Current News

A new agreement between the Southwestern Vermont Regional Cancer Center and the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Norris Cotton Cancer Center means that patients will have access to a broader range of services and the local cancer program will be linked directly to one of only three NCI-designated comprehensive cancer centers in New England.

“This agreement helps us align our cancer services with those of Dartmouth-Hitchcock,” explained Dr. Orion Howard, medical director of Southwestern Vermont Regional Cancer Center. “As a result, we will be more involved in research, able to offer a wider range of clinical trials, and able to access the expertise of this world-class cancer program.”

The agreement, which officially began in January, will provide patients and doctors in Bennington with access to clinical trials and specialty services. It also means SVMC’s oncologists can take part in tumor boards and meetings using a special telemedicine link.

Porter Medical Center Board Chair, Bill Townsend, has announced that Lynn Boggs, MBA, MSN, RN, will be Porter’s new president and chief executive officer, succeeding James L Daily who will retire this spring after 31 years in this role.

“After a comprehensive national search for a new leader for Porter Medical Center, we are absolutely thrilled to have found an exceptional health care executive with more than 35 years of experience to help guide Porter Medical Center into the future” he said.

Life just got a little bit easier for people in drug treatment programs in Rutland. Burlington Labs opened the doors to its newest collections site last week. The walk-in collections center, located at 10 Merchants Row, offers area residents a convenient place for drug testing services. Drug testing is often a part of addiction treatment programs, and can also be part of medical pain management programs. When routine drug testing is more accessible to individuals in treatment, they are more likely to stick with their treatment program.

Burlington Labs is a clinical drug testing laboratory focused on bringing more compassionate, faster-turnaround, higher-quality drug testing services to the recovery community. The company is also committed to enhancing resources and reducing stigma for people looking for help overcoming addiction. Collection centers provide strong anchor points in each community for that local outreach.

Three more students at Charlotte Central School had positive skin tests evaluated by Health Department nurses during the final round of screening clinics held March 30 through April 3. None of the 31 adults or children (12 adults, 19 children) tested positive at the Freedom Rains day care in Colchester at clinics on March 17 and 19.

A total of 19 children and two adults have tested positive out of 349 students and 84 adults who have been tested and evaluated at Charlotte Central School.

The Health Department is working with parents and the school to arrange testing for approximately 30 remaining students and adults who have not yet been tested.

It is perfectly safe for children and adults with positive skin test results to be at the school, and for others to be around them, because they are not sick with TB and cannot spread the bacteria.

Norwich University will host the 2015 William E. Colby Military Writers’ Symposium on Wednesday and Thursday, April 8-9, with experts in the field of cybersecurity. The symposium, which is free and open to the public and marks its 20th anniversary this year, celebrates the best in military writing, books and ideas. It brings together some of the nation’s leading military writers, historians and thinkers, who gather for a two-day residency on the campus of the country’s oldest private military college to share their work and discuss current affairs and military issues.

The William E. Colby Award winning book is also formally recognized during the symposium. The accolade, which includes a $5,000 cash prize, honors the best work of military nonfiction or fiction of the year by a first-time author.

FairPoint Communications, Inc (NASDAQ: FRP), a leading northern New England retail and wholesale communications provider, today reinforced the importance of its investment in technology and infrastructure to wholesale customers looking for improved access to their customers in the region.

Since 2008, FairPoint has invested more than $700 million in its infrastructure and technology to reach new customers, upgrade its network and enable the next-generation of communications technology. With more than 16,000 fiber route miles and counting, FairPoint offers the largest fully-owned and managed fiber-based network in the region. FairPoint's fiber network, combined with its copper network, can deliver broadband services that can reach 87 percent of consumers and 95 percent of all businesses in the region, providing excellent access to these users by wholesale customers.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has released final Medicare Advantage (MA) and Part D Prescription Drug program changes for 2016 that provide fair and accurate payments to plans, and encourage the delivery of high-quality care for all populations.

“These policies strengthen Medicare Advantage for current and future consumers by encouraging higher quality care,” said Andy Slavitt, acting CMS Administrator. “As the Medicare Advantage marketplace continues to grow, consumers are getting access to better care through more choice and competition. Seniors and people with disabilities, including the dual-eligible population, will continue to have an extensive choice of plans, affordable premiums, and better and more transparent information about provider networks and pharmacies.”

Mt Ascutney Hospital and Health Center (MAHHC) is pleased to announce the addition of Dr Joseph Perras and Patti Strohla, RN to the Hospital’s Senior Leadership Team. Both individuals offer a high level of energy, expertise and enthusiasm. The Hospital’s Senior Leadership Team is comprised of the CEO and seven senior staff members who guide hospital operations.

The President and CEO of Vermont Precision Tools was named 2015 Vermont Small Business Person of the Year today.

Monica Greene is being recognized by the U.S. Small Business Administration for VPT’s employment growth, financial success, company expansion and community involvement.

“VPT is flattered to be recognized as the Vermont Small Business Person of the Year,” said Greene. “VPT prides itself on providing the highest quality products and the collective desire to see the company succeed is evident in every team member at every level.”

Headquartered in Swanton, Vt., VPT manufactures detailed specific tools, including rods and gages, used in the automotive, medical and aeronautic industries. VPT started in 1968 with a Small Business Administration loan in an old warehouse and a few employees. Today the company occupies a 90,000-square-foot facility and is one of the largest employers in the state.

The Goddard College Board of Trustees has announced the appointment of Robert P. Kenny as the 11th president of Goddard College, where he has been serving in an interim appointment since April 30, 2014. The board recently voted unanimously to convert his interim contract to a three-year appointment as president starting July 1, 2015.

“Goddard has been in a time of transition since former president Dr. Barbara Vacarr stepped down in January of 2014, and we are pleased with the work Bob has done to bring stability to the College,” said Board Chair Avram Patt. “The College is on much stronger footing as a result of Bob’s collaborative leadership with faculty and staff. With their support, we are pleased to offer him the presidency.”

Vermont Gas Systems today announced that it has reached agreements with owners of about 85% of parcels in the Addison Natural Gas Project pipeline corridor. Vermont Gas is engaged in ongoing constructive negotiations or neutral third-party mediation with another 10% of landowners, which the Company believes will lead to more agreements. The Company has also taken an important and necessary step of starting eminent domain proceedings with two landowners who have not responded to Vermont Gas’ repeated attempts to communicate.

The U.S. Treasury Department has announced that Vermont is one of only three states to have fully deployed their federal State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) funds. In 2011, through the Small Business Jobs Act, Vermont received $13.2 million in SSBCI funding, to be administered by the Vermont Economic Development Authority (VEDA). The other two states to have fully deployed their respective federal funds are Idaho and North Dakota.

“The fact that we were able to get these federal funds out to Vermont businesses so quickly is a real testament to the dedication of all VEDA Staff,” said VEDA Chief Executive Officer Jo Bradley. In Vermont, the $13.2 million in SSBCI funds leveraged an additional $133.3 million in local funds on projects totaling $146.5 million. VEDA made 156 loans to 129 companies with 3,931 employees. The companies expected to add 2,233 in additional jobs as a result of the financed projects.