Fletcher Allen, a Vermont university hospital and medical center, serves all of
Vermont and the northern New York region. Located in Burlington, Fletcher Allen is a regional, academic healthcare center and teaching hospital in alliance with the University of Vermont.
Audio Podcasts
Here is a collection of 15-minute interviews with Fletcher Allen providers and staff containing information about various diseases, treatments and services, and expert commentary on current health care issues.
You're the Captain
Dr. Joel Schnure says that physicians who care for diabetes patients are the "admirals", but the patient is the "captain of the ship" because it's up to them to manage this complex disease every day. And that's why good patient education is so important, as he explains. View Dr. Schnure's bio.
Reducing Exposure to Antibiotics in Food
If the meat you eat was produced with too many antibiotics, it could make it harder to cure infections you might get. Nutrition Services Director Diane Imrie explains how Fletcher Allen is tackling this problem. For more information about Nutrition Services at Fletcher Allen, go to fletcherallen.org/nutrition.
Help Make Care for Kids Better
Vermont Children's Hospital is looking for former patients and their family members to share their ideas on how to make the great care we provide even better. Find out how you can get involved.
It's a Bigger Problem Than You Might Think
Hundreds of Vermonters are victims of sexual assaults every year, and hundreds more cases go unreported. Specially trained nurses at Fletcher Allen partner with Hope Works and other community organizations to help survivors with their medical, emotional, legal and other needs. Learn more in this interview.
Does Cancer Run in Your Family?
Genetic counselor Wendy McKinnon of the Vermont Cancer Center talks about the role of genetic testing in determining if you have a higher than normal risk of getting cancer.
Top Rating
The Vermont Cancer Center just received the highest rating possible from the national Commission on Cancer. Here's an overview of the care available to patients and the advanced research underway from the VCC's leaders: Drs. Claire Verschraegen and Ruth Heimann, and Gary Stein PhD. View Dr. Vershraegen's bio.
Level 1 Trauma Center
John Fortune, M.D., Medical Director of Trauma Surgery and Director of the Burn Program talks about Fletcher Allen’s newly re-certified Level I Trauma Center, one of only 100 such facilities in the nation and the only one in Vermont and northern New York. The Trauma Center team provides specialized treatment to nearly 2,000 patients every year. View Dr. Fortune's bio
Patient-Centered Medical Home
Fletcher Allen is in the forefront of developing a new model for primary care delivery. Dr. Jennifer Gilwee explains what a “medical home” is and how it can improve care and control costs. View Dr. Gilwee's bio.
Orthopedics and Hand Surgery
Each hand has 28 muscles and 27 bones, plus nerves, arteries, tendons, veins and soft tissue. You can see why it takes special training to be able to treat the many problems that can develop as we put our hands under stress every day. Dr. Michel Benoit is part of Fletcher Allen’s team of hand specialists, and he explains how he helps thousands of patients every year handle their issues with hands, wrists and elbows. View Dr. Benoit's bio.
Advances in Radiology
Imaging technology is allowing doctors to see more than ever before, and Fletcher Allen is lucky to have some of the most advanced equipment in the world. Dr. Kristen Destigter describes the advances in imaging, and why it is more important than ever to have specially trained radiologists to interpret these remarkable images. View Dr. Destigter’s bio.
Stroke Treatment and Research
Dr. Mark Gorman, a neurologist with the UVM Medical Group, discusses the warning signs and treatments for stroke and research underway at Fletcher Allen/UVM on new medications to break up clots in the brain. The Stroke Center just received a quality care award from the American Stroke Association. View Dr. Gorman's bio.
Medical Research at UVM and Fletcher Allen
Dr. Ira Bernstein, Senior Associate Dean for Research at the UVM College of Medicine and a maternal-fetal medicine specialist at Fletcher Allen, provides an overview of the nearly $100 million in medical research projects underway at both institutions, and how the public can get involved in clinical trials. View Dr. Bernstein's bio.
Infection Control Program
Dr. Kemper Alston discusses Fletcher Allen's aggressive infection control program and the progress he's seen in the past several years in lowering rates, which were already low in comparison to national figures. View Dr. Alston's bio.
Breast MRI Exams
Dr. Sally Herschorn, radiologist and director of Breast Imaging, explains why some women should get an MRI breast exam in addition to a mammogram, and why the test can be helpful in early detection of cancer. View Dr. Herschorn's bio.
Organ Transplant Program
Dr. Anthony DiCarlo describes Fletcher Allen's award-winning organ transplant program, and discusses the need for donors in Vermont. View Dr. DiCarlo's bio.
The 30-Year Knee
Dr. Halsey describes a new advanced plastic implant Fletcher Allen is using in knee replacement surgeries, called Verilast, that lasts twice as long as current implants. View Dr. Halsey's bio
Vermont's Largest Restaurant
Half of the food in the 2 million meals Fletcher Allen serves each year comes from local or sustainable resources--including our own rooftop garden. Diane Imrie explains how Fletcher Allen has become a national leader in the movement to bring healthier food to health care organizations.
Breast Cancer Surgery
Susan MacLennan, M.D., Fletcher Allen/UVM Plastic Surgeon, explains a new procedure allowing surgeons to remove a tumor and perform breast reconstruction. View Dr. MacLennan's bio
Smilemaker
Dr. Donald Laub helps patients of all ages with their plastic surgery needs, but he’s also deeply involved in charitable work to repair the facial deformities of children in Third World countries. He describes this interesting mix of medical care and the life-changing impact of his work both here and abroad. View Dr. Laub's bio.
A Second Surgery ?
Surgical oncologist Ted James was a key player in a major study that found no national standard for deciding when a woman needs additional surgery after a lumpectomy. He explains why and how this is impacting women with breast cancer. View Dr. James' bio.
Cross Cultural Care
Thousands of Vermonters are refugees from war torn areas, and need health care as they start their new lives. Dr. Andrea Green provides that care to children, and relishes the rich exchange of information with her patients about what being healthy means, and how to achieve good health. View Dr. Green's bio.
A Lifesaving Option
Fletcher Allen is participating in a clinical trial of a procedure that replaces aortic valves without open heart surgery – a lifesaving option for many elderly patients who need a new valve, but can’t withstand a major operation. Drs. Harold Dauerman and Joseph Schmoker have the details. View Dr. Dauerman's bio. View Dr. Schmoker's bio.
Blocking Killer Clots
Cardiologists at Fletcher Allen are testing a way to stop clots from forming in the heart without using blood thinners. Dr. Daniel Lustgarten explains the advanced catheter technology that may prevent devastating strokes. View Dr. Lustgarten's bio.
Does This Smell Funny ?
Problems with sense of smell affect up to 20% of Americans and reduced, lost or distorted smell can significantly lower quality of life. Dr. Donald Leopold, a leading expert on this issue has recently joined the UVM Medical Group at Fletcher Allen and he explains what can be done about this vexing problem. View Dr. Leopold's bio.
Wake-Up Call
Did you know getting less sleep than you need can double your risk of heart disease? Sleep specialist Dr. Garrick Applebee explains that and other risks of poor sleep habits. View Dr. Applebee's bio.
Catching Alzheimer's Early
New guidelines are leading doctors to focus on early detection of Alzheimer’s disease. Dr. William Pendlebury of Fletcher Allen’s Memory Center explains what this means for middle-aged people concerned about memory problems. View Dr. Pendlebury's bio.
Community Health Improvement Health Classes and Screenings
Thousands of Vermonters take advantage of free classes, health screenings, home visits and many other wellness and prevention programs offered by Fletcher Allen’s office of Community Health Improvement. Julie Cole of CHI gives an overview of what’s offered.
Why So High ?
Surprisingly, Vermont has some of the highest rates of skin cancer in the nation. Dr. Glenn Goldman, director of Dermatology at Fletcher Allen, discusses prevention, symptoms and treatments including an advanced surgical procedure called MOHS. View Dr. Goldman's bio.
