VAHHS Update
MedQuest Program returns this summer
Southern Vermont Area Health Education Center (AHEC) is offering two sessions of their popular MedQuest Program this summer at Rutland Regional Medical Center, Springfield Hospital, and North Star Health.
Helping Vermonters and their loved ones cope with Alzheimer's and dementia
More than 13,000 Vermonters have Alzheimer's disease or other forms of dementia, and for every patient, there are twice as many friends or family members providing care. This hour, we'll talk about Alzheimer's and dementia with a UVM neurologist. We'll also hear from an advocate discussing help for patients, caregivers and families.
UVM Cancer Center rolling out innovative new blood cancer treatment
An innovative cancer treatment that uses a patient’s own immune system to attack the disease is now available for patients in Vermont and northern New York for the first time.
Vermont's Emergency Medical Services System Is Struggling to Survive. Can It Be Saved?
Colleen Ballard knew her industry was in distress. The seasoned paramedic had been hearing doomsday predictions about the future of emergency medical services for years, and her colleagues at Essex Rescue were feeling the strain of rising call volumes, staffing shortages and underfunding.
Primary care providers get advice hotline for supporting youth mental health care
On any given day, Alexandra Bannach, a pediatrician in Newport, will have three or four patients scheduled to see her for a check-in about ongoing mental health treatment, most commonly for depression or anxiety.
Man arrested for threatening Rutland Regional Medical Center, sending obscene emails
Authorities say they were notified by the General Counsel of the Rutland Regional Medical Center that their staff was receiving an abundance of unwanted and threatening emails and voice mails from Jay G. Cooke.
UnitedHealthcare terminating commercial insurance contract with UVMHN April 1
Since last year, The University of Vermont Health Network has worked to reach a new agreement on behalf of patients who receive commercial insurance through UnitedHealthcare.
Fixing the health care worker shortage may be something Congress can agree on
Senators are eying the growing shortage of health care workers in the United States as one of the few problems where there is room for bipartisan solutions, even in a deeply divided Congress gearing up for a presidential election cycle.
Regulators may get more flexible on UVMMC mental health care investment
Since last year, The University of Vermont Health Network has worked to reach a new agreement on behalf of patients who receive commercial insurance through UnitedHealthcare.
Health regulators to decide how UVMHN will spend $18M on mental health
Vermont health care regulators are expected to decide soon how the UVM Health Network will spend $18 million on mental health resources.
Onecare Vermont rolls out six new waivers to cut red tape, free up hospital beds and improve Vermonters’ healthcare
OneCare Vermont announced today that they will be granting six new waivers to their health care provider partners to alleviate Vermont’s strained hospital system and improve healthcare for Vermonters in 2023.
Congress discussing ways to address nationwide healthcare worker shortage
Lawmakers on Capitol Hill are examining ways to address the growing shortage of healthcare workers nationwide.
The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) estimates this shortfall will be upwards of 124,000 physicians by 2034.
Red Cross: Three reasons to give blood this month
One in 7 patients entering a hospital will need a blood transfusion. At the same time, only about 3% of Americans give blood. The American Red Cross needs more people to make and keep appointments to give blood or platelets in February and has three great reasons to do so:
Vermont organizations celebrate Recovery Day as residents discuss substance abuse disorder
The state of Vermont recognized Recovery Day on Wednesday, celebrating all of the hard work that goes into recovery from substance use disorder.
Celebrations took place both online and at various in-person events across the state.
"I never thought that I would get clean and sober," said Krista Chesebro. "I just celebrated 19 months."
UVM Medical Center submits plan to GMCB for new outpatient surgery center
The University of Vermont Medical Center today submitted a certificate of need (CON) to the Green Mountain Care Board for a multispecialty outpatient surgery center (OSC) to be located at its current Tilley Drive campus in South Burlington. The new facility will help meet the need for surgical services for an aging and growing population in the hospital’s service area.
Gifford to Vt. Legislature: Workforce, Safety Key Concerns
Last week, Gifford Health Care’s Ashley Lincoln, the vice president of development and public relations, sent out a missive to legislators summarizing some of the organization’s concerns and highlighting key pieces of legislation after a meeting with legislators in January was called off due to inclement weather.
Should Vermont have standalone birthing centers?
Should Vermont have birthing centers not affiliated with a hospital? Vermont is just one of eight states that don’t have them. But advocates for changing that gathered at the Statehouse Tuesday to make their voices heard.
Attack in the ER: health care workers face spike in violence Part 1
It was only a few short years ago when health care workers were praised as heroes for braving the pandemic. Today, many of those workers now face a different fear -- violent attacks by their patients. Health care facilities across the state say their employees are increasingly threatened by the patients they are trying to treat.
Attack in the ER: Vt. lawmakers look to protect health care workers Part 2
Health care workers say they are being assaulted by the people they care for at an alarming rate. But some say a proposed law aimed at protecting those workers might not be the answer.
Vermont senators working on bill to extend protections for reproductive, gender-affirming procedures
Throughout the week, state senators heard testimony that revolved around a bill that would make reproductive procedures and gender-affirming services legally protected in Vermont.