All of Vermont's 14 hospitals are nonprofit — something Mr. Del Trecco said has streamlined communication and collaboration during this time to reopen closed services as quickly as possible.

I hope you all enjoyed the holiday and extended time with family and friends this week. In between time with our loved ones, we’ve been busy at VAHHS putting the finishing touches on two projects that I’m happy to share with you this week.

Saving for college is important. I know that, as the parent of two recent high school graduates. Whether students decide to go to college or to pursue a trade, training beyond high school always helps prepare them for what’s ahead.

My daughter, Jillian, will graduate from high school in a week. We’ll be “sort-of” empty nesters then. She’ll head to Quinnipiac in the fall with the ultimate goal of being a dentist.

I had the honor last week of attending a health care roundtable with Senator Peter Welch and United States Department of Agriculture undersecretary for rural development Xochitl Torres Small.

According to media reports, more than 40,000 graduating medical students found out where there will spend the next several years in medical residency and training on what is appropriately referred to as “Match Day” this past week.

VAHHS will continue to push for solutions alongside our partners for as long as it takes. Our communities deserve the best care we can possibly deliver and that is what we are striving to achieve.

Please take a few minutes to watch the video from our Workplace Violence Summit. I hope that you are moved to support S.36, now under consideration in the Vermont House, which is an important first step toward making this unacceptable violence stop.

These are really hard times for many, and we know stress, frustration and grief can bring out the absolute worst in people. The remedy for all of this pain is the love of community.

It’s long past time to stop the scourge of workplace violence in our community hospitals and health care settings. These are places for health and healing, peace and recovery.

“On behalf of all hospitals, I just want to take a moment to say thank you to all of our elected officials and public servants for their service. We know the work is hard and can feel thankless at times, but this work matters to every single Vermonter. We are grateful you stepped up and we look forward to being a partner as we work to realize our shared goal of a health care system that is stronger and more affordable.“

“Hospital staff members can’t generally take lots of time off time during the holidays. Many health care workers need to pick up extra shifts during this time of year, which can be a busy one at home. Nevertheless, health care employees are very adept at enjoying the spirit of the season at work—and at sharing their generosity with their communities.“

“The challenge is multidimensional, but a major factor is the inability of hospitals to place people in the right level of care.”