Current News

Vermont Business Magazine The 2023 “State of Lung Cancer” report reveals that Vermont ranks in the top 5 in the nation for screening, early diagnosis, and 5-year survival rates when it comes to lung cancer. This means that Vermont is among the best places in the nation for those at risk for or living with lung cancer. The American Lung Association’s 6th annual report, released today, highlights the toll of lung cancer in Vermont and examines key indicators including new cases, survival, early diagnosis, surgical treatment, lack of treatment and screening rates. Nationally, the “State of Lung Cancer” report found that lung cancer survival rates are improving for everyone, including people of color. In fact, the five-year lung cancer survival rate for people of color has increased by 17% in the last two years, helping close the health disparity gap. “However, lung cancer is still the leading cause of cancer deaths here in Vermont and across the nation, and our recent report makes it clear that we have more work to do to ensure that all those eligible for screening speak to their doctors.”

Vermont Business Magazine On Friday, November 3, the gated lot at Rutland Regional Medical Center was the site for a portable hospital demonstration by the Vermont Department of Health’s Medical Countermeasures Program and the Medical Reserve Corps. A portable hospital with a 20-bed capacity and a small surgical suite, was set up on the hospital’s campus. The unit has the capability of being heated or air conditioned, and it is accompanied by a trailer that contains hospital supplies, toilets, and showers.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Governor Phil Scott recently proclaimed November as Adoption Month in Vermont, recognizing the importance of ensuring every child has a permanent, safe, and entrusted family. Project Family, a partnership between Lund and the Department for Children and Families (DCF), works to find permanent families for children and youth. But more families are needed, especially for youth over the age of 14. The chances of a child under eight being adopted are almost nine times greater than for one over 14. 

Vermont Business Magazine The University of Vermont College of Nursing and Health Sciences Exercise Science bachelor’s degree program has earned national accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) and the Committee on Accreditation for the Exercise Sciences (CoAES). Accreditation status underscores the value of the comprehensive education UVM Exercise Science students receive in preparation for careers in the health, fitness, and exercise industry, and graduates of a CAAHEP-accredited exercise science program are eligible for advanced ACSM national certifications.

Vermont Business Magazine November is National Marrow Donor Month and this year it marks the 25th anniversary of the National Marrow Donor Program® (NMDP) at Rutland Regional Medical Center. The first marrow donor registration event was held on November 17, 1998, and the hospital is celebrating the 25th anniversary milestone on this same date, 25 years later. On Friday, November 17, between the hours of 11am to 4pm the hospital will be hosting a Be The Match Marrow Donor registration event. Registration is now done by scanning a QR code with one’s cell phone, filling out a short form, completing two check swabs, and the process is done.

Vermont Business Magazine Following a national search, Southwestern Vermont Medical Center (SVMC), a member of Dartmouth Health, announces that Robert Laba will be its next chief financial officer. Laba joins SVMC from Adirondack Health in Saranac Lake, NY, where he served as chief financial officer and vice president of finance of the 95-bed, community hospital since 2018. Most recently, he led a financial recovery plan yielding a projected $10 millioin turnaround from 2022 to 2023.  During his tenure at Adirondack Health, he was key to the $45 million modernization & renovation construction projects, which built a new Health & Medical Fitness Center in Lake Placid and a new, state of the art perioperative suite in the main hospital facility in Saranac Lake. 

The Southwestern Vermont Council on Aging (SVCOA) is thrilled to announce the release of our latest resources, the 2023 Holiday Food Resource Guide and the Older Adults Guide to Dining in Rutland and Bennington Counties, now available in the Nutrition Services section of the SVCOA website.  These guides are valuable tools designed to ensure a delightful and fulfilling holiday season for our community. We encourage you to share these resources widely with your networks and those you serve to support a joyous and nourishing celebration.  

Vermont Business Magazine The Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital (NVRH) Auxiliary elected Susan Carr as its President, David Miller as its Vice-President, Tracey Herold as its Treasurer and Ellen Rowe as its Secretary during the Auxiliary’s 2023 Annual Meeting at NVRH on November 3, 2023. These newly elected officials will serve until the-2025 term.

Vermont Business Magazine State and local officials, policy makers and community leaders will come together for a one-day summit to discuss and share their plans for using the Age Strong VT strategies for building an “age-friendly” Vermont. Age Strong VT is a new 10-year visionary plan for making Vermont a great place for all ages and stages of life.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont State College Board of Trustees today Issued the Following Statement at the Conclusion of Today’s Board Meeting Reaffirming Support for Vermont State University Optimization 2.0 and Administrative Optimization Plans: “For the first time in recent history, Vermont State University has a smart and actionable plan to right-size course offerings and restructure administrative operations to reflect the needs of a rural, unified university with multiple campus settings. These changes align Vermont State University with peers and set the entire Vermont State Colleges System on a path where financial stability is within reach by Fiscal Year 2027."

by Janice St. Onge, President, Flexible Capital Fund, L3C Since 2011 I’ve been running the Flexible Capital Fund, L3C (the Flex Fund), a for-profit, impact investment fund and Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI). The Flex Fund provides flexible, patient risk capital in the form of revenue based financing, debt and equity, to growing companies in Vermont and New England’s food system, forestry and climate change solutions sectors. Since 2011, the Flex Fund has made 45 investments totaling $7.2 million in 24 different companies operating in the sustainable food systems, forest products and climate change solutions sectors. 

Vermont State Police Robert Marquis, 52, of Hardwick died over the weekend at the University of Vermont Medical Center in Burlington following several days of treatment for injuries he sustained when he was shot Wednesday at his home in Hardwick. An autopsy was performed Sunday at the Chief Medical Examiner’s Office in Burlington. The cause of death was determined to be a gunshot wound to the head, and the manner of death is a homicide. Mr. Marquis’ family would like the public to know that he was an organ donor, and his decision saved at least three lives.