ST. JOHNSBURY, VT (April 5, 2024) – The Charles M. and Hanna H. Gray Gallery at maquininha de halloween (NVRH) is excited to display the colorful and nostalgic art of Greensboro artist, Elaine Cole Kerr. The collection features works of various mediums including, pencil, watercolor, oils and acrylics, and will be on display until Tuesday, May 28, 2024.

A native of Westmore, Elaine is a self-taught artist who has always been captivated by the stunning vistas overlooking Lake Willoughby and its natural beauty. She finds joy and passion in transforming familiar scenes and subjects into extraordinary pieces and her work encompasses a wide array of subjects from portraits of friends and animals, to landscapes, and bridges.

Among her most recent subjects are Vermont’s covered bridges – a venture which began in 2021 and will continue until 2030. You’ll see many of these bridges in this collection.

“Through my art, I strive to evoke a sense of nostalgia, celebrating the beauty of rural life and the timeless charm of Vermont’s landscapes. Each brushstroke tells a story, inviting the viewer to experience the magic of the Northeast Kingdom through my eyes.”

Elaine’s artistic vision and style can be compared to those in the “primitive” school of painting, including “Grandma Moses”, Ralph Cahoon, and Martha Cahoon. Her husband, Rod Kerr, crafts the beautiful frames for her work and offers support and inspiration to her artistic endeavors. To watch a video of the show click here.

The Charles M. and Hanna H. Gray Gallery is located on the hospital’s main floor. This exhibit will be on display until May 28, 2024. You may also view a short video of the exhibit on the Charles M. and Hanna H. Gray Gallery webpage at nvrh.org. All artwork is for sale and a portion of the proceeds benefit the NVRH ARTs program. For more information, please contact Art Gallery Curator Jennifer Layn at [email protected] or 802-748-7313. Learn more at bit.ly/NVRHGrayGallery.

ST. JOHNSBURY, VT (March 13, 2024) – Colorectal Cancer is among the deadliest cancers in the United States, second behind lung and bronchial cancers, however, it is also among the most preventable due in part to easily accessible screenings. March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness month, and NVRH General Surgeon, Dr. Brian Smith spoke recently with Scott Wheeler of Vermont’s Northland Journal Northeast Kingdom Voice television show about getting screened and why it’s so important.

In the 30-minute video segment, Scott shares his personal experience with cancer and how he lost his wife to the disease two years ago, powering his staunch advocacy for screening. Early diagnosis and intervention is proven to save lives and getting screened when recommended is the key to catching dangerous cancers early. The main screening procedure is the colonoscopy, for which Scott disclosed that he recently completed his second preventative colon cancer screening. Scott shared that the negativity over the procedure was overstated. Dr. Smith agreed and emphasized that screenings had improved over the years. “Most of the negativity folks experience is related to the prep for the colonoscopy,” he added. The “prep” includes drinking a large amount of liquids to evacuate the colon so it is clear for the procedure. While there is no way around the prep, Dr. Smith assured viewers that the amount of liquids required had decreased and that the general testing and equipment had truly improved.

In their conversation, they also discussed the recommendations for screening. The US Preventative Services Task Force recommends that most low-risk individuals should be screened starting around age 45. Individuals with a family history of colorectal cancer should talk with their primary care provider about earlier screening to prevent and ensure early detection. To view the conversation between Scott Wheeler and Dr. Smith, visit bit.ly/nekvoice.

NVRH conducts about 25 colonoscopies per week, and is seeking the community’s support to acquire a state-of-the-art colonoscope, not only for minimizing patient discomfort but also for significantly improving our ability to detect abnormalities. This advancement ensures the highest standard of diagnostic and therapeutic interventions. We invite our community to join us in making a contribution to secure the new colonoscope, enabling us to enhance the level of care we provide. To give today, please visit nvrh.org/give.

ST. JOHNSBURY, VT (March 6, 2024) – maquininha de halloween (NVRH), Umbrella and the Lamoille Family Center are excited to announce the sub-awards recipients of the 2024 Northeast Vermont Prevention Consortium – Prevention Lead Region 3.

Priorities that these awards will address include reducing underage substance use as well as high-risk adult substance use, increasing supports for LGBTQIA+ youth and creating a community where youth and adults feel valued. Competitive and non-competitive sub-award recipients and descriptions are listed below.

Newport Health District

Coventry Village School received $4,996 to support and educate students in grades six through eight about substance use and misuse. They will contract with Journey to Recovery Community Center to replicate a successful program at North Country High School.
Journey to Recovery received $10,000 for a social detox bed, open and available to adults in the midst of substance crisis. The program offers many protective factors such as an introduction to alternative stress management skills, sober lifestyle, and providing support for goal setting and achievement.
Lake Region Union High School received $10,000 to support and educate students in grades 9 –12 about substance use and misuse. The school is contracting with Journey to Recovery.
North Country Supervisory Union Encore Program received $5,000 to hire more high school staff to work in Encore Afterschool programs. These programs give students leadership opportunities, connections to their communities and healthy relationships with their adult co-workers – who often act as mentors.

 St. Johnsbury Health District

Forestville Foundation Inc./Craftsbury Public House and POWERED Magazine received $10,000 to support underrepresented vulnerable adult community members with building life and job skills to bring back to their local communities to become vibrant champions and drive inclusive growth.
Stable Connections received $10,000 for their program, Leading the Way, which offers a unique opportunity for experiential learning with a strong focus on strengthening an individual’s confidence, connectedness, character and leadership skills.
The HUB received $9,978 to provide a welcoming and safe space for community members, likely living at or below the poverty line, to enjoy a meal together or take the prepared meal out to enjoy later. This project will involve local community volunteers to prepare, cook, package ready to-go meals and deliver meals to the HUB for distribution on a weekly basis.
Catamount Arts received $7,362 to fund continued programming at Catamount Arts Open Stage, a substance free alternative for youth. The program promotes community building and increases feelings of value, connection and support among area youth and the adults who work with them.

Morrisville Health District

Lamoille County Mental Health received $10,000 to develop a Risk Assessment Protocol with one school in Orleans South Supervisory Union. It involves an early intervention approach focused on connecting and supporting high risk students early on to prevent future violence.
Lamoille South Supervisory Union received $7,395 for the Lamoille South Love, Inclusion, Trust project, which seeks to create a more inclusive environment where all adults and youth feel a sense of connectedness and belonging so they can thrive in the classrooms and beyond.
Hyde Park Elementary School (HPES) received $9,976 to support all students and staff members who will be “sorted” into five “Houses” by January 2024. These Houses will act as their “school family” during all their years at HPES. This system builds character, encourages academic excellence, fosters school spirit, strengthens relationships and promotes a culture of belonging for all.
The Center for Agricultural Economy received $9,953 to fund staff time and supplies needed to conduct one-on-one and group listening sessions with adults and youth focused on substance use, including those with lived experience, to understand challenges, goals, and ways to connect.

Newport and St. Johnsbury Health Districts

Northeast Kingdom Human Services (NKHS) received $9,983 to aid in prevention of substance misuse with local high school youth. They will use The Prime for Life^® education program for groups of ten students ages 14 to 19 for four 10-week sessions, reaching 40 students. They will also use funds for disseminating care bags to homeless children and youth as well as medication lock bags.
Umbrella received $6,875 to conduct a community needs assessment focused on the inter-relationship between substance misuse and intimate partner/sexual violence and how, from a holistic perspective, this affects risk and protective factors.
 Morrisville and St. Johnsbury Health Districts
DREAM Program received $10,000 for DREAM’s “Guided Mentoring” program, which is an in-school, curriculum-based, peer-to-peer mentoring program that explores four key themes: mentoring strategy, identity, sense of place, and purpose.

St. Johnsbury, Newport and Morrisville Health Districts

Coalitions Northeast Prevention Coalition, 302 Cares, ONE Prevention and Healthy Lamoille Valley received $75,000 per Health District with additional $5,000 to Morrisville and Newport Health Districts to support smaller community projects. Funding for coalitions supports ongoing and sustainable substance misuse prevention work in their respective communities. Coalitions implement evidence-based practices aimed at promoting protective factors and reducing factors across the lifespan.

The Prevention Lead Organization Grant, which totals 1.2 million over two years, aims to increase regional and community capacity to deliver meaningful substance use prevention to optimize well-being among individuals, families and communities across the lifespan. The total amount funded for non-competitive and competitive sub-awards for FY24 was $366,518.

Funding was made possible by the Vermont Department of Health Division of Substance Use Programs. To learn more, contact the Prevention Lead Organization Program Managers Northeast Vermont Prevention Consortium – Prevention Lead Region 3 Regional Coordination Team Carolyn Towne, Cheryl Chandler, Amanda Cochrane, Jessica Bickford, Kathrin Lawlor and Roynell Sanders at [email protected] or visit nvrh.org/nvpc-pl.

Patient Safety Awareness Week takes place March 10 – 16, 2024 and serves as a national education campaign for promoting patient safety practices. The Center for Patient Safety (CPS) supports a global campaign for Patient Safety Awareness Week, sponsored by IHI (Institute of Healthcare Improvement).  The theme chosen by the patient safety experts at CPS for this year is Safer Together, emphasizing the importance of safety among the entire team, from the care providers to our support staff to our patients and their families.

FACTS about PATIENT SAFETY

What is considered patient safety in healthcare?

Patient Safety was defined by the IOM (Institute of Medicine) as “the prevention of harm to patients.” Emphasis is placed on the system of care delivery that (1) prevents errors; (2) learns from the errors that do occur; and (3) is built on a culture of safety that involves health care professionals, organizations, and patients.

 What are the 5 elements of patient safety?

• Transparency
• Leadership
• Policies
• Validation
• A Just Culture

What are components of patient safety?

The merging of outcomes and causes leads to the development of the components of patient safety, which include the

• state policy
• diagnosis
• medications
• surgical operations
• infections and injuries  

What are 7 steps to patient safety? 

1. Build a safety culture.
2. Lead and support your staff.
3. Integrate your risk management activity.
4. Promote reporting.
5. Involve and communicate with patients and the public.
6. Learn and share safety lessons.
7. Implement solution to prevent harm.

What are the top 7 Patient Safety Issues in Healthcare?

1. EHR information safety and integration.
2. Hygiene and spread of infections. 
3. Nurse staffing ratios and burnout.
4. Antibiotic resistance.
5. Opioid addiction.
6. Physician burnout.
7. Drug and medical devices shortages.

What are the steps to improving patient safety?

1. Maintain Patient Room Cleanliness.
2. Practice Proper Hand Hygiene.
3. Develop Optimized Discharge Process
4. Keep High-Risk Patients Safer With Trained Sitters.

 For effective, safe care, we must be able to provide care in a kind and collaborative environment.  We encourage you to find ways to engage everyone in the conversation.  Encourage patients and family members to be involved in the care process and ask, “How can we work together to make my care safer?”  Because we are all safer when we work together.

 Respectively submitted by:

Kim Darby RN

Patient Safety Officer

ST. JOHNSBURY, VT (date) – The Charles M. and Hanna H. Gray Gallery at maquininha de halloween (NVRH) is excited to announce its newest exhibit, a show with 172 pieces of art by students from the Barnet School, Burke Town School, Cabot School, Concord School, Corner Stone School, Lunenburg School, Lyndon Town School, Peacham Elementary, The Riverside School, St. Johnsbury School and Waterford School. The exhibit, which opened on February 15, will run until April 2, 2024.

“I eagerly anticipate the Elementary and Middle School Art Show every other year!” Gray Gallery Art Curator Jen Layn said. “As we set up the exhibit, the joy it brings to patients and staff fills the air. The 172 pieces adorning the walls truly illuminate the space, showcasing the incredible talent of these students.”

Many mediums are on display. For example, the Cornerstone School’s 7th and 8th graders worked collaboratively to create the “The Graffiti for Goals Project,” a community street art project students hope will change the perceptions of graffiti art in their local community. Not only do the students help to make their town colorful, but they demonstrate that, when provided with a designated area for the art form, it can be executed in a safe, respectful, and responsible manner.

“While I appreciate the various art shows in the main halls of NVRH every 8 weeks, there’s a special anticipation reserved for the Elementary/Middle School art show,” NVRH Director of Volunteer Services Pat Forest says. “Witnessing the diverse styles and remarkable talents of the young artists in our midst never fails to astonish me. I extend heartfelt gratitude to the schools for showcasing their students’ artwork, enriching our lives with their creativity and imagination.”

“This art lifts my spirits,” NVRH Medical Staff Services Director Sarah Emery, Med said. “How lucky we are to have such talent in our schools – from the teachers that created the fire to the students who were so brave and creative!”

The Charles M. and Hanna H. Gray Gallery is located on the hospital’s main floor. The exhibit will be on display until April 2, 2024. To watch a video tour of the gallery, visit nvrh.org. For more general information, please contact Associate Director of Philanthropy and Art Gallery Curator Jennifer Layn at [email protected] or 802-748-7313.

ST. JOHNSBURY, VT (February 22, 2024) – maquininha de halloween (NVRH) is excited to welcome Susan Rhodes, LCSW to the care team at St. Johnsbury Pediatrics.

Rhodes has worked in social work for 25 years. She received her master’s degree in social work from The University of Texas at Arlington in 2002. She has always known, from a young age, that she wanted to do something in psychology to better understand her family of origin, herself and her relationships.

Rhodes will work with the medical providers, nurses, and care coordinators at St. Johnsbury Pediatrics to offer holistic care for young patients. She is especially interested in building adolescent coping skills to navigate a world post-COVID as well as the social media/digital age.

“It’s hard being a child or teen today,” Rhodes said. “I want to teach ways to deal with a changing world and I am glad that this teaching fits within healthcare. I also enjoy guiding parents on their unique journeys.”

Prior to coming to the Northeast Kingdom, Rhodes was a licensed social worker in Texas. There, and halloween jogos online , she finds motivation in helping others.

“Being of service, guiding others… it’s magical,” she added. “It’s my personal medicine for internal joy and serenity.”

“St. Johnsbury Pediatrics is excited to announce the addition of our new Behavioral Health Specialist, Susan Rhodes,” St. Johnsbury Pediatrics Practice Operations Director Cheryl Stahler said. “It is essential to integrate behavioral health services to improve patient experience and population health because these problems present so frequently in the primary care setting.”

Outside of work, Rhodes enjoys animals, running, hiking/walking trails, day trips, antique shopping, walking her dog, movies and time with her family. She is building up the courage to do a possible third marathon and hopes to write a book about recovery paths to help families dealing with substance misuse disorders.

“Vermont is beautiful and the community and culture aligns well with my personal value systems,” Rhodes added. “My hope is to inspire others to follow their dreams, as we did by moving here. And I am very grateful to have this new role and I look forward to growing personally and professionally in this new community.”

ST. JOHNSBURY, VT (February 20, 2024) – The maquininha de halloween (NVRH) Auxiliary is now accepting applications for the 2024 Scholastic Achievement Awards until 4 p.m. Thurs., March 14, 2024.

Every year the NVRH Auxiliary recognizes five deserving college students in the hospital’s service area who are pursuing a career in healthcare. This year, for students entering college in the fall of 2024, there will be two $1,000 awards given to freshmen/first-time college students and three $2,500 awards given to students entering their third or fourth year. No award will be given to students entering their second year of college.

Interested applicants may pick up an application at the NVRH information desk or click here to down. For more information, call the Volunteer Director Pat Forest at 802-748-7310.

All NVRH volunteers are automatically members of the NVRH Auxiliary. NVRH is currently recruiting for volunteers. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer halloween jogos online , please call 802-748-7310.

ST. JOHNSBURY, VT (February 15, 2024) – maquininha de halloween (NVRH) will host a Heart Health Fair on Friday, February 16, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The Heart Health Fair is open to all staff and community members and will be held in the NVRH Business Center.

Taking care of your heart is important and doing so may help prevent a heart attack. According to the American Heart Association, approximately every 40 seconds, someone in the United States will have a heart attack.

“Luckily, there are many things you can do to help reduce your risk of having a heart attack,” NVRH Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Nurse Manager Lyndi Medico said. “Regular exercise, cutting back on salt in your diet and finding healthy ways to manage stress in your life can all help reduce your risks.”

Heart Health Fair attendees will be able to talk with NVRH staff and providers about their risk for heart disease. They will also be able to receive free risk screenings, heart-healthy nutrition guides, exercise and activity ideas and info on tobacco cessation support. RecFit and Heart Space Yoga will also be available to help community members start planning how to decrease their risk for heart disease through exercise and mindfulness.

For more information about NVRH Cardiopulmonary Rehab, primary care or cardiology, visit nvrh.org.

ST. JOHNSBURY, Vt. (February 12, 2024) – Speech-Language Pathologist Rita-Mary Sweeney, MS, CCC-SLP joins the Speech-Language department at maquininha de halloween (NVRH).

With over 10 years of experience treating adults and adolescents with communication, voice, cognitive and swallowing disorders, Sweeney specializes in cognitive-communication disorders, concussion/TBI, post stroke, voice disorders, post-COVID syndrome, ADHD, executive functioning impairment and swallowing disorders.

Sweeney received her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of New Hampshire in 2011 and her Master of Science degree from University of New Hampshire in 2013. Prior to joining NVRH, Sweeney served as the Speech-Language Pathology Supervisor at Mass General Brigham Wentworth-Douglass Hospital in Dover, NH. There she oversaw a team of 9 Speech-Language Pathologists while also maintaining a personal caseload.

Sweeney believes that communication is the essence of life.

“When someone is unable to express themselves, whether from a stroke or head injury or surgery, they often lose the ability to connect with other people,” she said. “I can’t think of anything more important in this world right now than helping people connect with one another.”

The Speech-Language Pathology department halloween jogos online provides services to inpatients and outpatients suffering from disorders related to language, voice, articulation, stuttering, swallowing laryngectomy and cognitive retraining for patients with head injuries and other neurological impairments.

“It is very exciting to see our program grow and to welcome Rita to our team,” Speech-Language Pathology Practice Operations Director Sarah Winans said. “Rita brings a wealth of knowledge, skills and experience. And, because we can offer greater access now, we look forward to sharing these important services with patients in our community.”

As someone who enjoys hiking and back country skiing, swapping the seacoast for mountains just made sense to Sweeney.

“I recently relocated to Vermont from the New Hampshire seacoast with the goal of being able to spend more time in the mountains,” Sweeney said. “I was drawn to NVRH, as there is a clear focus on patient care as well as employee wellness. It’s a great culture and community.”

For a referral to Speech-Language Pathology halloween jogos online , call your primary care provider today.