Current News

Vermont Business Magazine National Life Group was named to the Top 100 Technology Team Award OnCon Icon Award list, announced on October 24. According to a congratulatory email, award winners have been selected by the public. Voters selected teams that they felt demonstrated a good mix of success and positive impact on their organization, the team made strong contributions through thought leadership, the team has been innovative in their projects, and the team leader has exhibited exceptional leadership.

Vermont Business Magazine Lung cancer screens are on pace to increase by over 27% in 2023 in the UVM Cancer Center’s lung screening program over the previous year, after a multi-faceted public education campaign publicizing new guidelines for screening eligibility was implemented in the summer and fall of 2022. In 2022, the UVM Medical Center screened 1,634 patients, from both Vermont and northern New York. It is on track to screen 2,081 in 2023. Other sites in Vermont the campaign reached have also seen increases. The increase is good news for November, which the White House has designated Lung Cancer Awareness Month, said Dr. Beth Zigmund, the director of UVM Cancer Center’s Lung Screening Program. But even with the increase, screening rates remain much too low, she said.

Vermont Business Magazine To help ensure Vermonters who are experiencing homelessness and don’t have adequate financial resources can seek temporary housing in hotels and motels during harsh winter weather, the Department for Children and Families (DCF) is announcing the seasonal policy for Emergency Shelter. As outlined in the 2023-24 Adverse Weather Conditions Policy: Between December 15, 2023 - March 15, 2024 Expanded eligibility will be in place regardless of the forecasted weather; From November 15 - December 15, 2023, and March 15 - April 15, 2024 Expanded eligibility will be in place under certain conditions.

Vermont Business Magazine The Department of Vermont Health Access (DVHA) and the University of Vermont Medical Center announced today that Vermont Medicaid is entering a pilot program which will provide its members the ability to participate in the Partners Aligned in Transformative Healing (PATH) program at UVM Medical Center’s Comprehensive Pain Program, a clinical arm of the Osher Center for Integrative Health at UVM. Up to 100 Medicaid members suffering from chronic pain will be able to participate in the pilot program.

Vermont Business Magazine The American Heart Association, the worldwide leader in resuscitation science and education, added lifesavers to the chain of survival by providing youth sports organizations in the Upper Valley with CPR & First Aid in Youth Sports™ Training Kits.  A total of 30 kits, with the support of The Jack and Dorothy Byrne Foundation, were distributed to local youth sports organizations at the Kilton Public Library in West Lebanon on Saturday, November 4th. The Association's CPR & First Aid in Youth Sports Training Kit is designed specifically for youth sports coaches to teach the lifesaving skill of CPR, how to use an AED, and how to help during sports-related emergencies. 

Vermont Business Magazine United Counseling Service (UCS) welcomes Henrietta Edgar as its new head of Developmental Services, which serves Bennington County residents with intellectual and developmental disabilities and autism spectrum disorder. Edgar most recently served as Administrator of Residential Services for the Center for Disability Services in Albany, NY, and brings over a decade of experience in the health and human services field.

Community Health, Rutland How are you doing? We thought this might be a good time to check in with you now that it’s been a year since you completed Community Health’s Diabetes Education Program. Are you ready for a refresher? At Community Health, our diabetes educators are proactive and want to keep patients on a realistic pathway to addressing a diabetes diagnosis. We are expanding our diabetes education programs and take part in a monthly support group to provide information, accountability and a safe space to collaborate with others who have diabetes challenges. And, every November Community Health joins the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases in recognizing National Diabetes Awareness Month. It’s a monthlong focus on how important it is to take charge and learn how a few conscious efforts can make a difference.

Vermont Business Magazine The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), announced Monday that Battenkill Valley Health Center, Inc, in Arlington in the only health center in Vermont to be recognized in the top 10 percent of health centers nationwide receiving a Gold Health Center Quality Leader badge. They are recognized for their achievements in improving health outcomes and providing high-quality care for patients in rural and underserved communities. The digital badges, part of the Community Health Quality Recognition (CHQR) badge program, honor the health centers across the country that have attained the best overall clinical quality performance.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Center for Independent Living (VCIL) has announced the launch of a statewide, in-home vaccine service for people of all ages. “COVID-19 and flu are still dangerous health risks, especially for people with disabilities and older adults”, said Sarah Launderville, VCIL Executive Director. “These communities were reaching out and telling us that they felt forgotten, and we knew we needed to respond.” Made possible by the U.S. Administration for Community Living with a grant through USAging, in-home vaccinations are available for anyone who has difficulty getting to or using traditional vaccination locations. 

Vermont Business Magazine Members of the Worksite Wellness Committee at United Counseling Service (UCS) recently traveled to Burlington, VT, to accept the 2023 Vermont Governor’s Excellence in Worksite Wellness Gold Level Award. The Vermont Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports presented the award in partnership with the Vermont Department of Health. The Excellence in Worksite Wellness Award was developed over twenty years ago and is presented each year to organizations across the state that make employee wellness a priority. UCS is one of 112 employers in Vermont who received recognition for their worksite wellness programs.

Vermont Business Magazine The Stowe Area Association (SAA) held its annual Fall Member Meeting on October 26, 2023 in partnership with Stowe Mountain Resort. The meeting was highlighted by a record-setting fall occupancy rate, which SAA reported out to members in attendance. During the three-week foliage season, the average occupancy reached 85%, marking a significant 5.5% increase from the previous year. Voted fifth Best Place to Visit for Fall in USA TODAY's 10Best Readers' Choice Awards, Stowe welcomed over 8,600 guests to the visitor information center in the three-week fall foliage period, with visitors hailing from all 50 states and all major continents minus Antarctica.

VermontBiz Magazine honored the winners of its Rising Stars Class of 2023 at the Delta Hotel in South Burlington Thursday evening, November 2. Honored were 40 winners under the age of 40. Award recipients were selected by a panel of judges for their commitment to business growth, professional excellence, and involvement in their communities. VermontBiz also recognized the Alumni of the Year 2023. Of the 40 honorees, there are 23 women and 17 men. There are 2 from Addison County, 2 from Bennington County, 15 from Chittenden County, 2 from Lamoille County, 4 from Rutland County, 10 from Washington County, 2 from Windsor County and 3 from Windham County.