023, to nearly $62,000. But the wage in 12 of the state’s 14 counties came in below that average. Chittenden County, which held a third of the state’s jobs, showed the highest average annual wage: $70,269. Washington County, another large employment hub, was second, at $64,682. Vermont’s labor force—those working and those available for work—grew during the first six months of 2024. Growth in June marked 44 months of gains and brought the total labor force up to 357,568 people, a level not seen since 2011.

Vermont Business Magazine The state of Vermont will be opening State Flood Recovery Centers in Barre, Hinesburg, Lyndonville, and Plainfield. While the state is still awaiting a determination on whether any counties are eligible for FEMA public assistance or individual assistance, these centers will help those impacted by this month’s floods navigate the recovery process. These centers are open to all residents from throughout the state. The first center will open in Plainfield on Wednesday, July 24. Flood Recovery Centers serve as a one-stop shop location where public and private organizations come together to provide state-level assistance to those affected by disaster.