January/February 2014

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In this issue of The BrightLook

PAUL R. BENGTSON PAUL R. BENGTSONto Lead AHA’s Sectionfor Small or Rural Governing Council Paul R. Bengtson, chief executive offi cer of Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital in St. Johnsbury, Vt., will lead the American Hospital Association’s (AHA) Section for Small or Rural Hospitals in 2014. The 21-person governing council represents small or rural hospitals nationwide in the AHA’s policy process and member services initiatives. Serving in his current position since 1986, Bengtson has accomplished more than just gaining 26 years of health care management experience. The hospital manages several rural health clinics and specialty physician offi ces, helping to increase access to care in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom. Bengtson routinely collaborates with other area healthcare and community organizations, and has a strong commitment to improving the health and quality of life for all people in the community. “Given Paul’s empathy for patients, his creativity in solving problems and his leadership abilities, he is an excellent choice to lead the American Hospital Association’s Section for Small and Rural Hospitals in this time of health care reform,” said Jim Newell, Chair of the Board of Trustees at NVRH. “I have had ample opportunity to observe Paul’s knowledge of how the health care system operates, his hard work to improve the quality of care and the health of all the people in the communities which NVRH serves, and the innovative thinking that has often put the hospital on the cutting edge of health care.” Bea Grause, President and CEO of the Vermont Association of Hospitals and Health Systems (VAHHS), said of Paul’s appointment, “We are thrilled that Paul Bengtson will be leading the AHA Section for Small or Rural Hospitals this year. Paul brings a wealth of experience and Vermont’s unique perspective to AHA’s policy discussions affecting small and rural hospitals.” In addition to his work at the hospital, Bengtson is a member of the Vermont Health Care Innovation Project Core Team, a statewide initiative. He was chosen as Citizen of the Year by the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont Chamber of Commerce. He is a professional certifi ed fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives. An infantryman Vietnam War veteran, Bengtson is married with three daughters and enjoys traveling and spending time outdoors. Bengtson attended Wheaton College in Wheaton, Ill. as an undergraduate. He went on to earn a master’s degree in literature from City College in New York City and a master of business administration in healthcare administration from the Baruch-Mt. Sinai School of Medicine. He is board certifi ed in Healthcare Management and is a fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives. Bengtson began his professional career in New York City as a caseworker in Harlem and the Bronx for New York City Department

Karyn Patno, MD Receives National Board Certifi cation in Child Abuse Snowy Owl and “A Box of Days" Calling Out for Pictures Annual NVRH Radiothon Gray Gallery Auxiliary/Volunteer News Jim Coulson, MT, HEM is New Infection Control and Compliance Offi cer Construction Update 2014 Aerobic Exercise Challenge Area Restaurants Promote Heart Health NVRH First Baby Courtyard Café Update Healthy Eats Please Help Me Make a Difference Brad Collette with New Siemens SPECT/CT Gamma Camera Josh Gleiner, PA Attends Conference Sabine Watson Finishes Practicum Rural Realty Campaign Turning Back the Clock... A+ Standard of Caring - December 2013 The BrightLook is a monthly publication for NVRH employees, volunteers, physicians,corporators and board members. Our next deadline is March 6 for the March 2014 issue. Please contact Hilary De Carlo at ext. 7303 if you have an article or picture(s) to submit.

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of Social Services. Additional health care experience was gained at Beth Israel Medical Center, the Lutheran Medical Center, and the Queensbridge Health Maintenance Center for the Elderly and the Jackson Heights Child Health Center. He has held administrative positions at York Hospital in York, Maine; Springfi eld Community Hospital in Springfi eld, Mo.; and Harris Hospital in Newport, Ark. He was transferred by American Medical International to manage the organization’s efforts to direct Harris Hospital’s operational performance onto a sustainable path forward. The AHA is a not-for-profi t association of health care provider organizations and individuals that are committed to the health improvement of their communities. The AHA is the national advocate for its members, which includes nearly 5,000 hospitals, health care systems, networks, other providers of care and 43,000 individual members. The AHA’s Section for Small or Rural Hospitals provides representation, advocacy and educational opportunities to help the nation’s small or rural hospitals better serve the health needs of patients and communities. For more information, visit the AHA Web site atwww.aha.org.

Karyn Patno, MDis First Pediatrician in Vermont

to Receive National Board Certifi cation in Child Abuse

Dr. Karyn Patno has become Vermont’s fi rst, and only, board certifi ed Child Abuse Pediatrician through the American Board of Pediatrics. The achievement culminates over 5 years of work in the fi eld of child abuse pediatrics. Founded in 1933, the American Board of Pediatrics (ABP) is one of the 24 certifying boards of the American Board of Medical Specialties. The ABP is an independent, nonprofi t organization whose certifi cate is recognized throughout the world as a credential signifying a high level of physician competence. Dr. Patno started the ChildSafe Program of Vermont in February 2008 after completing 6 months of fellowship training in Providence, RI. She studied and trained under the tutelage of Dr. Carole Jenny, one of the early pioneers in the fi eld of Child Abuse Pediatrics. After completing the 6 month intensive training program, Dr. Patno returned to St. Johnsbury and established the ChildSafe Program with support from Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital. Other physicians, the Vermont Department for Children and Families (DCF) and law enforcement were able to refer patients to Dr. Patno at St. Johnsbury Pediatrics for child abuse evaluations. The opening of this clinic marked the fi rst time in Vermont that children could receive this specialty care without having to leave the state. In March of 2009, Dr. Patno was able to contract her services to the Vermont Children’s Hospital at Fletcher Allen Health Care in Burlington. This expansion of the ChildSafe

Clinic in Burlington allowed children from across the state to more easily access child abuse specialty services. Dr. Patno qualifi ed to take the national exam in November of 2013 and she was notifi ed of her successful completion in January 2014. This was the fi nal step in completing the certifi cation process and Dr. Patno is now the fi rst pediatrician to be certifi ed as a specialist in child abuse pediatrics in the Vermont. In addition to seeing patients, Dr. Patno teaches throughout the state. She directs the Abusive Head Trauma Prevention Program in Vermont and is active in working with a number of Special Investigative Units. Dr. Patno also works with many of the State’s Attorney offi ces testifying in court on child abuse cases. This new certifi cation will aid in establishing her as an expert in court hearings. States Paul Bengtson, CEO at NVRH, “Karyn Patno is a real leader in this very important endeavor. She’s not only inspiring, but she’s already made a difference in reducing the incidence of child abuse in Vermont. We are extremely fortunate to have her in the Northeast Kingdom.” Dr. Patno is very excited to have completed the long process of certifi cation. She looks forward to her ongoing work in providing child abuse services to the children of the Vermont.

A Man of Many Wise Words “It’s a very important thing to learn to talk to people you disagree with.”

– Pete Seeger (May 3, 1919 – January 27, 2014)

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Adam Kruszyna, aged 12, from Barton, VT took these great pictures of a snowy owl. Adam is the daughter of Connie Rath Kruszyna, RN, who works in the Birth Center.

Calling Out for Pictures!

We’re looking for more prints for the Wellness Wall in the cafeteria. Do you know who this is? You certainly don’t need to be jumping over fi re or running through a mud bog – we’re just looking for you doing activities, inside or outside. Please send your digital pictures to h.decarlo@nvrh.org.

The Annual NVRH Radiothon will take place Tuesday, March 25, 2014 in the fi rst-fl oor conference rooms. Please listen as we broadcast on WSTJ (1340AM), Magic 97.7, and Kix 105.5. We will also be streaming the Radiothon on the internet through Northeast Sports Net. The format for the Radiothon is that DJ’s interview patients and staff on air and ask listeners to call in with pledges to support NVRH. The focus of the fundraising will be a new, hospital-wide, patient-monitoring system, to replace separate systems that currently operate in the ICU, OR, PACU and the ED. If you, a family member, or a friend have had a good patient experience at NVRH and would be willing to talk on the air, please call Jim Flynn at x 7516 or Jenn Layn at x 7313. Patient stories are the most compelling to listeners and we can never have enough!

A BOX OF DAYSA BOX OF DAYS

My child, tuck this awayAs keep-sake in your box of days: Wake up to gazing at the all-night snow Piled high on every needle of the pines Whose branches, bending low beneath the mounded fl akes, Support a hundred fl uffy cakes of white.

Stamp through the drifts to break their frozen spell And shake the light, light frosting down upon yourself, Or marvel at the wonder of the shovel, pail and barrel Grown fat with feasting 'ere the sky's surcease. Look there! The lucky picnic table Has raised a loaf of bread with blizzard yeast.

See how the fence post, trees and feathered twigs revealing wind and weather So clearly tell us how the long snow fell Upon the northern side and left the south still hiding.Come child, remember what the day has been,And how we all stayed in beside the fi re -- the dog, the cat;Somehow our happiness was hushed and sweet.We'll go to bed now; cuddle down inside the soundless drift of sleep.

Editor’s note: Josephine Breen Del Deo lives in Provincetown, MA. She is a long-time writer. This poem was printed in the Christian Science Monitor on February 20th 1969. She is one of my favorite writers.

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NVRH Gray Gallery Welcomes Local Artist

Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital is pleased to announce a new exhibit by local artist, Kari Meyer, in the Charles M. and Hanna H. Gray Gallery. The artist is a native of the Northeast Kingdom. After receiving her Associates Degree in 2001 from Cham-plain College in Multimedia and Graphic Design, she went on to earn her Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Studio Art from the University of Vermont in 2004. The artist states that she is inspired by the beauty and peace of ordinary things, especially in nature. Playing in the woods and along the riverbank as a child led to a love and admiration for Vermont’s natural landscape. “My inspiration comes from nature...I attempt to portray ideas that words cannot, like the archetypal beauty that connects all things.” She estimates that one-third of her time spent creat-ing a painting is walking the back roads and wooded areas of Vermont, seeking the views that portray the magic and beau-ty of our landscapes, which she captures in digital photos. “My imagery demonstrates an abstraction of nature and the Japanese ideals of wabi-sabi, a prominent philosophy of aesthetics. For me, wabi-sabi changes the worldview of western civilization. Things we normally see as negative be-come beautiful. Loneliness, old age, and death become beau-tiful because they are inevitable and represent the constant

fl ux of the universe. To me, nothing expresses these ideas more poignantly than nature itself. My work urges the viewer to contemplate the relationship between oneself, nature, and the universe.” Meyer was awarded the “1998 Viewer’s Choice Award”, in a statewide competition, which lead to a nation-al exhibition in Washington, D.C. in the Congressional Art Competition. She has also displayed her paintings on the Capital Grounds in Montpelier (2010), St, Johnsbury Maple Festival (2009) and the Firehouse Center for the Visual Arts in Burlington (2008). The artist participated in Open Studio in Montpelier (2006, 2007) as well as other venues since 2004. The Gray Gallery is located on the hospital’s main fl oor; this exhibition of the artist’s work will be on display from January 13, 2014 through March 6. Please inquire at the NVRH Information Desk for more information and prices; 25% of the proceeds from the sale of these works will benefi t the NVRH ARTs program.

THE CHARLES M. & HANNA H. GRAY GALLERY

LYNDON STATE

COLLEGE ART SHOW

FEBRUARY 3 MARCH 6, 2014

Barclay TuckerChase DunhamJeremiah HamelEmily BenningKrysta Davis

Kaylee Maclure

BARCLAY TUCKER On the same heartbreaking day that Paul McCartney announced the end of the Beatles, Barclay Tucker made his appearance in the world. From an early age Barclay had lofty ambi-tions. He bounced around the ideas of growing up to be Goofy, Superman, and Moses. After realizing those jobs were unavailable, he briefl y toyed with the idea of becoming a forest ranger. Eventually, he came to the realization he wanted to be a teacher and drive a Volkswagen Beetle. He also realized how much he loved to draw. Barclay attended the University of Utah where he studied art and began a career as a design-er and illustrator. He later received a Master of Arts from Syracuse University, and a Master of Fine Arts from the University of Hartford, Hartford Arts School. Barclay’s work has been described as sub-tle, quirky and having an off-beat sense of humor. He enjoys seeing people laugh - not the guffawing,

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boisterous type of laugh, but the quiet chuckle that comes with the slow, quiet realization that some-thing is amiss or just odd. Barclay, a bow tie enthusiast and self-pro-claimed cheese afi cionado, continues to live his dream of teaching and drawing, although he is still waiting for the VW Bug. His clients include design-ing bow ties for Beau Ties LTD of Vermont, Ver-mont Children’s Theater, and Good Sound Publish-ing. He resides in Vermont with his wife and four children. He teaches illustration, drawing, history of the visual arts, and graphic design in the Depart-ment of Visual Arts at Lyndon State College.

CHASE DUNHAM has been drawing since he could pick up a pencil. Cartoons are his favorite things to draw. He started drawing comics in the 5th grade for his friends and continues to do so today. Now, he is working to become a storyboard artist for animation.

JEREMIAH HAMEL was born at NVRH, and raised in Lyndonville. After graduating from Lyn-don Institute, he attended the Art Institute of Boston for a year, then Burlington College. Neither school quite fi t. Finally, after a year of working, he found Lyndon State College, to be the school that fi t. He has a BFA in Illustration and is one semester away from having a BA in Graphic Design. He enjoys drawing wildlife, people and the macabre. His style is usually highly realistic and he prefers to work digitally with a Tablet, but is capable in a variety of other mediums.

EMILY BENNING was born and raised on the outskirts of Lyndonville, VT. Most of her youth was spent careening through the woods armed with a stick and an overactive imagination; after a trou-bling period in her teens and early twenties where she lived in New York and experimented with analytical chemistry and cubicle-based employment, Emily remembered that she originally dreamed of being an artist and returned to Vermont to pursue an illustration degree at Lyndon State. She hopes to one day illustrate books for kids who love the

outdoors and wish they could grow up to be pirates; in the meantime, she works for the Green Moun-tain Club, practices her archery skills on snow dragons, and draws pictures of her roommates when they think nobody is looking. While Emily’s fi rst time at NVRH was the day she was born, her favorite experience was when the nurses didn’t make fun of her that one time she came in with all her fi ngers superglued together after an incident whose details will never be revealed.

KRYSTA DAVIS was born and raised in the North East Kingdom of Vermont and graduated from Lyndon Institute in 2007. She began attending Lyndon State College in 2010 and decided to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design and Illus-tration along with a minor in photography. Krysta loves art of all forms and is experienced in both computer and traditional art. She currently works as a freelance photographer and is working toward being published as a children’s book illustrator and a graphic designer after graduating in May 2014.

KAYLEE MACLURE has lived in Newport for almost twenty-one years (all her life) and graduat-ed from NCUHS. She has attended Lyndon State College for three years now majoring in Graphic Design with a concentration on Illustration and Print Design. One more year and she will achieve a Bachelor’s degree in this major. Illustration is her main passion. She mainly draws people in a semi realistic style and prefers to create her pieces in pen-cil before she fi nalizes them digitally with a tablet. Other mediums are also possible thanks to Lyndon State education. She hopes to one day have a job working as a snowboard/ski designer for Burk or any other snowboard/ski manufacturer.

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Auxiliary/Volunteer

NEWSBy Pat Forest, Volunteer Coordinator

The NVRH Auxiliary recently met for their bi-monthly membership meeting. With 30 people in attendance, the secretary’s report was approved. The featured speaker for the meeting was NVRH CEO, Paul BengtsonPaul Bengtson, who spoke about his most recent trip to Rio De Janeiro in southeast Brazil. Rio is the 6th largest city in the Americas with a population of 6.3 million. The members were treated to a video/slide presentation that included the rare birds, fl owers, scenery, mountains, churches, and landscape of Brazil. Paul spent time in the national forests observing birds and nature. He saw 210 species of birds that he had never seen before. Many of the endemic species may not survive much longer due to the stresses being placed on them. He shared a lot of information about the places he visited, sights he saw and the people he met. The Auxiliary members were all grateful for his time and the beauty of the slides.

Dot McCauleyDot McCauley won the door prize and the meeting was adjourned.

Our President, Laurel St. James-Long has made committee assignments for the Auxiliary. The following committees have been fi lled:Nominating:Nominating: Wendy Stein (Chair), Shirley Miller and Wanda Hawkins.Scholarship: Scholarship: Gretchen Hammer (Chair), Wendy Stein and Merlyn Courser.Membership:Membership: Sharon Heidemann (Chair), Sheila Legendre and Conrad Doyon.Gift Shop:Gift Shop: Pat Forest, Barb Bradeen and Nancy Erickson.Boutique:Boutique: Pat Forest, Laurel St. James-Long and Cindy Gordon.Fundraising:Fundraising: Michael Bradeen (Chair), Leon Podgur, and Pam Comeau.Thank you all very much for your service in these committee roles. Thank you all very much for your service in these committee roles.

Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital strives to be the communities’ choice for health care, work, learning and volunteering. To that end, the volunteer services department is currently recruiting volunteers to assist our professional staff. The dedicated volunteers at NVRH are made up of individuals, both male and female, from all backgrounds. Volunteers are able to match their skills and interest with their assignments; they may be retired individuals, people with extra hours to give to their community, or adults and students interested in pursuing a health care career. Volunteers augment patient services not already included in the hospital routine. They also supplement the activities of the regular staff by relieving them of duties not requiring professional training, thus allowing them more time to spend with our patients. NVRH currently has opening in our mammography department, information services, as well as on our Family Support Team. We currently have openings in the following areas: Family Support Team members are a specialized sub-set of the NVRH Volunteer Program. Because Family Support Team members will be involved with patients and family members at a different level than the usual volunteer situation, additional training is required for Family Support Team members. The goal of the Family Support Team is to provide a quiet, caring presence for patients and their family members to enhance the quality care that is already offered by the NVRH staff. Information service volunteers provide information and directions for the public, patients and family. They do hourly rounds throughout the main hospital, deliver mail and fl owers to patients, and complete projects that are created throughout the hospital system. Mammography volunteers escort patients to the mammography suite. They assist staff by explaining procedures, getting patients ready for the procedures, and assist the technician with paperwork. It is always appreciated when there is a volunteer to assist our patients, with what can be a very stressful time. If you have any questions or would like to volunteer, please call Pat Forest, Volunteer Coordinator at 748-7310.

In memory of Marie J. Hayes, NVRH Volunteer.

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Meet the Tootsies!!Meet the Tootsies!!-Laurel St. James Long, Auxiliary President

Following conversations overheard about how to make our corner of the state healthier, it came to my attention that NVRH has an Aerobic Exercise Challenge. It may sound daunting, but it really is not. The challenge is to do 2 ½ hours of aerobic exercise per week during the month of February. Only 10 hours per person can be listed for the entire month. Hospital employees have been doing this for some time, but for the fi rst time ever, we have a team made up of volunteers! It is not required that all team members be volunteers or from one department. We are calling our team The Tootsies and we will be competing for the coveted Golden Sneaker AwardGolden Sneaker Award. If the volunteers win the award, we will display it at the front desk for the next year. Let’s get it done!

When Donna Morris began her job in June of 2002, she had the distinction of being the fi rst full time Infection Preventionist at NVRH. Previously, the tasks of overseeing the monitoring and prevention of infection at NVRH had been assigned to several people throughout various nursing and ancillary health departments. With one person to focus on the job, NVRH joined with many other hospitals in being able to more effectively control what is often thought of as one of the more obstinate areas of modern healthcare: the seemingly unchecked spread of infectious diseases not only in healthcare facilities but among our culture as a whole. When Donna returned to her native Connecticut last summer she left a program that had gained high praise here and throughout Vermont.

On February 10, Jim Coulson, longtime member of the NVRH Laboratory team and Microbiology Supervisor, began his new role as Infection Preventionist and Quality Improvement Specialist. “I have big shoes to fi ll in replacing Donna,” Jim said recently. “The bar has been set very high for the success of the Infection Prevention program here at NVRH.” Probably the most visible piece employees and visitors alike encounter as part of the Infection Control program are the various levels of precautions set up to help

Jim Coulson, MT, HEM is NVRH’s new Infection Control and Compliance Offi cer

recognize and attempt to limit the spread of infections. Most everyone who has encountered modern healthcare have seen the signs on patient doors for contact and airborne precautions that are in addition to the Standard Precautions. While that is certainly part of the day to day work of the Infection Preventionist (IP), it is a small but signifi cant aspect. The monitoring and follow-up of potentially infectious patients are mandated by policies and procedures written by the IP, based on current best practices as cited in literature. Those same processes are also recommended by the Association of Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, the national organization for IPs. An important part of the work of the IP is to be available to consult and collaborate with numerous members of the healthcare team on those policies regarding the implementing, monitoring and reviewing of those policies. Another part of the role of the IP is the long range view of infectious diseases. Statistics are kept, reported to healthcare personnel in the hospital as well as to numerous agencies at both state and federal levels. Trends are reviewed that may lead to further policy changes, or perhaps the information contributed could lead to awareness of outbreaks or other events. There is also close collaboration with the state Department of Health as well as local peers. Quality improvement projects are frequently drawn from infection control statistics leading to the goal of improved patient care and practices. The IP is a frequent contributor to various educational endeavors in the hospital. Since virtually every department has a role to play in infection control, each of those departments needs continuing education to bring them up to current standards or review what is needed for best practices. At times the education could be a quick conversation while other times it takes place in a more formal classroom or meeting type setting. Businesses in the area that utilize our Occupational Medicine Program are other places

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where the IP may be asked to help explain policies such as the Bloodborne Exposure Control plan. The IP is a champion of ongoing efforts such as the hand-washing campaign and the fl u vaccination program that also requires assistance in both the monitoring and educational parts of those programs. The IP is the person called upon to be knowledgeable about how infection control affects special programs and situations. There are a host of regulations concerning how infection control policies need to be adhered to during construction or remodeling of clinical facilities to ensure the physical act of tearing down or building new rooms does not spread infectious agents. Infection control policies are an important part of emergency preparedness planning activities as infectious agents can be an unknown part of an emergent event. The collaborative aspect of the job of the IP goes well beyond the confi nes of the NVRH campus. It makes

sense for good patient care that an IP would communicate with their counterparts in the community when patients are transferred back and forth. Those same scenarios are also prime targets for quality improvement projects that are encouraged and closely followed by numerous agencies throughout the state. It is often mentioned that Vermont is in the forefront of different aspects of excellent patient care initiatives in the country. Infection control policies and projects are no different. Vermont is recognized throughout the country for its progressive and effective projects and policies coming out of the Infection Control arena. “I’m happy and excited to be continuing the strong program already in place at NVRH” Jim said recently. “I’m looking forward to working with the many people here that I’ll be collaborating with as I begin my role as Infection Preventionist.”

Construction UpdateConstruction UpdateSt. J Peds & Dan Wyand Physical Therapy – The Moffett BuildingSt. J Peds & Dan Wyand Physical Therapy – The Moffett BuildingThe construction crew has taken over most of St. J Peds original waiting room. Mechanical equipment for the air handler is getting installed above the waiting room. The electric service has been swapped over to the new service. Sheetrocking and taping is going on downstairs in the PT section. The foam insulation has been blown in. It’s now a Vermont law to have a certain R factor: at least R30 in the walls and at least R60 in the ceilings. We have at least 35 in the walls. We went above and beyond in the ceiling. Kurt has fi nished the plumbing downstairs, and he’s working on the upstairs. Richard has ordered the doors and the windows looking out onto the parking lot are in!

Stay tunedStay tuned for upcoming changes in the Women’s Wellness Center (not quite written in stone) AND for KIM! KIM will expand to the left and out front – they’ll be getting a new waiting/reception area and offi ces, as well as four new exam rooms.

Cheryl Stahler’s new offi ce, almost ready to move in… The windows are in!

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2014NVRH AEROBIC EXERCISE

CHALLENGE February is National Heart Month. The nurses, who work in Cardiac Rehab. & I CU, are challenging all employees again this year, to do 2 1/2 hours of aerobic exercise a week during the month of February (a total of 10 hours). The Teams who complete 100% will win a Golden sneaker to display in their respective departments for 2014. Again this year, you may form your own teams with 10 or more participants. We are just asking that each team try to include people who do not normally exercise, the goal being to get more people to exercise. You may participate with a smaller team (less than 10), but won’t qualify to win the Golden Sneaker. Forms and instructions will be delivered via e-mail. Additional forms may be picked up from Chris Douglas in Cardiac Rehab. All teams should register with Chris prior to February 1st. At the end of the month all forms should be turned in to Chris Douglas in Cardiac Rehab. Each person in the hospital who completes the aerobic challenge will receive a reward. The challenge is to complete 10 hours of aerobic exercise during the month of February, preferably 2.5 hours a week. At the end of the month, we will add up hours completed, and divide it by the number of hours that should have been exercised if everyone completes the challenge. This gives a percentage for each group. To make it easy for everyone to compete, only 10 hours maximum can be listed per person. Someone else can’t do the exercise for you. Exercise should be aerobic for the most heart benefi t, but for those who are exercise-challenged, they may use a pedometer and walk for 15 miles a week instead. You are encouraged to invite other hospital employees to join you on your team events when you can. Team members do not necessarily have to all come from the same department.

Aerobic exercise is exercise which raises your pulse consistently for an extended period of time. These things are considered aerobic:

Target Heart Rate Calculation for exercise:(220 minus your age) = Maximum heart rate (MHR)

Multiply MHR by .60, then multiply MHR by .80 . This is the range that your heart rate should stay in when you exercise.

If you have heart disease, or are on medications to lower your pulse, you should check with your doctor. Usually your target heart rate would be your resting pulse + 30.

*If you have any questions or need ideas for exercise, e-mail or call Chris Douglas (7401)

Brisk walking Racquetball Brisk calisthenicsRunning Swimming

SkatingSnowshoeing Jumping ropeShoveling snowCycling

RowingHikingCross country skiingDancingStep aerobics

Sneakers and chocolate kisses – run and eat, run and eat.

Seleem Choudhury, Chief Nursing Offi cer, gathers the fi rst brainstorming Cardiology Work Group from various departments throughout the hospital.

Chris Douglas, RN and Cardiac Rehabilitation Coordinator passes out dark chocolate kisses to employees who wore sneakers to work to promote exercise.

Employees wore Red on Friday, February 7th to promote “Wear Red to Work Day,” to raise awareness of Women and Heart Health.

Area Restaurants Promote Heart Health

Million Hearts Healthy Restaurant Initiative

Help Million Hearts prevent 1 MILLION heart attacks and strokes in five years.

High blood pressure is one of them.

Dine at these area establishments the week of February 9 – 15 and ask about heart healthy food options.

Anthony’s DinerBailiwicks on MillBarnet Village Store DeliBentley’s Bakery and CaféCafé Sweet BasilCreamery RestaurantDylan’s CaféEastern and Main Market and DeliGoodfella’sHoagies Pizza and PastaHastings Store Juniper’s RestaurantKham’s Thai CuisineLyndonville Bagel DepotMiss Lyndonville Diner

Mooselook Restaurant New East GardenNVRH Courtyard CaféTamarack GrillThe FreighthouseValley View Family RestaurantWest Barnet Store Deli

Million Hearts Healthy Restaurants: Look for the Million Hearts table tents at area restaurants the week of February 9 – 15. NVRH employees Erica Owen and Kathleen Killary enjoy a healthy breakfast at the NVRH Courtyard Café one of 21 area restaurants offering heart healthy options.

AAAAAAArrrrrrrrrrrrrre Heart disease and stroke are the fi rst and fourth leading causes of death in the United States, making heart disease responsible for one of every three deaths in the country. During the week of February 9 – 15, local restaurants are partnering with the Fit and Healthy Coalition of Caledonia and s. Essex Counties, Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital, and the Million Hearts™ campaign to raise awareness about heart disease and stroke. Million Hearts™ is a national initiative launched in September 2011 to prevent 1 million heart attacks and strokes over the next fi ve years. A leading cause of heart attacks and strokes is high blood pressure and high blood pressure can be controlled. “Our message this month is that some things in life you can control and high blood pressure is one of them,” said Laural Ruggles, VP Marketing and Com-munity Health Improvement at NVRH. “If you have high blood pressure, follow your healthcare providers advise about taking medications, quitting smoking, and maintaining a healthy weight.” Eating a low fat and low salt diet are important to controlling high blood pressure. To help you make healthy choices, the following restaurants will be featuring heart healthy options: Anthony’s Diner, Bailiwicks on Mill, Barnet Village Store Deli, Bentley’s Bakery and Café, Café Sweet Basil, Creamery Restaurant, Dylan’s Café, Eastern and Main Market and Deli, Goodfella’s, Hoagies Pizza and Pasta, Juni-per’s Restaurant, Kham’s Thai Cuisine, Lyndonville Bagel De-pot, Miss Lyndonville Diner, Mooselook Restaurant , New East Garden, NVRH Courtyard Café, Tamarack Grill, The Freight-

house, Valley View Family Restaurant, West Barnet Store Deli To learn more about Million Hearts™ , visit http://millionhearts.hhs.gov.

NVRH First Baby of 2014: Proud parents Bethany Auclair and James DuBois from St. Johnsbury welcomed baby boy Ayden on Friday January 3, 2014. Ayden was born at the NVRH Birthing Center at 8:19 a.m. and weighed 7 pounds 8 ounces and was 20.25 inches long.

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Courtyard Café Update-Karen Barss, Food Service Coordinator

The Courtyard Café strives to offer foods that promote health and well-being among patients, staff and the community. Some examples of what we have been offering are local organic beef from Tamarlane Farms, rBGH free milk, eggs from cage-free chickens, non-processed foods, and local fresh fruits and vegetables when they’re in season. Recently, we have added Harvestland chicken and turkey. Harvestland poultry is raised humanely, cage-free, fed all vegetarian diets, and are never administered antibiotics. Harvestland focuses on sustainable business practices. These attributes are important for health. Routinely feeding antibiotics to animals who are not sick increases antibiotic resistance among bacteria that cause human infections. If you order from the kitchen’s coop, this is the chicken you’ll be receiving. One of our goals is to set an example and a standard for our community regarding the purchase, production and availability of nutritious food.

NVRH has a new company – Healthy Eats - supplying our vending snacks. Steven Jablonski from Pumpkin Hill, owns and operates this new company. He strives to fi nd packaged foods that meet criteria of healthier food choices with natural ingredients, and when available, are organic, and GMO free. All the ingredients you can pronounce and he follows the FDA nutritional guidelines that schools have to follow:less than 35% of calories from fat (except for nuts)less than 10% of calories from saturated fatless than 35% of calories from sugar

He also donates back to NVRH 10% of his sales.

PLEASE HELP MAKE A DIFFERENCE - by Cindy Hume

This is a personal appeal: I’ve worked in the kitchen at NVRH for many years, and I really believe in re-cycling and composting. It’s the right thing to do for our planet, for us and most especially, for our children and grandchildren. Every day, among other things, I pull yogurt containers, plastic salad dressing carriers and cardboard food containers out of the garbage. These are all recyclable materials that should not go into the landfi lls. The up side is that rather than throw these products out, just keep them on the trays, and we’ll divide them when they arrive in the dish room. Robin Morin in Patient Accounts is the composting queen here at the hospital. Every Friday, she delivers a bucket of food waste as well as a plastic bag of paper products – food containers, napkins, etc. It would be great if each department could assign a couple of people to do this. I will be coming around to your department with pails and posters of recyclable products in the next couple of months. Robin has really worked in her department to get everyone on board – perhaps you could do the same, and help to save the planet a little bit at a time? If everyone took the initiative as an individual, we’d all be better off.

Recycling Saves the Earth Recycling different products will help the environment. For example, we know that paper comes from trees

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and many trees are being cut down just to produce paper. By recycling it, we can help lessen the number of trees that are cut down. Products made from raw materials that came from our natural resources should be recycled so that we can help preserve the environment.

Recycling Saves EnergyIt takes less energy to process recycled materials than to process virgin ma-terials. For example, it takes a lot less energy to recycle paper than to create new paper from trees. The energy from transporting virgin materials from the source is also saved. Saving energy also has its own benefi ts like decreas-ing pollution. This creates less stress on own health and our economy.

Recycling Helps Mitigate Global Warming and Reduce Pol-lutionBy saving energy in industrial production through recycling, the greenhouse gas emissions from factories and industrial plants are lessened and the use of fuels that emit harmful gasses during production is also minimized. Recycling non-biodegradable waste (rather than burning it) will contribute a lot to help reduce air pollution and greenhouse gasses that depletes the ozone layer.

Recycling Reduces Waste Products in Landfi llsLandfi lls are mostly composed of non-biodegradable waste which takes long time to decompose. By recycling, we can lessen the waste materials that are placed into landfi lls and we are able to make the most out of these materials. If we don’t recycle, more and more garbage will go to landfi lls until they all get fi lled up. If that happens, where will the rubbish be placed? How would you like a land fi ll in your backyard? (courtesy of benefi tsofrecycling.com)

Please, let’s all think of this as the circle of life.

Robin Morin from Patient Accounts delivering a very full composting bucket of food scraps and a black bag or compostable paper products.

Cindy holding a bag of recyclable products pulled from trash that people threw away. Leave it on the trays, and food service employees will recycle the products. Don’t throw it away, PLEASE!

Brad Collette, Senior Nuclear Medicine Technologist, stands next to the new SiemensSPECT/CT gamma camera recently installed in the Nuclear Medicine room in the Diagnostic Imaging Department at Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital. The two camera heads swivel and rotate with special face plates that reduce imaging time and radiation dosage; imaging time has been cut in half and radioactive doses reduced by 20%. Sixty percent of nuclear medicine patients are there for cardiac studies, although kidney, bone, thyroid, lung and para-thyroid scans are also performed. It took a month to re-design the room and two weeks to install the machine. “It’s all about good patient care,” said Collette. “This machine is faster, safer and provides very clear images.”

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Josh Gleiner, Physician Assistant at Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital recently attended a conference titled The New Science of Resiliency and its Clinical Applications at Harvard Medical School. It is estimated that 60-90% of health care visits are related to mind/body stress-induced conditions. The conference focused on the proactive use of meditation and relaxation exercises to reduce the body’s reactive response to stress. Josh will be offering an eight week mindfulness based meditation course starting in April. The course will appear in the hospital’s next Wellness Calendar.

Coming up in April, the following is a description of what to expect:

After the initial one-on-one private consultation for each student enrolled, we will meet once a week for 2 hours over 8 weeks and learn how to take better care of ourselves by discovering a deeper sense of relaxation, ease of life, and peace of mind. Through the basic human quality of awareness, we intend to explore the connections between our bodies and our minds as a means of mobilizing our own resources, heal ourselves and deal with the stresses of everyday life. We will learn to use mindful meditation and movement, as well as examining our thinking processes, to expose habits and patterns of thinking and behavior that contribute stress to our lives. Then we will learn to restructure those patterns in order to lead healthier, more positive lives. The course is based on a program designed at Mass General Hospital that has shown positive results over the past three decades.

Sabine Watson Finishes up NVRH Practicum in Women’s Wellness

Sabine Watson may be a familiar face to some, since she is doing a clinical rotation in Women’s Wellness in order to complete her requisites to become a Nurse Practitioner. She will graduate in May from Walden University. Sabine started her clinicals here on December 2, working with our certifi ed nurse midwives, Anea, Shirley and Sarit. In January, she started working with Megan Haygood, NP. After graduating from Suffolk University in 2003 with a BS in Biochemistry, she participated in a post baccalaureate premedical program at Tufts University in Physiology. After doing well on the MCATS in order to apply to medical school, she reassessed and decided that she wanted to have the choice to spend more time at home while raising a family. She married her husband Chris in 2005, while he was a graduate student in Math at Tufts. Sabine worked at both Genzyme Pharmaceutical Company researching Gaucher’s disease and Biogenidec, where she worked on therapeutic medications such as Avonex and

Tysabari for Multiple Sclerosis. Realizing that time at home with Chris and the desire to start a family was of paramount importance, Sabine decided to attend the RN program at UMass, Boston. She fell in love with nursing, working on the Oncology unit at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, and then spent a year as a Baylor/charge nurse at Spaulding Hospital in Cambridge, MA. Sabine and Chris had frequently visited the NEK for vacations. They liked the people, the land and the wildlife. They bought property in East Haven, where Chris would eventually like to have a sugaring operation. He currently teaches calculus based statistics at Lyndon State College and travels to Boston three days a week to teach Math at Bunker Hill Community College. Sabine enjoys her clinical experience in Women’s Wellness. “They’re a wonderful group, rich in resources, with great insight. It’s all about the patients and what can be done for them. Simply said, they epitomize the best.” Sabine and Chris’s 4-month old son Elijah was born at NVRH, with Anea LeLong and Shirley Thompson’s excellent care. Additionally, Sabine is doing a clinical rotation in pediatrics in Littleton, and working at Dartmouth Hitchcock on weekends as a nurse on the neurology fl oor. When she graduates in May as a Nurse Practitioner, she’s interested in possibly doing radiation oncology, Family Care or Pediatric Nursing. Their three children, Christopher Jr., Jeremiah and Elijah keep them busy, and factoring in their individual work schedules puts them on the road seven days a week!

Sabine Watson and her four month old son, Elijah.

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Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital’s Community Connections department is partnering with local organizations, Rural Edge, Lyndon State College, Northeast Kingdom Youth Services, QBurke, & Lyndonville Fire Department, to raise awareness about homelessness in our area. Homelessness is not apparent in our rural setting but it is certainly a rampant problem. The week-long event will take place March 1- March 8 and all proceeds will go towards eliminating homelessness!

Turning Back the Clock…-Betsy Merrill

I was recently presented with a listing of graduates from Brightlook Hospital’s School of Nursing, (1902-1936) by the daughter of one of those Brightlook graduates. What a treasure! Over the years, the library has been the recipient of a small collection of capes, caps, graduation pictures and nursing pins, presented to us by family members, in accordance with their dear one’s wishes. It started me thinking that almost all of us have known someone who was a “Brightlook Nurse”. I looked at the photo, looking for my friend, Ethel, and there she is, in the Fall class of 1935. Though she’s been gone for many years, every one of us who worked under her guidance as CNA’s (before there was such a certifi cation level)

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in the early to mid- 1970’s enjoyed the benefi t of her training, and late night/early morning tales of life in the nurses’ residence on the hill. Brightlook Hospital and the nurses who trained there have provided care in many places, some close to home, others in Canada and beyond New England. I would like to create a memorial display in honor of nurses everywhere, and especially our own home-grown nurses. I welcome your thoughts and suggestions about this .

Library Receives Outreach Funding from National Library of Medicine…

The library has received an Express Outreach Award (funding) to create “mini classes” to teach members of the public how to fi nd reliable internet resources for information about general health, pain management, and resources about their own care options (including suggested questions for providers). This project consists of three presentations/trainings, to accompany the Chronic Pain Self-Management Program, Healthier Living Workshop, and one section to be presented to the Life with Diabetes/ Diabetes Support Group, as a featured speaker (presentation title: “The help you didn’t know you had”). Each class will consist of a 60 minute block, with approximately 45 minutes spent on demonstration and discussion, followed by a 15 minute opportunity for questions. All participants will be offered the opportunity for further education/exploration/training at either the Community Health Resource Center (in the library) or at their local library, at a mutually agreeable time. This provides a good partnership in education regarding chronic health issues, pain management, diabetes management, and other classes/support groups offered in our communities. This series of mini-classes is based on the National Library of Medicine’s Healthy Communities focus, which has been described as, ”…working effectively with a variety of community based organizations and facilitating partnerships in the community with the common goal of improving public health. Creating a healthy community means active engagement of persons of all ages, education and economic backgrounds.” This project has been funded in whole or in part with Federal funds from the National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, under Contract No. #HHS-N-276-2011-0001C with the University of Massachusetts Medical School.

Can Numbers Tell a Story?

During January 2014, 395 visitors came to the library (averaging over 17 persons per day) 416 journal articles were copied and distributed The Caledonian Record was read in the library on 117 occasions The “public” computer was used by 112 individuals 521 Computer sites were visited on the “public” computer in the Community Health Resource Center The library provided 191 responses for information by staff members and 139 responses for information

brought by the public Conference space was provided for 130 people, mostly in groups of 3 or 4. One new electronic resource was added: The Hungry Heart, a recording by Bess O’Brien was added, along

with study guides for groups. Two new books were added: Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, 6th Edition

(2012); APA: The Easy Way! -A quick and simplifi ed guide to the APA writing style (Updated for the APA 6th edition) (2009). These two items are resource materials and do not circulate.

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A+ Standard of CaringDECEMBER 2013

Ambulatory SurgeryAmbulatory Surgery+ Received a very much appreciated note from the unit as I was not home when they called. Thank you.+ Very professional unit with a very attentive group of employees.+ I was very happy with my surgery. Everyone is so kind & cheerful.+ This was my fi rst time ever at NVRH. I was very happy with everything.+ I was very pleased with my fi rst visit ever to NVRH. Everyone was so kind.+ Pre-op nurse RN was excellent *Dr. Walko made me at ease & comfortable - excellent job.+ Post-op nurse RN was excellent - I went to NVRH for surgery because Dr. WalkoDr. Walko was there.+ Everything was clean and warm -- nurses were very gentle and sweet.+ I cannot say it any plainer, it was wonderful.+ Everyone was very caring and patient KellyKelly, my nurse was very kind and put me at ease, as did all of the staff.+ I was unavailable by phone but received a lovely note inquiring as to how I was doing and with helpful informa-tion.+ The surgery center was amazing. I had been there over 12 yrs. ago - Wow - it was nice then but now the site is unbelievable. NVRH should be very proud!+ Very good experience w/staff.+ Physician & nurses, LNA’s - very friendly - Follow-up was excellent.+ David HetzeltDavid Hetzelt is AWESOME!+ I had an excellent surgeon.

Emergency DepartmentEmergency Department+ Nurse was very polite and attentive.+ My visit was very positive. I have no complaints at all.+ GenGen was very nice and very easy to talk to - she made me feel very comfortable.+ The nurse brought me warm blankets when I looked cold. They were wonderful.+ The doctor was positive, empathetic, and very detailed with his observations and instructions.+ When I asked to bring my mother-in-law in, the doctor went right out and got her.+ The electronic signature made it easy!+ Very good nursing and doctoring in the ICU.+ I wish I had noted her name. She is from NJ. She was calm, clear & competent - just what I needed.+ This was a very positive customer care and medical care experience. It was quick & helpful and they got lab results & medicine & away I went.

+ They brought the INTAKE person to me! It was simply lovely and much appreciated.+ Excellent care by ER nurse.+ Dr. BakerDr. Baker - Excellent!+ Excellent, prompt, very professional, done in a friendly environment.+ Came with a wheelchair to my vehicle. Very, very nice man.+ Dr. AjamieDr. Ajamie is wonderful.+ Wonderful, they took me in upon arrival.+ So much better than it was 10 or so years ago. Very pleased.+ KarenKaren is excellent.+ Nurses in ER & 2nd Floor - wonderful.+ Most comfortable ultrasound ever.+ Good experience, treated with respect and in a timely manner.+ The staff was great - if needed I would go back!+ JulioJulio was GREAT!+ Access staff was great thank you AngieAngie and TammyTammy!+ Felt like family AngieAngie and TammyTammy were so sympathetic to my needs.+ Again TammyTammy and AngieAngie explained everything - they both are terrifi c.+ Everyone was very professional, helpful, friendly.+ In spite of the odd hour (4AM) staff was alert, friendly & professional.+ Made the situation as quick and painless as possible, while maintaining my/their records.+ The doctor was very good and nice.+ We arrived and went right in a room, which was very good.+ MelMel was very helpful & made me feel very comfortable.+ Janet WilsonJanet Wilson, FNP awesome!+ MikeMike was great!

Inpatient DepartmentInpatient Department+ Great attention to my personal desires.+ Received follow up inquiry from nurse re: comfort, etc., - very reassuring-I was still being monitored.+ Always felt staff took my words seriously - not just polite listening.+ Nurses, med staff, SERVICE staff, all gave positive vibes of “healing” - Everything seemed directed to patient comfort.+ Excellent feeling about ALL staff including food service & housekeeping.+ It was great that NVRH communicated with my regular physician, and made a follow-up appointment for me!+ Really pleased with NVRH-ER & nurses & doctors!+ Very good from the ER to my room!+ Quickly admitted and everyone was kind to me.+ Well kept -- clean.+ Amazing care during my labor & delivery - strongly rec-ommend SaritSarit (midwife) and the nursing staff to others!!

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+ Nothing but the best.+ Discharge was simple & routine.

Kingdom Internal MedicineKingdom Internal Medicine+ I have always found ALL staff in the offi ce to be very courteous & helpful, outstanding!+ Always a PLEASURE to see JessicaJessica - very thorough, kind, considerate.+ Superb!+ I cannot say ENOUGH good things about the clinic - so fortunate to be a patient there. Thank you.+ Outstanding job done by all! Thanks.+ Wonderful staff - I’ve retired and now must travel 45 minutes to offi ce. Will stay with practice because I enjoy staff.+ Jessica MacLeodJessica MacLeod is a caring intelligent professional caregiver, my family & I see her always.+ Everyone is very friendly & courteous! My husband enjoys seeing them. + Comments for them have always been GOOD.+ My husband has seen this provider for many years; & he likes him very much. Dr. MeierdiercksDr. Meierdiercks.+ Above & beyond expectation.+ Everyone there is striving for excellence & it shows!+ Nurses, doctors and offi ce staff were so helpful.+ Highest professional standards observed!+ Dr. Frank MeierdiercksDr. Frank Meierdiercks -- I have seen this dr. since 1987. He has been very good I am 88 yrs old now.+ Process fl owed well.+ Was informed all processes and procedures/knew what to expect all the time. + Courteously waited for me to dress & undress.+ Very concerned - asked good questions.+ Very good all- around experience.+ I’ve always had a good relationship with all staff. They go out of their way to please.+ The nurses were great. Keep up the good work.

Corner MedicalCorner Medical+ I believe this was a visit for fl u shot. I HATE shots. Nurse was excellent... I never felt it.+ I survived!+ I was so very pleased with Ashley GerrishAshley Gerrish & her assis-tance. She put the “care” back into health care for me!!!+ Very good. Not in any rush to get out.+ Had Dr. ThompsonDr. Thompson for close to 15 yrs. Transition to Dr. Dr. ScottScott very good couldn’t have asked for any better. JohnJohn shows genuine care & concern.+ Started on S. Wheelock before fi re transitioned to new facilities for every smiling face that leaves a new one takes their place.+ Good experience.+ Very easy to communicate with her.+ I cannot ask for a better doctor! + I feel very fortunate to have Corner Medical here.

+ I had Dr. ThompsonDr. Thompson for many years and felt confi dent. I also like Dr. ScottDr. Scott and feel he is very good. It may take a little time to build the SAME level of confi dence but I do like him.+ They were all good listeners - and communicate what you “feel” and what symptoms you think you may know - so when the dr. comes to you - the visit goes very well. + I have never experienced a time when the staff did not listen carefully with what I have to say and ask clarifying question when necessary.+ Keep up the good work! We are very fortunate to have Corner Medical in our area.+ The brief “wait” time gives people an opportunity to “catch up” with what is going on in each other’s lives. Friendly “visits” while waiting one’s turn.+ Very helpful, especially as I had my two young sons with me.+ I cannot rate Dr. ErismanDr. Erisman highly enough. She is an OUTSTANDING physician.+ I feel SO fortunate to have Corner Medical as my PCP. Thank you!+ This was the fastest visit I’ve ever had! I appreciate the board listing wait times. Great ideal.+ Staff is always professional, effective, & effi cient. Warm climate all around.+ MaryMary is the best!+ Dr. BroderickDr. Broderick is soooo good!+ Nurse/asst. - was extremely friendly and courteous as always!+ Staff was very friendly, courteous, and professional.+ JoyceJoyce is the best!!+ I am very happy will Corner Med. doc’s & staff - awe-some people.+ Everything went smoothly & on time!+ Dr. BroderickDr. Broderick is excellent.+ I’ve never had this kind of experience with your offi ce. My primary care provider is the best and I really appreci-ate her.+ Always feel relaxed because of the warmth in the room, when my name was called.+ I feel that I can talk to my provider and listen to. A very good feeling, indeed. + The atmosphere at “Corner Medical” is like one “big family” as people enter for one reason or another.+ I would like to comment on how neat the waiting room always is, the friendliness of staff. + There are smiles everywhere. A very relaxing atmo-sphere to say the least. It has been my pleasure to fi ll out this questionnaire.+ Nursing staff in general excellent.+ I am pleased with Corner Medical and I like my doctor.

St. Johnsbury PediatricsSt. Johnsbury Pediatrics+ Love the Wed. evening clinic - So helpful for working parents!+ Staff is always helpful & friendly.

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+ We adore Dr. KantrowitzDr. Kantrowitz. He is very good at listening to our experiences, questions, & concerns, and we appreci-ate that he brings a research/evidence based approach while also drawing on his own clinical & parental experi-ences.+ Great experience - THOUGHTFUL, COMPASSIONATE KIND, THOROUGH care. Dr. StasnyDr. Stasny is one-of-a-kind. So thankful both my children: Patrick (14) Allie (22) are/were under her care!+ Always the best service from all the staff.+ Very knowledgeable and had lots of info to share.+ Absolutely love this offi ce. They actually called me a couple hours before the apt. to tell me they were ahead of schedule and that I could come in earlier if I wanted.+ Best staff, compassionate & understanding. Very loving nurses.+ Dr. PriceDr. Price is highly recommended by me and my family. I was also very impressed with the student he had with him.. She was awesome with my child!+ Dr. PriceDr. Price included the student, explaining to her what he was doing/looking for. She did exactly as Dr. Price did. My child loved them both.+ The community is very fortunate to have this provider. My children receive excellent, comprehensive care consis-tently. Thank you.+ Very organized in having all the critical and necessary equipment and materials. + Multiple people available & willing to help.

Womens Wellness CenterWomens Wellness Center+ Everyone at the clinic is very nice to everyone!+ No complaints. Everyone is always friendly. Never had any issues.+ Everything is always explained promptly. I usually prepare for delays. It’s to be expected in the business of delivering babies.+ Mostly dealt w/MaryMary. She’s always friendly. She is prompt. Does her job well. + Always explains whether there will be any delays.+ I’m very pleased w/my care. I’m especially very impressed w/the 2 new midwives and new physician. Es-pecially ShirleyShirley. ShirleyShirley is very patient, thorough, explains everything clearly.+ I’m always happy and comfortable at the Women’s Wellness Center. I refuse to go anywhere else for my feminine healthcare needs.+ Women’s Wellness Center is awesome. I have nothing bad to say about anyone or anything in: regards to the care provided.+ MeganMegan is wonderful - I’ve been seeing her for years.+ LOVE WWC!!!+ Margaret RowlettMargaret Rowlett is a gem!+ Nurse was very professional, and dr. was very good at going through questions & taking time for me. I didn’t feel hurried.

+ Dr. O’ConnorDr. O’Connor is an awesome doctor in my opinion and easy to talk to.

Outpatient DepartmentsOutpatient Departments+ Good experience of having blood drawn.+ I never have had a bad experience at this hospital. They do a good job of getting you in & out.+ I have had my blood drawn in 3 different hospitals. This facility it the best at not waiting long and not having a problem with the tech being able to get blood on the fi rst try. Thanks for that! + Everybody was nice.+ NVRH is a blessing to me – you take care of my needs.+ Excellent care in ALL respects - Thank you!+ Registration woman was very pleasant but new. Had a great personality, and kind but took a while to register. (Was also a new patient.)+ Infant chest X-ray - uncomfortable experience for me (mom) but X-ray tech was very nice & comforting.+ We always have great care at NVRH.+ Very effi cient registration. VickyVicky was EXCEPTIONALLY GRACIOUS and friendly.+ Lab - Both ChrisChris and phlebotomist were gracious. X-ray - Receptionist (TammyTammy) and technologist (MonicaMonica) were very helpful. + Outpatient area is VERY WELL designed.+ I was also delighted that I got test results within 48 hrs.+ The lab technician seemed effi cient and did not keep me waiting long (as has been the case in some previous visits).