Many people begin their work week dreading what the week will bring them. Truth be told, one thing far too many workers have in common is the thing they yearn for the most – the day that they can retire.
Dr. Maria Fatigati is not one of those people. She looks at each work week as a new challenge, and an opportunity to work with people she likes and respects. The doctor, who is known to many of her patients as Dr. Maria, is employed by Community Medical Associates as a gerontologist who visits many of the residents in a number of the region’s long term nursing facilities.
“I love my job,” Dr. Fatigati said. “My patients are like family.”
On September 21 the Vermont Health Care Association honored Dr. Fatigati as the Medical Director of the Year at their annual banquet held at the Hilton in Burlington. She was nominated by Paula Ducharme, Director of Nursing at Derby Green.
“I couldn’t believe it,” Dr. Fatigati said. “I got recognized for doing a job I love. It is a privilege for me to work with them and for them to allow me into their lives.”
The doctor is the medical director of the Union House Nursing Home in Glover, Maple Lane Nursing Home in Barton, Derby Green in Derby, and Scenic View Community Care in Westfield.
Dr. Fatigati may have been stunned by the honor but the honor didn’t seem to surprise her colleagues.
“Dr. Fatigati has been a great addition to our Derby Green team,” Lisa Bohlman said. “She became our Medical Director in September 2007 and in that time I have found her to be genuine in her care and concern for our residents and their families. She brings quality in her approach to the care our nurses give each resident.”
Bethany Knight, Assistant Administrator of Union House added, "everyone who lives at Union House is blessed by Dr. Maria's loving attention and expertise. To think, in a village of 700, we are served by such an experienced geriatrician, with such a great personality and sense of humor! She is a gem.
Lyne Limoges of Scenic View also heaped praise on Dr. Fatigati. “Dr. Maria” has been making “house calls” at Scenic View Community Care Home over the past year. Our residents truly enjoy seeing their doctor and feel more comfortable meeting with their physician in their home instead of having to go to a doctor’s office. Some remember back when doctors making house calls was the norm. "As the Administrator of Scenic View, I feel having Dr. Maria as our in-home physician provides more continuity of care for our residents should they need to be hospitalized or need an increased level of care, knowing that Dr. Maria will be there for them throughout the transition."
The United States is an aging nation with the first wave of the Baby Boomers heading headlong into what is called the twilight years. Per capita, Vermont has the second highest number of senior citizens in the nation, second only to Florida.
Along with aging often comes special medical needs, but finding the gerontologists - medical experts trained to work with the aging population – is a challenging task for hospitals, nursing homes, and healthcare clinics because there is such a nationwide shortage. Several local nursing home administrators, their staff and residents are celebrating that Gerontologist, Dr. Maria Fatigati is now making rounds in their facilities
Dr. Fatigati does not see patients at CMA.
One obvious benefit of having Dr. Fatigati serving as the medical director of the nursing homes is an enhanced ability to keep the residents healthy. Not only does it help keep them healthy, but helps keep them out of the hospital. A stay in the hospital for some of the residents, especially those with dementia, can be a traumatic experience. A new setting with new faces is challenging enough for anyone, but it’s worse for those suffering from dementia. When hospital care is necessary, an attempt is made to make the stay as short as possible. And Dr. Fatigati, who serves as a liaison between the nursing homes and the hospital, follows the patient closely while he or she is hospitalized.
