Current News

by Devon Green, VP of Government Relations, Vermont Association of Hospitals & Health Systems The Senate Health and Welfare Committee heard testimony on hospital financial measurements and audits. Dr. Nancy Kane, who has over 40 years of experience as a health care consultant on financial and strategic issues and was a professor of Health Policy and Management at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, testified that a few financial metrics can capture the picture of a health care system and that audited financials are already widely available. What is needed now is the financial literacy to understand the data. The Office of the Vermont State Auditor testified that the UVM Health Network should be under the Green Mountain Care Board’s authority and that the Auditor’s Office should work with the Green Mountain Care Board.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Association for Mental Health and Addiction Recovery (VAMHAR), in collaboration with Recovery Partners of Vermont (RPV), is pleased to announce Recovery Day 2025, scheduled for Wednesday, February 19th from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM in the Governors’ Ballroom at the Capitol Plaza Hotel in Montpelier. Recovery Day is an annual advocacy celebration dedicated to honoring the power of substance use recovery and the diverse pathways individuals undertake on their recovery journeys. This year’s theme, “Recovery Rooted in Community Connection,” emphasizes the vital role that community support and peer connections play in successful recovery outcomes.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Association for Mental Health and Addiction Recovery (VAMHAR) has introduced the Dr. Mark Depman Trailblazer Award, a new honor that will be presented for the first time at Recovery Day 2025. The Award was created to honor the life and work of the late Mark Depman, MD. Dr. Depman joined University of Vermont Health Network – Central Vermont Medical Center in 2007, as an attending physician in the hospital’s Emergency Department (ED), and served as ED medical director for seven years. He also served as a regional physician leader for University of Vermont Health Network and a member of the hospital’s Board of Trustees.

Vermont Business Magazine Lund is presenting the fourth annual 'Lund by the Lake' fundraising celebration, set against the beautiful backdrop of Lake Champlain at Hula in Burlington on May 1st, 2025, at 5:00 PM. This year, we are thrilled to welcome Evergreen Roofing as our presenting sponsor, a testament to our shared commitment to building a Vermont where every family has the opportunity to thrive. RSVP for this inspiring evening at www.lundvt.org/lundbythelake. Together, we can continue to make a significant impact on the lives of Vermonters, fostering hope and creating opportunities for families in need.

Vermont Business Magazine Integrated Dermatology, the country’s largest independent dermatology provider, has partnered with Four Seasons Dermatology, led by Steven Partilo, MD, MPH, adding four new locations to its growing national network. Founded in 2004 by Dr. Partilo, Four Seasons Dermatology began with an office in Colchester, Vermont, and has expanded to include additional locations in Middlebury and Waterbury, Vermont, and Plattsburgh, New York, with plans to expand to Rutland, Vermont, early this year.

The Vermont State Police is investigating a car fire Monday morning, Feb. 17, 2025, in the town of Warren and the discovery of a body inside the vehicle. The fire was reported by a passerby at about 11:30 a.m. at a parking area at 500 Vermont Route 100. Members of the Warren Fire Department responded to the scene, extinguished the blaze, and located a deceased individual in the vehicle’s driver’s seat.

Vermont Business Magazine Representative Kate Nugent of South Burlington has introduced a bill, H. 233, An act relating to requirements for State-funded grants, to modernize how the State of Vermont and nonprofits meet their commitment to deliver quality, timely services to Vermonters. Vermont nonprofits deliver critical services and investments on behalf of the State through grant and contract agreements. These nonprofits include organizations responding to hunger, homelessness, youth services, refugee resettlement, and others. This longstanding partnership leverages the strength of public dollars and the agility of independent organizations for the benefit of taxpayers. 

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Corrections today announced the death of Michael Myers, an incarcerated individual at Southern State Correctional Facility (SSCF) in Springfield. Michael Myers, 51, of Bennington, Vermont, had been incarcerated since 2016. On the morning of February 17, correctional and medical staff responded to his living unit to provide medical care in response to an apparent medical event. Life-preserving efforts were unsuccessful, and Springfield EMS declared Mr. Myers deceased. 

Vermont Business Magazine The Laurance & Mary Rockefeller Fund at the Vermont Community Foundation recently awarded $63,500 in grants to 22 organizations in its 2024 competitive grants round. Grants include a combination of awards to organizations supporting arts, social services, youth programming, and public health in Woodstock and its surrounding communities. The fund grants to organizations working to preserve and enhance the physical, cultural, spiritual, and wellness environment of the communities of Barnard, Bridgewater, Hartland, Killington, Plymouth, Pomfret, Reading, and Woodstock.

Vermont Business Magazine As Town Meeting Day approaches, Burlington School District (BSD) is working hard to make sure taxpayers know that the District’s proposed $134.7 million budget will reduce tax rates by 4%. To ensure voters are aware of the tax impact, and have all the information they need to make an informed decision, BSD has published their 2024 Annual Report and a one-page sheet packed with budget information.

Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets The latest Vermont Working Lands Enterprise Initiative (WLEI) impact report is now available! Since 2012, WLEI has supported Vermont agriculture and forestry businesses with vital investments that have helped grow their businesses and economic impact. With $18.8 million invested in 555 farm, food, and forestry projects, and an additional $30.9 million leveraged in matching funds, the Working Lands program has played an important role in the growth of Vermont’s rural economy. To celebrate these investments and their positive impacts, the WLEI Board has released the latest Impact Report detailing the significant outcomes from the entire 12 years of the program.

by Jules Older, Vermont Business Magazine It’s 2024, and my MacBook Pro’s battery is wearing down. I know this because the time between required plug-ins is shortening and because Apple lets you check these things when you call their free service number. What the hell — I've had this computer since 2017, and I kinda’ long for a shiny new one. So into the Apple Store I go. The guy confirms it — I need a new battery. Gonna cost me 250 bucks. I say, “Should I have this done or — pant, pant — buy a new computer?” He looks me in the eye. “Really? $250 vs $2500?”