Vermont Business Magazine On National Doctor’s Day, March 30, Rutland Regional Medical Center announced the 2022 Providers of the Year. The winners, representing a physician or nurse practitioner, physician assistant, or other advanced practice provider are recognized for their contributions to the greater Rutland community, staff, and patients. These individuals represent the highest ideals in health care. Several years ago, Rutland Regional expanded these awards to include two Rutland community primary care providers.
Awardees - Rutland Regional Medical Center Providers:
Physician of the Year is Sarah Rich, MD
Advanced Practice Provider of the Year is Danielle Robillard, APRN.
Awardees - Rutland Community Providers:
Primary Care Physician of the Year is Amy Ferguson, MD
Advanced Practice Provider of the Year is Suzanne Jones, PA-C.
These awardees were selected from a list of over 40 nominees. The criteria used to select the awardees include respect among their peers, clinical excellence, professionalism, involvement in public service and the community, and the demonstration of the vision and values of Rutland Regional Medical Center.
About our Winners
Sarah Rich, MD, the Rutland Regional Physician of the Year, is an Emergency Medicine Physician at Rutland Regional. Dr. Rich joined Rutland Regional Medical Center in 2014. Dr. Rich received a Bachelor’s degree at William Smith College in Geneva, NY. She received her Medical Degree from University at Buffalo School of Medicine in Buffalo, NY in 2011. She completed her residency in Emergency Medicine at University at Buffalo and is board certified by the American Board of Emergency Medicine.
Recognized by her peers as warm, pleasant, and conscientious, nomination comments highlighted Dr. Rich’s dedication to the hospital’s core values and to a patient-centered model of care. “She always goes the extra mile, builds rapport, leads with kindness, and helps build a collaborative environment with her coworkers. She provides excellent care to her patients with compassion and skill. Her knowledge base as a provider and the way she delivers care is exceptional, and we as coworkers, and the community at large, are very lucky to have her here at our Emergency Department.”
Danielle Robillard, APRN, Rutland Regional Advanced Practice Provider of the Year, is a Hospital Medicine Nurse Practitioner. She joined the Rutland Regional team in 2013 as a Licensed Nursing Assistant. Danielle received her Associates Degree in Nursing from Castleton State College in Castleton, VT, Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing from University of Texas in Arlington, TX in 2016, and received a Master’s Degree in Nurse Practitioner Studies from Purdue University in West Lafayette, IN in 2019. She is certified by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP).
The nomination for Danielle highlighted her kindness, clinical skills, comprehensiveness, and collegiality, as well as underscored her compassion. “Danielle shows tremendous commitment to her patients. Danielle is excellent at explaining complicated medical information in a way that patients or family members who are overwhelmed can understand them. She goes above and beyond not only for her patients, but for her colleagues as well. She shows respect and kindness to everyone she encounters. She is an invaluable member of our team.”
Amy Ferguson, MD, Rutland Community Physician of the Year, joined Rutland Regional Medical Center in 2016 as a pediatrician with Community Health Centers of the Rutland Region and as a member of the hospital’s pediatric hospitalist team. Dr. Ferguson completed her Bachelor’s Degree at the University of New Hampshire in Durham, NH; she received a Medical Degree from the University of Vermont College of Medicine in Burlington, VT in 1995. This was followed by a pediatric residency at Oregon Health Sciences University in Portland, OR. She is Board-Certified by the American Board of Pediatrics.
The nominators for Dr. Ferguson praised her exceptional collaboration, her superior neonatal and pediatric clinical service as well as her compassion and dedication. “Dr. Ferguson has been a staple in the birthing center and pediatric unit, taking care of the newborns and sick children. She is always upbeat and a delight to speak with. Anytime you speak with Dr. Ferguson, you always know that patients are her number-one priority. Dr. Ferguson is a true leader in the pediatric community.”
Suzanne Jones, PA-C, the Rutland Community Advanced Practice Provider of the Year, started working in the Rutland community at Marble Valley Health Works in 2000 and joined Rutland Regional Medical Center in 2017 as an Affiliate staff member. Suzanne received a Bachelor of Science degree from St. Lawrence University in 1987, and a Master of Science in Nutrition from the University of Vermont in Burlington. She completed her Physician Associate degree at Yale University School of Medicine in New Haven, CT in 1993. Suzanne is board-certified through the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants. Suzanne is currently the Physician Assistant representative on the Vermont Board of Medical Practice.
Suzanne was nominated for her professionalism, clinical excellence, and character. She was applauded for her leadership, rapport with patients, and her work ethic. “Suzanne always does everything she can to keep her patients out of the hospital. She goes above and beyond for them. Suzanne always has a way of making her patients feel comfortable when they are in her office.”
“Each year I continue to be impressed with the quality of nominees for our providers of the year awards,” said Philip Lapp, MD, Medical Staff President at Rutland Regional Medical Center. “These winners stood out by consistently demonstrating the highest levels of compassionate care, and clinical expertise. We look forward to celebrating their achievement at a special ceremony in May.”
About Rutland Regional Medical Center: Rutland Regional Medical Center the largest community hospital in Vermont and is supported by a medical staff of 256 physicians, nurse practitioners and advanced practice providers trained in 37 specialty areas. The 144-bed hospital is supported by approximately 1,700 employees. With a strong patient-centered focus, consistent quality performance, Magnet® Nursing Recognition, and award-winning care, Rutland Regional remains dedicated to improving the health of families and individuals throughout portions of southern and central Vermont and communities in eastern New York State with preventative, diagnostic, acute and rehabilitative services.
3.31.2023. RUTLAND, VT – RRMC