Norwich University officials announced that Thomas P. McKenna, of Stowe, Vt., is the 2013 William E. Colby Award winner for his book “Kontum: The Battle to Save South Vietnam” (The University Press of Kentucky, 2011).

LTC McKenna, USA (Ret) served as a military adviser to the South Vietnamese Army of the Republic of Vietnam and has published articles on military history in “Vietnam,” “Military Officer,” and “Military Heritage” magazines.

Erin Marcotte worked with The Vermont Teddy Bear Company as a seasonal Gift Fulfillment Specialist for her first season with the company in 2008. When she came back for another season in 2010, Erin transitioned to a Universal Gift Counselor working in our Call Center. She continued to work for us seasonally until she made core in November of 2012. Erin is now a Customer Service Specialist still working in the Call Center.

Jillian Monack, Primary Care Nurse and Employee Wellness Coordinator at Maple Leaf Farm has recently attained board certification as a Psychiatric and Mental Health Nurse through the American Nurses Credentialing Center. Jillian joined the staff in September 2010.

Over the last ten years palliative care has been one of the fastest growing trends in health care, seeing an increase of approximately 148 percent in the number of palliative care teams within hospital settings by 2010. However, recruiting such practitioners has been a challenge for Vermont hospitals. A $100,000 gift to the University of Vermont from Holly and Bob Miller of Burlington, Vt., will fund an Advanced Practice Nursing Fellowship in Hospice and Palliative Care at the Vermont Palliative Care Collaborative designed to provide access to quality palliative care for all Vermonters.