Current News

by Jarvis Green As the founder of JAG Productions, my journey to becoming an Artistic Director was as unexpected as it was transformative. Originating from a background singing in the Mt. Calvary Interdenominational church in Anderson, SC, studying classical voice at Anderson University, and having spent the majority of my life as an actor, I never envisioned leading a theatre company. My move to Vermont in 2011, in search of a place to heal and slow down, marked the beginning of a love affair with the state and a series of ventures that would shape my path in ways I had never imagined. In 2012, I founded BarnArts in Barnard, VT, bringing arts to a town of just 900 people. Following that, I developed a theatre program for the Artistree Community Arts Center in Pomfret, VT. Then, in 2016, JAG Productions was born—beyond my wildest dreams thanks to a $250K gift from Kathleen Dolan. This journey has been a fairy tale; it’s been fun, an incredible learning experience, and, undoubtedly, hard.

Vermont Business Magazine VNA & Hospice of the Southwest Region (VNAHSR) provides training for those interested in becoming hospice volunteers. Training will be held on Friday, May 17, 2024 from 8am – 4pm at 3 Home Health Circle, St. Albans, VT. Training is free and open to individuals 16 years of age and older. Volunteers need to pass a background check. No previous hospice and health care experience is required. Pre-registration is required. At VNAHSR, volunteers play a critical role in enhancing the end-of-life experiences of people facing serious illness and their families. Volunteers represent all life experiences and are drawn to hospice for a variety of reasons, but the defining characteristics that unite them are compassion and the desire to help others. Their many skills are matched to important tasks within our mission.

by Devon Green, VP of Government Relations, VAHHS Just as robins and crocuses signal spring, the signs of the legislative session winding down are upon us. Each day holds multiple highs and lows as various proposals come up and just as easily float away until next year or get stuck into other bills. Bill of interest include: Doulas: The House passed S.109, a bill that calls for a sunrise review for regulation of doula services and paves the way for Medicaid reimbursement. Pharmacy Benefit Managers: The Senate Health and Welfare Committee voted out the pharmacy benefit manager bill, H.233, with an amendment that provides more information to the Health Care Advocate. 

Vermont Business Magazine Kelly Watson, DNP, MHA, RN, FACHE, Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) and Elizabeth Kyhill, MSN, RN, Vice President, Medical Group Operations, at Rutland Regional Medical Center (RRMC) were recently chosen to participate in the Johnson & Johnson Nurse Innovation Fellowship (JJNIF) program powered by Penn Nursing and the Wharton School. The JJNIF program, which kicks off on April 22, is designed to bring together nurse leaders from a variety of backgrounds representing a diverse cross section of hospitals in terms of size, location, and types of services offered. This ground-breaking, one-year, team-based nursing fellowship is for Chief Nursing Officers (CNO), nurse executives, and senior nurse leaders. 

Vermont Business Magazine Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont (Blue Cross VT) and Terry Bicycles are welcoming the return of spring with the Wellness Revolution Cycling Program in St. Johnsbury and Vergennes for the 2024 season. This free program serves those who identify as women to help them break through barriers that keep them off their bikes and connecting with other women in a healthy activity. Vermont offers incredible opportunities for riding across the state. Be it on our bike paths, around town, on mountain bike trails, or on rural gravel roads – cycling provides accessible transportation, wellness, and connection to our environment.

Vermont Business Magazine Mt. Ascutney Hospital and Health Center (MAHHC), a Dartmouth Health member, has named Registered Nurse (RN) David Barrows the hospital’s Employee of the Month for March 2024. The hospital recognizes employees who consistently exceed expectations, with reliability and daily dedication to their work. Barrows joined MAHHC in 2016 as an acute care nurse and has been working in the Emergency Department for the past year. He works alongside many providers and other colleagues dedicated to caring for the most critical patients in our community. Barrows was recognized as Employee of the Month for his patient-centered approach to care, and for supporting his nursing colleagues with education, training and for leading by example.

Southern Vermont Area Health Education Center According to the American Hospital Association (AHA) there will be a shortage of up of 3.2 million healthcare workers by 2026. America will face a shortage of up to 124,000 physicians by 2033 and will need to hire at least 200,000 nurses per year to meet increased demand, and to replace retiring nurses. There are also critical shortages of allied health and behavioral professionals, especially in marginalized rural and urban communities. The mission of Southern Vermont Area Health Education Center (AHEC) is to enhance community efforts to grow and sustain the health workforce in southern Vermont. One of the ways we do this is by delivering pathway programs which connect students to health careers. We aim to initiate the exploration of health careers for youth at an early stage by offering them opportunities to closely observe the diverse array of options within their reach.

The Vermont District office of the Small Business Administration will host a webinar covering the benefits of Financial Management, Budgeting, Bookkeeping and more. Understanding the basics of financial literacy is a major key to your success as a business owner. The webinar does not require registration. Please join us on Tuesday 4/23 at 9:30 am.

Vermont Business Magazine In partnership with the Department of Mental Health, the Vermont Program for Quality in Health Care (VPQHC), has been coordinating Trauma Responsive Care Trainings for staff in Vermont hospitals. In 2023, 122 Vermont hospital staff participated in the Trauma Responsive Care training program. This training is facilitated by an incredible and dynamic training team: Kristy Hommel, M.Ed; Matt Dove, NP, DUAL PMHNP, FNP Certified; and Peter Cudney, LICSW.

Vermont Business Magazine Southwestern Vermont Medical Center (SVMC) honored two clinical staff recently for their commitment to exceptional patient care and teamwork. Kathleen Flemming, RN, was given the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses for her work in labor and delivery at SVMC’s Women’s and Children’s Services. Lindsay Hoyt, an LNA in SVMC’s Medical-Surgical Unit, received the hospital’s internal PETAL Award, given to staff who go above and beyond in their work. The DAISY Award is an international recognition program honoring clinical excellence and outstanding compassionate care provided by nurses. Flemming was nominated by a patient for this prestigious recognition.

Leonine Public Affairs Against the backdrop of strained state resources stemming from dwindling COVID-19 funds and the aftermath of last summer’s catastrophic flooding, the Senate Appropriations Committee labored throughout the day and into the evening on Friday to finalize the FY2025 state budget. These budgetary pressures have forced many hours of intense deliberations and tough decision-making, but on Friday evening the committee reached a unanimous decision to advance the budget to the full Senate for a vote. Once it passes the Senate, the budget will head to a committee of conference between the House and Senate where they will work to reconcile their differences. Meanwhile the House Ways and Means Committee finalized this year’s Yield Bill. Typically, this must-pass piece of legislation is prepared with little fanfare. The Yield Bill adjusts tax rates to meet educational expenses based on local school spending decisions made on Town Meeting Day. Because of the timing of Town Meeting Day, the Yield Bill is not subject to the crossover deadline. 

Vermont Business Magazine Average gasoline prices in Vermont are $3.61 per gallon, up 19.1 cents per gallon from last week's $3.42/g. The lowest price in the state yesterday was $3.25/g while the highest was $3.79/g, a difference of 54.0 cents per gallon. The national average price of gasoline has risen 4.3 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.64/g today. The national average is up 10.8 cents per gallon from a month ago and stands 1.1 cents per gallon lower than a year ago.