Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott officially kicked off Vermont’s maple season today at Silloway Maple in Randolph Center. The Governor joined the Silloway family, Ag Secretary Anson Tebbetts, members of the Randolph Center community, and the Orange County Sugarmakers to tap a tree and celebrate the importance of the maple industry to Vermont’s economy, landscape, and heritage.

Vermont Business Magazine Senators Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont), Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Bob Casey (D-PA) introduced legislation Tuesday to lower the skyrocketing cost of prescription drugs by allowing Americans to import safe, low-cost medicine from Canada. Representatives Elijah E Cummings (D-MD) and Lloyd Doggett (D-Texas) introduced a companion bill in the House. Both measures would authorize the secretary of Health and Human Services in two years to allow importation from other advanced countries.

In Canada and other major countries, the same medications, manufactured by the same companies, in the same factories are available for a fraction of the price compared to the United States. In 2014, Americans spent $1,112 per person on prescription drugs while Canadians spent $772 and Danes spent $325.

Vermont Business MagazineTony Pomerleau is a strong supporter of community and believes in giving back. Everyone at Living Well Group believes in caring for our elders with compassion and respect. Through their mutual commitment to addressing disparities by means of innovative approaches and programs, Pomerleau and Living Well Group have created a new challenge for themselves and the greater community. Together, they are offering the Circle of Care challenge match; Pomerleau will match dollar-for-dollar all donations to Living Well Group’s Ethan Allen Residence up to $100,000.

Vermont Business MagazineThe University of Vermont Health Network – Central Vermont Medical Center was recently named one of the Top 100 Rural & Community Hospitals in the United States by iVantage Health Analytics and The Chartis Center for Rural Health.UVM Health Network – Central Vermont Medical Center scored in the top 100 of rural and community hospitals nationwide on iVantage Health Analytics’ Hospital Strength INDEX®. The INDEX is the industry’s most comprehensive rating of rural providers.

“We’re thrilled to receive this honor,” said Judy Tartaglia, President and CEO for UVM Health Network – Central Vermont Medical Center. “It’s a testament to our employees and providers, who work hard every day to bring the best health care possible to our community. To be recognized nationally in this way is a true achievement. ”

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Information Technology Leaders, Inc. (VITL), Central Vermont Home Health & Hospice (CVHHH), and the Visiting Nurse Association of Chittenden and Grand Isle Counties (VNA) announce the immediate availability of home telemonitoring patient data through the Vermont Health Information Exchange (VHIE). The VHIE is Vermont’s secure, statewide network that gives health care providers the ability to electronically exchange and access patient data.

Vermont Business Magazine EPA is making grant money available for New England communities to reduce environmental risks, protect and improve human health and improve the quality of life. EPA New England’s Healthy Communities Grant Program is currently accepting initial proposals for projects that will benefit one or more New England communities. EPA plans to award a total of approximately 10 cooperative agreements.

Eligible applicants include state and local governments, public nonprofit institutions or organizations, private nonprofit institutions or organizations, quasi-public nonprofit institutions or organizations, Federally Recognized Indian Tribal Governments, K-12 schools or school districts; and non-profit organizations (e.g. grassroots and/or community-based organizations).

Vermont Business Magazine The Burlington Electric Department and Green Mountain Power today are warning customers about an ongoing bill payment phone scam. In a new wave of calls today, Burlington Electric and Green Mountain Power customers have been receiving calls threatening disconnection if payment is not made immediately. These calls have been targeting primarily restaurants, but other customers have received similar calls.

These calls are not from Burlington Electric or Green Mountain Power, and customers should hang up if they receive a call with such demands. If customers have any questions about their account status, they should call the authorized phone number for GMP, 888.TEL.GMPC (888.835.4672), or for BED, 802.865.7300.

Vermont Business MagazineCalifornia is the toughest state for first-time homebuyers, according to a new Bankrate.com report, and Vermont is surprisinglyone of the best. Vermont is the highest ranked state East of the Mississippi at number nine.Hawaii and New York round out the three most difficult states to buy your first home. Iowa is best. The data study evaluated all 50 USstates based on several factors pertaining to young adults, including home affordability relative to median income, credit availability, unemployment, market tightness and homeownership percentage among under-35 households.

Vermont Business Magazine Keurig Green Mountain, Inc and Dunkin’ Donuts have announced an expanded partnership for the manufacturing, distribution and marketing of Dunkin’ K-Cup pods to workplace customers where coffee is provided as an amenity and to in-room hospitality clients. The initial brand roll-out will feature five K-Cup pod varieties in popular Dunkin’ Donuts flavors – Original Blend, Dunkin’ Dark, Hazelnut, French Vanilla, and Dunkin’ Decaf – and will be available through all Keurig Authorized Distributors serving selected workplace and hospitality clients later this month.

Brattleboro Memorial Hospital Clinical Ethics Committee“I’m 78 and have been given a terminal diagnosis. I also had a pacemaker implanted years ago to keep me alive — do I have the right to have it removed now?”“I’m16 and have a drug addiction. I developed a skin abscess from needle use and have just been admitted to the ER. My parents are not aware of my IV drug addiction and they asked the doctor the cause of my skin condition. I asked the doctor not to tell my parents.”“I’m 34 and have been diagnosed with a type of blood cancer. My oncologist informed me that by receiving a treatment which involves blood products, my chances of surviving rise by 50 percent. However, my religion forbids me to accept blood transfusions.What can I do?”

Vermont Business Magazine The University of Vermont Medical Center Board of Trustees has appointed two new trustees – Thomas Little, attorney and partner at Little & Cicchetti, PC, and Glen Wright, former partner with KMPG in Burlington and Washington, DC. These four-year appointments were made at the Board’s December meeting. At the same meeting the Board recognized Russ Tracy, Ph.D., UVM Robert Larner College of Medicine professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine who stepped down at the expiration of his term. Dr. Tracy joined the board in 2009. He has been recognized as a leading researcher advancing understanding in the areas of cardiovascular disease and stroke.

Thomas Little

Vermont Business Magazine The Brattleboro Retreat is pleased to announce the appointment of Mark McGee, MD, as the hospital’s new Chief Medical Officer (CMO). McGee takes over the job from Frederick “Fritz” Engstrom, MD, who has retired from his role as CMO but will remain on the Retreat’s medical staff. McGee joined the Retreat in 2012 after completing his residency in Psychiatry at the University of Vermont. Since that time he has served as a staff psychiatrist on the hospital’s Adult Intensive Unit and was appointed unit chief of the Adult Inpatient Unit. In 2013, became board certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology in Psychiatry. In 2016, he was appointed Medical Director of the Anna Marsh Clinic and later that year as Medical Director of Inpatient Services.