Health

As Brattleboro Memorial Hospital wraps up it’s Doorway to Exceptional Care Capital Campaign for the Emergency Department we wanted to take a minute to say THANK YOU. Thank you to all who have given so generously and worked so hard to help bring about a new Emergency Department for our community.

We are also most to our $3.5 million goal. Many of you have made verbal commitments and have pledge cards sitting on your desk or table at home. Please fill them out and get them in so your support can be recognized and you can help get us over that last hurdle and to our goal.

Orthopaedic surgeons Elizabeth McLarney, MD, Jon Thatcher, MD, and William Vranos, MD, announce they have joined the BMH Physician Group, changing their practice from Southern Vermont Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine to BMH Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine. Their office location remains the same at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital’s Richards Building, First Floor, 17 Belmont Avenue, but their phone number has changed to 802-251-8611.

Brattleboro Memorial Hospital is pleased to announce the transition of its travel clinic services to the new Tri-State Travel Clinic under the direction of Dr. George Idelkope, effective immediately.

The BMH travel clinic was created in 2011 as part of the hospital’s Occupational Health Services department, with Dr. Idelkope as the medical advisor and Jean Bristol as one of the registered nurses on staff at the clinic. Bristol has moved with the travel clinic to Dr. Idelkope’s office, providing continuity of care for patients. Bristol has more than 20 years of experience in travel medicine and is a member of the International Society of Travel Medicine.

Brattleboro Memorial Hospital officials announced that The Trust Company of Vermont has made a pledge in the amount of $25,000 to “The Doorway to Exceptional Care” capital campaign.

With almost three out of every four patients admitted to the hospital first coming through the Emergency Department, BMH is seeking a total of $3.5 million to expand and renovate the 31-year old facility. The additional 2,500 square feet of space will increase the number of treatment rooms and enable the medical staff to provide care with greater efficiency and privacy.

Brattleboro Memorial Hospital employees dance and sing their way through the Emergency Department encouraging the community to “Join Us. Give Now.” Make a secure gift at http://tiny.cc/y1r23w. Learn more about the ED project at http://bmhed.org/.

Or you can mail a check to BMH Office of Development, 17 Belmont Avenue, Brattleboro, VT, 05301. For more information call the Office of Development at 802-257-8314.

Come RELAX and Heal at Medicine for the People after the hustle & bustle of Thanksgiving and Black Friday.

We are now taking appointments for our Post-Thanksgiving low cost community clinic on Saturday November 30th 2-5pm. Deirdre Kelley will provide acupuncture and Collin Leech and Julie Fender will offer massage. All 30 minutes treatments are sliding scale $25-$50.

The local.

We are currently running a contest for healthy holiday vegetables. Like us now and tell us the name of your favorite recipe and enter to win a gift certificate to the Brattleboro Food Co-op.

Get updates on local health and wellness events, health insurance, WIC, nutrition and other helpful information.

For more information, contact your local Department of Health at (802) 257-2880

The Annual Meeting of the Southern Vermont Health Services Corporation and its subsidiary, Brattleboro Memorial Hospital (BMH) held on November 8, 2013 featured special guests, key topics, and various recognitions.

Keynote speaker Dr. Kathleen McGraw, the Chief Medical Officer at BMH since January 2013, discussed the many ways that BMH has been focusing on and enhancing safety systems throughout the hospital. McGraw, who most recently worked at Baystate Franklin Medical Center, has earned recognition and awards during her career for improving health safety systems and leading team-based approaches to health care.

BRATTLEBORO, VT – Founder and Medical Director of Biologic Integrative Healthcare (BIH), Dr. Samantha K. Eagle, is pleased to announce the addition of clinician, Dr. Steven M. Moore and Lifestyle Medicine Coordinator, Deborah M. Dittner, RN, to the practice. BIH is a multidisciplinary group of naturopathic and medical doctors, and other practitioners, providing family care with a comprehensive approach to restoring and maintaining health.

Brattleboro Memorial Hospital officials announced today that Holstein Association USA, Inc. has made a significant pledge to “The Doorway to Exceptional Care” capital campaign.

The world’s largest dairy cattle breed organization joins a growing number of area businesses helping BMH raise $3.5 million in public donations for the renovation and expansion of its Emergency Department. CEO John M. Meyer states, “BMH is one of Brattleboro’s most treasured assets. On behalf of our wonderful employees, we are pleased to contribute to The Doorway to Exceptional Care Campaign to ensure that BMH remains a strong, vibrant hospital well into the future.” More than $3.2 million has been contributed by businesses and individuals in the community thus far, including area physicians and hospital employees.

OPEN HOUSE! Saturday, November 9 from 9am-12pm! We will start the party at 9am with a community photograph of past, present, and future clients courtesy of David Shaw to show that fitness is for everyone regardless of age, gender,or present state of health and fitness.

20 minute free trainings will be offered all morning so that anyone can sample everything we offer…9:30 Boot Camp w/Lacy, 10am MMA Style Kickboxing w/Joe, 10:30am P90X w/Trisha, 11am Zumba w/Ami. Amanda Upton will be offering yoga from 11:30 to 12:00 to get the weekend started off right.

Brattleboro Memorial Hospital (BMH) is inviting the public to a community forum about the on November 12, 2013.

Join the conversation to learn more about the state’s new health insurance marketplace, which is designed to help you, your family or your small business find, compare and enroll in health insurance coverage.

According to the State’s Health Care Reform website at , “The Exchange is an online marketplace for health insurance products that requires all vendors (insurance carriers and state health programs) to play by the same rules. In 2011, the Vermont legislature passed Act 48 — a law that created the Vermont Health Benefit Exchange. Vermonters will be able to start shopping for health plans on October 1, 2013 and the Exchange plans will kick in on January 1, 2014. The Exchange will be the only place where individuals and businesses with 50 or fewer employees can get health insurance.”

As a follow up to the showing of the Hungry Heart Film in Windham County, there will be a community conversation  on Wednesday, November 13, from 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. This event will take place at the Brattleboro Retreat Conference Center and light snacks will be served.

The Hungry Heart film explored the world of prescription drug addiction through the intimate world of Vermont Pediatrician Fred Holmes who works with patients struggling with this disease. The film provided an intimate look at the often hidden world of addiction and recovery and revealed the many challenges Dr. Holmes and his patients face in confronting a relentless and difficult disease.

Alexander Potter will give a presentation on our human brain’s ability to change and grow throughout its
life span on Tuesday, November 12, from 7–8:30 pm. This event, taking place at the Marlboro College Graduate School in Brattleboro, is part of the ongoing series of talks, classes, workshops, and support groups offered by the Northeast Psycho-Neuro-Immunology Institute for Healing (NEPNI).

The brain’s ability to reorganize is now often referred to as neuroplasticity.  Our brains change on a daily basis, and we play a role in directing those changes, with or without our knowledge.  You can keep tabs on how your brain is changing –and direct those changes for your benefit.

Hospital officials announced today has once again stepped up in support of the greater Brattleboro community with a $75,000 pledge to Brattleboro Memorial Hospital’s “The Doorway to Exceptional Care” capital campaign.

“We are proud to support Brattleboro Memorial Hospital’s capital campaign for the renovation and expansion of the Emergency Department. The improved facility is vital to our community and to People’s United Bank’s 160 employees working in Brattleboro,” says Arne Hammarlund, Community Services Manager.

is the latest business to join Brattleboro Memorial Hospital’s “The Doorway to Exceptional Care” capital campaign. Hospital officials announced the Brattleboro-based company has made a $100,000 pledge to help renovate and expand the Emergency Department.

“G.S. Precision’s slogan is, ‘Quality, Efficiency and Reliability,’ and that is exactly what they are supporting with their gift to BMH,” says Steven R. Gordon, the hospital’s president and CEO. “The number of patients coming to the Emergency Department each year has more than doubled since it was built in 1982. The additional 2,500 square feet of space will enable us maintain a high standard of care while also improving speed, comfort and privacy for patients and families.”

Brattleboro Memorial Hospital (BMH) has received a grant from the to support access to early detection and treatment programs for disabled patients.

With the Komen grant, BMH has purchased a specialized “Mammochair” to enhance the patient experience and enable BMH technologists to maximize patient positioning and ensure better images for diagnosis. The mammography chair is maneuverable, allowing the technologist to manipulate positions without constant readjustment of the patient.

announced it is sponsoring a “Drive 4 UR Community” event to benefit the Brattleboro Memorial Hospital Emergency Department renovation and expansion project on Sunday, October 27.

From 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM this Sunday, anyone with a valid driver’s license can test drive any Ford vehicle on a track set up in the BMH parking lot, located at 17 Belmont Avenue in Brattleboro, and Ford Motor Company will donate $20 to “The Doorway to Exceptional Care” capital campaign. Free coffee and donuts will be provided in the morning and complimentary hot dogs and hamburgers will be served from 12:00noon to 2:00 PM. An inflatable bouncy house and face-painters will also be on the premises to entertain children during the entire event.

Dispose of expired and excess medications at Prescription Drug Take Back Day
Saturday, October 26, 2013  10am – 2pm

Safely dispose of unwanted and expired prescription medications during National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, October 26th from 10am-2pm at one of five locations in Windham County, Vermont. All types of medications will be collected including sharps, liquids, pills and patches. Safe disposal of medications during Take Back Day prevents contamination of waterways and reduces the opportunity for medications to be misused by others. 

Prescription Drug Take-Back Day Locations:  

Brattleboro Memorial Hospital is offering a free seminar entitled, “Type II Diabetes: Can it be Prevented or Managed?” on Monday, October 21 from 7:00-9:00 PM in the BMH Brew Barry Conference Center.

Diabetes is a continuum of diseases and slowing the progression of insulin resistance is essential to long-term health and well-being. Dr. Ferry, an endocrinologist, will discuss lifestyle and treatment options that can help prevent the disease or allow it to be successfully managed. Additionally, the talk will include a review of the early symptoms of diabetes and what diabetes can mean for your health.

Advance registration is available by calling 802-257-8877.