Fletcher Allen Health All Feeds

Ob/Gyn Grand Rounds

Tue, 28 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500

"Programming of Adult Vascular Functions and Regulation"
Chandra Yallampalli, D.V.M., Ph.D.Distinguished ProfessorDept. of Ob/Gyn, Neuroscience, and Cell BiologyProgram Director, WRHR Center of ExcellenceUniversity of Texas Medical BranchGalveston, Texas
7:30 - 8:30 a.m. @ Davis Auditorium

Healthsource: How to Eliminate the Harmful Effects of Stress

Mon, 27 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500

How to Eliminate the Harmful Effects of StressStephen Brandon, D.C.

A presentation on why stress is a primary factor in many health problems, what it is doing to you, and what you can do about it. Learn how simple steps can help you handle life’s stresses and how you can rebuild your body to be young, vital, and robust! In this fun workshop, Dr. Stephen Brandon, D.C. will break down an issue that is paramount in today’s healthcare crisis.

WHEN Monday, February 27, 6:00-7:30 p.m.WHERE Davis Auditorium, Medical Center Campus, Burlington

Free! Sign up online or call 847-2278 to register.

FULL: Healthsource: Stretching for Stress

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500

Stretching for StressAmanda Biggs, Fletcher Allen Health Care

Join this class and learn the basics of a healthy and fun everyday stretching routine. This routine can be done from a standing or sitting position. No experience is necessary; men and women of all ages with little or no stretching experience are welcome. Participants are encouraged to wear loose, comfortable clothing. 15 person limit.

WHEN Wednesday, February 22, 6:00-7:00 p.m.WHERE McClure Lobby, Medical Center Campus, Burlington

Free! Sign up online or call 847-2278.

Ob/Gyn Grand Rounds

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500

"Treatment of PCOS"
Richard S. Legro, M.D.Professor, Ob/Gyn and Public Health SciencesPenn State University College of Medicine
7:30 - 8:30 a.m. @ Davis Aud.

FULL! Healthsource: Eat to Beat Stress

Sun, 19 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500

Eat to Beat Stress – A Pharma-Foodie ClassKimberly Evans, RD, Fletcher Allen Health Care

In this class we will look at the value and pleasure of using food to treat, prevent, and address chronic disease. We work with our culinary “pharmacy” (food ingredients) to design dishes that will delight our tastes and senses for the sake of creating a foundation of good health. This class will include a cooking demonstration, a nutrition education piece, and lots of sampling. 30-person limit.

WHEN Sunday, February 19, 1:00-2:30 p.m.WHERE South Burlington

Free! Sign up online or call 847-2278.

Healthsource: Stress Management through Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500

Stress Management through Acupuncture and Chinese MedicineElizabeth Girard, MS, L.Ac.

Acupuncture and Chinese medicine has been used for over 2,000 years to decrease stress and increase overall well-being. Acupuncture has been proven to decrease feelings of anxiety and depression, improve your quality of sleep and benefit your immunity. Come learn how acupuncture and oriental medicine can be used to manage your everyday stress. You will also be learning some acupressure points for relaxation that you can use on yourself at home.

WHEN Thursday, February 16, 6:30–8:00 p.m.WHERE Davis Auditorium, Medical Center Campus, Burlington

Ob/Gyn Grand Rounds

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500

"Prevention and Healing of Emotional Birth Trauma"Sandra Wood, C.N.M.Clinical Instructor, Ob/GynFAHC/UVM
7:30 - 8:30 a.m. @ Davis Aud.

FULL: Healthsource: Reflexology

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500

Reflexology
Sr. Pat McKittrick, RN Fletcher Allen Health CareA natural healing art, (using compression massage), basedon the principle that there are reflexes in the feet, hands and ears, which correspond to every part, gland and organ of the body. Class limited to 20 participants.

WHEN Monday, February 13, 6:30-8:00 p.m.WHERE O’Brien Community Center, Winooski

Free! Sign up online or call 847-2278.

Art from the Heart Valentine's Party and Fundraiser

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500

When: Thursday, February 9, 5:30-7:30
Where: Burlington City Arts Center
The Art From The Heart Valentine’s Day Party and Fundraiser features a special appearance by Dr. Lewis First, M.D., Chief of Pediatrics at Vermont Children’s Hospital at Fletcher Allen and Chair of the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Vermont College of Medicine. Guests to the event will be invited to visit the Creation Station, to create a valentine or an Art From the Heart memory bracelet for a loved one. The event will also feature hors d'oeuvres and a cash bar.

Tickets are available at the door for $25.00 per person.
To RSVP, please call 802-865-5816 by February 3rd.
The public can also make a secure online donation to Art From The Heart by visiting BurlingtonCityArts.org and clicking “Donate” at the top of any page.

FULL! Healthsource: Tai Chi for Seniors

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500

Tai Chi for SeniorsClaire Rutenbeck, BSN, RNRobust health, peace-of-mind, and personal empowerment are just a few of the rewards that await the practitioner of this ancient art. During this Tai Chi class, interested participants will be introduced to Yang style Tai Chi. We will discuss how it helps with balance, mobility, reducing anxiety, improving flexibility and managing pain.

WHEN Wednesday, February 8, 3:00-4:30 p.m.WHERE Robert Miller Community Center, Burlington

Free! Sign up online or call 847-2278.

Ob/Gyn Grand Rounds

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500

"Alcohol Intervention in Outpatient Practice"
Gail L. Rose, Ph.D.Assistant Professor, PsychiatryAssociate DirectorHealth Behavior Research Center, UVM7:30 - 8:30 a.m. @ Davis Aud.

Stroke Program Earns "Gold Plus" Award from American Heart Association and American Stroke Association

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500

February 3, 2012Michael CarreseMarketing and Communications802-847-2886
BURLINGTON, VT – Fletcher Allen’s Stroke Program has
received the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s “Get With
The Guidelines” Gold Plus Performance Achievement award for its success in
implementing excellent care for stroke patients according to evidence-based
guidelines. It is the only “Gold Plus”
program in Vermont and northern New York.
To earn
the award, providers at Fletcher Allen’s multi-disciplinary Stroke Center achieved at least 24 consecutive months at
85% or higher achievement for the stroke performance measures, as well as 75%
or higher for 5 out of 9 optional quality measures.
“This award highlights our
commitment to being one of the top hospitals in the country for providing
aggressive, proven stroke care,” said Mark Gorman, MD, UVM Medical Group
neurologist, director of the Fletcher Allen Stroke Program, and UVM associate
professor of Neurology. “We’re honored
to receive this additional validation that our expert Stroke Center staff provides
best-practice care that saves lives and improves patient outcomes.”
These
measures include aggressive use of medications such as t-PA (a protein
designed to dissolve blood clots), antithrombotics (such as aspirin), anticoagulation (coumadin)
therapy where appropriate, cholesterol-reducing drugs and smoking cessation,
all aimed at reducing death and disability and improving the lives of stroke
patients. Stroke is
the third leading cause of death in the U.S. and the primary cause of long-term
disability.

The Stroke Center team was also honored by the “Get with the Guidelines”
program with a Silver Plus award in 2010 and a Bronze award in 2008, and has
been classified as a Primary Stroke Center by The Joint Commission, the
nation’s leading organization for setting health care quality standards.
Multimedia
Resources
Listen to an
interview with Dr. Gorman on stroke care here. A blog from Dr. Gorman on stroke prevention
is available here. More information on Fletcher Allen’s Stroke
Center can be found here.

UVM Medical Group Selects Research, Education Grant Award Winners

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500

January 17, 2012Mike NobleMarketing and Communications802-847-2886Fletcher Allen Physicians Recognized for Exceptional Non-Clinical Efforts
Burlington – The University of Vermont Medical Group at Fletcher
Allen recently presented research and education awards to eight of its
physician members to recognize their exceptional teaching and research efforts. The UVM Medical Group consists of approximately
450 physicians from all fields of medicine devoted to advancing patient care
through clinical and laboratory research and educating the next generation of
providers.
“These awards seek to recognize and encourage the critically
important work our members do beyond providing excellent patient care,” said
Paul Taheri MD, MBA, president of the UVM Medical Group and senior associate
dean for Clinical Affairs at UVM. “The
value of having an academic medical center is rooted in the expertise our
physicians develop through research, and how that expertise provides direct
benefits to patients and improves the education of medical students, residents
and fellows.”
Research
and Education Recognition Awards
Recipients of these awards receive
a $1,500 prize and a $6,000 block grant related to the award’s focus.

Radiologist Jeffrey Klein, MD of Williston was named Continuing Medical Educator of the Year for his work as a teacher and administrator. Dr. Klein serves as the associate dean for Continuing Medical Education at the University of Vermont College of Medicine.
Alan Rubin, MD of Burlington, a primary care physician, was selected as the Graduate Medical Education Teacher of the Year for his contributions as a teacher, mentor and role model for residents and medical students.
Robert Althoff, MD, PhD of South Hero won the Junior Researcher of the Year award which is presented to a faculty member less than 10 years out from residency or fellowship training. Dr. Althoff, a child psychiatrist, studies genetic elements of childhood disorders.
Surgical Oncologist David Krag, MD of Shelburne was recognized as Senior Researcher of the Year, an award presented to an individual more than 10 years out from residency or fellowship training. Dr. Krag's ground-breaking research into the use of radiotracer-guided surgery in breast cancer has benefited more than a million patients worldwide.

Investigator-Initiated
Research Awards
These two awards each come with a
$50,000 grant funded by Fletcher Allen for two years of medical research. They
were created to help align the academic missions of Fletcher Allen and the UVM College
of Medicine and enhance multidisciplinary and multi-departmental projects.
This year’s two winning teams
are:

Vascular Surgeon Daniel J. Bertges, MD and Endocrinologist Muriel Nathan, MD, PhD, both of South Burlington. Their controlled quality improvement project is designed to test the effect of aggressive perioperative insulin management on both perioperative glucose control, and short-term infectious complication in both diabetic and non-diabetic subjects undergoing peripheral vascular surgery.
Medical Oncologist Marie Wood, MD of South Burlington and surgery researcher Brian Sprague, PhD of Colchester. Their study will try to establish the relationship between inflammation and increased breast density in a population of women at increased risk for breast cancer, along with the ability to stratify patients based on body mass and menopausal status.

Fletcher Allen's Electronic Health Record Meets Federal Requirements

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500

Receives $2.7 Million Incentive Payment
February 1, 2012Mike NobleMarketing and Communications802-847-2886
BURLINGTON,
VT – Fletcher Allen
announced that it has met electronic medical record (EMR) system quality,
safety and efficiency requirements developed by the federal government’s
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). These standards, part of the CMS Meaningful
Use program, help hospitals focus on aspects of EHR implementation deemed most
important by CMS, namely those that improve patient safety, quality of care and
health system efficiency.
The institution will receive an
incentive payment of $2.75M from CMS for meeting these Meaningful Use standards.
Meaningful Use is a multi-year government
incentive program created under the American
Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 to encourage health care providers
across the country make the switch to electronic health records. Fletcher Allen
was in the first wave of hospitals recognized for successfully meeting the
program’s Stage 1 requirements.
“This recognition signifies a
major milestone in the history of our EMR project and reflects the hard work of
many people throughout Fletcher Allen,” said John Brumsted, Fletcher Allen’s
interim president and chief executive officer.
“It’s worth noting that the Meaningful Use criteria were published by
the government well after the initial design of our system was underway. It
took a considerable effort to review and calibrate our system to ensure that we
could successfully meet the requirements and qualify for this incentive.”
The $57.2 million project
received Certificate of Need approval from the state in March 2008. The first
part of the installation was completed and operational in the pharmacy in early
May 2009. The system was operational
throughout all of Fletcher Allen on schedule at the end of 2010.
CMS recognized that by installing
and meaningfully using an EHR system, health care providers would reap benefits
such as improved patient safety and clinical outcomes through reduction in
errors, improved availability of records and data, reminders and alerts,
clinical decision support, and e-prescribing/refill automation. The meaningful
use incentive program helped health care providers to focus on specific uses
that would be of most benefit to patients.

Stages 2 and 3 in the Meaningful Use program become effective in 2015
and 2015 and are scheduled to provide incentive payments for meeting additional
goals as EHR systems become more fully developed and integrated.

Steps to Wellness: Coping with Cancer Treatment's Over. Now What?

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500

Coping with Cancer Treatment’s Over. Now What?
Kathy McBeth, MA
“After treatment” is a milestone to celebrate, it also represents a new
beginning in how to best take care of yourself. The reality is that
while you might be cancer-free, you are not free of cancer. Kathy
McBeth, M.A. is licensed psychologist, the coordinator of the Cancer
Patient Support Program and a cancer survivor.
6:00pm - 7:00pm62 Tilley Drive, South Burlington, VT
Steps to Wellness is a medically based rehabilitation program that
serves the unique needs of Cancer Survivors. The program includes a
physical therapy evaluation, medical assessment, individualized exercise
prescription, and education. There are multiple phases of
rehabilitation based on your needs. You can receive individualized
Oncology/Hematology rehabilitation services and recommendations for
exercise at different stages through your cancer survivor journey.
The lectures will take place at 62 Tilley Drive in S. Burlington in
the Cardiac Rehab conference room from 6:00pm to 7:00pm. Please enter
the building via the second driveway on the right as you drive down
Tilley Drive. The conference room is off the Rehabilitation Gym. Look
for the Steps to Wellness signs.
These lectures are free and Open to the Public. For more information, please call Charlie Brooks at (802) 656-2176.

Steps to Wellness: Dragonheart

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500

Dragonheart
Volunteers from the Dragon Boat team will present information about how
to join the team and many of the other programs that they offer. Get
information on Survivorship NOW, Network on Wellness.
6:00pm - 7:00pm62 Tilley Drive, South Burlington, VT
Steps to Wellness is a medically based rehabilitation program that
serves the unique needs of Cancer Survivors. The program includes a
physical therapy evaluation, medical assessment, individualized exercise
prescription, and education. There are multiple phases of
rehabilitation based on your needs. You can receive individualized
Oncology/Hematology rehabilitation services and recommendations for
exercise at different stages through your cancer survivor journey.
The lectures will take place at 62 Tilley Drive in S. Burlington in
the Cardiac Rehab conference room from 6:00pm to 7:00pm. Please enter
the building via the second driveway on the right as you drive down
Tilley Drive. The conference room is off the Rehabilitation Gym. Look
for the Steps to Wellness signs.
These lectures are free and Open to the Public. For more information, please call Charlie Brooks at (802) 656-2176.

Living Well With Diabetes Class - Part 2

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500

January 16th and 23rd from 9:00-12:00 PM
Living Well with Diabetes is a comprehensive 6 hour class which
covers self management topics for people with diabetes. This class is
taught by Certified Diabetes Educators and is part of a diabetes
education program recognized by the American Diabetes Association.
Most health insurance plans cover the cost of this class.
This class will be take place at Endocrinology & Diabetes, 62 Tilley Drive,
South Burlington.
Please call (802) 847-4576 for more information and to register for this class.

Steps to Wellness: Lymphedema

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500

Lymphedema
Maggi Shadroui, PT; Fletcher Allen health Care
Lymphedema can be a side effect of cancer treatment. This will be an
informal overview of the symptoms, and how to treat it. Ms. Shadroui is a
specially trained lymphedema therapist with years of experience.
6:00pm - 7:00pm
62 Tilley Drive, South Burlington, VT
Steps to Wellness is a medically based rehabilitation program that
serves the unique needs of Cancer Survivors. The program includes a
physical therapy evaluation, medical assessment, individualized exercise
prescription, and education. There are multiple phases of
rehabilitation based on your needs. You can receive individualized
Oncology/Hematology rehabilitation services and recommendations for
exercise at different stages through your cancer survivor journey.
The lectures will take place at 62 Tilley Drive in S. Burlington in
the Cardiac Rehab conference room from 6:00pm to 7:00pm. Please enter
the building via the second driveway on the right as you drive down
Tilley Drive. The conference room is off the Rehabilitation Gym. Look
for the Steps to Wellness signs.
These lectures are free and Open to the Public. For more information, please call Charlie Brooks at (802) 656-2176.

Living Well With Diabetes Class - Part 1 of 2

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500

January 16th and 23rd from 9:00-12:00 PM
Living Well with Diabetes is a comprehensive 6 hour class which covers self management topics for people with diabetes. This class is taught by Certified Diabetes Educators and is part of a diabetes education program recognized by the American Diabetes Association.
Most health insurance plans cover the cost of this class.
This class will be take place at Endocrinology & Diabetes, 62 Tilley Drive,South Burlington.
Please call (802) 847-4576 for more information and to register for this class.

Board of Trustees Approves Four New Members and Welcomes President of Medical Staff

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500

BURLINGTON,
VT – The Fletcher Allen Health Care Board of Trustees voted to accept the
nominating committee recommendation for four new members, and welcomed the new
president of the medical staff as an ex-officio member at its annual meeting in
December.
The new
Trustees receiving four-year appointments are:

Lawrence W. DeShaw of
Shelburne spent his career at Chittenden Bank retiring in 2005 as president and
CEO. During his 34 years at the company,
he held a variety of leadership positions including executive vice president of
operations and administration for Chittenden Corporation, president of
Chittenden Home Mortgage Company and president of the Mountain Trust Company in
Stowe. A lifelong resident of Vermont,
he has served on several boards and committees including Vermont Public Radio, the
Lake Champlain Maritime Museum, the Church Street Marketplace Committee and the
Burlington Electric Department where he served as chair. Mr. DeShaw is
currently chairman of the executive committee of Ocean Club Resorts in the
British West Indies and serves as a chairman of Green Mountain Housing Equity
Fund investment committee at Housing Vermont.

Kathleen "Scottie" Ginn of Essex, NY, spent 29 years with IBM in Vermont and New York, retiring
as a Vice President of Engineering. She led large engineering teams working
on IBM's technology development, and was responsible for
organizational management, business development, strategy development and
financial management. She was co-chair of IBM’s Gay Lesbian Bisexual and
Transgender Executive Task Force, which guided the company in the implementation
of inclusive employment and business practices. Ms. Ginn currently serves
on the vestry of St John's Episcopal Church and the boards of the New England
Federal Credit Union and the Adirondack Art Association, among other
organizations.

Mark Phillippe, MD of
South Burlington is physician leader
of the Women’s Health Service at Fletcher Allen and professor and chair of the
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences at the UVM
College of Medicine. Dr. Phillippe previously
held faculty appointments at Harvard Medical School, the University of Chicago
and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
His clinical interests are in high-risk pregnancies, medical
complications of pregnancy and preterm labor/delivery. Dr. Phillippe has served
on numerous peer review committees for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and
the March of Dimes and has been an active researcher throughout his career. He
earned his bachelor’s and medical degrees from Northwestern University, and a
Masters in Health Care Management from the Harvard School of Public Health.
Barbara
Rachelson of
Burlington has been executive director of the Lund Family Center since
1997 during which time she led the organization as it further developed
services to meet the complex needs of pregnant and parenting teens and
women, comprehensive adoption services, and community treatment and parent-child
services for families. Prior to assuming her current role she held executive
positions at several other human service organizations in Vermont and Michigan,
including serving as the Executive Director of the Michigan Network of Runaway
and Youth Services, and the Director of Outpatient Services at the Counseling
Service of Addison County. Ms. Rachelson has been a clinical instructor
at the University of Vermont, Michigan State University and the University of
Michigan schools of Social Work. She is a graduate of Brandeis University and
earned an MSW in Policy and Planning at the University of Michigan.
The Board of Trustees
also welcomed the new president of Fletcher Allen’s medical staff as an
ex-officio member.
Patti
Fisher, MD has been the medical
director of the Community Health Centers of Burlington (CHCB) since 2008. Prior to assuming that role, she worked in private
practice specializing in women's health including prenatal care and deliveries,
comprehensive health care for families, homeless health care, substance abuse
and mental health treatment, and tropical medicine. Since 2001, Dr. Fisher has volunteered two
weeks per year at a rural health clinic in Haiti. She is a graduate of Saint
Mary's College and the University of Texas at Houston Medical School, and
completed her residency at Forbes Family Practice in Pittsburgh, PA.

Steps to Wellness: Gaining (or Maintaining) Control Through Exercise

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500

Gaining (or Maintaining) Control Through Exercise
Steph Fraser, Social Worker; Cancer Patient Support Program
Upon hearing the words, “you have cancer,” one can feel that his/her
life is suddenly out of control. Through exercise, you can gain back
some of that control and feel like you can get through your cancer
journey with a You-Can-Do-It attitude!
6:00pm - 7:00pm62 Tilley Drive, South Burlington, VT
Steps to Wellness is a medically based rehabilitation program that
serves the unique needs of Cancer Survivors. The program includes a
physical therapy evaluation, medical assessment, individualized exercise
prescription, and education. There are multiple phases of
rehabilitation based on your needs. You can receive individualized
Oncology/Hematology rehabilitation services and recommendations for
exercise at different stages through your cancer survivor journey.
The lectures will take place at 62 Tilley Drive in S. Burlington in
the Cardiac Rehab conference room from 6:00pm to 7:00pm. Please enter
the building via the second driveway on the right as you drive down
Tilley Drive. The conference room is off the Rehabilitation Gym. Look
for the Steps to Wellness signs.
These lectures are free and Open to the Public. For more information, please call Charlie Brooks at (802) 656-2176.

Fletcher Allen to Serve as Mentoring Hospital For CVPH Heart Surgery Program

Fri, 06 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500

Immediate (January 6, 2012)Mike HildebranMarketing/Public RelationsChamplain Valley Physicians Hospital518-562-7389
Mike NobleMarketing and CommunicationsFletcher Allen Health Care802-847-2886
PLATTSBURGH, NY – CVPH Medical
Center and Fletcher Allen
Health Care announced a new working relationship for the provision of heart
surgery today that they say will be beneficial to area residents and opens the
door for future cooperation and collaboration.
Frank Ittleman,
M.D., associate vice president of operations for the University
of Vermont Medical Group at Fletcher
Allen Health Care and Chief of Fletcher Allen’s heart surgery program in Burlington, Vermont,
has been appointed medical director of cardiothoracic surgery at CVPH,
effective January 1, 2012. He will provide oversight for CVPH’s heart surgery
program, including guidance for quality assurance, coordination of patient
referrals when appropriate, and coordination of continuing medical education
requirements for the hospital’s heart surgery program.
Anne Cahill, M.D., board-certified
cardiothoracic surgeon, will continue to perform heart surgery procedures at
CVPH in her role as medical director of cardiac surgery. Dr. Ittleman will remain as chief of the cardiothoracic
surgery division at Fletcher Allen in Burlington. He will not be providing direct patient care in
Plattsburgh.
The New York State
Department of Health requires community hospitals that provide heart surgery
services to have an affiliation or mentoring agreement with a major medical
center. The mentoring relationship with Fletcher Allen supplants an arrangement
with St. Peters Hospital in Albany that was established before surgeons
performed the first open heart procedure at CVPH seven years ago. Fletcher Allen, in alliance with the
University of Vermont College of Medicine
is the region’s academic medical center. The overwhelming majority of patients
transferred for heart services from the Plattsburgh
facility go to Fletcher Allen already according to CVPH officials.
“This affiliation
should positively impact quality, convenience, cost effectiveness and patient
satisfaction,” Stephens Mundy, CVPH president and chief executive officer
said. “Health care reform is creating an
environment in which cooperation between hospitals rather than competition is
imperative.”
Mundy complimented
the New York State Department of Health for approving the mentoring
relationship with a hospital located outside of the state. “The Department of Health recognized that
because we already transfer patients to Fletcher Allen approving this contract
is the right thing to do for our community and will lead to a more seamless
provision of care”
In addition to his
role as chief of cardiothoracic surgery at Fletcher Allen, Dr. Ittleman also serves
as a professor of surgery and vice chair of outreach for the department of surgery at the University of Vermont College of Medicine.
For almost forty years he has been highly respected as a cardiothoracic surgeon
by his colleagues and is a recognized champion of quality improvement in
cardiothoracic surgery.
He received a
medical degree from the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine and came
to Vermont in
1972 as a surgical resident at one of Fletcher Allen’s predecessor
organizations, the Medical Center Hospital of Vermont. He completed a residency in thoracic and cardiovascular
surgery at Case Western Reserve University and University Hospitals in
Cleveland before returning to Burlington to join the medical center’s clinical
faculty as a board-certified cardiothoracic surgeon.
About CVPH
CVPH Medical Center
is a private, not-for-profit hospital established in 1967 with the merger of Champlain Valley
and Physicians Hospitals. It is the largest health provider and
employer in New York’s North
Country. CVPH is a partner
with Adirondack Medical Center
and Hudson Headwaters Health Network in the Adirondack Health Institute
(AHI). AHI is involved with the Adirondack
Region Medical Home, one of eight demonstration projects in the nation funded
by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation, and the new Medicaid Health
Homes, a new approach in New York
to providing enhanced care to Medicaid enrollees who have chronic
conditions. CVPH established its Champlain Valley Heart
Center in 2005 and has
earned national acclaim for outcomes and quality.
About Fletcher Allen

Fletcher Allen Health Care, together with our
partners at the University of Vermont College of Medicine and the College of Nursing
and Health Sciences, is Vermont’s
academic medical center. Fletcher Allen, along with Central Vermont
Medical Center,
are members of Fletcher Allen Partners, established to develop a more
coordinated system of care throughout the region. Fletcher Allen’s mission is
to improve the health of the people in the communities it serves by integrating
patient care, education and research in a caring environment. Fletcher Allen also
serves as a regional referral center -- providing advanced care to
approximately one million people in Vermont
and northern New York
-- and as a community hospital for approximately 150,000 residents in
Chittenden and Grand Isle counties. For more information about Fletcher Allen,
find us online at http://www.fletcherallen.org
or on our Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and blog sites at www.fletcherallen.org/socialmedia.

Fletcher Allen Teams with Vermont HITEC to Train Phlebotomists

Tue, 20 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500

For Release: Immediate
(December 20, 2011)
Contact: Steven
LuttonExecutive Director, Vermont HITEC
802-399-8540Kim O'LearyFletcher Allen Health Care802-847-2886

Applications for Free Training Program Due January 9

BURLINGTON, VT – Fletcher Allen and Vermont HITEC announced
today that they are recruiting candidates for a phlebotomy training program,
which will lead directly to employment at Fletcher Allen. Fletcher Allen
employees were informed of this training opportunity last week. A phlebotomist obtains blood specimens using
venipuncture and capillary collection from patients of all ages.
The training program, made possible with funding secured by
Senator Patrick J. Leahy from the U.S. Department of Labor, is offered at no
cost to unemployed and underemployed Vermonters, and to current Fletcher Allen
staff.
Six individuals will be selected for the eight-week program
through an extensive recruitment process. The free training will prepare
individuals to take the Phlebotomy Certification exam, issued by the National
Credentialing Agency for Laboratory Personnel (NCA). Upon graduation from the training, three
trainees will fill full time positions, one trainee will fill a 32 hour a week
position,
and two trainees will fill half time positions. All positions include an
apprenticeship and receive full wages and benefits. Between 2009 and 2011, twenty participants
successfully completed a similar phlebotomy training program and were offered
positions at Fletcher Allen.
The pay scale for phlebotomists starts at $12.43 per hour
with long-term earning potential of up to $18.64 per hour. However, individuals who complete this
program will be hired by Fletcher Allen at a minimum of $13.33 per hour. The positions will also include a
comprehensive benefits package.
NOTE:
The submission deadline for phlebotomist applications is January 9, 2012. To apply, visit the Vermont HITEC website at www.vthitec.org and complete the online
application. For more information or
assistance, contact Lisa Spaulding, ITAR Project Leader & Mentor via email
at: lisa.spaulding@vthitec.org,
802-872-0660, or by writing to: Vermont HITEC, P.O. Box 1548, Williston, VT
05495.
About Vermont
HITEC
Vermont HITEC is a 501C (3)
non-profit organization with a mission to educate, train and employ Vermonters
in a variety of fields. Over the past 10 years, Vermont HITEC has partnered
with over 30 Vermont and New Hampshire businesses to employ over 350 Vermonters
in the healthcare, information technology and advanced manufacturing fields.
About Fletcher Allen
Fletcher Allen Health Care, together with our partners at
the University of Vermont College of Medicine and the College
of Nursing and Health Sciences, is Vermont’s academic
medical center. Fletcher Allen, along with Central Vermont Medical Center, are
members of Fletcher Allen Partners, established to develop a more coordinated
system of care throughout the region. Fletcher Allen’s mission is to improve
the health of the people in the communities it serves by integrating patient
care, education and research in a caring environment. Fletcher Allen also serves
as a regional referral center -- providing advanced care to approximately one
million people in Vermont and northern New York -- and as a community hospital
for approximately 150,000 residents in Chittenden and Grand Isle counties. For
more information about Fletcher Allen, find us online at http://www.fletcherallen.org
or on our Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and blog sites at
www.fletcheralle

n.org/socialmedia.

Innovative Procedure Under Study May Reduce Blood Thinner Use and Lower Severe Stroke Risk For Some Heart Patients

Fri, 16 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Mike NobleMarketing and CommunicationsDecember 16, 2011
BURLINGTON VT; A new device being studied in a clinical trial that is implanted in the heart may reduce the need for blood thinners and reduce severe stroke risk for patients who have atrial fibrillation. The Watchman Left Atrial Appendage Closure device, as it is known, is being studied by the Cardiology Division at Fletcher Allen Health Care as part of a national clinical trial. This is the only study location north of Boston in New England.
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is irregular electrical activity of the upper chambers of the heart, the atria, resulting in ineffective pumping action. AF is the most common heart rhythm disorder, affecting over 5 million people worldwide.
AF can cause blood to pool in a portion of the left atrium known as the left atrial appendage, providing an environment for blood to clot. These clots can then break lose and migrate through the bloodstream and up to the brain causing an embolic stroke.
An embolic stroke refers to the blockage of an artery by an embolism from another part of the body, such as the heart chamber. Because the blockage is sudden, initial symptoms are usually severe. Embolic strokes can leave patients with serious lasting effects. Patients with AF have a 6-fold increased risk of severe stroke versus patients who have normal heart rhythm.
The device looks like a miniature umbrella. It is inserted into the atrial appendage using a catheter that is placed in a procedure that is similar to the use of a catheter to implant a stent in a blocked coronary artery. With the device in place, it is opened much like an umbrella, and the curved surface blocks the entrance to the appendage, trapping existing embolisms in the pooled blood inside. Subsequently, the catheter used to deliver the device is removed from the patient. After a few weeks, tissue grows over the device’s curved surface, preventing blood from pooling. “The potential of being able to close off the left atrial appendage without major surgery may offer many clinical advantages to our patients with atrial fibrillation who are at risk of having a stroke,” said Dan Lustgarten, M.D. Ph.D., associate professor, Medicine, University of Vermont Medical Group at Fletcher Allen. If successful, the adoption of this procedure and technology may reduce the need for blood thinning medications and decrease the number of strokes in this at risk patient population.”Currently, blood thinners are considered to be the best preventive therapy for those patients. To obtain additional information about this study, please contact Joe Miller, M.S., clinical research coordinator at Fletcher Allen, (802) 847-4746.
Watch a video animation of the device being usedClick on this link: http://www.atritech.net/animation.html

Pumps and More

Mon, 12 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Pumps and More: Presented by The Lintilhac Midwifery ServiceLearn about managing milk supply when separated from your baby or when supply is low.
Time: 6:30 - 8:00 PM
Location: Fletcher Allen Health Care, 4th floor, East Pavilion, GYN Conference Room
Cost: $20
Please call 847-1245 to register.
The Lintilhac Breastfeeding Clinic at Blair Park also provides full breastfeeding services on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday.Other services offered:

Urgent Care Breastfeeding Clinic(open to all)
Medela Pump Rentals, Sales, and Supplies
Provider Resource Line (non-emergent)
Breastfeeding Warm Line (802) 847-2237 - Leave a message for a Board Certified Lactation Consultant
Routine Infant Weight Checks and Feeding Assessment

Frank Ittleman, M.D., Named Associate Vice President of Operations,University of Vermont Medical Group at Fletcher Allen Health Care

Fri, 09 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500

December 8, 2011Mike Noble Marketing and Communications802-847-2886
BURLINGTON, VT – Frank Ittleman, M.D., has been appointed associate vice president of Operations for the University of Vermont Medical Group. In this role, he will be working with both the medical group providers and referring providers throughout Fletcher Allen’s service region. The University of Vermont Medical Group includes approximately 500 primary care and specialty physicians who are members of the clinical faculty of the University of Vermont College of Medicine and the medical staff at Fletcher Allen Health Care. They are engaged in patient care, education and research.Within the medical group, Dr. Ittleman will facilitate the resolution of systems and process issues to improve care. He will also serve as a key link with referring providers to continuously improve the processes through which patients are referred to Fletcher Allen.Dr. Ittleman also serves as chief of Cardiothoracic Surgery at Fletcher Allen and as a professor of Surgery and vice chair of Outreach for the Department of Surgery at the University of Vermont College of Medicine. He received a medical degree from the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine and came to Vermont in 1972 as a surgical resident at one of Fletcher Allen’s predecessor organizations, the Medical Center Hospital of Vermont. He completed a residency in Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery at Case Western Reserve University and University Hospitals in Cleveland before returning to Burlington to join the clinical faculty as a board-certified cardiothoracic surgeon.

Roving Telemedicine Unit Improves Care

Fri, 09 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500

December 8, 2011C O N T A C T: Susan KruthersCentral Vermont Medical Center802-371-4197Mike Noble Fletcher Allen Health Care802-847-2886Roving Telemedicine Unit Improves CareBerlin, VT – Central Vermont Medical Center (CVMC) and Fletcher Allen Health Care, now affiliated as Fletcher Allen Partners (FAP), recently made a significant step in sharing resources while improving patient care without the need for transporting the patient to Burlington.
Intensivists, Dr. Gil Allen and Dr. Ryan Clouser, located at Fletcher Allen in Burlington, were able to consult with Dr. Craig from The Health Center in Plainfield while he was at the bedside of a patient in CVMC’s intensive care unit by means of a roving telemedicine unit. Intensivists are physicians with specialized training in critical-care medicine who care for patients in intensive care units.The roving unit is basically a computer monitor mounted on a cart with a camera on top that can transmit images and sound securely from one hospital to another. The camera at CVMC is remotely controlled from Fletcher Allen and can pan the area and focus in on the patient or the physician. According to Dr. Phil Brown, CVMC vice president of medical affairs, the roving unit is easily moved and “we expect to use it in the ICU and the Emergency Department to help [Fletcher Allen physicians] evaluate patients [at CVMC].”Dr. Craig was able to present the case of a patient with multiple medical problems, providing background, current test results and the current status of the patient. The intensivists, in turn, asked questions and recommended next steps. The patient enthusiastically participated in the interview with Fletcher Allen intensivists and Dr. Craig. CVMC hospitalists and ICU nursing staff were also present. Hospitalists are physicians who specialize in caring for hospitalized patients, particularly those with complicated illnesses, on a daily basis.Dr. Sarah Swift, medical director of CVMC’s hospitalists, said “I am excited about this new capability. It gives our hospitalists the capability to communicate more directly with Fletcher Allen’s intensivists to consult on our more difficult cases. This will enable us to provide more care locally rather than transfer the patient.”In the fall of 2011, CVMC entered into a formal affiliation agreement with Fletcher Allen to help develop a coordinated health system in Vermont that will build on our joint efforts to deliver high-quality care to Vermonters as efficiently as possible. This agreement closely aligns the two organizations with state and federal health care reform agendas that promote enhanced integration.Implementing the roving telemedicine unit is part of an ICU improvement initiative, which is one of two quality improvement initiatives chosen by the FAP Quality Council for the upcoming year.

Breastfeeding Basics

Wed, 07 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Breastfeeding Basics: Presented by The Lintilhac Midwifery ServiceLearn the breastfeeding basics of how to get started, when to know it is going well, and when to seek help.
Time: 6:30 - 8:00 PM
Location: 353 Blair Park Road, Williston VT 05495
Cost: $20
Please call 847-1245 to register.
The Lintilhac Breastfeeding Clinic at Blair Park also provides full breastfeeding services on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday.Other services offered:

Urgent Care Breastfeeding Clinic(open to all)
Medela Pump Rentals, Sales, and Supplies
Provider Resource Line (non-emergent)
Breastfeeding Warm Line (802) 847-2237 - Leave a message for a Board Certified Lactation Consultant
Routine Infant Weight Checks and Feeding Assessment

Fletcher Allen Releases Y-T-D and Third Quarter Financial Results

Fri, 02 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500

December 1, 2011
Mike NobleMarketing and Communications802-847-2886
Fletcher Allen Releases Year-to-Date and Third Quarter Financial Results
BURLINGTON, VT - Fletcher Allen reported an operating income of $18.6 million for the first three quarters of the 2011 fiscal year. This includes an operating income of approximately $9.6 million for the third quarter. The third quarter covers the period beginning April 1 and ending June 30. This result reflects our spending significantly less on expenses than budgeted, while the trend of declining patient care revenues year-to-date continued to remain below budget.
Third Quarter Results
Operating income for the third quarter was $2.5 million above budget and $700,000 below the corresponding quarter in FY 2010. Net operating revenues for the quarter were $229 million, $1.7 million below budgeted revenues. The organization's operating expenses for the quarter were $219.4 million, $4.3 million under budget, resulting in an operating income of approximately $9.6 million and an operating margin of 4.1% for the third quarter. By comparison, the organization produced an income from operations of $10.3 million in the third quarter of FY 2010.
Year-to-date Results
On a year-to-date basis, the $18.6 million net income from operations was above the budgeted $9.5 million for the period, and produced an operating margin of 2.8%. A year ago, the organization generated a three-quarter operating gain of $17.3 million. For nine months of the fiscal year, net operating revenues were $673.8 million, $6.3 million below budget. Operating expenses were $655.2 million, below budget by $15.4 million.
A key financial indicator, earnings before interest, depreciation and amortization (EBIDA) stood at approximately $67.4 million for three quarters. This was above the FY 2011 budget forecast of $61.5 million. EBIDA provides a good measure of the organization’s actual earnings.
At the end of the third quarter, days cash on hand stood at 132 days using a 12-month rolling average, compared to 106 days last year. This indicator is a projected estimate of the number of days an organization could meet operating expenditures provided no additional revenues were received.
A High-Performance Organization
Fletcher Allen compares well with peer groups outside the state in terms of quality and efficiency. This year’s University Healthsystem Consortium (UHC) Quality and Accountability Study results placed Fletcher Allen 14th among 101 member academic medical centers across the country in quality of care and patient safety. This is a considerable improvement from the 41st place ranking achieved in 2009.
In addition, Fletcher Allen Health Care has received a full three-year accreditation from The Joint Commission in August. The Joint Commission is a non-profit organization that accredits health care organizations on behalf of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The commission’s final report contained no “significant findings,” a term used when a situation or condition is serious enough to warrant immediate correction.
Regionally, Vermont’s Act 49 report issued last year with data from Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine showed that Fletcher Allen’s hospital service area had the lowest rate of Emergency Department visits and the lowest rate of potentially-avoidable ED use. Fletcher Allen’s service area also had the lowest per-member per-month expenses for insured patients in the three-state region.
About Fletcher Allen
Fletcher Allen Health Care, together with our partners at the University of Vermont College of Medicine and the College of Nursing and Health Sciences, is Vermont’s academic medical center. Our mission is to improve the health of the people in the communities we serve by integrating patient care, education and research in a caring environment. Fletcher Allen serves as a regional referral center -- providing advanced care to approximately one million people in Vermont and northern New York -- and as a community hospital for approximately 150,000 residents in Chittenden and Grand Isle counties.
The institution began making its quarterly financials public with the release of the first quarter results for FY 2003 in February 2003. The audited financial statements as well as unaudited quarterly results for FY 2003 through the third quarter of FY 2011 are available on the Fletcher Allen Web site at www.fletcherallen.org.
For more information about Fletcher Allen, find us online at http://www.fletcherallen.org or on our Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and blog sites at www.fletcherallen.org/socialmedia.
Click here for FY 2011 Third Quarter Y-T-D Financial Results (Unaudited)
Click here for FY 2011 Third Quarter Financial Results (Unaudited)

Ricky Padgett Named Director of Corporate Accounting at Fletcher Allen

Wed, 30 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500

November 30, 2011
Mike NobleFletcher Allen Health Care802-847-2886
Burlington, VT- Ricky Padgett, vice president of Finance and Operations and chief operating officer for the past five years at the George West Mental Health Foundation (GWMHF) in Atlanta, has been named director of Corporate Accounting at Fletcher Allen Health Care.Prior to accepting the position at Fletcher Allen, Padgett had also assumed the roles of chief financial officer and director of Finance at GWMHF. During his tenure there, Padgett implemented various accounting systems to improve financial reporting, streamlined their audit processes, and focused the organization on increased financial stability.Padgett holds a Master of Business Administration in Finance from Florida State University and Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Business Administration from Troy State University in Alabama. About Fletcher AllenFletcher Allen Health Care, together with our partners at the University of Vermont College of Medicine and the College of Nursing and Health Sciences, is Vermont’s academic medical center. Our mission is to improve the health of the people in the communities we serve by integrating patient care, education and research in a caring environment. Fletcher Allen serves as a regional referral center -- providing advanced care to approximately one million people in Vermont and northern New York -- and as a community hospital for approximately 150,000 residents in Chittenden and Grand Isle counties. For more information about Fletcher Allen, find us online at http://www.fletcherallen.org or on our Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and blog sites at www.fletcherallen.org/socialmedia.

Amy Vaughan Named to Director Revenue Finance and Reimbursement at Fletcher Allen

Wed, 30 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500

November 30, 2011Mike NobleFletcher Allen Health Care802-847-2886
Burlington, VT- Amy Vaughan has been named director of Revenue Finance and Reimbursement at Fletcher Allen Health Care where she previously held the roles of manager of Revenue Finance and Reimbursement and senior reimbursement analyst. Prior to joining Fletcher Allen in 2001, Vaughan worked in sub-acute care reimbursement positions in Denver, Chicago, and Connecticut.
In her current position, Vaughan is responsible for directing reimbursement projects and strategy, overseeing revenue cycle reporting capabilities, and directing accounts receivable net revenue process and strategy. Vaughan holds a Master of Business Administration from Regis University in Colorado and a Bachelor of Arts from Bowdoin College in Maine. About Fletcher AllenFletcher Allen Health Care, together with our partners at the University of Vermont College of Medicine and the College of Nursing and Health Sciences, is Vermont’s academic medical center. Our mission is to improve the health of the people in the communities we serve by integrating patient care, education and research in a caring environment. Fletcher Allen serves as a regional referral center -- providing advanced care to approximately one million people in Vermont and northern New York -- and as a community hospital for approximately 150,000 residents in Chittenden and Grand Isle counties. For more information about Fletcher Allen, find us online at http://www.fletcherallen.org or on our Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and blog sites at www.fletcherallen.org/socialmedia.

Fletcher Allen Donates $138,000 and Supplies for Irene Recovery

Fri, 18 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500

November 18, 2011
Michael CarreseMarketing and Communications802-847-2886
Employees also volunteer for relief efforts across the state
Burlington – Employees at Fletcher Allen Health Care have donated $69,000 for Tropical Storm Irene recovery efforts, an amount which has been matched by the organization. The $138,000 total is being distributed through the United Way’s Vermont Disaster Relief Fund and the Vermont Red Cross for use throughout the state.
"My thanks to the employees of Fletcher Allen Health Care for their generous gift and to the organization for matching these contributions,” said David Coates, chair of the Vermont Long Term Disaster Recovery Group. “All of these funds will go directly to Vermonters who were victims of Irene to not only help rebuild their homes, but just as importantly to help them begin the process of rebuilding their lives."In addition to financial assistance, these are some of the contributions Fletcher Allen and its employees made to recovery efforts:
• Delivered 10,000 masks, 820 bath blankets, 200 bath towels, and 24 cases of hand sanitizer to the Vermont Red Cross in Rutland.• Staffed a wound care clinic in cooperation with the Waterbury Ambulance Service, and donated tetanus vaccine to the clinic. • Provided hundreds of sandwiches and other food to volunteers in Waterbury. • Volunteered to answer calls made to the Vermont Emergency Response 2-1-1 hotline.• Continue to provide care to patients displaced by the flooding of the Vermont State Hospital.Employees also donated 800 hours of time-off to colleagues directly affected by the storm – a value of more than $20,000 – and $825 has been contributed to the LeRoyer Fund which offers financial assistance to employees with emergency needs.
Fletcher Allen Contributions to Irene Recovery
One example of volunteer activity involves five employees from Acute Therapy who spent a day clearing tons of silt and rocks from the yard of Jill Jesso-White of Hancock. Becky McQueen, Johanne Fradette, Judy Brodowski, Andrea McBride and Heather Collins used shovels, wheelbarrows and a tractor to clear debris that was one to two feet thick.
“I like to help and I knew so many people were worse off than I was. It was great to see how appreciative they were of our efforts,” said Physical Therapist Assistant Becky McQueen.“When I stepped out onto my front porch in the flood’s aftermath and saw what lay before me, it took my breath away,” said Jesso-White. “Even though we were not as seriously affected as some, I didn’t have any idea where to start to cleanup. To have these Fletcher Allen volunteers arrive and lend a hand was just wonderful. Their spirit as they dug-in was infectious. It was then I knew that we would recover.”“These efforts are a natural extension of what we do every day at Fletcher Allen - work together to help the people and communities we serve,” said John R. Brumsted, M.D., interim president and CEO. “I’m proud of the generous response of our employees and want to thank everyone who has given of themselves to support victims of this devastating storm.” About Fletcher AllenFletcher Allen Health Care, together with our partners at the University of Vermont College of Medicine and the College of Nursing and Health Sciences, is Vermont’s academic medical center. Our mission is to improve the health of the people in the communities we serve by integrating patient care, education and research in a caring environment. Fletcher Allen serves as a regional referral center -- providing advanced care to approximately one million people in Vermont and northern New York -- and as a community hospital for approximately 150,000 residents in Chittenden and Grand Isle counties. For more information about Fletcher Allen, find us online at http://www.fletcherallen.org or on our Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and blog sites at www.fletcherallen.org/socialmedia. Photo InformationFletcher Allen Health Care staff cleared tons of dirt and rocks from the yard of a Hancock resident as part of flood recovery efforts made by the organization. L to R: Judy Brodowski, Heather Collins, Becky McQueen, Johanne Fradette, Andrea McBride
Tractor Photo: Johanne Fradette of Fletcher Allen Health Care drives a tractor while clearing tons of dirt and rock from the yard of a Hancock resident as part of flood recovery efforts made by the organization

Pumps and More

Mon, 14 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Living Well With Diabetes - Saturday Class

Sat, 12 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Come join us for a Saturday session of Living Well with Diabetes on Saturday, November 12 from 9am-2:30pm.
Living Well with Diabetes is a comprehensive 6 hour class which covers self management topics for people with diabetes. This class is taught by Certified Diabetes Educators and is part of a diabetes education program recognized by the American Diabetes Association.
Most health insurance plans cover the cost of this class.
This class will be take place at Endocrinology & Diabetes, 62 Tilley Drive,South Burlington and includes lunch with our diabetes education team.
Please call (802) 847-4576 for more information and to register for this class.

100th Anniversary at the Nursing Research & Evidence Based Practice Symposium

Fri, 11 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500

You are cordially invited to attend a reception on:
Friday, November 11th, 20115:00-6:30 pmFletcher Allen Health CareMcClure Lobby Conference RoomBurlington, VT
For further information:
Visit our website at www.vtprofessionals.org/oprl/nursesor contact linda.davidson@sec.state.vt.us

Todd Moore Named Senior VP of Managed Care and Revenue Strategy at Fletcher Allen And President, Vermont Managed Care

Fri, 11 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500

November 11, 2011
Mike NobleMarketing and Communications802-847-2886
Burlington, VT – Todd Moore, vice president of Revenue Cycle for the past four years, has been named senior vice president of Managed Care and Revenue Strategy at Fletcher Allen Health Care, a new position within the organization. Moore has also been named president, Vermont Managed Care, a physician hospital organization (PHO), a wholly owned subsidiary of Fletcher Allen. These organizations are management service organizations in which the partners are physicians and hospitals. PHO organizations contract with insurance companies for physician and hospital services. During his time as the vice president of Revenue Cycle, Moore helped to negotiate contracts with key insurance companies and helped to lead strategic planning that has enabled Fletcher Allen to navigate the emerging dynamic managed care environment. As senior vice president of Managed Care and Revenue Strategy, Moore will play an even greater role in shaping Fletcher Allen’s response to health care reform. In his new role as president of Vermont Managed Care, Moore will also provide strategic direction for that company. “Todd’s experience fits perfectly with the requirements for this new senior-level position,” said John Brumsted, interim president and CEO, Fletcher Allen Health Care. “Like every other health care provider, we need to focus on being part of the discussion and fully understanding the new reimbursement methodologies as they develop, both at the state and federal level.” Prior to his role with Fletcher Allen, Moore served for fourteen years as an executive consultant to health care providers and insurers as a principal at the Mercer Consulting Group, a co-founder and partner of his own firm, and as a consulting executive for Cerner Corporation, a health information technology company. In addition, Moore previously served four years as a technology consultant to the financial services industry with Accenture. Moore holds a Master of Business Administration in Finance from the University of Chicago and Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering from the University of Illinois. About Vermont Managed CareVermont Managed Care (VMC) was founded in 1991 as a Physician Hospital Organization. A wholly owned subsidiary of Fletcher Allen, it currently coordinates the delivery of health care services for a population served by a network of more than over 2,700 primary and specialty care providers and 10 hospitals in Vermont and New Hampshire. The VMC Network conducts its own care management, enabling the physician-run network to make day-to-day health care decisions for its patients, rather than a distant third party claims manager. About Fletcher AllenFletcher Allen Health Care, together with our partners at the University of Vermont College of Medicine and the College of Nursing and Health Sciences, is Vermont’s academic medical center. Our mission is to improve the health of the people in the communities we serve by integrating patient care, education and research in a caring environment. Fletcher Allen serves as a regional referral center -- providing advanced care to approximately one million people in Vermont and northern New York -- and as a community hospital for approximately 150,000 residents in Chittenden and Grand Isle counties. For more information about Fletcher Allen, find us online at http://www.fletcherallen.org or on our Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and blog sites at www.fletcherallen.org/socialmedia.

Vermont Cancer Center - Clinical & Translational Research Symposium

Thu, 10 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500

DNA Repair & Cancer

Harold Varmus, M.D.
J. Walter Juckett Distinguished Lecturer
Director, National Cancer Institute
National Institutes of Health

Thursday, November 10, 2011, 8:00 am - 5:00 pm

Grand Maple Ballroom

Dudley H. Davis Center

University of Vermont

Burlington, VT

Conference Co-chairs - Susan Wallace, Ph.D. & Joann Sweasy, Ph.D.

Diabetes Guest Speaker Series - Get Moving to Manage Your Diabetes

Wed, 09 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Please join us to welcome Patrick Savage, Fletcher Allen Heath
Care Exercise Physiologist, who will be discussing exercise and fitness programs for
people with diabetes on Wednesday November 9th from 6:00-7:00 PM.

This free program will be held in the Cardiology Conference Room, 62 Tilley Drive South Burlington and will include a tour of the
Cardiac Rehabilitation Gym.
Please call (802) 847-4576 for more information.

Heatlhsource: The Link between Cancer and Foods

Mon, 07 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500

The Link between Cancer and Foods....Nutrition Makes
a Difference!
Sue Johansen, RD
Fletcher Allen Health Care
Researchers and scientists have said that the easiest and
least expensive way to reduce one's risk of cancer is by eating a healthy
diet. This session will explore what to eat and why for
cancer prevention by reviewing the recommendations from the results of
various studies and current scientific evidence.
Monday, November 7th
6:30-8:00 pm
Davis Auditorium, Medical
Center Campus, Burlington

Register online or call 847-2278.

Survivorship Health Fair

Sat, 05 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Active hands-on demos for exercise and wellness
12:00 pm - 3:30 pm
PT 360426 Industrial Avenue, Suite 190Williston, VT
To register please call 860-4360 or email deborah@pt360coop.com
Walks-ins welcome, but please call.

Breastfeeding Basics

Wed, 02 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Healthsource: Understanding Parkinson's Disease

Wed, 02 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Understanding Parkinson’s Disease
James Boyd, MD, Assistant Professor of
Neurology, Fletcher Allen Health Care
Join us for an informational session about Parkinson's
disease. Learn the clinical symptoms of Parkinson's disease and other similar
conditions, understand the anatomical and biological changes and hear about the
current treatments and cutting edge research to improve quality of life and
slow progression of the disease.
Wednesday, November 2nd
6:30-8:00 pm
Davis Auditorium, Medical
Center Campus, Burlington

Register online or call 847-2278.

Heatlhsource: Understanding and Managing Seasonal Allergies

Wed, 26 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Understanding and Managing Seasonal Allergies:
How to Have a Normal Life in April,
June and September
Mark Lazarovich, MD Timber Lane Allergy & Asthma Associates
This workshop will
give a brief overview of the diagnosis and management of Seasonal Allergy.
Learn about current and future therapy and how to formulate a short and
long-term low impact management plan.
Wednesday, October 26th
6:30 – 8:00 pm
Davis Auditorium, Medical
Center Campus, Burlington

Sign up online or call 847-2278.

Ob/Gyn Grand Rounds

Tue, 25 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0500

"Surgical Menopause - Considerations and Management"
Lubna Pal, MBBS, MRCOG (UK)Associate ProfessorDivision of Reproductive Endocrinology & InfertilityDept. of Ob/Gyn & Reproductive SciencesYale University School of Medicine
7:30 - 8:30 a.m. @ Davis Auditorium

Healthsource: CPR

Tue, 25 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0500

CPR ($)
Barbara Liberty, R.N., Corporate Health, Fletcher
Allen
This two-part CPR class with AED certification is
specifically designed to meet the needs of those who are required to maintain
CPR certification for employment or volunteer activities. Participants
will learn the proper technique and application of CPR for the adult, child and
infant. Successful completion of skills demonstration is required to receive a
certification card that is valid for two years. This course is not adequate certification for
healthcare providers. $50 per participant. Class space is limited to 12.
Tuesday, October 25th & Thursday, October
27th
6:00-8:30 pm
UHC Campus, Burlington

There is a $50 charge for this class. Please call 847-2278 to register.

Cardiac Rehab: Stress Management #4

Mon, 24 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Class #4 0f a 4 part series
9:30am-10:30am
Cardiac Rehab Conference Room
62 Tilley Dr.
So. Burlington
847-2693
Phase II Cardiac Rehab Participants

Fletcher Allen Placed High in National Quality and Accountability Study

Fri, 21 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0500

October 21, 2011
Michael CarreseMarketing and Communications802-847-2886
BURLINGTON VT – This year’s UHC Quality and Accountability Study results placed Fletcher Allen 14th among 101 member academic medical centers across the country in quality of care and patient safety. Over the past three years, Fletcher Allen has moved from 41st in 2009 to 33rd in 2010, to 14th in this year’s study.
“This is a significant trend that we should celebrate,” said John Brumsted, Fletcher Allen’s interim president and chief executive officer. “This achievement was made possible by all our staff working together to put our patients first. While everyone has a role in making this happen, a special thanks to our clinicians, our nurses, our Environmental Services staff, our Health Information Management (medical records) staff, and our Jeffords Institute for Quality staff. These results demonstrate that Fletcher Allen continues to perform extremely well among our peer academic medical centers.”UHC, formerly known as the University HealthSystem Consortium, is an alliance of the nation’s leading nonprofit academic medical centers. The results of the study, which UHC has conducted annually since 2005, were released in late September.
The study is designed to help academic medical centers identify structures and processes associated with high performance in quality and safety across a broad spectrum of patient care activity. The Institute of Medicine’s 6 domains of care – mortality, effectiveness, safety, equity, patient centeredness, and efficiency – were used as a guide in structuring the study.
About UHC
UHC is an alliance of the nation’s leading nonprofit academic medical centers, which are focused on delivering world-class patient care. Based in Chicago, Ill, UHC fosters collaboration with and among its 114 academic medical center and 255 affiliated hospital members through its renowned programs and services in the areas of comparative data and analytics, performance improvement, supply chain management, strategic research,and public policy. UHC helps its members achieve excellence in quality, safety, and cost-effectiveness. Formed in 1984, UHC’s membership includes more than 90% of the nonprofit academic medical centers in the United States. For more information, visit www.uhc.edu.
About Fletcher Allen
Fletcher Allen Health Care, together with our partners at the University of Vermont College of Medicine and the College of Nursing and Health Sciences, is Vermont's academic medical center. Our mission is to improve the health of the people in the communities we serve by integrating patient care, education and research in a caring environment. Fletcher Allen serves as a regional referral center – providing advanced care to approximately one million people in Vermont and northern New York – and as a community hospital for approximately 150,000 residents in Chittenden and Grand Isle counties. For more information about Fletcher Allen, find us online at http://www.fletcherallen.org or on our Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and blog sites at www.fletcherallen.org/socialmedia.

Healthsource: Just Imagine. Developing Skills for Health and Healing

Wed, 19 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Just Imagine: Developing
Skills for Health and Healing
Mary Streeter, RA, MS, RRT(CT)
We all can play an active role in our health and healing.
This workshop will discuss the power of the mind/body connection. An
informative lecture and interactive workshop will provide participants with
tools to help manage stress related to a medical procedure, surgery or life.
Wednesday, October 19th
6:30 – 8:00 pm
Davis Auditorium, Medical
Center Campus, Burlington

Sign up online or call 847-2278.

Cardiac Rehab: Signals for Action

Wed, 19 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0500

9:30am-10:30am
Location:
Cardiac Rehab Conference Room
62 Tilley Dr
So. Burlington
Free and Open to Cardiac Rehab Patients
847-2693

Ob/Gyn Grand Rounds

Tue, 18 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0500

"Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy for Advanced Epithelial Ovarian Cancer"Elise N. Everett, M.D.Assistant Professor, Ob/GynDivision of Gynecologic OncologyUVM/FAHC
7:30 - 8:30 a.m. @ Davis Auditorium

Fletcher Allen Wins National Awards for Sustainable Food Leadership

Tue, 18 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0500

October 18, 2011Michael CarreseMarketing and Communications802-847-2886BURLINGTON, VT - Fletcher Allen Health Care's innovative food service program has been recognized with two awards from Health Care Without Harm (HCWH),an international coalition of more than 430 organizations working to transform the health care industry. Fletcher Allen won first place in two categories - sustainable food procurement, and public policy and advocacy - to highlight its significant achievements and leadership in improving food service in health care.
The "Sustainable Food Procurement Award" recognizes accomplishments in promoting health through food purchasing decisions. $1.5 million of the total annual food budget of $3.5 million is spent on products made in Vermont. In 2010 Fletcher Allen also achieved the following:

42 percent of food and beverage purchases were sustainable.
A variety of products, including yogurt, vegetables, apples, cider and turkey, were purchased directly from farms, ranches, and cooperatives.
35 percent of meat and poultry came from animals not treated with antibiotics.
70 percent of dairy purchases were produced without rBGH growth hormone.

The "Sustainable Food Public Policy and Advocacy Award" acknowledges support for creating a healthy food system. Highlighted activities include:

Supporting Vermont's "Farm to Plate" initiative.
Educating other health care providers, schools and the public through Center for Nutrition and Healthy Food Systems.
Signing the HCWH petition supporting the Preservation of Antibiotics for Medical Treatment Act.

"We're honored to receive these awards from Health Care Without Harm, which along with other great partners in Vermont and beyond has helped us create a model food service program that supports our missions to provide the highest quality of care and to be responsible stewards of the environment," said John Brumsted, M.D. interim president and chief executive officer of Fletcher Allen Health Care.
"Transforming our program has been an exciting and rewarding journey, and this recognition will serve to encourage our efforts to assist other institutions that want to follow the same path," he added.
Gary Cohen, president and founder of Health Care Without Harm said "Fletcher Allen is a deserving winner of a double award from our Healthy Food in Healthcare program because of its commitment to reducing its environmental footprint and improving the health of patients, staff and the community. It is a highly successful example of how health care facilities can lead the way to more sustainable practices throughout our society."
The first annual Sustainable Food Awards will be presented at the FoodMed conference October 18-19 in Seattle, WA.
About Health Care Without Harm
HCWH is an international coalition of more than 430 organizations in 52 countries, working to transform the health care industry worldwide, without compromising patient safety or care, so that it is ecologically sustainable and no longer a source of harm to public health and the environment. For more information on HCWH, see www.noharm.org. More than 200 hospitals have signed the HCWH "Healthy Food in Healthcare Pledge" which commits signers to work toward developing sustainable food systems in their facilities. To learn more about HCWH's work on food and other issues related to health carewww.healthyfoodinhealthcare.org
About Fletcher Allen
Fletcher Allen Health Care, together with our partners at the University of Vermont College of Medicine and the College of Nursing and Health Sciences, is Vermont's academic medical center. Our mission is to improve the health of the people in the communities we serve by integrating patient care, education and research in a caring environment. Fletcher Allen serves as a regional referral center - providing advanced care to approximately one million people in Vermont and northern New York - and as a community hospital for approximately 150,000 residents in Chittenden and Grand Isle counties. For more information about Fletcher Allen, find us online at http://www.fletcherallen.org or on our Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and blog sites at www.fletcherallen.org/socialmedia.

Community Medical School - Practice Makes Perfect: Aviation Training Techniques in Clinical Simulation

Tue, 18 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Michael Ricci, M.D., Professor of Surgery and Director of Clinical Simulation, Clinical Simulation Laboratory
6:30 - 7:30 P.M.Followed by a Q&A session.
Carpenter Auditorium

Pumps & More

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Healthource: Matter of Balance

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Matter of BalanceIf you have fallen, or have a fear of falling, this free 8-week series may help you. You will learn strategies to make your environment safer, and learn exercises to increase your strength, flexibility and balance.WHEN Mondays, October 17 - December 5, 1:00-3:00 p.m.WHERE Ohavi Zedek Community Room, Burlington

Call 847-2278 to register.

Healthsource: Reflexology

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0500

ReflexologySr. Pat McKittrick, RN, Fletcher Allen Health CareA natural healing art based on the principle that there are reflexes in the feet, hands and ears and their referral areas within zone-related areas, which correspond to every part, gland and organ of the body. Class limited to 20 participants.WHEN Monday, October 17, 6:30-8:00 p.m.WHERE O’Brien Community Center, Winooski

Sign up online or call 847-2278. Space is limited.

Cardiac Rehab Weight Loss Class #3

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Class #3 0f a 4 part series
9:30am-10:30am
Cardiac Rehab Conference Room
62 Tilley Dr.
So. Burlington
847-2693
Phase II Cardiac Rehab Participants

CANCELED Heatlhsource: Easy Mouth Watering Leftovers

Sun, 16 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0500

CANCELED
Easy Mouth Watering
Leftovers
Alexandra Jasinowski,
BS, cPT, Greater Burlington
Y Wellness Educator
Love Leftovers! This cooking demonstration class will show
you how to turn one basic dish of barbeque chicken into three delicious meals.
This class costs $10 and is limited in size.
Sunday, October 16th
12:00-1:30 pm
South Burlington

There is a $10 charge for this class. Please call 847-2278 to register.

Central Vermont Medical Center and Fletcher Allen Health Care Announce Formal Affiliation

Fri, 14 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0500

October 17, 2011Mike NobleFletcher Allen Health Care802-847-2886Susan KruthersCentral Vermont Medical Center802-371-4197
BURLINGTON VT – Central Vermont Medical Center (CVMC) and Fletcher Allen Health Care announced today at a press conference that their Boards have each given final approval to a corporate affiliation between the two organizations that took effect October 1. The affiliation was first approved by both Boards in December 2010 when an affiliation agreement was signed, and is being implemented through a new organization –Fletcher Allen Partners – the new parent corporation of both CVMC and Fletcher Allen."This is a significant step in developing a coordinated health care system in Vermont that will deliver higher quality care for Vermonters and do it more efficiently," said Judy Tarr Tartaglia, president and chief executive officer of CVMC. "This affiliation builds on existing clinical partnerships and also closely aligns with the state and federal health care reform agendas that promote enhanced integration."Like Judy, I believe that increased collaboration among hospitals and other providers in our state will benefit our patients," said John Brumsted, M.D., interim president and chief executive officer of Fletcher Allen. "The affiliation also will foster the academic mission. With an integrated health care system, we have an opportunity to train the next generation of physicians, nurses and other providers in a clinical environment of the future – one that emphasizes coordination and integration – and to provide expanded opportunities for clinical research."
"This is an example of the kind of collaboration that we want to encourage in Vermont," said Governor Peter Shumlin. "We need health care providers to break down some of the walls between individual institutions and start working as a system. It is only by increasing coordination that we will achieve the highest quality, most efficient health care delivery for all Vermonters."
The affiliation was finalized following a nine-month period of due diligence that began last December after both organizations gave their initial approvals. The due diligence process included state and federal regulatory reviews.

Common Parent Organization

Fletcher Allen Partners has governing powers over both Fletcher Allen and CVMC. Fletcher Allen Partners has a board of trustees drawn from the membership of both organizations' current boards and medical staffs. Interim Fletcher Allen President and CEO Dr. Brumsted will serve as CEO of the system parent; CVMC President and CEO Judy Tarr Tartaglia will serve as senior vice president.
There are 17 board members, 11 from Fletcher Allen and 6 from CVMC. They include from CVMC: Robin Nicholson, Board Chair; Tom Robbins, Vice Chair; Marta Marble, Trustee; Tom Curchin, M.D., Chair of CVMC Medical Group; Andy Minkin, M.D., Gastroenterologist; Brad Watson, M.D. CVMC Medical Staff President (Ex Officio). Note: Dr. Watson's term expires in November, when he will be succeeded by Joe Pekala M.D., who becomes the medical staff president.
Partners board members from Fletcher Allen include: Roger Stone, Chair, Fletcher Allen Board of Trustees; John Brumsted, M.D., Interim President and CEO, Fletcher Allen; Steve Marsh, Chair, Board Audit Committee; John Powell, Chair, Board Finance Committee; Jan Carney, M.D., Chair, Board Planning Committee; Sarah Carpenter, Chair, Board Ethics & Quality Committee; Donald Gilbert, Chair, Board Compensation Committee; Richard Morin, M.D., Dean, UVM College of Medicine and member of the Board of Trustees; Trustees Betsy Davis and Gretchen Morse; and Stephen Leffler, M.D., Fletcher Allen Medical Staff President (Ex officio), who is also a Board member.
Existing Hospitals to Retain Identities, Separate Medical Staffs
Under the affiliation, Fletcher Allen and CVMC will retain their current identities. Each party remains a separate free-standing hospital with its own board, management, workforce, licensure, medical staff (including credentialing and governance), and endowment. The medical staffs of each hospital will remain separate with separate credentialing and governance.
System Activities
This affiliation builds on existing clinical partnerships between CVMC and Fletcher Allen. For example, Fletcher Allen already provides specialized physician services for the Central Vermont community on the CVMC campus including general surgery, neurosurgery, vascular surgery, gynecologic oncology, ophthalmology, otolaryngology, and family medicine services at Berlin Family Health.
The parent organization, over time, will carry out centralized activities for the benefit of patients of both CVMC and Fletcher Allen, such as:

Regional strategic planning
Joint quality and clinical initiative
Joint purchasing and supply chain management
Tax-exempt bond borrowing
Development of a common electronic health record platform

The parent organization also has approval rights over significant matters of each organization such as budgets, strategic plans, and major financial decisions.
The system will carry out centralized activities for the benefit of patients of both CVMC and Fletcher Allen. Joint work councils will be established in the following areas: clinical care & quality, supply chain & facilities planning, information technology, finances, and human resources. Judy Tarr Tartaglia will oversee the work of these councils.
Here are some examples of collaborative work that has already begun:

Physician leaders at Fletcher Allen and CVMC are collaborating to determine how both intensive care units can best work together to ensure that patients are treated locally whenever possible, or transferred to Fletcher Allen for more specialized care, when appropriate
In coordination with the Blueprint for Health, Fletcher Allen and CVMC are collaborating to reduce hospitalizations and re-hospitalizations of patients with congestive heart failure. Plans include the development of a standardized approach to ensure consistent care and regular communication with health care providers. A variety of support systems are being implemented to ensure that patients understand their treatment and participate in monitoring their health status at home.
Fletcher Allen and CVMC have jointly identified opportunities to align and combine service and supply contracts for the two organizations with the goal of saving hundreds of thousands of dollars in the coming year.
Leaders at Fletcher Allen and CVMC are working on a plan to bring CVMC onto the Fletcher Allen information systems platform so that CVMC physicians and employees will have access to the same electronic health record software that Fletcher Allen implemented across its inpatient and outpatient areas in 2009-2010.

About CVMC
Central Vermont Medical Center consists of a not-for-profit acute care hospital offering a full spectrum of in-patient and out-patient services and 24-hour emergency care, National Life Cancer Treatment Center, Woodridge Rehabilitation and Nursing, and 17 medical group practices. Our mission is to work collaboratively to meet the needs and improve the health of the residents of central Vermont. Visit www.cvmc.org for additional information.
About Fletcher Allen
Fletcher Allen Health Care, together with our partners at the University of Vermont College of Medicine and the College of Nursing and Health Sciences, is Vermont's academic medical center. Our mission is to improve the health of the people in the communities we serve by integrating patient care, education and research in a caring environment. Fletcher Allen serves as a regional referral center – providing advanced care to approximately one million people in Vermont and northern New York – and as a community hospital for approximately 150,000 residents in Chittenden and Grand Isle counties. For more information about Fletcher Allen, find us online at http://www.fletcherallen.org or on our Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and blog sites at www.fletcherallen.org/socialmedia.

Affiliation Creates Parent Organization "Fletcher Allen Partners"

Thomas Lahiri, M.D. Receives National Humanitarian Award

Thu, 13 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0500

October 13, 2011Michael CarreseMarketing and Communications802-847-2886
BURLINGTON, VT - Thomas Lahiri, M.D., medical director of Pediatric Pulmonology at Vermont Children’s Hospital at Fletcher Allen and Associate Professor at the University of Vermont College of Medicine, has been selected to receive the D. Robert McCaffree Humanitarian Award from the American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP) and the CHEST Foundation.
The award comes with a $15,000 grant which will be used by the Burlington-based Cystic Fibrosis Lifestyle Foundation for a documentary project called “Living Extreme with Cystic Fibrosis.” The Foundation will produce short and long-form videos that capture the stories of people who live successfully with cystic fibrosis and push the limits of what was once thought to be possible.
“The primary target of the videos will be patients, families and care providers, but they can also be used to promote a healthy and active lifestyle for people with other respiratory diseases and the general public,” said Dr. Lahiri. The award will be presented in October at the ACCP annual meeting.

Healthsource: Stroke Prevention

Wed, 12 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Ruby Merali,
MS, APRN, Stroke Nurse
Practitioner
Stroke
is the nation’s third leading cause of death after cardiac disease and cancer,
and is one of the principal causes of serious, long-term disability. Learn how to modify stroke risk factors and to
understand the signs and symptoms of stroke.
Wednesday,
October 12th
6:30-8:00 pm
Davis Auditorium, Medical Center
Campus, Burlington

Sign up online or call 847-2278 to register.

Healthier Living with Chronic Pain Workshop

Wed, 12 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0500

FREE!
Healthier Living with Chronic Pain Workshop
This
free series of workshops will provide you with tools and information to help you
manage your chronic pain and live a healthier life.
Wednesdays,
October 12th - November 16th2:00
- 4:30 p.m.Milton Family Practice, Milton
Register
by calling (802) 847-2278.

Ob/Gyn Grand Rounds

Tue, 11 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0500

"Smoldering Embers: The Heated Controversy Over Primum Non Nocere and Advancing the Surgical Treatment of Pelvic Organ Prolapse"Marsha K. Guess, M.D., M.S.Assistant Professor & Fellowship DirectorSection of Urogynecology & Reconstructive Pelvic SurgeryYale University School of Medicine7:30 -8:30 a.m. @ Davis Auditorium

Cigna Names Fletcher Allen Transplant Program Center of Excellence

Tue, 11 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0500

October 11, 2011Michael CarreseMarketing and Communications802-847-2886
Move Eliminates Need for Individuals to Travel Out of State for Car
Burlington VT – Cigna has added Fletcher Allen Health Care to its centers of excellence transplant network for kidney, pancreas, and simultaneous kidney/pancreas transplants, making it possible for individuals in Vermont to receive this critical care closer to home.
To be included in the Cigna LifeSOURCE Transplant Network®, Fletcher Allen's Transplant Program had to demonstrate superior outcomes and meet stringent cost management requirements.
"This recognition acknowledges the excellent outcomes and patient-centered care our dedicated transplant team provides," said Antonio Di Carlo, M.D., Division Chief of Transplantation. "We are excited to be able to offer our highly specialized services to individuals through the Cigna LifeSOURCE Transplant Network."
About Cigna LifeSOURCE Transplant Network
Cigna LifeSOURCE Transplant Network contracts with approximately 550 transplant programs at more than 130 independent transplant centers that are nationally recognized for their clinical outcomes. To learn more about Cigna LifeSOURCE Transplant Network, please visit www.cignalifesource.com or call 1-877-733-1709.
About Fletcher Allen
Fletcher Allen Health Care, together with our partners at the University of Vermont College of Medicine and the College of Nursing and Health Sciences, is Vermont’s academic medical center. Our mission is to improve the health of the people in the communities we serve by integrating patient care, education and research in a caring environment. Fletcher Allen serves as a regional referral center – providing advanced care to approximately one million people in Vermont and northern New York – and as a community hospital for approximately 150,000 residents in Chittenden and Grand Isle counties. For more information about Fletcher Allen, find us online at www.fletcherallen.org or on our Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and blog sites at www.fletcherallen.org/socialmedia.

Community Medical School - Biomarkers and Beyond: The Science of Diagnosing Alzheimer's Disease

Tue, 11 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0500

William Pendlebury, M.D., Professor of Pathology and Neurology, Medical Director, Memory Center, and Director, UVM Center on Aging
6:30 - 7:30 P.M.Followed by a Q&A session.
Carpenter Auditorium

Cardiac Rehab: Weight Loss Class #2

Mon, 10 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Class #2 0f a 4 part series
9:30am-10:30am
Cardiac Rehab Conference Room
62 Tilley Dr.
So. Burlington
847-2693
Phase II Cardiac Rehab Participants

Breast Cancer Conference

Fri, 07 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0500

8:00 A.M. - 4:00 P.M.
Sheraton Burlington Hotel & Conference Center

http://vtbreastcancerconference.org/

Heatlhsource: Senior Strength

Thu, 06 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Senior Strength
Tristan Lanfear,
Certified Instructor, Greater Burlington
Y
Senior Strength works on strength, balance, and breathing.
We will be going through a series of exercises to work your whole body. Use any
size dumbbell you want and learn proper technique for exercising.
Thursday, October 6th
1:30-2:30 pm
Greater Burlington
Y, Winooski

Register online or call 847-2278.

Stephen Leffler, M.D. Named Chief Medical Officer

Wed, 05 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0500

October 5, 2011
Michael CarreseMarketing and Communications802-847-2886
BURLINGTON, VT – Stephen Leffler M.D. has been appointed Chief Medical Officer (CMO) at Fletcher Allen Health Care. He is currently medical director of the Emergency Department and president of the medical staff.
Dr. Leffler succeeds John Brumsted M.D., Fletcher Allen’s interim president and chief executive officer. As CMO, Dr. Leffler will be the senior clinical executive responsible for medical staff affairs, the Jeffords Institute for Quality, technology management and ethics. He will also participate in strategic planning and lead continued development of a regional integrated system of care, drawing upon his experience working with other hospitals and physicians in the area.
During his nearly two decades at Fletcher Allen Dr. Leffler has served on numerous clinical committees and has been a key collaborator on significant organizational initiatives including Fletcher Allen’s regional STEMI project -a program to ensure heart attack victims receive life-saving care as rapidly as possible.
Dr. Leffler received his medical degree from the University of Vermont and completed his residency training in Emergency Medicine at the University of New Mexico in 1993.

Breastfeeding Basics

Wed, 05 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Community Medical School - A Guide to Breast Imaging: The Latest Technology for Screening and Detecting Cancer

Tue, 04 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Sally Herschorn, M.D., Associate Professor of Radiology and Medical Director, Breast Imaging
6:30 - 7:30 P.M.Followed by a Q&A session.
Carpenter Auditorium

Healthlier Living Workshop

Tue, 04 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Healthier Living WorkshopsIf you or someone you know is living with a chronic disease, this workshop may help you. In this free series of workshops you will be given tools to help you manage your chronic condition and live a healthier life.WHEN Tuesdays, October 4 - November 8, 5:30-8:00 p.m.WHERE Given Health Care Center, Burlington

Call 847-2278 to register.

Healthsource: Falls Prevention

Mon, 03 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Falls Prevention
Julie Adams, PT &
Dawn Weening, RN Fletcher Allen Health Care
Are you feeling less steady on your feet these days?
Learn how to recognize the factors within yourself and your environment that
could lead to falls, and how to eliminate as many as you can.
Monday, October 3rd
6:30-8:00 pm
Davis Auditorium, Medical Center
Campus, Burlington

Register online or call 847-2278.

Cardiac Rehab: Weight Loss Class #1

Mon, 03 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Class #1 0f a 4 part series
9:30am-10:30am
Cardiac Rehab Conference Room
62 Tilley Dr.
So. Burlington
847-2693
Phase II Cardiac Rehab Participants

Fletcher Allen Recognized in U.S. News & World Report Listings

Mon, 03 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0500

October 3, 2011Michael CarreseMarketing and Communications802-847-2886
Twelve Physicians Considered Within the Top 1% Nationally in Their Field
Six Specialties and Electronic Medical Record Highly Ranked
[photo1L]BURLINGTON VT – Twenty-three physicians and six specialty areas at Fletcher Allen Health Care have been recognized by U.S. News and World Report magazine as being the best in Vermont and northern New York for 2011. Half of the 23 physicians were ranked within the top 1% in their specialties nationally. The academic medical center was also honored for being one of the leading hospitals in the nation in the adoption of electronic medical records.
Those making the publication’s “Top Doctors” list span 15 specialty areas and were selected based on a peer nominating process. (see complete list below).
Six adult specialty areas were ranked as “High Performing.” They are: Ear, Nose & Throat, Gastroenterology, Gynecology, Nephrology, Neurology & Neurosurgery, and Orthopedics. To earn this distinction, performance must be competitive with the level of nationally ranked U.S. News Best Hospitals.
U.S. News and World Report (USN&WR) surveyed nearly 10,000 specialists and sifted through data for almost 5,000 hospitals to rank the best in 16 adult specialties, from cancer to urology. Death rates, patient safety, and hospital reputation were a few of the factors considered.
Electronic Health Record System Among Best in the Nation
In national rankings by USN&WR, Fletcher Allen landed in the top 3.5% of hospitals that, in the view of the magazine, places it “in the vanguard of centers leading medicine into the era of electronic medical records” earning it a place on the “Most Connected” list. This year, only 118 hospitals nationwide made this list, and Fletcher Allen was the only hospital in Vermont, New Hampshire and upstate New York to do so.
USN&WR defines a hospital as Most Connected if it has met twin standards: achieving a very high level of electronic medical record (EMR) adoption according to Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society standards, and earning either a national Best Hospital ranking or a high-performing designation in one or more medical specialties.
“Recognition from this widely-regarded publication is the latest acknowledgement of Fletcher Allen’s excellence in providing safe, high quality patient care,” said Sandra Dalton, R.N. senior vice president for Patient Care Services and Chief Nursing Officer. “We’re very proud to be able to bring nationally ranked physicians, advanced specialty care and leading edge technology to the people of Vermont and northern New York.”
All of Fletcher Allen’s patient services are now linked together through its electronic medical record system, which was initialized in June 2009 within the inpatient areas, pharmacy and the Emergency Department. By the December 2010, all of its clinic sites and patient services were part of the system.
From the patients’ perspective, the most visible use of technology is when they are visiting their physicians. Doctors have electronic access to their patients’ medical records – including radiology images, laboratory reports, clinic notes, medications, discharge notes and summaries of previous visits to any physician in the Fletcher Allen system.
U.S. News and World Report 2011 “Top Doctors” in the Region
Note: Click on name to see credentials and other information.
Brundage, William J.
Cooper, Sheldon M.
Couch, Marion *
Fram, Daniel
Grunberg, Steven M. *
Hebert, James *
Heimann, Ruth *
Homans, Alan C. *
Hood, Virginia L.
Hudziak, James J. *
Hyman, Neil H. *
Krag, David N. *
Lazarovich, Mark
McFadden, David W. *
Nathan, Muriel H.
Parsons, Polly *
Penar, Paul L. *
Raszka, William Jr. *
Shapiro, Robert E.
Silverman, Damon A.
Sofferman, Robert A.
Solomon, Richard J.
Verschraegen, Claire F. *
* Indicates that a physician is in the top 1% in the nation in his/her specialty according to Castle Connolly, a medical rating organization.
About Fletcher Allen Health Care
Fletcher Allen Health Care, together with our partners at the University of Vermont College of Medicine and the College of Nursing and Health Sciences, is Vermont’s academic medical center. Our mission is to improve the health of the people in the communities we serve by integrating patient care, education and research in a caring environment. Fletcher Allen serves as a regional referral center -- providing advanced care to approximately one million people in Vermont and northern New York -- and as a community hospital for approximately 150,000 residents in Chittenden and Grand Isle counties.
Fletcher Allen is committed to being a national model for the delivery of high-quality academic health care for a rural region. For more information about Fletcher Allen, find us online at http://www.fletcherallen.org or on our Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and blog sites at www.fletcherallen.org/socialmedia

Healthsource: Terrific Toddlers

Sat, 01 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Terrific Toddlers
Lewis First, MD and
Mary Lee Ritter, PNP Vermont Children’s Hospital, Fletcher Allen
Toddlers are terrific! This workshop will focus on caring
for your children through the toddler years. Class content will address
nutritional needs, behavioral strategies for those “challenging” moments, and
advice on handling the occasional temper tantrum.
Saturday, October 1st
10:00-11:30 am
O’Brien Community Center, Winooski

Call 847-2278 to register or sign up online!

Surgical Grand Rounds

Thu, 29 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0500

"Glioblastoma Multiforme: Past, Present, Future"Chih-Ta Lin, MDSurgical ResidentDivision of Neurosurgery
7:30-8:30 AM
Davis Auditorium
Neurosurgery M&Ms to follow

Prostate Health Class: What Every Man Should Know

Wed, 28 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Presented by Scott Perrapato, D.O. Urologist and Urologic Oncologist, Associate Professor, University of Vermont College of Medicine
In this free class, Dr. Scott Perrapato of the UVM Medical Group at Fletcher Allen offers complete information on causes and prevention of prostate cancer including general health and nutrition tips, keys to early diagnosis, and treatment options.
WHEN: 6-7 p.m. (Q & A to follow)
WHERE: Davis Auditorium, Fletcher Allen Health Care, Medical Center Campus, Burlington
Register online for this free event or call 802-847-2115.

Community Medical School - Bringing Cutting-Edge Medicine to the Community: Clinical Trials at UVM/FAHC

Tue, 27 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Ira Bernstein, M.D., Professor of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences and Senior Associate Dean for Research
Anne Dixon, M.D., Associate Professor of Medicine and Director, Pulmonary Disease and Critical Care Medicine
Beth Kirkpatrick, M.D., Associate Professor of Medicine and Director, Vaccine Testing Center
Daniel Lustgarten, M.D., Associate Professor of Medicine and Director, Cardiac Electrophysiology Research Laboratory
6:30 - 7:30 P.M.Followed by a Q&A session
Carpenter Auditorium

Ob/Gyn Grand Rounds

Tue, 27 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0500

"Obesity: Who, what, when, where, why and what do we do about it?"
Jean Harvey-Berino, Ph.D., RDProfessor, Nutrition and Food Sciences and MedicineChair, Department of Nutrition and Food ServicesUVM
7:30 - 8:30 a.m. @ Davis Auditorium

Endocrinology and Diabetes Guest Speaker Series

Tue, 27 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Taking Care of your diabetes can be less expensive - Fletcher Allen Patient Assistance can assist you in finding resources.
Please join us on Tuesday, September 27th from 6:00-7:30 PM for a presentation on health care resources you may qualify for by Ann Slattery, RN, BSW, Health Assistance Coordinator, Coummunity Health Imporvement, Fletcher Allen Health Care
This free presentation will take place at Endocrinology & Diabetes at 62 Tilley Drive, South Burlington. Please call (802) 847-4576 for more information and to register for this class.

Fletcher Allen Receives Three-Year Accreditation From The Joint Commission

Tue, 27 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0500

September 27, 2011
Michael CarreseMarketing and Communications802-847-2886
Organization Wins High Praise From Surveyors
BURLINGTON VT – Fletcher Allen Health Care has received a full three-year accreditation from The Joint Commission following a week-long visit by the commission’s site surveyors in August. Although the accreditation covers three years from August 2011 to August 2014, The Joint Commission reserves the right to revisit an accredited organization at any time.
The Joint Commission is a non-profit organization that accredits health care organizations on behalf of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). CMS is the branch of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that administers the Medicare program and monitors the Medicaid programs offered by each state.
Accreditation means that Fletcher Allen meets the numerous quality standards of The Joint Commission and continues to be eligible to receive Medicare and Medicaid payments for services provided to patients.
The commission’s final report on the survey, received last week, contained no significant findings, a term used when the surveyors classify a situation or condition serious enough to warrant immediate correction. Instead, surveyors made some suggestions for improvements in how we document care, and suggested improvements regarding the environment of care. The institution is addressing these areas.
In an email to all staff, John Brumsted, M.D., Fletcher Allen’s interim president and chief executive officer, wrote, “I am pleased to share with you that the report is by far the best our academic medical center has ever received. The surveyors were highly complimentary of our organization and confirmed no significant findings that relate to direct patient care. This is truly remarkable for a delivery system of our size and complexity and speaks to the skill, expertise and caring of the entire Fletcher Allen team. The surveyors praised our caring and compassionate staff, and described us as a high-
quality organization with best-in-class practices. This is very validating feedback, and we take great pride in these results.”
In the past, the surveyors focused on institutional policies and systems. Steady improvement in those areas has resulted in a change of focus to discussions about how the organization can maintain the current high level of performance achieved by having good systems and policies in place.
The surveyors cited the Radiation Oncology facility as “a model unit”; they highlighted the work of the inpatient Psychiatry teams, the Pediatric care practices in the Comfort Zone, a unit that helps children make the transition into a surgical procedure; they were impressed by the high-quality imaging equipment; they identified Nutrition Services and Emergency Management areas as “best-in-class”; and they cited the excellent practices of the Patient Placement Center where conversations between staff and referring providers wanting to transfer patients to Fletcher Allen are recorded and used for training and quality improvement.
Survey results are available on The Joint Commission website at: http://www.qualitycheck.org/consumer/searchresults.aspx?nm=Fletcher+Allen+Health+Care&ddstatelist=&st_nm=-1&st=
About Fletcher Allen
Fletcher Allen Health Care, together with our partners at the University of Vermont College of Medicine and the College of Nursing and Health Sciences, is Vermont’s academic medical center. Our mission is to improve the health of the people in the communities we serve by integrating patient care, education and research in a caring environment. Fletcher Allen serves as a regional referral center -- providing advanced care to approximately one million people in Vermont and northern New York -- and as a community hospital for approximately 150,000 residents in Chittenden and Grand Isle counties.
Fletcher Allen now has affiliations with three northern New York hospitals – Inter-Lakes Health (Ticonderoga, NY), Alice Hyde Medical Center (Malone, NY) and Canton-Potsdam Hospital (Potsdam, NY). With more than 30 patient care sites and 100 outreach clinics, programs and services throughout the region, Fletcher Allen is committed to being a national model for the delivery of high-quality academic health care for a rural region.
For more information about Fletcher Allen, find us online at http://www.fletcherallen.org or on our Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and blog sites at www.fletcherallen.org/socialmedia.

Surgical Grand Rounds

Thu, 22 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0500

"Health Care Reform: The Road Ahead for Surgery"Frank Opelka, MDProfessor of SurgeryVice Chancellor of Clinical AffairsLSU Health Sciences Center
7:30-8:30 AM
Davis Auditorium
Vascular Surgery M&Ms to follow

American Snowboarder Kevin Pearce Speaks at Fletcher Allen

Wed, 21 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Celebrate National Rehabilitation Awareness Week!
American snowboarder and Vermont native, Kevin Pearce will speak as part of the celebration of National Rehab week. In December 2009, while training for the Olympic trials, Kevin suffered a traumatic brain injury ending his career and leaving him in a medically induced coma. Hear Kevin speak about his recovery, the importance of helmets and the prevention of traumatic brain injury.
Wednesday, September 21, 2011, 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Davis Auditorium, Fletcher Allen Health Care
FREE and open to the public
Sponsored by the Schubart Oliver Endowment at Fletcher Allen

Ob/Gyn Grand Rounds

Tue, 20 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0500

"An Overview of the Research Program in Ob/Gyn @ DHMC Lebanon"
Marlene B. Goldman, ScDProfessor and DirectorDivision of Clinical Research andJames L. Whiteside, M.D.Associate ProfessorFemale Pelvic Medicine& Reconstructive SurgeryDartmouth Hitchcock Medical CenterLebanon, New Hampshire
7:30 - 8:30 a.m. @ Davis Auditorium

Community Medical School - It's a Stretch: Is Connective Tissue the Link to Yoga's Benefits?

Tue, 20 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Helene Langevin, M.D., Research Associate Professor of Neurology and Director, Program in Integrative Health
6:30 - 7:30 P.M.Followed by a Q&A session.
Carpenter Auditorium

Surgical Grand Rounds

Thu, 15 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0500

"ACOs, Health Care Reform, and Single Payer Systems"John Brumsted, MDProfessor, Obstetrics and GynecologyInterim CEO
7:30-8:30 AM
Davis Auditorium
Surgical Oncology M&Ms to follow

A $90,000 Gift from the Mary Haas Ovarian Cancer Early Detection Foundation Creates Early Detection Program at Fletcher Allen

Thu, 15 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0500

September 15, 2011
Michael CarreseMarketing and Communications802-847-2886 BURLINGTON, VT – Fletcher Allen announced today that it has received a $90,000 gift from the Vermont-based Mary Haas Ovarian Cancer Early Detection Foundation. The money will be used to equip primary care providers with the information they need to make ovarian cancer screening a routine part of their patient care practice in an effort to detect this disease in its early stages.
“We are deeply honored that the Mary Haas Foundation has chosen to make this gift to Fletcher Allen,” said John Brumsted, M.D., interim chief executive officer. “This gift will enable us to improve our efforts in early detection of ovarian cancer in the primary care setting. Our hope is that the practices we implement because of this gift will become a national model and have a positive impact on women’s health beyond Fletcher Allen.”
“While others lead in seeking a cure for cancer, the Mary Haas Foundation is focused on saving lives now through early detection,” said Meredith Burak, foundation president and daughter of the late Mary Haas. “Through this partnership with Fletcher Allen we will be able to reach a significant number of women in Vermont through their health care providers in an efficient manner.”
Because early detection is infrequent, ovarian cancer is nicknamed the “silent killer.” In its early stages, symptoms can go unnoticed or are thought to be associated with various other disorders. As a result, more than 75 percent of ovarian cancer patients are diagnosed at an advanced stage (Stage III or IV), leaving a fifteen to thirty percent chance of survival. However, if caught early enough (Stage I or II) women have a ninety percent chance of surviving this form of cancer for at least five years or more. If diagnosed early the overall survival rate is 93%; however, only 19% of ovarian cancer is diagnosed at the earliest stage.
The disease may signal its presence with vague symptoms, even in early-stage ovarian cancer. These symptoms include recent, frequent bloating; pain in the belly or pelvis; difficulty eating or feeling full quickly; or urinary problems, such as an urgent need to urinate or urinating more often than usual.
Other symptoms that women with ovarian cancer may have include fatigue, indigestion, back pain, pain with intercourse, constipation, and changes in their menstrual cycles. But these symptoms are also common in women who don't have ovarian cancer.
If these symptoms are new and unusual, and persist daily for more than two weeks, a woman should see her doctor and ask about ovarian cancer.
About The Mary Haas Ovarian Cancer Early Detection Foundation
The Mary Haas Ovarian Cancer Early Detection Foundation was established in honor of longtime Vermont resident and 30-year Merrill Lynch veteran Mary Haas who lost her battle with ovarian cancer on July 12, 2009, only fifteen months after being diagnosed.
Composed of volunteers, the Mary Haas Foundation is using all funds raised to fulfill the simple, unmet and dire need of timely diagnosis of ovarian cancer by: designing a partnership with Fletcher Allen Health Care, Vermont’s academic medical center, located in Burlington, VT; establishing The Mary Haas Ovarian Cancer Research Fellow at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City; and organizing awareness programs in Vermont, New York and soon in Massachusetts. To learn more, visit our website at www.maryhaasfoundation.org.

Ob/Gyn Grand Rounds

Tue, 13 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0500

"Maternal-Trophoblast Interaction in Normal and Pathologic Pregnancies"
Brenda L. Waters, M.D.Associate ProfessorDepartment of Pathology and Laboratory MedicineUVM/FAHC
7:30 - 8:30 a.m. @ Davis Auditorium

Pumps & More

Mon, 12 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Surgical Grand Rounds

Thu, 08 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0500

"Integrative Chronic Pain Management"Brian Erickson, MDCenter for Pain Medicine
7:30-8:30 AM
Davis Auditorium
Trauma M&Ms to follow

William "Chip" Holmes Named to Top Post at Moses-Ludington Hospital

Wed, 07 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0500

September 7, 2011
Michael CarreseMarketing and Communications802-847-2886
TICONDEROGA NY – Fletcher Allen Health Care, Burlington, VT and Moses-Ludington Hospital announce the appointment of William “Chip” Holmes as president and chief executive officer, Moses-Ludington Hospital, effective Monday, October 31. He will also join the vice president team within Fletcher Allen Health Care.
Holmes comes to Moses-Ludington from Quorum Health Resources. Based in Brentwood, Tenn., Quorum is a hospital management company focused on not-for-profit hospital management services. Holmes was a regional vice president responsible for executive and operational oversight of 14 not-for-profit hospitals and health systems in Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi.
“I am looking forward to leading Moses-Ludington through the dynamic environment all hospitals face in this era of health care reform,” Holmes said. “Even with the challenges ahead, the organization will have many opportunities to shape health care in the region particularly as we explore potential initiatives with the Hudson Headwaters Health Network. Further, the additional expertise that is available to Moses-Ludington through the affiliation with Fletcher Allen will be of great benefit as we go forward. I can’t wait to begin and to meet people in the community.”
“Chip is a seasoned hospital executive and I am very pleased that he accepted the position with us,” said Sandra Bolton, Chairperson, Inter-Lakes Health Board of Directors. “As a native of Fairfax, Vermont and having served as CEO of Littleton Regional Hospital in New Hampshire, he is no stranger to our region. He brings the experience of serving in small and large facilities and their respective health systems in both rural and urban settings.”
Holmes will replace Charles Miceli, C.P.M., vice president of Supply Chain and Pharmacy Services at Fletcher Allen, who served as Moses-Ludington’s interim chief executive officer while the search for a permanent CEO was conducted. Miceli has served in that position since April 2011.
Prior to his responsibilities as a Quorum Regional Vice President, Holmes most recently served as chief executive officer at Littleton Regional Hospital from 2001-2006. He has also served as chief operating officer at Abilene Regional Medical Center, Abilene, TX, and has more than 20 years experience in hospital administration.
Holmes received a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Sociology at Union College, Schenectady, NY, followed by a Master of Health Administration degree at Tulane University, New Orleans. He is board-certified in health care management as a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE).
Holmes is married to Margie Laferriere from St. Johnsbury, VT and is the proud father of two teenage daughters, Carson and Isabelle Holmes.
About Moses-Ludington
Moses-Ludington Corporation is a family of health services located in Ticonderoga, NY between Lake George and Lake Champlain in the Adirondack Mountains. Inter-lakes Health services patients from Essex, Warren and Washington Counties. The not-for-profit family members include Moses-Ludington Hospital, a 15-bed Critical Access Hospital, Heritage Commons Residential Health Care, a 84-bed nursing home, Moses-Ludington Adult Care, a 23-bed adult home, the Inter-Lakes Dental Clinic, and Lord Howe Estates, a 43-unit HUD Section 8 202 multi-family housing complex for low income elderly.
Our mission is to be a caring, community responsive health care partner that promotes wellness, individual dignity, and quality and value.
It is our vision to facilitate a coordinated continuum of quality, cost-effective health services which include acute and emergency services, assessment and referral, primary care, long- term care, restorative services, education and community outreach. To learn more, please join us at www.interlakeshealth.com.
About Fletcher Allen
Fletcher Allen Health Care, together with our partners at the University of Vermont College of Medicine and the College of Nursing and Health Sciences, is Vermont’s academic medical center. Our mission is to improve the health of the people in the communities we serve by integrating patient care, education and research in a caring environment. Fletcher Allen serves as a regional referral center -- providing advanced care to approximately one million people in Vermont and northern New York -- and as a community hospital for approximately 150,000 residents in Chittenden and Grand Isle counties.
Fletcher Allen now has affiliations with three northern New York hospitals – Inter-Lakes Health (Ticonderoga, NY), Alice Hyde Medical Center (Malone, NY) and Canton-Potsdam Hospital (Potsdam, NY). With more than 30 patient care sites and 100 outreach clinics, programs and services throughout the region, Fletcher Allen is committed to being a national model for the delivery of high-quality academic health care for a rural region.
For more information about Fletcher Allen, find us online at http://www.fletcherallen.org or on our Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and blog sites at www.fletcherallen.org/socialmedia.

Breastfeeding Basics

Wed, 07 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Ob/Gyn Grand Rounds

Tue, 06 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0500

"Single Incision Laparoscopy: Is It Worth The Hype?"
Edward C. Borrazzo, M.D.Professor, Department of SurgeryUVM/FAHC
7:30 a.m. @ Davis Auditorium

Avoiding Dangers at Home During Storm Recovery

Wed, 31 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0500

August 31, 2011
Poison Center Offers Tips on Safely Using Generatorsand Handling Food
Burlington – The Northern New England Poison Center (NNEPC) is encouraging Vermonters without electricity or those whose homes have been flooded to learn how to use portable generators and handle food safely as recovery from tropical storm Irene continues.
“Incorrect use of generators or mishandling of food can lead to poisoning and even death,” said Gayle Finkelstein, Poison Prevention Educator at Fletcher Allen Health Care. “It’s important for everyone to know how to avoid harm while living in these difficult circumstances.”
Here are key guidelines to safe use of a generator:

Never use a generator near windows, doors or other vents leading into the home, or in any enclosed space such as garages, basements or under a deck.
Place the generator at least 15 feet away from your home and all nearby homes or buildings. Placing it 20-25 feet away is ideal.
Point the exhaust away from your home and all nearby homes or buildings.
Store a 25-foot or longer extension cord with your generator so it can be connected to appliances.
Never hook-up a generator directly to household wiring.
Make sure you have a working carbon monoxide detector.

The initial symptoms of CO poisoning are similar to the flu but without a fever. If you feel sick or dizzy or have a headache while operating a generator, get to fresh air right away and call the Northern New England Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222.
“In terms of food safety, spoilage from lack of refrigeration is not the only concern. Exposure to flood water can cause serious problems as well,” said Finkelstein.
The NNEPC recommends that non-waterproof containers that come into contact with flood water should be discarded. Examples include cardboard boxes, screw-caps, snap lids, pull tops and home canned food. Waterproof containers that show signs of swelling, leaking, denting, crushing, rusting or have holes cannot be effectively cleaned and need to be thrown out.
Waterproof cans and pouches can be cleaned as follows:

Remove labels if possible
Brush off dirt
Wash the container with soap and water
Rinse thoroughly in safe drinking water

These items should then be sanitized by either boiling them for two minutes or soaking them for 15 minutes in a solution of 1 gallon of water and 1 tablespoon of unscented, liquid bleach. Containers should be air-dried and relabeled if labels were removed.
Food kept in a closed refrigerator will stay cold for up to four hours. If a power outage lasts longer, use a cooler with ice or ice packs. If the freezer is full and kept closed the food should stay cold for up to 48 hours; 24 hours for a half-full freezer. Beyond that time period, consider using dry ice. Food that still contains ice crystals or remains below 40°F may be safely refrozen.
Refrigerated meat, poultry, fish, leftovers and eggs need to be kept below 40°F, and if frozen below 0 °F. If any of these foods stay above 40° F for more than 2 hours, they will need to be thrown away.
If you get sick after eating potentially spoiled or contaminated food, call the NNEPC at 1-800-222-1222.

Cardiac Rehab: Weight Loss Class #1

Mon, 29 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Weight Loss Class 1st of 4 part series
Phase II Cardiac Rehab Patients
9:30-10:30
62 Tilley Dr.
So. Burlington

Cardiac Rehab: Beyond Phase II

Wed, 24 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0500

9:30am-10:30am
Location:
Cardiac Rehab Conference Room
62 Tilley Dr
So. Burlington Free and Open to Cardiac Rehab Patients
847-2693

From Our Blog: School's in for Summer - How our New Residents Make It a Great Season to Receive Care

Tue, 23 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Cardiac Rehab: Weight Loss Class #4

Mon, 22 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Class #4 0f a 4 part series
9:30am-10:30am
Cardiac Rehab Conference Room
62 Tilley Dr.
So. Burlington
847-2693
Phase II Cardiac Rehab Participants

Fletcher Allen Health Care Earns Blue Distinction Center Recognition

Wed, 17 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0500

August 17, 2011
Michael CarreseMarketing and Communications802-847-2886
Berlin, VT –Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont is proud to announce that Fletcher Allen Health Care, recently earned two Blue Distinction Center recognitions—one for knee and hip replacement, and another for spine surgery. Fletcher Allen is the only northern Vermont hospital and one of two state facilities to earn this designation.
Blue Distinction is a title awarded by Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies to medical facilities that demonstrate expertise in delivering quality health care. The designation is based on rigorous, evidence-based, objective selection criteria established with input from expert physicians and medical organizations. Its goal is to help consumers find quality specialty care on a consistent basis, while enabling and encouraging health care professionals to improve the overall quality and delivery of care nationwide.
“Fletcher Allen Health Care continues to demonstrate its commitment to excellence in knee and hip replacement care, as well as spine surgery care, with these Blue Distinction Center recognitions,” says BCBSVT’s CEO Don George.
“Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont is more than proud to partner with such an excellent medical center,” George adds.
Blue Distinction Centers for Knee and Hip Replacement have demonstrated a commitment to quality care and comprehensive inpatient knee and hip replacement services, including total knee replacement, total hip replacement and hip resurfacing. Blue Distinction Centers for Spine Surgery provide comprehensive inpatient spine surgery services, including discectomy, fusion and decompression procedures.
The Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association determines Blue Center Distinctions through a number of demanding criteria, including: the hospital must be fully accredited; physicians and surgeons must be Board Certified, and; the hospital must perform a high volume of appropriate procedures, such as knee and hip replacement and spine surgery.
“I’m pleased that Fletcher Allen has been recognized by the Blue Cross Blue Shield Distinction Centers program. Their evidence-based selection criteria provides the public with independent assurance that Fletcher Allen delivers exceptionally high-quality care in spine surgery and in knee and hip replacements. This designation recognizes the expertise of our orthopedic and neurosurgical providers and underscores the commitment to excellence they demonstrate every day,” said John Brumsted, M.D., Chief Medical Officer at Fletcher Allen Health Care.
Rutland Regional Medical Center in Rutland was also recognized as a Blue Distinction Center for Knee and Hip Replacement. Two other hospitals in the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont network also previously earned Blue Distinction Center recognition; Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center is a Blue Distinction Center for Complex and Rare Cancers and Mary Hitchcock Memorial Hospital is a Blue Distinction Center for Knee and Hip Replacement, as well as a Blue Distinction Center for Spine Surgery. Both facilities are located in Lebanon, N.H.
For more information on the Blue Distinction Centers, visit http://www.bcbs.com/innovations/bluedistinction/.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont is the state’s only Vermont-based health insurer and is the largest private health plan in Vermont. The non-profit company employs more than 340 people and provides health care benefits for more than 150,000 Vermonters. The company offers benefits and services to virtually all Vermont populations through its array of products and through its partner companies, The Vermont Health Plan (TVHP) and Comprehensive Benefits Administrators. More information about Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont is available on the Internet at www.bcbsvt.com Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont is an independent corporation operating under a license with the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, an association of independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans.

Pumps & More

Mon, 15 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Cardiac Rehab: Weight Loss Class #3

Mon, 15 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Class #3 0f a 4 part series
9:30am-10:30am
Cardiac Rehab Conference Room
62 Tilley Dr.
So. Burlington
847-2693
Phase II Cardiac Rehab Participants

Healthier Living With Diabetes - Free Workshop

Fri, 12 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Do you have Diabetes? Please join us for the Healthier Living with Diabetes workshop!
If you or someone you know is living with diabetes this free
workshop is for you! Some of the topics covered are healthy eating,
glucose monitoring, physical activity and medications to prevent
diabetes-specific problems.

Given Health Care - University Health Center
Fridays, July 8th - August 12th 2-4:30pm

Please call 847-2278 to register.

Cardiac Rehab: Benefits of Exercise

Wed, 10 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0500

9:30am-10:30am
Location:
Cardiac Rehab Conference Room
62 Tilley Dr
So. Burlington Free and Open to Cardiac Rehab Patients
847-2693

Healthier Living With Diabetes - Free Workshop

Fri, 05 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Cardiac Rehab: Reversing Coronary Artery Disease

Wed, 03 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0500

9:30am-10:30am
Location:
Cardiac Rehab Conference Room
62 Tilley Dr
So. Burlington
Free and Open to Cardiac Rehab Patients
847-2693

Healthier Living With Diabetes - Free Workshop

Fri, 29 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Cardiac Rehab Nuturtion Class #2

Wed, 27 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0500

9:30am-10:30am
Cardiac Rehab Conference Room
62 Tilley Dr.
So. Burlington
847-2693
Phase II Cardiac Rehab Participants

Living Well With Diabetes Class - Part 2

Mon, 25 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Fletcher Allen Health Care
Endocrinology & Diabetes will be offering our next session of Living Well
with Diabetes on July 18th and 25th. This class is
scheduled in two sessions from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM on consecutive Mondays.
Participants should register for both sessions and are welcome to bring a
support person to class.

Please call 847-4576 to register.
62 Tilley Drive, Suite 202, South Burlington, VT

Healthier Living With Diabetes - Free Workshop

Fri, 22 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Knee Health Classes

Wed, 20 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0500

James Howe, M.D. and David Halsey, M.D., Orthopedics, discuss osteoarthritis of the knee and the different types of treatment offered at Fletcher Allen.
Free, 6-7pm, Orthopedic Specialty Center on Tilley Drive; reservations: www.fletcherallen.org/kneeclass or (802) 847-7578.

Cardiac Rehab Nutrition Class #1

Wed, 20 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0500

9:30am-10:30am
Cardiac Rehab Conference Room
62 Tilley Dr.
So. Burlington
847-2693
Phase II Cardiac Rehab Participants

Pumps & More

Mon, 18 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Living Well With Diabetes Class - Part 1 of 2

Mon, 18 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Fletcher Allen Health Care
Endocrinology & Diabetes will be offering our next session of Living Well
with Diabetes on July 18th and 25th. This class is
scheduled in two sessions from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM on consecutive Mondays.
Participants should register for both sessions and are welcome to bring a
support person to class.
Please cal 847-4576 to register.
62 Tilley Drive, Suite 202, South Burlington, VT

Healthier Living With Diabetes - Free Workshop

Fri, 15 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Knee Health Classes

Wed, 13 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Cardiac Rehab Risk Factors

Wed, 13 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0500

9:30am-10:30am
Cardiac Rehab Conference Room
62 Tilley Dr.
So. Burlington
847-2693
Phase II Cardiac Rehab Participants

Healthier Living With Diabetes - Free Workshop

Fri, 08 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Breastfeeding Basics

Wed, 29 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Cardiac Rehab Anatomy and Physiology

Wed, 29 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0500

9:30am-10:30am
Location:
Cardiac Rehab Conference Room
62 Tilley Dr
So. Burlington Free and Open to Cardiac Rehab Patients
847-2693

Heart Rhythm Education Classes

Tue, 28 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Cardiologists Peter Spector, MD, and Daniel Lustgarten, MD, will talk about treatments for atrial fibrillation (AF) and Fletcher Allen's participation in a clinical trial that is evaluating an implantable cardiac device to treat AF.
Free, 6-7 pm, Davis Auditorium
Reservations: www.fletcherallen.org/heartclass or 847-1178

Ob/Gyn Grand Rounds

Tue, 28 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0500

"Female Reproductive Health and Vitamin D3 Deficiency: A Role Beyond Bone Health"
Genevieve Neal-Perry, M.D., Ph.D.Assistant ProfessorOb/Gyn & NeuroscienceDivision of Reproductive Endocrinology & InfertilityAlbert Einstein College of MedicineBronx, NY
7:30 - 8:30 a.m. @ Davis Auditorium

Fletcher Allen CEO Melinda Estes, M.D., Will Leave To Lead Major Midwest Hospital System

Fri, 24 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0500

John Brumsted, M.D., Named Interim CEO
June 24, 2011
Mike NobleMarketing and Communications802-847-2886
BURLINGTON VT – Fletcher Allen Health Care announced today that President and Chief Executive Officer Melinda Estes, M.D., will be leaving the organization in mid-August to become the president and chief executive officer at St. Luke’s Health System in Kansas City, Missouri. She will be replacing G. Richard Hastings, who is retiring after 35 years with St. Luke’s. Saint Luke's is a faith-based, not-for-profit health system with 11 hospitals and related health services in the Kansas City area and surrounding region.

Related Infomation
Letter: Melinda Estes, M.D., President & CEO
Letter: Roger Stone, Chair, Fletcher Allen Board of Trustees
Bio: John R. Brumsted, M.D., Interim Chief Executive Officer

Fletcher Allen also announced today that John Brumsted, M.D., chief medical officer, has been named interim chief executive officer, and will serve in that capacity while the board of trustees pursues a national search for a permanent replacement for Dr. Estes.
In a message to the Fletcher Allen community, Dr. Estes said, “What success I have enjoyed at Fletcher Allen has been the result of the efforts of many. This has been a true team sport. Together, we have elevated this organization to a position of respect around the country, regardless of how you measure our success. The quality of care we provide, the technology used to provide it, the commitment of the physicians and staff, the proximity and partnership with the University of Vermont, and the stewardship of resources make us the envy of most academic medical centers.”
In commenting on Dr. Estes’ leadership, Roger Stone, chair of the Board of Trustees said, “We have been very fortunate to have Dr. Estes at the helm for almost eight years. Thanks to her leadership, Fletcher Allen is on very solid ground and well-positioned for the future. I join my fellow board members and staff at Fletcher Allen in thanking her for all she has done for Fletcher Allen and wishing her all the best in her new role.”
Dr. Brumsted, 58, a member of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, has practiced medicine at Fletcher Allen since 1985 and has held numerous administrative positions during his tenure, including serving as interim chief executive officer in the late 1990s and serving as chief quality officer for many years.
Accomplishments During Dr. Estes’ Tenure
Dr. Estes, 58, joined Fletcher Allen in October 2003, succeeding then interim President and Chief Executive Officer Ed Colodny.
From the beginning, her philosophy has been simple. “At the end of the day,” she has said, “if we put the patient first, everything else will follow.”
An early task was to rebuild public trust, and establish a culture of integrity, accountability, respect and customer service, which has transformed the organization. During her eight-year tenure, the organization accomplished a great deal, including:

Creation of a strong leadership team and the development of “bench strength” throughout the organization.

Establishment of an Institute for Quality and Operational Effectiveness early in her tenure. The institute, dedicated in honor of Senator James M. Jeffords in 2006, supports the organization’s efforts to improve quality, patient safety and operational efficiency. In 2008, Fletcher Allen received the “Rising Star Award” from the University Healthsystem Consortium, which recognized the organization’s continued improvement in quality of care.

A focus on delivering high-quality, low-cost health care. Fletcher Allen has achieved strong performance against national benchmarks on quality and cost. The latest Association of American Medical Colleges data shows the organization as ranking 90th lowest out of 96 academic medical centers surveyed on patient care expense per discharge, while performing above medians for an array of quality measures such as readmissions, heart attack and pneumonia care. In addition, Vermont’s Act 49 report showed Fletcher Allen’s service area had the lowest rate of Emergency Department visits and the lowest rate of potentially avoidable ED use. In 2010, Dr. Estes participated in the U.S. Health and Human Services’ national health care summit on health quality and costs to share Fletcher Allen’s successes in this area.

Expansion of efforts to prevent health care associated-infections, making it a strategic focus for the organization. While Fletcher Allen’s baseline rate for infections was already below the national average for academic medical centers, the organization succeeded in bringing it even lower and reducing the rate for some infections by close to 50 percent.

In partnership with the University of Vermont, establishment of a state-of-the-art clinical simulation laboratory that allows medical students, medical residents, physicians and nurses, nursing and physical therapy students, as well as community EMTs and Vermont National Guard members, to practice patient care skills in discipline-specific teams. Simulation technology has been shown to positively impact patient safety, health care quality and patient care outcomes.

Implementation of an electronic health record in 2009/2010 to improve quality of care and patient safety; successful implementation established the hospital among the nation’s top four percent of hospitals that have a fully-integrated electronic health record system.

Improved patient satisfaction: in a national survey measuring the patient experience, the percentage of Fletcher Allen’s patients rating their overall experience a 9 or 10 out of 10 increased from 50% in 2007 to 72% in 2010. In comparison, 66% of participating hospitals reported 9’s and 10’s during the most recent reporting period.

In cardiac care: Fletcher Allen is leading the nation in the rapid treatment of patients who have suffered severe heart attack – not only exceeding the standard of care, but setting the standard for what other hospitals across the country are striving to achieve. We are one of only nine centers in the country funded by the National Institutes of Health to study heart failure and help transfer the findings into the patient care setting.

In stroke care: Our Multidisciplinary Stroke Center was awarded the Silver Plus Performance Achievement Award by the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association in 2010 for providing high-quality, evidence based care.

Establishment of the patient-centered Medical Home Project, which has national recognition as a model for chronic disease management and prevention. Part of the state’s Blueprint for Health program, the project fosters a team approach to improving health outcomes by helping patients with chronic illness better manage their conditions.

In Children’s Health: Increased philanthropic funds to support the Vermont Children’s Hospital and improve care for sick children throughout the region.

Development of a coordinated health system. She has led the effort to affiliate with Central Vermont Medical Center (CVMC) in Berlin, VT. Also in 2010, Fletcher Allen announced an affiliation with Inter-Lakes Health in Ticonderoga, New York, marking the third northern New York hospital with whom Fletcher Allen is affiliated. Alice Hyde Medical Center (Malone, NY) and Canton-Potsdam Hospital (Potsdam, NY) are the others.

New Facilities: Oversaw the building and opening of a new birthing center, central plant, underground parking garage and outpatient cardiology facility in 2004; a new ambulatory care center, emergency department, medical education center and inpatient mental health facility in 2005; an outpatient orthopedic specialty center in 2007; and a new radiation oncology facility in 2010.

Renegotiation of our affiliation agreement with the University of Vermont, and has worked closely with leadership at the University to foster greater strategic alignment of the two institutions in support of Vermont’s academic medical center.

Establishment of the Fletcher Allen Foundation in January 2007. The Foundation continues Fletcher Allen's long history, tradition and pride in garnering philanthropic support. Overseen by a board comprising community leaders, opinion makers, business leaders as well as local philanthropists, the Foundation guides the organization's fund-raising efforts in support of Fletcher Allen’s mission.

Environmental sustainability: Fletcher Allen is recognized as one of the “greenest” hospitals in the country by Practice Greenhealth, winning its “Leadership Circle Award” for three straight years in 2009, 2010 and 2011.

U.S. Green Building Council recognition: the new radiation oncology facility achieved Gold certification from Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED).

Support of locally-produced food: the Harvest Café offers healthy, locally-grown food at affordable prices for patients, employees and the public, establishing it as a national model in local foods sustainability.

Prior to joining Fletcher Allen, Dr. Estes served as chief executive officer and chair of the Board of Governors of Cleveland Clinic Florida from 2001 to 2003, and as the executive director of business development at The Cleveland Clinic Foundation in Cleveland, Ohio, and chief medical officer at the Cleveland Clinic Florida, from 2000 to 2001.
Earlier appointments include serving as executive vice president and chief of staff for the MetroHealth System in Cleveland from 1997-2000, and as the associate chief of staff of The Cleveland Clinic Foundation from 1990-1997.
Dr. Estes has been active in the community, serving on many local boards including the Lake Champlain Regional Chamber of Commerce, the Flynn Theatre, Vermont Public Radio and the Vermont Association of Hospitals and Health Systems, a board she currently chairs. She has twice been the keynote speaker at the American Heart Association’s “Go Red for Women” luncheon, and she was honored by the local MS Society with its Hope Award in 2008. In 2006, just three years after she took the helm, Fletcher Allen was named “Business of the Year” by the Lake Champlain Regional Chamber of Commerce.
In 2009, Dr. Estes was named one of the “50 Most Powerful Physician Executives” in the nation by Modern Healthcare. She also serves on several national boards and committees, including the boards of the University Healthsystem Consortium and the Council on Teaching Hospitals, and is a member of the Governing Council of the American Hospital Association’s Section for Metropolitan Hospitals.
Dr. Estes earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas. She received a medical degree from the University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, in 1978, and completed a neurology residency there in 1982. She also was a neuropathology fellow at The Cleveland Clinic Foundation from 1982-1984 and completed special training in pediatric neuropathology at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia in 1984. She is board certified in both neurology and neuropathology. Dr. Estes earned an M.B.A. from Case Western Reserve University’s Weatherhead School of Management in 1995.
About Fletcher Allen
Fletcher Allen Health Care, together with our partners at the University of Vermont College of Medicine and the College of Nursing and Health Sciences, is Vermont’s academic medical center. Our mission is to improve the health of the people in the communities we serve by integrating patient care, education and research in a caring environment. Fletcher Allen serves as a regional referral center -- providing advanced care to approximately one million people in Vermont and northern New York -- and as a community hospital for approximately 150,000 residents in Chittenden and Grand Isle counties.
For more information about Fletcher Allen, find us online at http://www.fletcherallen.org or on our Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and blog sites at www.fletcherallen.org/socialmedia.
###

Surgical Grand Rounds

Thu, 23 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Lab Residents’ PresentationsSarah Pesek, MD and Yiuola Sigounas, MDSurgical ResidentsDivision of General Surgery

Fletcher Allen Launches "Doc for a Day" Event

Wed, 22 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0500

June 22, 2011
Winners will perform virtual surgery in high-tech simulation lab
(BURLINGTON) Members of the public will have a rare opportunity to explore an advanced clinical simulation laboratory as part of a new Fletcher Allen program called “Doc for a Day.” Starting today, anyone over 18 can enter for a chance to be selected for the program by “liking” Fletcher Allen on Facebook.
Five winners will be chosen at random to participate in a fascinating, hands-on experience on August 12th led by Fletcher Allen surgeon and UVM College of Medicine professor Michael Ricci, MD. Winners will perform virtual surgeries and participate in simulated emergency room trauma events using technologically advanced, life-like mannequins whose complex circuitry allows them to react as if they were human.
As part of the “Doc for a Day” program, Fletcher Allen’s Facebook page will feature weekly quizzes and prize drawings throughout late June and July. The initial prize is a balloon ride for two at this year’s Hot Air Balloon Festival, donated by Stoweflake Mountain Resort and Spa.
The Clinical Simulation Lab- a collaboration between Fletcher Allen and the University of Vermont’s College of Medicine and College of Nursing and Health Sciences - is an interdisciplinary, state-of-the-art “virtual hospital” that allows medical and nursing students, physical therapy students, medical residents, physicians and nurses, community EMTs and Vermont National Guard members to practice clinical procedures in a safe learning environment. In the Lab, trainees can “practice” on mannequins with the aim of enhancing patient safety and clinical outcomes. (See details below).
Please visit Fletcher Allen’s Facebook page for contest details and more information.
About the Clinical Simulation Lab
Key features of the 9,000-square-foot facility include:

Six inpatient hospital rooms, each equipped with video cameras for recording and communication.

A multi-purpose room that can function as a simulated Operating Room, Emergency Room or Intensive Care Unit.

A professional skills/task training lab with body-part models for learning how to perform such procedures as drawing blood, lumbar puncture, and insertion of central and IV lines.

A virtual reality lab for practicing surgical skills.

Standardized patients - community members who have been specially trained to accurately portray specific roles or conditions - are used in conjunction with simulation technologies

Funding for the project came from a gift of Thomas Sullivan, M.D., who was a UVM medical alumnus and Fletcher Allen radiology resident, and from a $1.75 million grant secured by U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy.

Heart Rhythm Education Classes

Tue, 21 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Ob/Gyn Grand Rounds

Tue, 21 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0500

"Society for Gynecologic Investigation (SGI) Report"
Natalia Gokina, Ph.D.Marilyn Cipolla, Ph.D.Sarah Hale, Ph.D.Ob/Gyn, UVM andMaurizio Mandala, Ph.D.Visiting ScholarUniversity of Calabria, Consenza, Italy
7:30 - 8:30 a.m. @ Davis Auditorium

Osteoporosis Grand Rounds

Fri, 17 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Topic: TBA
Speaker: Vanessa Escobar, M.D., Endocrinology Fellow
Time: 12:00-1:00 PM
Location: Austin Auditorium, Shepardson 4, Medical Center Campus

Vermont Cancer Center - Highlights of the American Society of Clinical Oncology 2011 Annual Meeting

Fri, 17 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Doubletree Hotel Burlington, VT
At this full-day review of the American Society of Clinical Oncology annual meeting, key data will be presented, interpreted, and analyzed. Separate tracks are offered to physicians and nurses. CMS credit will be awarded. Nursing contact hours are pending approval. A complete schedule and registration will be available soon at http://www.VermontCancer.org.
Questions may be directed to Katherine.W.Martin@uvm.edu

Surgical Grand Rounds

Thu, 16 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Title to be AnnouncedTed James, MDAssociate Professor of Surgery

Endocrinology and Diabetes Guest Speaker Series

Wed, 15 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0500

WHAT IS IN YOUR MEDICINE CABINET? A discussion of the medications commonly prescribed to people with
diabetes

Please join us for this free presentation by;
Dr. Annis Marney
June 15th from 6:00-7:00PM
62 Tilley Drive, South Burlington

Please call 847-4576 for more information

Champlain Valley Prostate Cancer Support Group

Tue, 14 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Time: 6:00 - 8:00 P.M.
Where: Hope Lodge, 237 East Ave., Burlington, VT

Ob/Gyn Grand Rounds

Tue, 14 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0500

"Update on Pap Smears: Screening, Abnormals & Treatment"
Roger Young, M.D., Ph.D.Professor, Ob/Gyn, UVM/FAHC
7:30 - 8:30 a.m. @ Davis Auditorium

Pumps & More

Mon, 13 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Surgical Grand Rounds

Thu, 09 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0500

The Arnold H. Colodny LectureshipReconstruction of Cloaca and Cloacal Exstrophy: Sound Similar, but Very DifferentDennis Lund, MDProfessor of Surgery, Chairman of General SurgeryUniversity of Wisconsin - Madison

Ob/Gyn Grand Rounds

Tue, 07 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0500

"A Quality Journey"
Peter Cherouny, M.D.Division of Maternal Fetal MedicineProfessor, Ob/Gyn, UVM/FAHC
7:30 - 8:30 a.m. @ Davis Auditorium

Moses Ludington to Train Albany College of Pharmacy And Health Sciences Students

Mon, 06 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0500

June 6, 2011
Michael CarreseMarketing and Communications802-847-2886
TICONDEROGA, NY – Moses Ludington Hospital, part of Inter-Lakes Health, announced today that it has signed an affiliation agreement with Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (ACPHS) that will place pharmacy students at Moses Ludington Hospital as part of ACPHS’s experiential program and provide those students with supervised practical experience and training. The experiential program is a core component of ACPHS’s Doctor of Pharmacy program.
Kate Shmulsky, Pharm. D., director of Pharmacy Services at Moses Ludington, will provide oversight.
“As part of their studies, students participate in a series of pharmacy practice experiences, or rotations, that allow them to apply what they have learned,” Shmulsky said. “We’re very pleased that the college chose us to be an affiliate for their program.”
“The experiential education component of our Doctor of Pharmacy program moves students out of the classroom and provides them with opportunities to apply the knowledge they have gained in hands-on pharmacy experiences,” said Laurie Briceland, Pharm. D., assistant dean for Pharmacy Admissions and Experiential Education at ACPHS. “Inter-Lakes Health offers a variety of settings for our students.”
Plans call for 2 students each summer to participate in three-week rotations at the hospital each year, where they will gain experience in both the inpatient and outpatient setting. The students will initially come from ACPHS’s Albany campus, but will also come from their Colchester, VT, campus in the future.
ACPHS Practice sites include community pharmacies, hospitals, ambulatory care clinics, research laboratories, managed care facilities, academia, government agencies and the pharmaceutical industry. Select opportunities for international rotations are also available.
About Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
Founded in 1881, Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences is a private, independent institution committed to the advancement of health. The College possesses all of the qualities for an outstanding education, including diverse academic programs, modern facilities, and distinguished faculty. In addition to its doctor of pharmacy program, ACPHS offers three bachelor’s programs and five graduate programs in the health sciences. The College’s main campus is located in Albany, New York; its satellite campus is in Colchester, Vermont. For more information, please visit www.acphs.edu.
About Inter-Lakes, Health
Inter-Lakes Health, formally known as Moses-Ludington Corporation, is a family of health services located in Ticonderoga, NY between Lake George and Lake Champlain in the Adirondack Mountains. Inter-Lakes Health services patients from Essex, Warren and Washington County. The not-for-profit family members include Moses-Ludington Hospital, a 15- bed Critical Access Hospital, Heritage Commons Residential Health Care, an 84-bed nursing home, Moses-Ludington Adult Care, a 23-bed adult home, the Inter-Lakes Dental Clinic, and Lord Howe Estates, a 43-unit HUD Section 8 202 multi-family housing complex for low income elderly. To learn more, please visit www.interlakeshealth.com.

Living Well With Diabetes - Saturday Class

Sat, 04 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Please join us for a Saturday session of Living Well With Diabetes Class.

9am- 3pm at 62 Tilley Drive in South Burlington.

This class includes lunch with our diabetes team of educators.

Please call 847-4576 to register or for more information.

Surgical Grand Rounds

Thu, 02 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Kidney Paired DonationAdam Bingaman, MD, PhDDirector, Live Donor and Incompatible Kidney Transplant ProgramsMethodist Specialty and Transplant HospitalSan Antonio, TX

Healthsource: Diabetes 101

Tue, 31 May 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Diabetes 101Linda Tilton, MS, RD, CDE, Fletcher Allen Health CareJoin Linda Tilton for a discussion on diabetes and the clinical guidelines for diabetes management and self-care. For people with diabetes, those who support, live with, and care for them.
WHEN Tuesday, May 31, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
WHERE Davis Auditorium, Medical Center Campus, Burlington

Ob/Gyn Grand Rounds

Tue, 31 May 2011 00:00:00 -0500

No Grand Rounds today
Ob/Gyn Business Meeting(Attendance limited to Dept of Ob/Gyn attendings, fellows, residents, certified nurse midwives, physician assistants and nurse practitioners)
7:30 - 8:30 a.m. @ Davis Auditorium

Fletcher Allen Releases FY 2011 Year-to-Date and Second Quarter Financial Results

Thu, 26 May 2011 00:00:00 -0500

September 26, 2011
Mike NobleMarketing and Communications802-847-2886

Fletcher Allen Releases FY 2011 Year-to-Date and Second Quarter Financial Results

BURLINGTON VT - Fletcher Allen reported an operating income of approximately $9.1 million for the first two quarters of the 2011 fiscal year. This includes an operating income of approximately $8.2 million for the second quarter. The second quarter covers the period beginning January 1 and ending March 31.
Second Quarter ResultsOperating income for the second quarter was $4.5 million above budget and $1.4 million above the corresponding quarter in FY 2010. Net operating revenues for the quarter were $228.2 million, approximately $2 million above budgeted revenues. The organization's operating expenses for the quarter were approximately $220 million, $2.5 million under budget, resulting in an operating income of approximately $8.2 million and an operating margin of 3.6% for the second quarter. By comparison, the organization produced an income from operations of $6.8 million in the second quarter of FY 2010.
Year-to-date ResultsOn a year-to-date basis, the $9.1 million net income from operations was above the budgeted $2.5 million for the period, and produced an operating margin of slightly more than 2%. A year ago, the organization generated a two-quarter operating gain of $6.9 million. For the first half of the fiscal year, net operating revenues were $444.8 million, $4.6 million below budget. Operating expenses were $435.8 million, below budget by $11.1 million.

A key financial indicator, earnings before interest, depreciation and amortization (EBIDA) stood at approximately $41.3 million for the first two quarters. This was above the FY 2011 budget forecast of $36.8 million. EBIDA provides a good measure of the organization’s actual earnings.
At the end of the second quarter, days cash on hand stood at 114 days using a 12-month rolling average compared with 107 days last year. This indicator is a projected estimate of the number of days an organization could meet operating expenditures provided no additional revenues were received.
The institution began making its quarterly financials public with the release of the first quarter results for FY 2003 in February 2003. Audited financial statements, as well as unaudited quarterly results for FY 2008 through the second quarter of FY 2011 are available on the Fletcher Allen Web site at www.fletcherallen.org .

A High-Performance OrganizationFletcher Allen compares well with peer groups outside the state in terms of quality and efficiency. In one group of 107 academic medical centers and 233 of their affiliated hospitals, known as the University Healthsystem Consortium (UHC), Fletcher Allen performs above the UHC median on an array of quality measures such as readmissions, heart attack, heart failure and pneumonia care, as well as cost measures such as cost per inpatient discharge and observed to expected costs of care.

Regionally, Vermont’s Act 49 report issued last year with data from Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine showed that Fletcher Allen’s hospital service area had the lowest rate of Emergency Department visits and the lowest rate of potentially-avoidable ED use. Fletcher Allen’s service area also had the lowest per-member per-month expenses for insured patients in the three-state region.
About Fletcher AllenFletcher Allen Health Care, together with our partners at the University of Vermont College of Medicine and the College of Nursing and Health Sciences, is Vermont’s academic medical center. Our mission is to improve the health of the people in the communities we serve by integrating patient care, education and research in a caring environment. Fletcher Allen serves as a regional referral center -- providing advanced care to approximately one million people in Vermont and northern New York -- and as a community hospital for approximately 150,000 residents in Chittenden and Grand Isle counties.

The institution began making its quarterly financials public with the release of the first quarter results for FY 2003 in February 2003. The audited financial statements as well as unaudited quarterly results for FY 2003 through the third quarter of FY 2010 are available on the Fletcher Allen Web site at www.fletcherallen.org.
For more information about Fletcher Allen, find us online at http://www.fletcherallen.org or on our Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and blog sites at www.fletcherallen.org/socialmedia.

Click here for FY 2011 Y-T-D and Second Quarter Financial Results

Insulin Pump Management Class

Thu, 26 May 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Considering a Pump?
Come join us for an overview of insulin pump management offered for people who are actively pursuing insulin pump therapy.
Class is on Thursday, May 26 from 1pm-3pm at 62 Tilley Drive in South Burlington.
Please call 847-4576 to register.

Neuroscience Grand Rounds

Thu, 26 May 2011 00:00:00 -0500

"NMDA Receptor the Encephalitis"
Irfan Jafree, MD
Resident, Dept of Neurology
The University of Vermont, College of Medicine
Fletcher Allen Health Care

9:30-10:30am
Davis Auditorium

Heatthsource: Your Aging Eyes and Macular Degeneration

Wed, 25 May 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Your Aging Eyes and Macular DegenerationBrian Kim, MD, Fletcher Allen OphthalmologistJoin Dr. Kim for an overview of macular degeneration. Learn about the latest information, research and treatment options.WHEN Wednesday, May 25, 7:00-8:30 p.m.WHERE Davis Auditorium, Medical Center Campus, Burlington

Healthsource: The Flavors of Vietnam and Thailand FULL

Tue, 24 May 2011 00:00:00 -0500

The Flavors of Vietnam and ThailandJohn Barton, Chef, New England Culinary InstituteExplore naturally healthy dishes from Southeast Asian cultures. Learn how to properly use essential flavorings; lemongrass, fish sauce, tamarind, galangal, green papaya, kaffir lime and more! Demonstration style class.
WHEN Tuesday, May 24, 6:00-8:00 p.m.WHERE South Burlington

This class is FULL.

Ob/Gyn Grand Rounds

Tue, 24 May 2011 00:00:00 -0500

"The Role of Cervical Cerclage in the Prevention of Recurrent Preterm Birth"
Julie Phillips, M.D.Division of Maternal Fetal MedicineClinical Instructor, Ob/Gyn, UVM7:30 - 8: 30 a.m. @ Davis Auditorium

Healthier Living With Diabetes - Community Health Improvement

Mon, 23 May 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Do you have Diabetes? Please join us for the Healthier Living with Diabetes workshop!
If you or someone you know is living with diabetes this free
workshop is for you! Some of the topics covered are healthy eating,
glucose monitoring, physical activity and medications to prevent
diabetes-specific problems.

Mondays from April 18- May 23
1:30 - 4:00
62 Tilley Drive
South Burlington

Please call 847-2278 to register.

Healthsource: Bariatric Surgery

Mon, 23 May 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Bariatric Surgery: Are You a Candidate?Deborah Wachtel, NP, MPH, Fletcher Allen Health CareWeight-loss surgery is much more than a surgical change in how your body handles food. It is a life-long commitment to a change in lifestyle and eating habits. Learn about the types of bariatric surgery offered and life after surgery.
WHEN Monday, May 23, 7:00-8:30 p.m.
WHERE Davis Auditorium, Medical Center Campus, Burlington

Living Well With Diabetes Class - Part 2

Mon, 23 May 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Living Well with Diabetes is a comprehensive 6 hour class which includes the
seven core areas of competency identified by the American Association of
Diabetes Educators. Our diabetes education program is recognized by the
American Diabetes Association and all of our classes are taught by Certified
Diabetes Educators. Most health insurance plans cover the cost of this class.
This is a 2 part class
Monday, May 16 from 9am - 12pm and Monday, May 23 from 9-12
62
Tilley Drive, 2nd Floor in South Burlington
Please call 847-4576 for more information or to register.

Osteoporosis Grand Rounds

Fri, 20 May 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Topic: Renal Failure and Bone Disease
Speaker: John H. Turco, M.D., Endocrinologist, DHMC; Assoc.Professor, Dartmouth
Time: 12:00-1:00 PM
Location: Austin Auditorium, Shepardson 4, Medical Center Campus

Surgical Grand Rounds

Thu, 19 May 2011 00:00:00 -0500

The Snow Lecture"Current Management of Esophageal Cancer"
Valerie Rusch, MDChief, Thoracic ServiceMiner Family Chair in Intrathoracic CancersMemorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer CenterNew York, NY
7:30-8:30 AMDavis Auditorium
Cardiothoracic M&Ms to follow

Neuroscience Grand Rounds

Thu, 19 May 2011 00:00:00 -0500

"Concussion adn Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy in Athletes"
Lawrence Chin, MD
Professor and Chair of Dept of Neurosurgery
Boston University School of Medicine
Boston, MA

9:30-10:30am
Davis Auditorium

Diabetes Guest Speaker Series

Wed, 18 May 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Come join us at Endocrinology and Diabetes for our Diabetes Guest Speaker Series offered free of charge to the community.
This month, Anya Raven Hunter MA, MSW, LICSW will join us to discuss "How to Work Through Stress and Anxiety in Chronic Disease"
Wednesday, May 18th from 6pm-7:00 pm at 62 Tilley Drive in South Burlington.
Please call 847-4576 for more information.

Healthsource: Vitamin D

Wed, 18 May 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Vitamin D: The Sunshine VitaminSue Johansen, RD, CDE, CD Fletcher Allen Health CareRecent research indicates that Vitamin D may be linked to many chronic diseases, in addition to its role building strong bones. Learn the health implications for Vitamin D, how much we need, and how we get adequate amounts year-round in Vermont.
WHEN Wednesday, May 18, 7:00-8:30 p.m.
WHERE Davis Auditorium, Medical Center Campus, Burlington

Community Medical School - Amazing Rays: The Latest Technologies in Radiation Therapy

Tue, 17 May 2011 00:00:00 -0500

H. James Wallace, M.D., Associate Professor of Radiology and Medical Director, Radiation Oncology
Three years after the discovery of the x-ray in 1895, radiation was used to treat cancer. While technological progress in radiation treatment has continued over the past 115 years, the last decade has yielded such major advancements as the ability to focus, shape and aim radiation beams to target cancer and leave normal tissue intact.
Review the latest advances in radiation therapy and learn how common cancer treatment has changed over the years, due to improved technologies that make this approach more effective and safer than ever.
When: 6:30 - 7:30 P.M.
Where: Carpenter Auditorium at the Given Medical Building, UVM Campus
Register: To reserve your space, register online or call (802) 847-2886.
Free parking is available.

Ob/Gyn Grand Rounds

Tue, 17 May 2011 00:00:00 -0500

"An Overview of Vulvar Disease"
Lynne Margesson, M.D.Assistant Professor, Ob/Gyn and Medicine (Dermatology)Dartmouth Medical School
7:30 - 8: 30 a.m. @ Davis Auditorium

Healthier Living With Diabetes - Community Health Improvement

Mon, 16 May 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Do you have Diabetes? Please join us for the Healthier Living with Diabetes workshop!
If you or someone you know is living with diabetes this free
workshop is for you! Some of the topics covered are healthy eating,
glucose monitoring, physical activity and medications to prevent
diabetes-specific problems.

Mondays from April 18- May 23
1:30 - 4:00
62 Tilley Drive
South Burlington

Please call 847-2278 to register.

Healthsource: Natural Brain Balancing

Mon, 16 May 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Natural Brain BalancingSusan Fitzgerald, Certified Instructor/Therapist of Deep Relaxation TherapyLearn about natural and enjoyable ways to create more positive and healthy chemical responses in your brain. Discussion covers hormonal imbalances and blood sugar triggers for insomnia, depression, and anxiety.
WHEN Monday, May 16, 7:00-8:30 p.m.
WHERE Davis Auditorium, Medical Center Campus, Burlington

Living Well With Diabetes Class - Part 1 of 2

Mon, 16 May 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Living Well with Diabetes is a comprehensive 6 hour class which includes the
seven core areas of competency identified by the American Association of
Diabetes Educators. Our diabetes education program is recognized by the
American Diabetes Association and all of our classes are taught by Certified
Diabetes Educators. Most health insurance plans cover the cost of this class.
This is part 1 of a 2 part class
Monday, May 16 from 9am - 12pm and Monday, May 23 from 9-12
62
Tilley Drive, 2nd Floor in South Burlington
Please call 847-4576 for more information or to register.

Healthsource: Cooking Food Fast Food

Sun, 15 May 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Cooking: Good Food Fast Not Fast FoodDr. Stuart Offer, Greater Burlington YMCALearn the skills needed to prepare fast, healthy, and delicious meals on a budget. Demonstration style class.
WHEN Sunday, May 15, 1:00-2:30 p.m.
WHERE South Burlington

MS in Balance - Your Life Should Progress, Not Your Multiple Sclerosis

Sat, 14 May 2011 00:00:00 -0500

9:30 A.M. - 2:00 P.M.
Doubletree Hotel, Burlington
Angela Applebee, MD, director, MS Center of Northern New England at Fletcher Allen, and Susan Kasser, PhD, associate professor of Rehabilitation and Movement Science, UVM College of Nursing and Health Sciences, joined by experts in urology, neuro-ophthalmology, psychology and nursing care for a roundtable Q&A session; registration 9:30 am, program 10 am - 2 pm, includes continental breakfast and lunch. No cost, registration limited and required by Friday, May 6: 1-800-532-7667, ext. 181 or support@msassociation.org/Burlington.

Healthsource: Yoga FULL

Thu, 12 May 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Yoga for HealthseekersSusan Marx, Certified InstructorLearn the benefits of yoga for stress relief, flexibility, and strength through easy to learn exercises. 15-person limit.
WHEN Thursday, May 12, 6:00-7:00 p.m.
WHERE Greater Burlington YMCA, Winooski
this class is FULL!

Surgical Grand Rounds

Thu, 12 May 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Title to be Announced
Travis DumontChief ResidentDivision of Neurosurgery
7:30-8:30 AMDavis Auditorium
Neurosurgery M&Ms to follow

Neuroscience Grand Rounds

Thu, 12 May 2011 00:00:00 -0500

"Emergent EEG in Clinical Practice"
Yanan Shang, MD
Fellow, Neurology
The University of Vermont, College of Medicine
Fletcher Allen Health Care

9:30-10:30am
Davis Auditorium

Healthsource: Terrific Toddlers

Wed, 11 May 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Terrific ToddlersLewis First, MD and Mary Lee Ritter, PNP Vermont Children’s Hospital, Fletcher AllenToddlers are terrific! Workshop focuses on caring for your children through toddler years, including nutritional needs, behavioral strategies for those “challenging” moments, and advice on the occasional temper tantrum.
WHEN Wednesday, May 11, 6:30-8:00 p.m.
WHERE Davis Auditorium, Medical Center Campus, Burlington

Community Medical School - NOT All in Your Head: What is Migraine and How Is It Treated?

Tue, 10 May 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Robert Shapiro, M.D., Professor of Neurology and Director, Headache Clinic
This year, more than 60 million Americans will experience migraine, a disorder marked by disabling attacks of severe one-sided, throbbing headaches, sensitivity to light and sound, that is often accompanied by nasal congestion, cloudy thinking, or nausea. One in four American families includes a migraine sufferer and more than half of migraineurs have not been diagnosed.
Discover the impact of migraine and how to address this common neurological disorder.
When: 6:30 - 7:30 P.M.
Where: Carpenter Auditorium at the Given Medical Building, UVM Campus
Register: To reserve your space, register online or call (802) 847-2886.
Free parking is available.

Ob/Gyn Grand Rounds

Tue, 10 May 2011 00:00:00 -0500

"HIV and Pregnancy"
Recia Frenn, M.D.Chief Resident, FAHCClinical Instructor, Ob/Gyn, UVM
7:30 - 8: 30 a.m. @ Davis Auditorium

Healthier Living With Diabetes - Community Health Improvement

Mon, 09 May 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Do you have Diabetes? Please join us for the Healthier Living with Diabetes workshop!
If you or someone you know is living with diabetes this free
workshop is for you! Some of the topics covered are healthy eating,
glucose monitoring, physical activity and medications to prevent
diabetes-specific problems.

Mondays from April 18- May 23
1:30 - 4:00
62 Tilley Drive
South Burlington

Please call 847-2278 to register.

Pumps & More

Mon, 09 May 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Healthsource: The Power of Humor in Health FULL

Mon, 09 May 2011 00:00:00 -0500

The Power of Humor in HealthSr. Pat McKittrick, RN, Fletcher Allen Health CareLaughter can be the best medicine no matter what our ills may be. Explore the importance of choosing happiness & experiencing joy in our daily lives.
WHEN Monday, May 9, 6:30-7:30 p.m.WHERE Fanny Allen Campus, Fletcher Allen Health Care

This Class is Full.

March of Dimes "March for Babies" Walk

Sat, 07 May 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Money raised supports research and community programs that help moms have healthy, full-term pregnancies. 8 am, Oakledge Park, Flynn Avenue, Burlington. Information: 802-560-4822 or www.marchforbabies.org.

Healthsource: Senior Strength FULL

Fri, 06 May 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Senior StrengthTristan LanfearSenior Strength works on strength, balance, and breathing utilizing a series of exercises to work your whole body. Use any size dumbbell to learn proper technique.
WHEN Friday, May 6, 12:00-1:00 p.m.WHERE Greater Burlington YMCA, Winooski
Class limit size 15.
this class is FULL!

Cancer Survivorship - Free Educational Program

Thu, 05 May 2011 00:00:00 -0500

5:30 pm - 7:00 pmCarpenter Auditorium on the Medical Center Campus, Burlington
An overview of post-treatment medical issues and the physical therapy services available to address them with Deb Harris, PT, RD, Certified Lymphedema Therapist. Reservations are requested for this free program. Please call 434-3979 or contact sdaniels2@cs.com. Sponsored by the Eleanor B. Daniels Fund and the division of Gynecologic Oncology at Fletcher Allen Health Care.

Surgical Grand Rounds

Thu, 05 May 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Surgery Senio Major Scientific Program
7:30 AMAustin Auditorium

Neuroscience Grand Rounds

Thu, 05 May 2011 00:00:00 -0500

SPINE DAY
"EMG Monitoring of Central Motor Pathways"
Stanley A. Skinner, MD
Abbott Northwestern's Neuroscience Institute
Minneapolis, MN

9:30-10:30am
Davis Auditorium

Breastfeeding Basics

Wed, 04 May 2011 00:00:00 -0500

New Training Program To Help Rural Providers Meet Rising Demand for Palliative Care Services

Wed, 04 May 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Gift Helps
Fletcher Allen Experts Guide Clinicians in Vermont
and New York
BURLINGTON,
VT –
Fletcher Allen Health Care announced today it has established the Rural
Palliative Care Network, a training program for providers at community
hospitals seeking the specialized skills they need to deliver comprehensive
palliative care to their patients. Creation of the Network
was made possible through the generosity of Vermont philanthropists Bob and Holly Miller.
The program expands
the role Fletcher Allen’s interdisciplinary palliative care team members have
played since 2007 as on-call consultants to providers in Vermont
and northern New York.
Resources
available through the Network include:

A 24/7 hotline answered by Fletcher
Allen physicians and palliative care specialists
Telemedicine consultations for
patients with life-threatening conditions who are being transferred to
Fletcher Allen’s Medical Intensive Care Unit.

A mentorship program in which
community providers can spend a day or more with Fletcher Allen’s palliative
care specialists.
Weekly
televised case conferences
Visits
by members of the palliative care team to participating hospitals.

“Increasing the number of clinicians who can provide
excellent palliative care is a critical step in improving the quality of health
care in our region,” said Allan Ramsay, M.D. director of Fletcher Allen’s
Palliative Care Service. “The Network
program will allow us to fully support our colleagues facing the special
challenges of delivering this type of care.”
“This
program is an important resource for our patients because it allows us to
provide them with better care and be more thorough in addressing their level of
comfort,” said William Porter, M.D. of Partners in Palliative and Home Care, a
practice based at Porter Hospital in Middlebury. “Fletcher Allen’s
specialists have always been readily available and supportive, and I find
having access to their expertise to be invaluable,” he continued.
Dr. Marie-Caroline Piche, Palliative Care
Program Director at Alice Hyde Medical
Center in Malone, New York
has turned to the palliative care team for guidance since 2007. “Having the support of a larger program is so
beneficial. I have learned a great deal about pain management and communicating
with families through my contact with Fletcher Allen’s team, and I feel like I
can do what I do for my patients because I know they are there,” Piche
said.
Palliative care, sometimes referred to as comfort care, focuses
on pain control, symptom management, advanced care planning and improving the
quality of life for patients undergoing curative treatments and for those receiving
end of life care. The number of
palliative care teams at hospitals in the U.S. more than doubled in the past
decade to meet rising patient demand.
“No matter where you live, you deserve relief, information,
and choices about your medical care. That’s why it’s important that Fletcher Allen's Rural Palliative
Care Network extends the expertise of a large academic medical center to
doctors, nurses, and hospitals in small towns and rural communities," said
Diane E. Meier, M.D. Director of the
Center to Advance Palliative Care at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New
York, NY and a national leader on the issue.
“I’ve been
watching the palliative care program grow at Fletcher Allen,” said Holly
Miller. “The idea of the Rural Palliative Care Network really appealed to Bob
and me. Nothing could make us happier
than knowing that our team at Fletcher Allen is sharing resources with
physicians in Vermont and northern New York that will help their patients live
as well as they can, as long as they can.”
“We are very grateful to the Millers for making this effort
possible. The impact of their generosity
will be felt by people throughout our region for many years to come,” said
Ramsay.
For More
Information on Palliative Care
Visit
www.FletcherAllen.org/palliative for details on Fletcher Allen’s Palliative Care Service. You can also access video and audio
interviews with Dr. Ramsay that provide an overview of palliative care and its
role in modern healthcare and a blog article that
answers common questions about palliative care.

Community Medical School - Nothing to Sniff At: Managing Nasal Allergies

Tue, 03 May 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Elizabeth Jaffe, M.D., Clinical Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Allergist
The importance of treatment for allergic rhinitis — one of the most common chronic diseases in both children and adults — is often underestimated. This condition, which can have a profound physical and psychological impact on health, is often associated with other diseases such as asthma and chronic sinusitis.
Investigate the causes of the disease, associated conditions, and both preventative and therapeutic approaches for allergic rhinitis.
When: 6:30 - 7:30 P.M.
Where: Carpenter Auditorium at the Given Medical Building, UVM Campus
Register: To reserve your space, register online or call (802) 847-2886.
Free parking is available.

Ob/Gyn Grand Rounds

Tue, 03 May 2011 00:00:00 -0500

"Diagnosis and Management of the IUGR Fetus"
Giancarlo Mari, M.D.Professor & Chair, Ob/GynUniversity of TennesseeHealth Science Center, Memphis
7:30 - 8: 30 a.m. @ Davis Auditorium

Healthier Living With Diabetes - Community Health Improvement

Mon, 02 May 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Do you have Diabetes? Please join us for the Healthier Living with Diabetes workshop!
If you or someone you know is living with diabetes this free
workshop is for you! Some of the topics covered are healthy eating,
glucose monitoring, physical activity and medications to prevent
diabetes-specific problems.

Mondays from April 18- May 23
1:30 - 4:00
62 Tilley Drive
South Burlington

Please call 847-2278 to register.

Healthier Living with Diabetes

Mon, 02 May 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Healthier Living with Diabetes
If you or someone you know is living with diabetes, this free workshop is for you! Topics covered are healthy eating, glucose monitoring, physical activity, and medications. Class is once a week for six weeks.
WHEN Mondays, May 2-June 13, 2:00–4:30 p.m. (except Memorial Day)WHERE South Burlington

Healthsource: CPR

Mon, 02 May 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Barbara Liberty, RN, Corporate Health, Fletcher AllenA two-part CPR class with AED certification designed for those required to maintain CPR certification for employmentor volunteer activities. Learn proper technique & application of CPR for an adult, child and infant. Completion of skills demonstration is required to receive a certification card,valid for two years.WHEN Monday, May 2 & Wednesday, May 4, 6:00-8:30 p.m.WHERE Fanny Allen Campus, ColchesterCOST $50 per participant. Class space is limited to 12.
To register, please call 847.2278.

Surgical Grand Rounds

Thu, 28 Apr 2011 00:00:00 -0500

The Page Lecture"Maximally Invasive Teaching"
Debra Darosa, PhDProfessor of SurgeryVice-Chair of EducationNorthwestern University Feinberg School of MedicineChicago, IL
7:30-8:30 AMDavis Auditorium
Trauma M&Ms to follow

Radiologist Receives $100,000 Grant for Groundbreaking Research in Global Health & Development

Thu, 28 Apr 2011 00:00:00 -0500

April 28, 2011Michael CarreseMarketing and Communications802-847-2886Fletcher Allen/UVM Radiologist, co-Founder, Receives Grant Imaging the World Receives US$100,000 Grand Challenges Explorations Grant for Groundbreaking Research in Global Health and DevelopmentBURLINGTON, VT/SEATTLE, WA – Imaging the World announced today that it is a Grand Challenges Explorations winner, an initiative funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
Co-Founders of Imaging the World, Kristen DeStigter, M.D. Vice Chair of Radiology at the University of Vermont/Fletcher Allen Health Care and Associate Professor, Radiology, UVM College of Medicine, and Brian Garra, M.D. Associate Director, Division of Imaging and Applied Mathematics/OSEL, US Food and Drug Administration and Chief of Imaging Systems & Research in Radiology at the Washington DC Veterans Affairs Medical Center, will pursue an innovative global health and development research project, titled “Low-Cost Sustainable Solution for Rural Ultrasound.”
Grand Challenges Explorations (GCE) funds scientists and researchers worldwide to explore ideas that can break the mold in how we solve persistent global health and development challenges. Dr. DeStigter and Dr. Garra’s project is one of over 85 Grand Challenges Explorations Round 6 grants announced today by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
“GCE winners are expanding the pipeline of ideas for serious global health and development challenges where creative thinking is most urgently needed. These grants are meant to spur on new discoveries that could ultimately save millions of lives,” said Chris Wilson, director of Global Health Discovery at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
To receive funding, Drs. DeStigter and Garra and other Grand Challenges Explorations Round 6 winners demonstrated in a two-page online application a bold idea in one of five critical global heath and development topic areas: polio eradication, HIV, sanitation and family health technologies, and mobile health. Applications for the current open round, Grand Challenges Explorations Round 7, will be accepted through May 19, 2011.
Dr. DeStigter and Dr. Garra, along with the ITW team, are developing a low-cost scalable solution based in technology, education and community outreach to bring ultrasound diagnoses to pregnant women in areas of high maternal/neonatal mortality. By giving advance warning of critical maternal conditions, this model will improve maternal/fetal morbidity and mortality on a grand scale.
About Grand Challenges Explorations
Grand Challenges Explorations is a US$100 million initiative funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Launched in 2008, Grand Challenge Explorations grants have already been awarded to nearly 500 researchers from over 40 countries. The grant program is open to anyone from any discipline and from any organization. The initiative uses an agile, accelerated grant-making process with short two-page online applications and no preliminary data required. Initial grants of $100,000 are awarded two times a year. Successful projects have the opportunity to receive a follow-on grant of up to US$1 million.
About Imaging the World
Imaging the World (ITW) is changing global medicine through a revolutionary new concept integrating technology, volunteers and education to bring medical expertise and high quality health care to remote and under-served areas worldwide. Using a newly designed training process, local health providers learn to capture high-quality ultrasound scans that are transmitted via the web to medical volunteers around the world. Within hours potentially lifesaving diagnoses are returned, offering never before available options for treatment. ITW’s integrated educational platform is essential in combating maternal health, trauma triage and many of the critical issues facing all remote areas of the world. ITW’s low cost, sustainable and scalable imaging model is possible anywhere cell phone signals are available.
Please visit us at www.imagingtheworld.org.

Healthsource: Organic Gardening

Wed, 27 Apr 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Organic Gardening 101Jim Flint, Friends of Burlington GardensInterested in gardening, but don’t know where to start? Jim Flint will present a beginning gardener workshop covering the basics of growing your own fresh organic vegetables at home or in a community garden.
WHEN Wednesday, April 27, 6:30-8:30 p.m.WHERE Davis Auditorium, Medical Center Campus, Burlington

Community Medical School - Cardiac Makeovers: Rehab and Prehab for a Healthy Heart

Tue, 26 Apr 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Philip Ades, M.D., Professor of Medicine and Director of Cardiac Rehabilitation and Preventive Cardiology
More than 17 million Americans suffer from coronary heart disease, a condition caused by a buildup of fat deposits, cholesterol, and substances in the arteries that can lead to chest pain, heart attack, and heart failure.
Associated health care costs totaled an estimated $475.3 billion in 2009, according to the American Heart Association, but Ades’ research shows these costs – and future cardiac events – can be greatly reduced if a patient participates in a cardiac rehabilitation program.
Learn about the benefits of rehab, the value of tailoring rehab activities to patient needs, and how embarking on a healthy lifestyle and exercise program can help prevent a heart attack and yield anti-aging effects.
When: 6:30 - 7:30 P.M.
Where: Carpenter Auditorium at the Given Medical Building, UVM Campus
Register: To reserve your space, register online or call (802) 847-2886.
Free parking is available.

Ob/Gyn Grand Rounds

Tue, 26 Apr 2011 00:00:00 -0500

"Racial Disparities in Adverse Birth Outcomes: A Life-Course Perspective"James W. Collins, Jr., M.D., M.P.H.Professor, Dept. of PediatricsDivision of NeonatologyNorthwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine Chicago, Illinois7:30 - 8:30 a.m. @ Davis Aud.

Healthsource: Cholesterol Screenings

Tue, 26 Apr 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Cholesterol ScreeningsWHEN Tuesday, April 26, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
WHERE Community Health Improvement, 199 Main Street, Burlington
COST $21 per participant; $18 for people over 62.

Call 847-2278 to register.

NY Times: Norman Ward, M.D. Comments on Vermont's Prescription Confidentiality Law

Tue, 26 Apr 2011 00:00:00 -0500

AP Wire: Fletcher Allen/UVM Radiologists Use CT Scans of Egyptian Mummy to Help Solve VT Crimes

Tue, 26 Apr 2011 00:00:00 -0500

New York State Department of Health Approves Executive Services Agreement Between Fletcher Allen Health Care and Moses Ludington Hospital

Mon, 25 Apr 2011 00:00:00 -0500

FOR RELEASE:                                                         Immediate (April 25, 2011)CONTACTS:
                       Mike Noble                       Marketing and Communications                       Fletcher Allen Health Care                       802-847-2886                        Sandra R. Bolton                       Board Chair                       Inter-Lakes Health                       518-503-5213
TICONDEROGA, NY - An agreement between Fletcher Allen Executive Services, LLC, and Moses Ludington Hospital, located in Ticonderoga, NY, will allow Moses Ludington to take advantage of Fletcher Allen management services to help oversee its operations. Fletcher Allen Executive Services is a subsidiary of Fletcher Allen Health Care in Burlington, VT. The agreement was approved last week by New York's Health Department. Under New York regulations, the provision of executive management services in a hospital by a third party requires Health Department approval.
Under the agreement, Fletcher Allen will arrange for Charles Miceli, C.P.M., vice president of Supply Chain and Pharmacy Services at Fletcher Allen to serve as the Moses Ludington Hospital interim chief executive officer, while a search for a permanent CEO takes place.
This agreement augments Moses Ludington's access to Fletcher Allen's clinical expertise under the affiliation agreement that was established this past July to enable both organizations to work more closely together in a coordinated system of care to meet the health care needs of the Ticonderoga community.
"I am very pleased that the health department has approved this agreement," said Sandra Bolton, chairperson Moses Ludington Hospital Board of Directors. "The hospital will benefit from Mr. Miceli's presence and from the depth of operational expertise he can draw upon that is usually found only at an academic medical center. Being able to share Fletcher Allen's management skills will help us to become a more cost-effective health care provider, which is vital in the new health care reform environment.
"With Kevin Haughney's resignation this past summer, the Board of Trustees asked Lisa Busby, our chief information officer, to serve as interim CEO for the short term and she has done a great job," Bolton continued. "With this new agreement approved by the state, Lisa can focus full-time on our information technology needs, and we will have an interim CEO with board operational skills and experience to provide daily direction and oversight for the hospital."
Fletcher Allen also has affiliation agreements with Alice Hyde Medical Center in Malone, NY and Canton-Potsdam Hospital in Potsdam, NY.

Healthsource: Concussion Injuries

Mon, 25 Apr 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Concussion Injuries: What You Should KnowChristian Verry, MD, CAQ-Sports Medicine, Head Team Physician, University of Vermontpresentations, the underlying pathology of the injury, & return-to-play protocols for athletes. Geared toward medical providers at all levels, but can serve to educate non-health care professionals.
WHEN Monday, April 25, 7:00-8:30 p.m.WHERE Davis Auditorium, Medical Center Campus, Burlington

Living Well with Diabetes - Part II

Mon, 25 Apr 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Living Well with Diabetes
Please come join us for a two part class on both Monday, April 18th and Monday, April 25th from 9am-12pm at Endocrinology and Diabetes located at 62 Tilley Drive in South Burlington.
Living Well with Diabetes is a comprehensive 6 hour diabetes self-management education class. This class covers the seven core areas of competency identified by the American Association of Diabetes Educators.
Please call us at (802) 847-4576 to register for both classes.

Healthier Living Workshop FREE!

Thu, 21 Apr 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Healthier
Living Workshop
Do
you have a chronic condition that is affecting your life? Change your life for
the better! The Healthier Living Workshop is for individuals living living with
a chronic condition. Learn new skills and tools so you can live better every
day. The class meets once a week for six weeks.

Thursdays
April 21-May 26
5:30-8:00 pm
Colchester, call 847-2278 to register.

Ob/Gyn Grand Rounds

Tue, 19 Apr 2011 00:00:00 -0500

"The Acute and Chronic Consequences of Fatigue"Ralph W. Yarnell, M.D.Dept. of Anesthesiology, FAHC Associate Professor, UVM7:30 - 8:30 a.m. @ Davis Aud.

Living Well with Diabetes

Mon, 18 Apr 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Pumps & More

Mon, 18 Apr 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Healthier Living With Diabetes - Community Health Improvement

Mon, 18 Apr 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Do you have Diabetes? Please join us for the Healthier Living with Diabetes workshop!
If you or someone you know is living with diabetes this free workshop is for you! Some of the topics covered are healthy eating, glucose monitoring, physical activity and medications to prevent diabetes-specific problems.

Mondays from April 18- May 23
1:30 - 4:00
62 Tilley Drive
South Burlington

Please call 847-2278 to register.

Osteoporosis Grand Rounds

Fri, 15 Apr 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Topic: Amenorrhea, Anorexia Nervosa and Bones
Speaker: Alison Schneider, M.D., Endocrinology Fellow
Time: 12:00-1:00 PM
Location: Austin Auditorium, Shepardson 4, Medical Center Campus

Surgical Grand Rounds

Thu, 14 Apr 2011 00:00:00 -0500

"Interventional Radiology 2011"
Christopher Morris, MDProfessor of RadiologyUniversity of Vermont
7:30-8:30 AMDavis Auditorium
Vascular Surgery M&Ms to follow

Ob/Gyn Grand Rounds

Tue, 12 Apr 2011 00:00:00 -0500

" Female Genital Cutting"Maria Carracino, M.D.Chief Resident, FAHCClinical Instructor, Ob/Gyn, UVM7:30 - 8:30 a.m. @ Davis Aud.

Surgical Grand Rounds

Thu, 07 Apr 2011 00:00:00 -0500

The Samuel B. and Michelle D. Labow Lecture
"Improving the Quality of Cancer Surgery: The Cancer Care Ontario Experience"
Robin McLeod, MD, FRCS(C)Professor of SurgeryChief, Division of General SurgeryMount Sinai HospitalToronto, Ontario
7:30-8:30 AMDavis Auditorium
General Surgery M&Ms to follow

Thu, 03 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0500

"Serotonin: What's It Doing in My Gut?"
Gary M. Mawe, PhD
Professor, Anatomy and Neurobiology
The University of Vermont, College of Medicine

Surgical Grand Rounds

Thu, 03 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0500

"Graves’ Orbitopathy"
Phil Aitken, MDAssociate Professor of SurgeryDivision of Ophthalmology
7:30-8:30 AMDavis Auditorium
Ophthalmology M&Ms to follow

Clinical Simulation Laboratory Opening at UVM

Wed, 02 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Opening celebration for the Clinical Simulation Laboratory at the University of Vermont
1:30 - 3:30 p.m.Rowell Building, 2nd Floor, University of Vermont
Remarks begin at 2:00 p.m. from: Frederick C. Morin III, M.D., Dean, UVM College of Medicine Melinda L. Estes, M.D., President and CEO, Fletcher Allen Health CarePatricia A. Prelock, Ph.D., Dean, UVM College of Nursing and Health Sciences

Breastfeeding Basics

Wed, 02 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Ob/Gyn Grand Rounds

Tue, 01 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0500

An overview of the Research Program in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center Lebanon, including REI, MFM, and Urogynecology
Marlene B. Goldman, Sc.D., ProfessorJames Whiteside, M.D., Associate ProfessorMichele Lauria, M.D., ProfessorDartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center
7:30 - 8:30 a.m. @ Davis Aud.

Neuroscience Grand Rounds

Thu, 24 Feb 2011 00:00:00 -0500

"Ancient Stroke"
Mark Gorman, MD
Associate Professor, Neurology
The University of Vermont, College of Medicine
Fletcher Allen Health Care

Fletcher Allen Makes Changes to Visiting Policy as Flu Season Peaks

Wed, 23 Feb 2011 00:00:00 -0500

February 23, 2011
Michael CarreseMarketing and Communications802-847-2886 BURLINGTON, VT - Fletcher Allen Health Care has made changes to visiting policies for the Birthing Center and Mother/Baby Unit in an effort to protect patients, visitors and staff from exposure to influenza. Historically, 65% of all influenza infections occur in February and March.The Birthing Center, located on the seventh floor of the McClure Building, and the Mother/Baby Unit, located on the fifth floor of the Shepardson Building have made the following changes:
• Only two support people for mothers are allowed.• Support people must remain the same throughout the hospital stay. There will be no alternates allowed.• Support people must have no signs of illness.• No children 12 years old and younger may visit.• Children age 13 and older may visit as long as they have no signs of illness. They will count as one support person.• No tours until further notice.
Prospective mothers wishing to see labor, delivery and recovery facilities can visit the Birthing Center website and take a virtual tour. These visiting precautions are in the best interest of our patients as the flu season peaks and reflect the priority Fletcher Allen places on patient safety and infection control.

Ob/Gyn Grand Rounds

Tue, 22 Feb 2011 00:00:00 -0500

"Estrogen, From a Neuropsychiatry Perspective"
Paul Newhouse, M.D.Professor & DirectorClinical Neuroscience Research Unit & Brain Imaging ProgramAssociate Director for ResearchUVM Center on Aging, Department of Psychiatry
and
Christina Broadwell, M.D.Clinical Instructor, Ob/GynUVM/FAHC
7:30 - 8:30 a.m. @ Davis Auditorium

Take Veggies to the Heart at Healthy Living Market

Mon, 21 Feb 2011 00:00:00 -0500

February 21
5:30-8pm
Fresh, filling and heart-healthy, fruits and vegetables are an important part of your overall healthy eating plan. Eating a variety of fruits and vegetables may help you control your weight and your blood pressure. Mom was right; eat your peas and carrots (and grapes and oranges).
Green Beans with lemon
Tomato-Lentil Soup with saffron yogurt
Roasted Cauliflower and Leeks with pine nuts and golden raisins

Learn how to create simple, delicious, heart healthy foods in hands-on classes lead by
Fletcher Allen nutritionist Kimberly Evans, RD and chef Nina Lesser-Goldsmith from Healthy Living.
Cost: $45/class
Class will be held at Healthy Living Market on 222 Dorset Street in South Burlington.
To Register: http://v1.healthylivingmarket.com/hearthealthycooking

Healthsource: Helpful Tips on Nutrition and Training for a Marathon

Mon, 21 Feb 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Helpful Tips on Nutrition and Training for a MarathonSusan Dodge, PT and Kimberly Evans, RD

Marathon season is fast approaching. Learn how to train and eatyour way to a successful experience with Fletcher Allen physicaltherapist Susan Dodge and registered dietitian Kimberly Evans.

Monday, February 21, 6:30-8:00 p.m.Davis Auditorium, Medical Center Campus, Burlington

Free! Register online or call 847-2278.

FULL! Healthsource: The Maine Lobster and Other Sustainable Shellfish

Sun, 20 Feb 2011 00:00:00 -0500

The Maine Lobster and Other Sustainable Shellfish*John Barton, Chef, New England Culinary Institute
The lobster has emerged as a symbol for a sustainable fishery.To many the lobster remains an expensive, special occasioncenterpiece to be consumed during the holidays or during thatsummer trip to the coast. Learn how to utilize the whole “bug”to maximize yield and minimize the overall cost. In addition,discuss preparations and taste recipes utilizing shellfishalternatives including quahogs and Maine shrimp.

Sunday, February 20, 2:00-4:00 p.m.South Burlington
This class is FULL!
Free! Class size is limited. Register online or call 847-2278.

Osteoporosis Grand Rounds

Fri, 18 Feb 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Topic: Rheumatoid Arthritis and Bones
Speaker: Tristan Blackburn, M.D., Rheumatology Fellow
Time: 12:00-1:00 PM
Location: Austin Auditorium, Shepardson 4, Medical Center Campus

Neuroscience Grand Rounds

Thu, 17 Feb 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Neuroscience Grand Rounds
"Cancelled" for 2/17/2011

Healthsource: Thinking Beyond Our Plates: Critical Questions to Find Food Truth

Tue, 15 Feb 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Thinking Beyond Our Plates: Critical Questions to Find “Food Truth”Melinda Hemmelgarn, M.S., R.D.
Award winning writer and radio host Melinda Hemmelgarn(a.k.a. “The Food Sleuth”) connects the dots between food,health and agriculture to promote “food system literacy.” In herpresentation, she’ll define “good” food and offer a thoughtfulcritique of media messages about food and agriculture. She’llalso discuss ways to use art and media to drive the good foodrevolution, and show a collection of compelling images fromthe advocacy project “FARM: Food, Art, Revolution, Media.”
Melinda Hemmelgarn, M.S., R.D., a.k.a. “The Food Sleuth,” is aregistered dietitian, “investigative” nutritionist, and award-winningwriter and radio host. A former Food and Society Policy Fellow,Melinda connects the dots between food, health and agriculture,and helps us “think beyond our plates” to find “food truth.” Sheuniquely uses media and critical thinking skills to promote “foodsystem literacy.
Tuesday, February 15, 7:00-9:00 p.m.Davis Auditorium, Medical Center Campus, Burlington

Free! Register online or call 847-2278.

Blood Pressure Screenings- FREE!

Tue, 15 Feb 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Ob/Gyn Grand Rounds

Tue, 15 Feb 2011 00:00:00 -0500

"Guidelines for Colon Cancer Screening"
Doris Strader, M.D.Associate ProfessorGastroenterology & HepatologyUVM/FAHC
7:30 - 8:30 a.m. @ Davis Auditorium

Pumps & More

Mon, 14 Feb 2011 00:00:00 -0500

FULL Healthsource: Alternative Carbohydrates: Beyond Potatoes, Pasta and White Rice!

Sun, 13 Feb 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Alternative Carbohydrates: Beyond Potatoes, Pasta and White Rice!John Barton, Chef, New England Culinary Institute

Enjoy the health benefits and the wonderful natural flavors of wholegrains and beans. Explore the best methods of preparation and tastemultiple dishes using quinoa, steel cut oats, adzuki beans, cannellinibeans, chic peas and more!
Sunday, February 13, 2:00-4:00 p.m.South Burlington
THIS CLASS IS NOW FULL.
Class size is limited. This is a demonstration style class.
Free! Register online or call 847-2278.

Neuroscience Grand Rounds

Thu, 10 Feb 2011 00:00:00 -0500

"Sex, Drugs and Pill-Roll: Impulse Control, Nicotine and Parkinson's Disease"
James T. Boyd, MD
Assistant Professor, Neurology
The University of Vermont, College of Medicine
Fletcher Allen Health Care

Healthsource: Growing Older on a Changing Planet

Wed, 09 Feb 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Growing Older on a Changing PlanetJoan Dye Gussow
Acclaimed nutrition educator and author Joan Dye Gussow willdiscuss her new book “Growing, Older : A Chronicle of Death,Life, and Vegetables” which is full of insight about what peoplereaching old age can expect as our planet changes. This is a greatopportunity for women curious about aging, gardeners curiousabout increasingly intense weather, and environmentalists curiousabout the future to hear from a leading thinker on food andsustainability. A book signing will follow.
Joan Dye Gussow is the Mary Rose Professor Emerita of Nutritionand Education at Teacher’s College, Columbia University (NYC).Gussow has a B.A. from Pomona College and earned her M.Ed. andEd.D. from Teacher’s College. She is author, coauthor and editor ofa number of articles and several books. She has demonstrated thatyear-round eating from 1,000 square feet in a suburban riverfrontvillage is possible, life-sustaining, and delicious.
Wednesday, February 9, 7:00-9:00 p.m.Davis Auditorium, Medical Center Campus, Burlington

Free! Call 847-2278 to register.

Radiation Oncology Facility Earns National Green Building Certification

Tue, 08 Feb 2011 00:00:00 -0500

February 8, 2011
Michael CarreseMarketing and Communications802-847-2886
First hospital project in the state to garner LEED “Gold” Designation
BURLINGTON, VT – A recently opened radiation oncology facility at Fletcher Allen Health Care has earned gold certification in the nationally recognized Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) rating system. LEED is a program overseen by the U.S. Green Building Council, a private non-profit trade organization that promotes sustainability in building design, construction and operations.
This is the first hospital project in Vermont to be certified at the gold level, and only the second in New England to achieve this status.** To earn the certification, the project met or exceeded demanding requirements for energy efficiency, sustainable site work and use of locally sourced materials among other factors.
“This award is a reflection of our ongoing commitment to being the greenest health care organization in the country, said Melinda Estes, M.D., president and CEO of Fletcher Allen. “It’s very gratifying to receive this recognition, and to know that our patients and community will benefit from the sustainable features of this facility.”
One of the most visible aspects of the sustainable design is a green roof with accessible public space, a vegetable garden and plantings to reduce heat build-up and storm water run-off. Herbs and vegetables from the roof garden are served to patients, visitors and staff.
Other green elements incorporated into the project include:
• Natural lighting to reduce energy use and provide a sense of connection to the outdoors
• Efficient lighting and innovative heating and cooling systems designed to reduce energy consumption
• Low flow plumbing fixtures
• Use of low chemical-emitting construction materials to improve indoor air quality
• Use of recycled materials
• Use of local materials (33% of materials came from within 500 miles of the site)
• Use of sustainable wood building materials (67% were harvested from FSC certified forests)
• Waste Stream Reduction (more than 887 tons of on-site construction waste was diverted from landfills)
• Educational signage about the roof
“We worked diligently with our partners Cannon Design and Pizzagalli Construction to make this the most environmentally responsible facility possible,” said Dave Keelty, director of Facilities Planning and Development at Fletcher Allen. “Earning gold certification is a major achievement and I want to thank everyone involved for the tremendous effort that went into making this happen,” he said.
“I’m very pleased that our team rose to the challenge of providing Fletcher Allen with an exceptional LEED gold project they can be proud of for many years to come, said Matt Cooke, project manager for Pizzagalli Construction of South Burlington.
“Our goal was to design an environment that helps alleviate some of the stress that patients go through,” said Andre M. Aoun, AIA, principal at Cannon Design. “The combination of natural light, views, gardens and use of natural materials foster a healing atmosphere throughout the new center. It has been very gratifying to see the end product and to experience the positive impact the environment has on the patients and staff," he added.
The 23,000 sq. ft. facility, called The Garden Pavilion, was dedicated in August and will serve approximately 800 cancer patients annually. It is located on the east side of the Ambulatory Care Center on the Medical Center Campus.
##
** There are four levels of LEED certification: Platinum, Gold, Silver and Certified.

Ob/Gyn Grand Rounds

Tue, 08 Feb 2011 00:00:00 -0500

"Evidence Based Practice: Pearls of Midwifery"
Marti Churchill, C.N.M.Clinical Instructor, Ob/GynUVM/FAHC
7:30 - 8:30 a.m. @ Davis Auditorium

Spice Up Your Life and Your Health at Healthy Living Market

Mon, 07 Feb 2011 00:00:00 -0500

5:30-8pm
Gain a new perspective on spices, herbs, and aromatics. Cumin, tumeric, ginger, cinnamon, basil, and oregano not only possess amazing flavor, but also have tremendous health benefits. Learn about the functional properties of these foods in a way that is fun and tasty.
Classic Indian Yellow Curry- chicken, peas and potatoes
Pesto or Chimmichurri
Spiced Applesauce Cake

Learn how to create simple, delicious, heart healthy foods in hands-on classes lead by
Fletcher Allen nutritionist Kimberly Evans, RD and chef Nina Lesser-Goldsmith from Healthy Living.
Cost: $45/class
Class will be held at Healthy Living Market on 222 Dorset Street in South Burlington.
To Register: http://v1.healthylivingmarket.com/hearthealthycooking

FULL Healthsource: Winter Vegetables

Sun, 06 Feb 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Winter VegetablesJohn Barton, Chef, New England Culinary Institute
Find creative ways to integrate winter squashes, root crops and thebrassica family into everyday recipes while limiting fat and calories.Winter Squash Cheesecake, Spaghetti Squash “Stir Fry”, SavoyCabbage, Delicata Squash Gratin and Kale Meatballs, are severalof the preparations that will be featured.
Sunday, February 6, 2:00-4:00 pm
South Burlington
THIS CLASS IS NOW FULL!
Free!
Call 847-2278 to register.
Class size is limited. This is a demonstration style class.

PHat [Protect Your Head at All Times] Event @ Jay

Sun, 06 Feb 2011 00:00:00 -0500

PHat [Protect Your Head at All Times] Event at Jay Peak Resort!
Stop by the exhibit table and pick up posters, "Ride PHaT" and "Ski PhaT" stickers, learn about helmet safety and enter to win prizes!
To find more events at local Vermont and Northern New York ski resorts visit PHaT's Upcoming Events page.

PHat [Protect Your Head at All Times] Event @ Smuggs

Sat, 05 Feb 2011 00:00:00 -0500

PHat [Protect Your Head at All Times] Event at Smuggler's Notch Resort!
Stop by the exhibit table and pick up posters, "Ride PHaT" and "Ski PhaT" stickers, learn about helmet safety and enter to win prizes!
To find more events at local Vermont and Northern New York ski resorts visit PHaT's Upcoming Events page.

Neuroscience Grand Rounds

Thu, 03 Feb 2011 00:00:00 -0500

"What You Don't Know About Carpal Tunnel Syndrome"
Timothy J. Fries, MD
Associate Professor, Neurology
The University of Vermont, College of Medicine
Fletcher Allen Health Care

Breastfeeding Basics

Wed, 02 Feb 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Ob/Gyn Grand Rounds

Tue, 01 Feb 2011 00:00:00 -0500

"Breast Cancer Screening Controversies"
Ted James, M.D.Surgical OncologistAssistant ProfessorDept. of Surgery, UVM/FAHC
7:30 - 8:30 a.m. @ Davis Auditorium

PHat [Protect Your Head at All Times] Event @ Stowe

Sun, 30 Jan 2011 00:00:00 -0500

PHat [Protect Your Head at All Times] Event at Stowe Mountain Resort!
Stop by the exhibit table and pick up posters, "Ride PHaT" and "Ski PhaT" stickers, learn about helmet safety and enter to win prizes!
To find more events at local Vermont and Northern New York ski resorts visit PHaT's Upcoming Events page.

PHat [Protect Your Head at All Times] Event @ Mount Snow

Sat, 29 Jan 2011 00:00:00 -0500

PHat [Protect Your Head at All Times] Event at Mount Snow!
Stop by the exhibit table and pick up posters, "Ride PHaT" and "Ski PhaT" stickers, learn about helmet safety and enter to win prizes!
To find more events at local Vermont and Northern New York ski resorts visit PHaT's Upcoming Events page.

Surgical Grand Rounds

Thu, 27 Jan 2011 00:00:00 -0500

"Overexpression of NGF in Mouse Urothelium Leads to Neuronal Hyperinnervation,
Pelvic Sensitivity, and Changes in Urinary Bladder Function"
Margaret Vizzard, PhDAssociate Professor of Neurology
7:30-8:30 AMDavis Auditorium
Urology M&Ms to follow.

Healthier Living Workshop FREE!

Thu, 27 Jan 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Healthier
Living Workshop
Do
you have a chronic condition that is affecting your life? Change your life for
the better! The Healthier Living Workshop is a FREE workshop for individuals living living with
a chronic condition. Learn new skills and tools so you can live better every
day. The class meets once a week for six weeks.

Thursdays
January 27-March 3
10 am- 12:30 pm
Williston- please call 847-2278 to register.

Neuroscience Grand Rounds

Thu, 27 Jan 2011 00:00:00 -0500

SKULL BASE DAY

"Paraclinoid Aneurysms and Related Issues"
Chris Ogilvy, MD
Professor of Surgery & Neurosurgery
Harvard Medical School
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, MA

9:30-10:30am
Davis Auditorim

Ob/Gyn Grand Rounds

Tue, 25 Jan 2011 00:00:00 -0500

"Looking at the Cervix from All Angles"
Helen Feltovich, M.D.Attending PerinatologistIntermountain HealthcareProvo, UtahandAssistant Research ProfessorMedical Physics & Ob/GynUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison
7:30 - 8:30 a.m. @ Davis Auditorium

Go Fish at Healthy Living Market

Mon, 24 Jan 2011 00:00:00 -0500

5:30-8pm
We have all heard that fish (and fish oil) is good for your heart, but why? Learn about the health benefits of fish, about sustainability, and experiment with some quick and flavorful cooking techniques that will help get fish on your plate at least once a week.
Basque Style Pan Roasted Shrimp with wine, olive oil, lemon and parsley
- quickly seared on a griddle (in this case a pan).
Pan Roasted Salmon with a balsamic-honey glaze
Halibut with tomato confit, lemon and basil En Papillote

Learn how to create simple, delicious, heart healthy foods in hands-on classes lead by
Fletcher Allen nutritionist Kimberly Evans, RD and chef Nina Lesser-Goldsmith from Healthy Living.
Cost: $45/class
Class will be held at Healthy Living Market on 222 Dorset Street in South Burlington.
To Register: http://v1.healthylivingmarket.com/hearthealthycooking

PHat [Protect Your Head at All Times] Event @ Sugarbush

Sun, 23 Jan 2011 00:00:00 -0500

PHat [Protect Your Head at All Times] Event at Sugarbush Resort!
Stop by the exhibit table and pick up posters, "Ride PHaT" and "Ski PhaT" stickers, learn about helmet safety and enter to win prizes!
To find more events at local Vermont and Northern New York ski resorts visit PHaT's Upcoming Events page.

PHat [Protect Your Head at All Times] Event @ Bolton

Sat, 22 Jan 2011 00:00:00 -0500

PHat [Protect Your Head at All Times] Event at Bolton Valley Resort!
Stop by the exhibit table and pick up posters, "Ride PHaT" and "Ski PhaT" stickers, learn about helmet safety and enter to win prizes!
To find more events at local Vermont and Northern New York ski resorts visit PHaT's Upcoming Events page.

Osteoporosis Grand Rounds

Fri, 21 Jan 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Topic: Hormone Replacement Therapy
Speaker: Peter Casson, M.D., Gynecologist, FAHC; Professor, UVM
Time: 12:00-1:00 PM
Location: Austin Auditorium, Shepardson 4, Medical Center Campus

Healthier Living with Diabetes Workshop FREE!

Fri, 21 Jan 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Healthier Living with Diabetes
If you
or someone you know is living with diabetes this FREE workshop is for you! Some
of the topics covered are healthy eating, glucose monitoring, physical activity,
and medications to prevent diabetes-specific problems. The class meets once a week for six
weeks.

Fridays
January 21-February 25
2-4:30 pm
Burlington, call 847-2278 to register.

Surgical Grand Rounds

Thu, 20 Jan 2011 00:00:00 -0500

"Medicine, Race, and Nation in Nazi Germany"
Jonathan Huener, PhDAssociate Professor of History
7:30-8:30 AMDavis Auditorium
Trauma M&Ms to follow

Neuroscience Grand Rounds

Thu, 20 Jan 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Title "Post-Stroke Seizures adn Epilepsy"
Keith Nagle, MD
Associate Professor of Neurology
The University of Vermont College of Medicine
Fletcher Allen Health Care

9:30-10:30am
Davis Auditorium

Blood Pressure Screenings- FREE!

Tue, 18 Jan 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Ob/Gyn Grand Rounds

Tue, 18 Jan 2011 00:00:00 -0500

"New Advances in Sexual Dysfunction"
Alessandra Rellini, M.D.Assistant ProfessorDept. of Psychology, UVM
7:30 - 8:30 a.m. @ UVM

Fletcher Allen Takes Steps To Prevent Bed Bug Problem

Mon, 17 Jan 2011 00:00:00 -0500

F O R R E L E A S E:Immediate (January 17, 2011)
C O N T A C T: Michael CarreseMarketing and Communications802-847-2886
Fletcher Allen Takes Steps to Prevent Bed Bug Problem
(Burlington, VT) — Fletcher Allen Health Care announced today it is asking patients and visitors for assistance in preventing the potential appearance of bed bugs in its facilities.
"No bed bugs have been found in our inpatient units to date, but we know their presence is growing in Vermont and across the nation," said Dawn LeBaron, vice president for Hospital Services. "We believe it is prudent at this point to enhance our existing preventive measures to minimize the chances of a problem developing."
Since February of last year, housekeeping employees have worked with a pest control company to monitor for bed bugs and have been trained in methods of prevention and detection.
"The efforts of our staff have been effective but we want to do everything we can to stay ahead of this problem, and involving patients and visitors is necessary to achieve that goal," LeBaron said.
Bed Bug Prevention Policy:

Patients and visitors should only bring necessary items into the hospital. Clothes, blankets, luggage, bags and other possessions that are not essential during a patient's stay should be left at home.
Items brought to the hospital should be placed in plastic or paper bags.
Inpatients will be asked if they are currently in contact with bed bugs or have been exposed to them in the recent past.
If the answer to either of those questions is yes, belongings and clothing will be decontaminated with a short duration heat treatment and returned.
If visitors are currently in contact with bed bugs, we ask that they not come to the hospital if possible.

"It is important that people are forthcoming with hospital staff in discussing their exposure to bed bugs. Without this cooperation, our efforts to control these insects will be weakened," said LeBaron.
Additionally, the following practices are being implemented by environmental services employees:

Routine inspections of common bed bug habitats such as mattress seams, drawers, closets, and the backs of wall hangings.
All linens will be checked for signs of bed bugs when changing beds.
Bed bug traps will be placed in vacant patient rooms as well as rooms where people have previously complained of bites, if and when that occurs.

These measures were developed in consultation with pest control experts and other health care organizations that have experience combating bed bugs.###
Key Facts About Bed Bugs

Bed bugs do not pose a public health threat, but they can cause skin irritations and other minor problems.
The presence of bed bugs is not related to the cleanliness of a person's surroundings.
Anyone can "pick-up" bed bugs and unknowingly carry them on clothing or other items.
Their small size (adults are about the size of a tomato seed) makes them difficult to detect.

About Fletcher AllenFletcher Allen Health Care, together with our partners at the University of Vermont College of Medicine and the College of Nursing and Health Sciences, is Vermont's academic medical center. Our mission is to improve the health of the people in the communities we serve by integrating patient care, education and research in a caring environment. Fletcher Allen serves as a regional referral center -- providing advanced care to approximately one million people in Vermont and northern New York -- and as a community hospital for approximately 150,000 residents in Chittenden and Grand Isle counties. With more than 30 patient care sites and 100 outreach clinics, programs and services throughout the region, Fletcher Allen is committed to being a national model for the delivery of high-quality academic health care for a rural region. For more information about Fletcher Allen, visit our Web site at www.fletcherallen.org .

Fletcher Allen to Seek Federal Meaningful Use Status for Its Electronic Health Record System

Thu, 13 Jan 2011 00:00:00 -0500

January 13, 2011
Michael CarreseMarketing and Communications802-847-2886

BURLINGTON VT – Fletcher Allen Health Care Allen joined with more than 100 other hospitals across the nation today in a nationwide electronic health record (EHR) Incentive Program Registration Event to officially register with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The registration signaled Fletcher Allen’s intent to achieve the government’s “meaningful use” EHR designation for Stage 1 by December 2011. Registration for the program opened this week.
Achieving this designation will make Fletcher Allen eligible for incentive funds available through the Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive Programs, which are part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA). If successful, the organization would be eligible to receive up to approximately $4 million in incentive funds in the first year of a 4-stage incentive program. Incentive payments to Fletcher Allen in subsequent stages of the program are expected to be lower than that received in the first stage, and are dependent upon meeting each stage’s criteria.
The initial stage of the program, which takes place during 2011 and 2012, defines meaningful use for hospitals with associated medical practices as those that satisfy 39 EHR objectives established by HHS allowing them to:

electronically capture health information in a coded format

use that information to track key clinical conditions

communicate that information for care coordination purposes

implement clinical decision support tools

initiate reporting of clinical quality measures and public health information

“The primary reason to install an EHR system is to improve the safety and quality of patient care,” said John Brumsted, chief medical officer, Fletcher Allen Health Care.

“EHRs dramatically reduce the chance for medication errors, for example, and the quality of patient care is improved by insuring that evidence-based medical practices are used consistently to treat patients.
“The federal government has recognized the clear benefits of EHRs, and through this incentive program, is encouraging the nation’s hospitals to install them as soon as possible,” Brumsted continued. “EHR implementation is also a top priority of the State of Vermont and we’re working with the state’s Division of Health Care Reform as well as the Vermont Institution Technology Leaders organization. Currently, Fletcher Allen is ahead of the curve as we are among approximately 3% of the hospitals nationwide to have a fully-implemented EHR. I feel that we can meet all of these objectives by December 2011.”
The installation of Fletcher Allen’s EHR system throughout all of its inpatient and outpatient sites was completed on schedule in December, three years after the $57-million project was approved by the state.

More information on our Electronic Health Record (PRISM)
From Our Blog: Electronic Health Records, Security and You
From Our Blog: Improving Your Care with Electronic Health Records: A Physician Perspective

About Fletcher Allen

Fletcher Allen Health Care, together with our partners at the University of Vermont College of Medicine and the College of Nursing and Health Sciences, is Vermont’s academic medical center. Our mission is to improve the health of the people in the communities we serve by integrating patient care, education and research in a caring environment. Fletcher Allen serves as a regional referral center -- providing advanced care to approximately one million people in Vermont and northern New York -- and as a community hospital for approximately 150,000 residents in Chittenden and Grand Isle counties. For more information about Fletcher Allen, find us online at http://www.fletcherallen.org or on our Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and blog sites at www.fletcherallen.org/socialmedia.

Surgical Grand Rounds

Thu, 13 Jan 2011 00:00:00 -0500

"Gallbladder Smooth Muscle: How it Works and What Goes Wrong in Gallstone Disease"
Gary Mawe, PhDProfessor of Anatomy and Neurobiology
7:30-8:30 AMDavis Auditorium
General Surgery M&Ms to follow

Neuroscience Grand Rounds

Thu, 13 Jan 2011 00:00:00 -0500

"Update on Vertebroplasty"
David M. Johnson, MD
Associate Professor of Radiology & Neurosurgery
The University of Vermont College of Vermont
Fletcher Allen Health Care

9:30-10:30am
Davis Auditorium

Ob/Gyn Grand Rounds

Tue, 11 Jan 2011 00:00:00 -0500

"HIV and Inflammation: Is There a Case for HIV as Accelerated Aging"
Russell P. Tracy, Ph.D.Professor, Pathology & BiochemistryDirector, Laboratory for Clinical Biochemistry ResearchDirector, Translational TechnologiesCenter for Clinical & Translationial Science
7:30 - 8:30 a.m. @ Davis Auditorium

Great Grains at Healthy Living Market

Mon, 10 Jan 2011 00:00:00 -0500

5:30-8pm
This class will focus on using heart healthy grains such as Quinoa, Farro, and Brown Rice as a side dish, a salad, and even a breakfast item. We will also discuss what a whole grain really is and what they are not.
Quinoa and white bean salad
Farro breakfast cereal with fresh berries and almonds
Chicken soup with barley

Learn how to create simple, delicious, heart healthy foods in hands-on classes lead by
Fletcher Allen nutritionist Kimberly Evans, RD and chef Nina Lesser-Goldsmith from Healthy Living.
Cost: $45/class
Class will be held at Healthy Living Market on 222 Dorset Street in South Burlington.
To Register: http://v1.healthylivingmarket.com/hearthealthycooking

Pumps & More

Mon, 10 Jan 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Neuroscience Grand Rounds

Thu, 06 Jan 2011 00:00:00 -0500

"The Burden of Migraine"
Robert E. Shapiro, MD. PhD
Professor of Neurology
The University of Vermont College of Medicine
Fletcher Allen Health Care

9:30-10:30am
Davis Auditorium

Breastfeeding Basics

Wed, 05 Jan 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Ob/Gyn Grand Rounds

Tue, 04 Jan 2011 00:00:00 -0500

"Investigating the role of homeobox gene, HOXA11, as a master orchestrator of extracellular matrix remodeling in the uterosacral ligament: The search for better prevention and treatment options for women with pelvic organ prolapse"Kathleen Connell, M.D.Assistant Professor, Ob/GynYale School of Medicine
7:30-8:30 a.m. @ Davis Auditorium

Ob/Gyn Grand Rounds

Tue, 28 Dec 2010 00:00:00 -0500

No Ob/Gyn Grand Rounds today.

Ob/Gyn Grand Rounds

Tue, 21 Dec 2010 00:00:00 -0500

"American Society for Reproductive Medicine(ASRM) Update"
Kristen Wright, M.D.Cal Wilkinson, B.S.Christy Broadwell, M.D.Peter Casson, M.D.Division of Reproductive EndocrinologyOb/Gyn, UVM/FAHC
7:30 - 8:30 a.m. @ Davis Auditorium

Wed, 01 Dec 2010 00:00:00 -0500

Ob/Gyn Grand Rounds

Tue, 30 Nov 2010 00:00:00 -0500

Departmental Business Meeting
(Attendance limited to Dept. of Ob/Gyn attendings, fellows, residents, certified nurse midwives, physician assistants and nurse practitioners)
7:30 - 8:30 a.m. @ Davis Auditorium

Neuroscience Grand Rounds

Thu, 25 Nov 2010 00:00:00 -0500

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!
No Neuroscience Grand Rounds

Ob/Gyn Grand Rounds

Tue, 23 Nov 2010 00:00:00 -0500

"Complex Systems in Medicine"
Jason H. T. Bates, Ph.D., D.Sc.Professor, Dept. of MedicinePulmonary/Critical Care DivisionInterim Director, School of Engineering, UVM
7:30 - 8:30 a.m. @ Davis Auditorium

Fletcher Allen to Sell Outpatient Dialysis Units

Mon, 22 Nov 2010 00:00:00 -0500

November 22, 2010
Michael CarreseMarketing and Communications802-847-2886
BURLINGTON VT - Fletcher Allen announced today it has signed a non-binding letter of intent to sell its outpatient renal dialysis centers to Fresenius Medical Care North America, a national provider of dialysis services with a clinical site in St. Johnsbury, VT. The outpatient centers are located in South Burlington, St. Albans, Berlin, Rutland and Newport and serve approximately 290 patients. The sale is subject to the State of Vermont's Certificate of Need (CON) review process. The price will be finalized when a binding purchase and sale agreement is complete, and it will be made public in the CON application.
Key details of the Letter of Intent include:

Patients will continue to receive dialysis services at the same locations.
Fresenius will adhere to the same clinical practice guidelines and national standards that Fletcher Allen does, just as they do at their other outpatient renal dialysis centers, including those with an academic affiliation.
Our physicians will continue to provide medical directorship for all of the outpatient renal dialysis locations. They will also continue to care for patients at every site.
Our direct patient care staff will be hired by Fresenius provided they meet its standard hiring criteria. Current staffing levels will be maintained.

Under the agreement, the services and locations mentioned above will be maintained for at least 10 years.
This intended sale does not affect Fletcher Allen's patient renal dialysis unit on the Medical Center Campus in Burlington; Fletcher Allen will continue to own and operate it. In addition, the services that are currently available to pediatric patients, and patients with special needs, will be available between the inpatient renal dialysis unit and the outpatient units. Fletcher Allen physicians will continue to determine the most appropriate location for care based on the treatment plan they develop.
"We've always been diligent about reviewing services across the organization in order to be more efficient, but the forces at work in today's health care environment require us to look at changes we've not considered before," said Sandra Dalton, senior vice president, Patient Care Services and Chief Nursing Officer. "This is an opportunity that will ensure patients continue to receive high-quality renal dialysis services throughout Vermont."
Fletcher Allen conducted a detailed analysis of Fresenius' quality data - the data they are required to give to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) -- for outpatient dialysis care they provide at other academic medical centers. The organization also checked references at other academic medical centers that work with Fresenius.
"Based on this information, we have confidence in the quality of care that Fresenius will provide to Vermonters," said Dalton.
Fresenius Medical Care's New England Regional Vice President Kathy Dickey said, "Our company's roots are here in New England, and so we are especially gratified by the opportunity to provide more Vermonters with excellent kidney dialysis care."
Fletcher Allen, like other hospitals and health care systems across the country, has been under increasing pressure to control costs as a result of health care reform at the same time that funding received from government payers is declining. The outpatient units have been losing money for a number of years. Last year, Fletcher Allen posted a $2 million loss associated with their operation.
Fletcher Allen's decision to sell was made after the organization determined it was not possible to develop a break-even plan for outpatient renal dialysis operations.
As part of the review process, Fletcher Allen also learned that the organization is currently one of the only academic medical centers in the country to continue running its own renal dialysis program. There are national companies, such as Fresenius, that provide renal dialysis services more efficiently due to their economies of scale.

Osteoporosis Grand Rounds

Fri, 19 Nov 2010 00:00:00 -0500

Topic: ASBMR Annual Meeting Review
Time: 12:00-1:00 PM
Location: Austin Auditorium, Shepardson 4, Medical Center Campus

Surgical Grand Rounds

Thu, 18 Nov 2010 00:00:00 -0500

"The Canadian Pediatric Surgery Network (CAPSNet): Changing the Paradigm of Outcome-Based Research"
Pramod Puligandla, MDAssociate Professor of Surgery and PediatricsMcGill University
Pediatric Surgery M&Ms to follow
7:30-8:30 AMDavis Auditorium

Neuroscience Grand Rounds

Thu, 18 Nov 2010 00:00:00 -0500

"The Value of Nutrition and Respiration in ALS"
Rup Tandan, MD
Professor of Neurology, The University of Vermont, College of Medicine, Fletcher Allen Health Care
9:30-10:30am
Davis Auditorium

Knee Health Education Class

Wed, 17 Nov 2010 00:00:00 -0500

Have you been putting off treatment for knee pain?
If so, it may be time to explore your options. Come to our FREE knee health education class to learn how Fletcher Allen’s experienced orthopedic surgeons can help end your knee pain.
Location: Orthopedic Specialty Center, 192 Tilley Drive, South Burlington Map Directions to Event
Time: 6 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Register online or call us at 802-847-7578 to reserve your space today!

Ob/Gyn Grand Rounds

Tue, 16 Nov 2010 00:00:00 -0500

"Health Care Reform...Is Our Academic Medical Center Prepared?"
John Brumsted, M.D.Professor, Ob/Gyn, UVMChief Quality Officer, Fletcher Allen Health Care
7:30 - 8:30 a.m.
Davis Auditorium

Blood Pressure Screenings- FREE!

Tue, 16 Nov 2010 00:00:00 -0500

Free blood pressure screenings the 3rd Tuesday of every month from 10a.m.-12 noon; no appointment is necessary!

Community Health Improvement Office199 Main St, Suite 150Burlington, VT 05401
847-2278

Rock United 2010 - United Way Benefit

Fri, 12 Nov 2010 00:00:00 -0500

Join us on November 12 for the second annual benefit concert at Higher Ground - Rock United 2010: "People Get Ready", headlined by Rumble Doll (McKenna Lee, Ry Malroux, Damian Roy, Matt Hampson) and joined by The Ice 9 Experience (Andrew Kwass, Erik Kaarla, Tim Singer, Aidan Nevin and Charlie Miceli) and the University of Vermont Hitpaws. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. Charge is $5 per person -- but those who have already pledged to the United Way get in FREE! http://www.highergroundmusic.com/2010/10/rock-united-2010-people-get-ready/

Neuroscience Grand Rounds

Thu, 11 Nov 2010 00:00:00 -0500

The 3rd Annual GEORGE A. SCHUMACHER LECTURESHIP
"Multiple Sclerosis Update"
Stuart D. Cook, MD, Professore of Neurology and Neurosciences, University of Medicine & Dentistry of NJ, New Jersey Medical School
9:30-10:30
Davis Auditorium

Surgical Grand Rounds

Thu, 11 Nov 2010 00:00:00 -0500

"Lynch Syndrome: Current Approach to Testing Colorectal Cancers"
Marc Greenblatt, MDAssociate Professor of MedicineDivision of Hematology/Oncology
Vascular Surgery M&Ms to follow
7:30-8:30 AMDavis Auditorium

National Patient Transport and Patient Attendant Week Open House

Thu, 11 Nov 2010 00:00:00 -0500

An open house showcasing Fletcher Allen Patient Support Services equipment will be held in the McClure 4 shell space by the elevators, Medical Center Campus, from 10 am to 2 pm. An information table also will be set up outside Main Street Cafe, Baird 3 during those hours.

National Patient Transport and Patient Attendant Week Information Table

Wed, 10 Nov 2010 00:00:00 -0500

Learn more about Fletcher Allen Patient Support Services at an information table outside Harvest Cafe, McClure Lobby, Medical Center Campus, from 7 to 10 am.

Knee Health Education Class

Tue, 09 Nov 2010 00:00:00 -0500

Healthsource Community Education Series - Don't Miss a Beat, Heart Rhythm Health

Tue, 09 Nov 2010 00:00:00 -0500

Don’t Miss a Beat - Heart Rhythm Health
Peter Spector, MD, Fletcher Allen Health Care
Learn about the heart’s rhythm, the role that electricity plays in the heart and how it can malfunction. Discussion will also include how to know if there is a problem and what can be done about it.
FREE!
Tuesday, November 9th
7:00-8:00 pm
Medical Center Campus, Burlington
Sign up online or call 847-2278 to register.

Champlain Valley Prostate Cancer Support Group

Tue, 09 Nov 2010 00:00:00 -0500

For wives, partners and men newly diagnosed, who have recurrent and/or advanced prostate cancer, are dealing with treatment side effects or have been successfully treated. 6-8 pm, McClure 1311.

National Patient Transport and Patient Attendant Week Information Table

Tue, 09 Nov 2010 00:00:00 -0500

Learn more about Fletcher Allen Patient Support Services at an information table outside Main Street Cafe, Baird 3, Medical Center Campus, from 11 am-1 pm.

Ob/Gyn Grand Rounds

Tue, 09 Nov 2010 00:00:00 -0500

"MCJ/DnaJC15 in Cancer Chemotherapy Response"Mercedes Rincon, M.D.Professor, Department of Medicine, UVM
7:30 - 8:30 a.m. @ Davis Auditorium

Fletcher Allen Welcomes Marion Couch, M.D., Ph.D., new Division Chief of Otolaryngology

Tue, 09 Nov 2010 00:00:00 -0500

Healthsource Community Education Series: Making Seasonal Soups

Sun, 07 Nov 2010 00:00:00 -0500

Making Seasonal Soups
Richard Jarmusz, Executive Chef & Author of Cooking Close to Home: a Year of Seasonal Recipes
This class will offer hands experience in making seasonal soups. Learn how to make basic stocks and how to incorporate locally grown, seasonal ingredients. Recipes will include the use of fresh ingredients such as cheese, fall vegetables, and local meats. To end the class, we will sit down to share our creations, with a discussion on how to use local foods in your daily meals.
Sunday, November 7th
1:00-3:00 pm
South Burlington
$10 per participant. 10-person limit.
Sign up online or call 847-2278 to register.

A Screening of the Documentary Film - Malayaka House

Fri, 05 Nov 2010 00:00:00 -0500

12:00 Noon - Sullivan Classroom - MedEd200
This is the remarkable story of how Robert Fleming, a Burlington native, fell into establishing an orphanage, Malayaka House, in Uganda, and its current status. Nick Phillips, a first year medical student is developing a project through the Global Health Student Interest Group to help improve the health and health care for a network of orphanages in Uganda.
All are welcome, bagels and juice will be served. Please RSVP to Nick Phillips '14 (nicholas.g.phillips@uvm.edu ) for his food ordering.

National Patient Transport and Patient Attendant Week Information Table

Fri, 05 Nov 2010 00:00:00 -0500

Learn more about Fletcher Allen Patient Support Services at an information table outside Harvest Cafe, McClure Lobby, Medical Center Campus, from 7 to 10 am.

Neuroscience Grand Rounds

Thu, 04 Nov 2010 00:00:00 -0500

"Neuroengineering, Epileptic Networks, and Antiepileptic Devices"
Brian Litt, MD
Associate Professor of Neurology and Bioengineering
University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA

9:30-10:30am
Davis Auditorium

Surgical Grand Rounds

Thu, 04 Nov 2010 00:00:00 -0500

The Davis Lecture"Airway Injury in 2010"
David Mulder, MDH. Rocke Robertson Professor of SurgeryDirector, Division of Thoracic SurgeryMcGill University
Reception to follow
4:30-5:30 PMDavis Auditorium

Fletcher Allen Names Vice President for Development

Tue, 02 Nov 2010 00:00:00 -0500

November 2, 2010

Michael CarreseMarketing and Communications802-847-2886

BURLINGTON VT – Fletcher Allen Health Care announced today that Natalie Fleischman was named vice president, Development, effective October 1. She had been serving as interim vice president for Development since November, 2009.
She joined Fletcher Allen in December 2008 as director of Development. Prior to that Fleishman served as vice president for Philanthropy at World Learning in Brattleboro.In her role, Fleischman will work closely with Fletcher Allen’s chief executive officer, and the Fletcher Allen Foundation Board, a body that coordinates philanthropic efforts in support of Fletcher Allen’s mission to improve the health of the people in the communities we serve by integrating patient care, education and research in a caring environment.Fleischman holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Simmons College, Boston. She earned a Master of Arts degree at Columbia University, New York City. Fleishman and her family reside in South Burlington, VT.About Fletcher AllenFletcher Allen Health Care, together with our partners at the University of Vermont College of Medicine and the College of Nursing and Health Sciences, is Vermont’s academic medical center. Our mission is to improve the health of the people in the communities we serve by integrating patient care, education and research in a caring environment. Fletcher Allen serves as a regional referral center -- providing advanced care to approximately one million people in Vermont and northern New York -- and as a community hospital for approximately 150,000 residents in Chittenden and Grand Isle counties. For more information about Fletcher Allen, find us online at http://www.fletcherallen.org or on our Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and blog sites at www.fletcherallen.org/socialmedia.

Healthsource Communtiy Education Series: Mindful Eating

Mon, 01 Nov 2010 00:00:00 -0500

Mindful Eating
Meghan Clark, BSN, RN Bariatric Nurse Specialist, Fletcher Allen Health Care
Did you know that HOW and WHY you eat is just as important as WHAT you eat? Join us for a presentation to learn about the practice of Mindful Eating and how it can help you to lose weight, feel healthier and change your relationship with food.
FREE!
Monday, November 1st
6:30-7:30 pm
Medical Center Campus, Burlington
Sign up online or call 847-2278 to register.

Surgical Grand Rounds

Thu, 28 Oct 2010 00:00:00 -0500

"Small Bowel Transplantation"
A. Joseph Tector, MD, PhDAssociate Professor of SurgeryDirector, Section of Transplant SurgeryIndiana University
7:30-8:30 AMDavis Auditorium
Transplant M&Ms to follow

Neuroscience Grand Rounds

Thu, 28 Oct 2010 00:00:00 -0500

"Anti-Coagulation, When Is It Necessary? The Neurologic Perspective"
Andrew Tsen, MD
Resident, Neurosurgery
The University of Vermont, College of Medicine
Fletcher Allen Health Care

9:30-10:30am
Davis Auditorium

Ob/Gyn Grand Rounds

Tue, 26 Oct 2010 00:00:00 -0500

"Ovarian Cancer, Mechanotransduction & Metastasis"
Alan K. Howe, Ph.D.Associate Professor Department of PharmacologyUniversity of Vermont College of Medicine
7:30 - 8:30 a.m. @ Davis Auditorium

Healthsource Community Education Series: Managing Stress Before It Manages You

Tue, 26 Oct 2010 00:00:00 -0500

Managing Stress Before It Manages You
Sam Standard, Ph.D, Psychologist, Fletcher Allen Health Care
By now most of us know that managing stress is important. By why? What is the relationship between stress and health? What role does stress play in issues such as depression, anxiety and cardiovascular health? This class takes a look at some of these questions, and offers steps for managing the stresses of life.
FREE!
Tuesday, October 26th
7:00-8:00 pm
Fanny Allen Campus, Colchester
Sign up online or call 847-2278 to register.

Surgical Grand Rounds

Thu, 21 Oct 2010 00:00:00 -0500

"Resident Trauma Paper Competition"
7:30-8:30 AMDavis Auditorium
Trauma M&Ms to follow

Neuroscience Grand Rounds

Thu, 21 Oct 2010 00:00:00 -0500

"Migraine and Photophobia"
Rami Burstein, MD
Professor, Department of Anesthesia
Harvard Medical School
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA

9:30-10:30am
Davis Auditorium

Vermont Children's Hospital Leader Wins National Media Award

Thu, 21 Oct 2010 00:00:00 -0500

October 21, 2010
Michael CarreseMarketing and Communications802-847-2886
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has named Lewis R. First, MD, FAAP, chief of Pediatrics of the Vermont Children’s Hospital at Fletcher Allen, and chair of Pediatrics at the UVM College of Medicine, winner of the 2010 Holroyd-Sherry award for his efforts to further the use of the media in advancing children’s health.
The award citation praised his popular "First with Kids" newspaper column and radio and TV segments and noted that Dr. First, who is editor in chief of the AAP’s journal Pediatrics had "spearheaded the acceptance and publication of media research and commentaries" in his role as editor. "I am so honored to receive this award as a reflection of what we as pediatricians strive to do in using the media positively to improve the care we provide to children and families," he said.
"Dr. First carries on the tradition of Drs. H. James Holroyd and S. Norm Sherry as ardent spokespersons, researchers, and advocates of media literacy. His unique abilities as an educator, editor and media personality have made him an ideal advocate for promoting health through effective use of media. He is a recognized AAP leader for understanding how media can affect child health and development," said Robert Block, MD, FAAP, President-Elect of the AAP.
For the past 14 years, "First with Kids" has been a fixture in local Vermont papers, and on radio and television stations. The columns and segments provide parents with information and advice on a wide range of medical, developmental and social issues in an upbeat, accessible and often humorous way. Starting on October 25, "First with Kids" segments will be featured in news programs on WPTZ-Channel 5 as follows:

Monday afternoons on their "First at Five" broadcasts airing at 5 pm
Tuesdays during the 5 am and 6 am newscasts on "Today at Five."

"First with Kids" is also broadcast weekly on WOKO 98.9 FM. Video segments are available at www.fletcherallen.org/firstwithkids as well as at www.wptz.com.About the American Academy of PediatricsThe American Academy of Pediatrics is an organization of 60,000 primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists and pediatric surgical specialists dedicated to the health, safety and well being of infants, children, adolescents and young adults.About Fletcher AllenFletcher Allen Health Care, together with our partners at the University of Vermont College of Medicine and the College of Nursing and Health Sciences, is Vermont’s academic medical center. Our mission is to improve the health of the people in the communities we serve by integrating patient care, education and research in a caring environment. Fletcher Allen serves as a regional referral center -- providing advanced care to approximately one million people in Vermont and northern New York -- and as a community hospital for approximately 150,000 residents in Chittenden and Grand Isle counties. With more than 30 patient care sites and 100 outreach clinics, programs and services throughout the region, Fletcher Allen is committed to being a national model for the delivery of high-quality academic health care for a rural region. For more information about Fletcher Allen, visit our Web site at www.fletcherallen.org.

Fletcher Allen Releases 2010 Year-to-Date and Third Quarter Financial Results

Wed, 20 Oct 2010 00:00:00 -0500

October 20, 2010
Michael CarreseMarketing and Communications802-847-2886

BURLINGTON VT - Fletcher Allen reported an operating income of $17.3 million for the first three quarters of the 2010 fiscal year. This includes an operating income of approximately $10.3 million for the third quarter. The third quarter covers the period beginning April 1 and ending June 30.
Third Quarter Results
Operating income for the third quarter was $4.1 million above budget and $1.2 million below the corresponding quarter in FY 2009. Net operating revenues for the quarter were $222.8 million, $1.6 million above budgeted revenues. The organization's operating expenses for the quarter were $212.5 million, $2.6 million under budget, resulting in an operating income of approximately $10.3 million and an operating margin of 4.6% for the third quarter. By comparison, the organization produced an income from operations of $11.5 million in the third quarter of FY 2009.
Year-to-date Results
On a year-to-date basis, the $17.3 million net income from operations was above the budgeted $15.8 million for the period, and produced an operating margin of 2.7%. A year ago, the organization generated a three-quarter operating gain of $24.9 million. For nine months of the fiscal year, net operating revenues were $651.2 million, $9.9 million below budget. Operating expenses were $633.9 million, below budget by $11.4 million.
A key financial indicator, earnings before interest, depreciation and amortization (EBIDA) stood at approximately $65.3 million for three quarters. This was above the FY 2010 budget forecast of $63.7 million. EBIDA provides a good measure of the organization’s actual earnings.
At the end of the third quarter, days cash on hand stood at 106 days using a 12-month rolling average, similar to 106 days last year. This indicator is a projected estimate of the number of days an organization could meet operating expenditures provided no additional revenues were received.
A High-Performance Organization
Fletcher Allen compares well with peer groups outside the state in terms of quality and efficiency. In one group of 107 academic medical centers and 233 of their affiliated hospitals, known as the University Healthsystem Consortium (UHC), Fletcher Allen performs above the UHC median on an array of quality measures such as readmissions, heart attack, heart failure and pneumonia care, as well as cost measures such as cost per inpatient discharge and observed to expected costs of care.
A December 2009 Medicare Commission report showed Fletcher Allen’s service area was ranked as among the lowest Medicare service-utilization areas in the country – 82% of the national average. Only 13 service areas (out of 404 nationally) outperformed us. This report shows that Fletcher Allen providers are not routinely overusing or over prescribing health care services for their patients, which could lead to unnecessary costs to the system.
Regionally, Vermont’s Act 49 report issued this year with data from Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine showed that Fletcher Allen’s hospital service area had the lowest rate of Emergency Department visits and the lowest rate of potentially-avoidable ED use. Fletcher Allen’s service area also had the lowest per-member per-month expenses for insured patients in the three-state region.
About Fletcher Allen
Fletcher Allen Health Care, together with our partners at the University of Vermont College of Medicine and the College of Nursing and Health Sciences, is Vermont’s academic medical center. Our mission is to improve the health of the people in the communities we serve by integrating patient care, education and research in a caring environment. Fletcher Allen serves as a regional referral center -- providing advanced care to approximately one million people in Vermont and northern New York -- and as a community hospital for approximately 150,000 residents in Chittenden and Grand Isle counties.
The institution began making its quarterly financials public with the release of the first quarter results for FY 2003 in February 2003. The audited financial statements as well as unaudited quarterly results for FY 2003 through the third quarter of FY 2010 are available on the Fletcher Allen Web site at www.fletcherallen.org .
For more information about Fletcher Allen, find us online at http://www.fletcherallen.org or on our Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and blog sites at www.fletcherallen.org/socialmedia.
Click here for FY 2010 Third Quarter Financial Results
Click here for FY 2010 Third Quarter Y-T-D Financial Results

Healthsource Community Education Series: Sex Over Fifty? It Can Be Nifty!

Tue, 19 Oct 2010 00:00:00 -0500

Sex Over Fifty? It Can Be Nifty!
Gale Holtz Golden, LICSW, BCD, Clinical Associate Professor of Psychiatry
Research affirms that through mid-life and beyond, people maintain a healthy interest in sexual contact. Adapting to the body's capacities as we age can be a challenge, but it has great rewards as well. Join us to talk about tuning up and turning on your sexual system for the long haul.
FREE!
Tuesday, October 19th
7:00-8:30 pm
Medical Center Campus, Burlington
Sign up online or call 847-2278 to register.

Cholesterol Screenings

Tue, 19 Oct 2010 00:00:00 -0500

Cholesterol Screenings
Tuesday, October 20th
Burlington
9:00 am to 3:30 pm
$21 per participant; $18 for people over 62.

Call 847-2278 to register.

Ob/Gyn Grand Rounds

Tue, 19 Oct 2010 00:00:00 -0500

"Rational Diagnosis of Women at Risk for Ectopic Pregnancy"Kurt Barnhart, M.D.Professor, Department of Ob/GynDivision of Reproductive Endocrinology & InfertilityUniversity of Pennsylvania Medical CenterPhiladelphia, PA7:30 - 8:30 a.m. @ Davis Auditorium

Healthsource Community Education: Yoga for Healthseekers

Thu, 14 Oct 2010 00:00:00 -0500

Yoga for Healthseekers
Susan Marx, Certified Instructor
Learn the benefits of yoga for stress relief, flexibility, and strength through a series of easy to learn exercises. 15-person limit.
FREE!
Thursday, October 14th
6:30-7:30 pm
Winooski
Sign up online or call 847-2278 to register.

Sorry at this time the class is full.

Surgical Grand Rounds

Thu, 14 Oct 2010 00:00:00 -0500

"Single Incision Laparoscopic Surgery: Next Frontier or Gimmick?"
Ed Borrazzo, MDAssociate Professor of SurgeryDivision of General Surgery
7:30-8:30 AMDavis Autidtorium
General Surgery M&Ms to follow

Neuroscience Grand Rounds

Thu, 14 Oct 2010 00:00:00 -0500

"Sex and Epilepsy"
Harold Morris, MD
Professor of Neurology
The University of Vermont, College of Medicine
Fletcher Allen Health Care

9:30-10:30am
Davis Auditorium

Mon, 23 Aug 2010 00:00:00 -0500

LIVING WELL WITH
DIABETES:
Living Well with Diabetes is a comprehensive 6 hour diabetes
self-management education class. This
class covers the seven core areas of competency identified by the American
Association of Diabetes Educators. This
class will be offered in two 3 hour class sessions on consecutive Monday
mornings. Please register for
both sessions.
Session 1
Monday, August 16h from 9:00 AM-12:00 PM
Session 2
Monday, August 23rd from 9:00 AM-12:00 PM

All classes are held
at the Vermont Regional
Diabetes Center
at 3 Timberlane in South Burlington. Please call 802-847-4576 to register.
The Vermont Regional
Diabetes Center
Education Team
Krissy Bolton,
MS, RD, CDE
Ronda Lapidow, RN, CDE
Linda Tilton, MS, RD, CDE

Ob/Gyn Grand Rounds

Tue, 17 Aug 2010 00:00:00 -0500

No Ob/Gyn Grand Rounds during July & August

Mon, 26 Jul 2010 00:00:00 -0500

Diabetes Class - Living Well with Diabetes - Part II

Mon, 26 Jul 2010 00:00:00 -0500

Please Join us for our July Session "Living Well with Diabetes".
Monday July 19th and 26th 9:00 am - 12:00pm
Living Well with Diabetes is a comprehensive 6 hour class which includes the seven core areas of competency identified by the American Association of Diabetes Educators. Our diabetes education program is recognized by the American Diabetes Association and all of our classes are taught by Certified Diabetes Educators.
Most health insurance plans cover the cost of this class.
Please call 847-4576 to register.
Class will take place at Vermont Regional Diabetes Center 3 Timberlane, South Burlington.

Diabetes - Insulin Pump Management Class

Thu, 22 Jul 2010 00:00:00 -0500

INSULIN PUMP MANAGEMENT An overview of insulin pump management offered for people actively pursuing insulin pump therapy. Thursday, July 22nd from 1:00-4:00pm Please call 802-847-4576 to register. Vermont Regional Diabetes Center at 3 Timberlane in South Burlington.

Ob/Gyn Grand Rounds

Tue, 20 Jul 2010 00:00:00 -0500

No Ob/Gyn Grand Rounds during July & August

Diabetes Class - Living Well with Diabetes - Part I

Mon, 19 Jul 2010 00:00:00 -0500

Living Well with Diabetes is a comprehensive 6 hour class which includes the seven core areas of competency identified by the American Association of Diabetes Educators. Our diabetes education program is recognized by the American Diabetes Association and all of our classes are taught by Certified Diabetes Educators.
Most health insurance plans cover the cost of this class. Please call 847-4576 to register. Class will take place at Vermont Regional Diabetes Center 3 Timberlane, South Burlington.

Osteoporosis Grand Rounds

Fri, 16 Jul 2010 00:00:00 -0500

Topic: DXA Interpretation
Speaker: Edward Leib, M.D., Rheumatologist, FAHC; Professor, UVM
Time: 12:00-1:00 PM
Location: Austin Auditorium, Shepardson 4, Medical Center Campus

Fletcher Allen, Inter-Lakes Health in Ticonderoga, NY, Announce Affiliation

Wed, 14 Jul 2010 00:00:00 -0500

July 14, 2010
Michael CarreseMarketing and Communications802-847-2886
BURLINGTON VT – Fletcher Allen Health Care and Inter-Lakes Health, Inc., in Ticonderoga, NY, have signed an affiliation agreement that will enable both organizations to work more closely together to meet the health care needs of the Ticonderoga community. Inter-Lakes Health is more commonly known by its historical name: Moses-Ludington Hospital.
This formal affiliation builds on a strong foundation of collaboration between the two organizations. For many years, Fletcher Allen, Vermont’s academic medical center, and Inter-Lakes Health, a critical access hospital, have participated in a joint telemedicine program that allows health care providers in the Emergency Department at Inter-Lakes Health to consult with trauma care experts at Fletcher Allen on difficult trauma cases. More recently, Fletcher Allen has operated three clinics at Inter-Lakes Health – Cardiology, Dermatology and Neurology – staffed by Fletcher Allen physicians who travel to Ticonderoga on a monthly basis to see patients who need specialty care.
With this new affiliation, there is a commitment to increase Fletcher Allen’s clinical collaboration with Inter-Lakes Health in areas such as Emergency Services to bring an even greater level of service to the hospital.
“The leadership and board of directors of Inter-Lakes Health are excited to be affiliating with Fletcher Allen as we greatly appreciate the benefits of an academic medical center to our patients,” said Sandra R. Bolton, chairperson, Inter-Lakes Health Board of Directors. “We see this new partnership as a win-win for everyone involved.”
“We at Fletcher Allen look forward to this new partnership, which will allow us to work together more closely with our friends at Inter-Lakes Health for the benefit of patients in the Ticonderoga area,” said Melinda Estes, M.D., president and chief executive officer at Fletcher Allen. “In this new era of health care reform, it is more important than ever that we collaborate and coordinate with other hospitals in the region to provide high-quality care to the people in the communities we serve. This aligns with Fletcher Allen’s vision, which is to be a national model for the delivery of high-quality academic health care for a rural region.”
About Inter-Lakes Health
Inter-lakes Health, formally known as Moses-Ludington Corporation, is a family of health services located in Ticonderoga, NY between Lake George and Lake Champlain in the Adirondack Mountains. Inter-lakes Health services patients from Essex, Warren and Washington Counties. The not-for-profit family members include Moses-Ludington Hospital, a 15-bed Critical Access Hospital, Heritage Commons Residential Health Care, a 84-bed nursing home, Moses-Ludington Adult Care, a 23-bed adult home, the Inter-Lakes Dental Clinic, and Lord Howe Estates, a 43-unit HUD Section 8 202 multi-family housing complex for low income elderly.
Inter-Lakes Health is the sole provider of safety-net services for an area with a local resident population of 14,000 that welcomes approximately 15,000 additional summer residents, and we're there for the estimated 200,000 summer tourists who pass through our corner of the mountains. Additionally, Inter-Lakes Health maintains working relationships with care providers from around the region to help support the community’s health needs.
Our mission is to be a caring, community responsive health care partner that promotes wellness, individual dignity, and quality and value.
It is our vision to facilitate a coordinated continuum of quality, cost-effective health services which include acute and emergency services, assessment and referral, primary care, long- term care, restorative services, education and community outreach. To learn more, please join us at www.interlakeshealth.com.
About Fletcher Allen
Fletcher Allen Health Care, together with our partners at the University of Vermont College of Medicine and the College of Nursing and Health Sciences, is Vermont’s academic medical center. Our mission is to improve the health of the people in the communities we serve by integrating patient care, education and research in a caring environment. Fletcher Allen serves as a regional referral center -- providing advanced care to approximately one million people in Vermont and northern New York -- and as a community hospital for approximately 150,000 residents in Chittenden and Grand Isle counties.
Fletcher Allen now has affiliations with three northern New York hospitals – Inter-Lakes Health (Ticonderoga, NY), Alice Hyde Medical Center (Malone, NY) and Canton-Potsdam Hospital (Potsdam, NY). With more than 30 patient care sites and 100 outreach clinics, programs and services throughout the region, Fletcher Allen is committed to being a national model for the delivery of high-quality academic health care for a rural region.
For more information about Fletcher Allen, find us online at http://www.fletcherallen.org or on our Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and blog sites at www.fletcherallen.org/socialmedia.

Ob/Gyn Grand Rounds

Tue, 13 Jul 2010 00:00:00 -0500

No Ob/Gyn Grand Rounds during July & August

Diabetes Class - Meters and More - July 8th

Thu, 08 Jul 2010 00:00:00 -0500

METERS AND MORE
This class is designed for people with diabetes who are
ready to begin self monitoring blood glucose or those who have been monitoring
and are interested in upgrading their glucometer.
Thursday July 8th 9:00-10:30 AM
Please call 802-847-4576 with questions and to register.
Vermont Regional Diabetes Center
3 Timber Lane, South Burlington, VT 05403

Nursing Grand Rounds

Mon, 05 Jul 2010 00:00:00 -0500

"Evidence-Based Practice-Electronic Health Record Survey Results"with Ann Laramee, R.N., Clinical Nurse Specialist, and the EBP group8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.Austin Auditorium

From Our Blog: Why Healthy, Sustainable Food Matters to Fletcher Allen

Wed, 30 Jun 2010 00:00:00 -0500

Ob/Gyn Departmental Business Meeting

Tue, 29 Jun 2010 00:00:00 -0500

No Ob/Gyn Grand Rounds today
Ob/Gyn Departmental Business Meeting(Attendance limited to Ob/Gyn attendings, fellows, residents, certified nurse midwives, physicians assistants and nurse practitioners)
7:30-8:30 a.m. @ Davis Aud.

Ronald McDonald House Benefit Golf Tournament

Fri, 25 Jun 2010 00:00:00 -0500

Ronald McDonald House Benefit Golf Tournament, Champlain Country Club, Swanton, registration 8 a.m., shotgun start 9 a.m. Information and registration: 862-4943, www.rmh-vermont.org/html/newsevents.htm, or email deanna_cameron@comcast.net. Benefits Ronald McDonald House Charities of Burlington.

Surgical Grand Rounds

Thu, 24 Jun 2010 00:00:00 -0500

"Do We Need Aortic Surgery?
with Daniel Clair, M.D., Chairman/Program Director, Department of Vascular Surgery, The Cleveland Clinic
8:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
Davis Auditorium

Diabetes: Insulin Pump Management

Thu, 24 Jun 2010 00:00:00 -0500

Insulin Pump Management
An overview of insulin pump management offered for people actively pursuing insulin pump therapy
Thursday, June 24th
1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Vermont Regional Diabetes Center at 3 Timberlane, South Burlington
Please call 802-847-4576 for more information on our diabetes education programs or to register.

Nursing Grand Rounds

Thu, 24 Jun 2010 00:00:00 -0500

"Evidence for Staying Fit for Life"
with Mary Val Palumbo, D.N.P, A.P.R.N., Office of Nursing Workforce and UVM College of Nursing
2:00 p.m.
Davis Auditorium

Ob/Gyn Grand Rounds

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 00:00:00 -0500

"First Trimester Sonography: Lowering the Bar"
with David C. Jones, M.D. Associate Professor, Ob/Gyn, University of Vermont, Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine
7:30 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.
Davis Auditorium

Vermont Cancer Center Grand Rounds

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 00:00:00 -0500

"Immunosurveillance and Cancer: Using Proteomics for Cancer Detection and Prognosis"
with Karen S. Anderson, M.D., Ph.D., Attending Physician, Brigham & Women’s Hospital, Dana Farber Cancer Institute
8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
Medical Education Center Room 300

Island Ride

Sun, 20 Jun 2010 00:00:00 -0500

Island Ride to benefit KidSafe Collaborative, 9 a.m., Grand Isle State Park. Includes metric century, 30km and 10 km rides. Information and registration: www.kidsafevt.org/islandride

Osteoporosis Grand Rounds

Fri, 18 Jun 2010 00:00:00 -0500

Canceled this month due to National Endocrinology Meeting

Didactic Lectures in Endocrinology

Thu, 17 Jun 2010 00:00:00 -0500

"Treatment of Hypertension: Predicted Changes with JNC VIII. Any Impact Upon Future Treatment of Patients with Diabetes?"
with Brett Ouimet, PharmD. student, Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
12:00 p.m.
3 Timber Lane, Endocrine Conference Room

Surgical Grand Rounds

Thu, 17 Jun 2010 00:00:00 -0500

Lab Residents’ Presentations
Surgical Grand Rounds
7:30 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.
Davis Auditorium

Nursing Grand Rounds

Wed, 16 Jun 2010 00:00:00 -0500

"So You think You’ve Had a Hard Day?"
with Joe Niemczura, R.N., M.S., University of Hawaii Nursing Faculty
2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Davis Auditorium

Ob/Gyn Grand Rounds

Tue, 15 Jun 2010 00:00:00 -0500

"An Overview of Military Medicine: One Grunt’s Perspective"
with Ronald Beesley, M.D., Clinical Instructor, OB/Gyn, University of Vermont, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility
7:30 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.
Davis Auditorium

HealthSource: Community Blood Pressure Screenings

Tue, 15 Jun 2010 00:00:00 -0500

Community Blood Pressure Screenings - FREE
WHEN: 10:00 am–12:00 pmWHERE: Community Health Improvement, 199 Main St. Burlington
Walk-ins welcome. Call 847-2278 for more information.

Fletcher Allen Releases Year-to-Date and Second Quarter Financial Results

Tue, 15 Jun 2010 00:00:00 -0500

June 15, 2010
Michael CarreseMarketing and Communications802-847-2886

BURLINGTON VT - Fletcher Allen reported an operating income of $6.9 million for the first two quarters of the 2010 fiscal year. This includes an operating income of approximately $6.8 million for the second quarter. The second quarter covers the period beginning January 1 and ending March 31.
Second Quarter Results
Operating income for the second quarter was $1.9 million above budget and $4.3 million below the corresponding quarter in FY 2009. Net operating revenues for the quarter were $218.1 million, $620,000 below budgeted revenues. The organization's operating expenses for the quarter were $211.2 million, $2.5 million under budget, resulting in an operating income of approximately $5.0 million and an operating margin of 3.2% for the second quarter. By comparison, the organization produced an income from operations of $9.3 million in the second quarter of FY 2009.
Year-to-date Results
On a year-to-date basis, the $6.9 million net income from operations was below the budgeted $9.6 million for the period, and produced an operating margin of 1.6%. A year ago, the organization generated a two-quarter operating gain of $13.3 million. For the first half of the fiscal year, net operating revenues were $428.3, $11.5 million below budget. Operating expenses were $421.4 million, below budget by $8.8 million.
A key financial indicator, earnings before interest, depreciation and amortization (EBIDA) stood at approximately $39.3 million for the first two quarters. This was below the FY 2010 budget forecast of $41.5 million. EBIDA provides a good measure of the organization’s actual earnings.
At the end of the second quarter, days cash on hand stood at 107 days using a 12-month rolling average compared with 97 days last year. This indicator is a projected estimate of the number of days an organization could meet operating expenditures provided no additional revenues were received.
The institution began making its quarterly financials public with the release of the first quarter results for FY 2003 in February 2003. The audited financial statements as well as unaudited quarterly results for FY 2003 through the second quarter of FY 2010 are available on the Fletcher Allen Web site at www.fletcherallen.org.
About Fletcher AllenFletcher Allen Health Care, together with our partners at the University of Vermont College of Medicine and the College of Nursing and Health Sciences, is Vermont’s academic medical center. Our mission is to improve the health of the people in the communities we serve by integrating patient care, education and research in a caring environment. Fletcher Allen serves as a regional referral center -- providing advanced care to approximately one million people in Vermont and northern New York -- and as a community hospital for approximately 150,000 residents in Chittenden and Grand Isle counties. With more than 30 patient care sites and 100 outreach clinics, programs and services throughout the region, Fletcher Allen is committed to being a national model for the delivery of high-quality academic health care for a rural region.
Click here for FY 2010 Second Quarter Financial Results
Click here for FY 2010 Second Quarter Y-T-D Financial Results

Diabetes Speaker Series - "Feet Don't Fail Me Now!"

Tue, 15 Jun 2010 00:00:00 -0500

Feet Don’t Fail Me Now!
With Ann Gotham, ANP, Nurse Practitioner
People with diabetes have an increased risk for foot problems which can possibly lead to infection and serious complications. Please join us to explore the relationship between diabetes and foot problems. Learn how to care for your feet so they can take care of you!
Tuesday June 15th
6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Vermont Regional Diabetes Center at 3 Timberlane, South Burlington
Please call 802-847-4576 for more information on our diabetes education programs or to register.

Vermont Cancer Center Grand Rounds

Tue, 15 Jun 2010 00:00:00 -0500

"Paradigm Shift in the Treatment of Locally Advanced Head and Neck Cancers: The Role of Neoadjuvant Therapy VCC0905"
with Madhuri Vithala, M.D., third-year Hematology/Oncology Fellow, University of Vermont
8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
Medical Education Center Room 300

Grand Rounds in Endocrinology & Diabetes Care

Mon, 14 Jun 2010 00:00:00 -0500

"Diabetes Conference: Exercise and Diabetes"
with Ginger Vieira, B.A., ISSA Personal Trainer
12:00 p.m.
3 Timber Lane, Endocrine Conference Room

Diabetes: Living Well Class - Saturday, June 12

Sat, 12 Jun 2010 00:00:00 -0500

Living Well with Diabetes
Living Well with Diabetes is a comprehensive 6 hour class which includes the seven core areas of competency identified by the American Association of Diabetes Educators. Our diabetes education program is recognized by the American Diabetes Association and all of our classes are taught by Certified Diabetes Educators. Most health insurance plans cover the cost of this class.
This class will include meal planning tips and lunch with our diabetes education team.
Saturday June 12th
9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Vermont Regional Diabetes Center at 3 Timberlane, South Burlington
Please call 802-847-4576 for more information on our diabetes education programs or to register.

Diabetes: Glucose Meter Training Class

Thu, 10 Jun 2010 00:00:00 -0500

Blood Glucose Meter Training Class
Thursday, June 10th
9:00 am- 10:30 am
Vermont Regional Diabetes Center at 3 Timberlane, South Burlington
Please call 802-847-4576 for more information on our diabetes education programs or to register.

Diabetes Guest Speaker Series: "Making Sense of your Sensor"

Wed, 09 Jun 2010 00:00:00 -0500

“Making Sense of your Sensor”
How to make the most of your continuous glucose sensor: with Rene Guilder, RN. CDE from Medtronic
Wednesday, June 9th
6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Vermont Regional Diabetes Center at 3 Timberlane, South Burlington
Please call 802-847-4576 for more information on our diabetes education programs or to register.

Diabetes: Insulin Pump Management

Thu, 27 May 2010 00:00:00 -0500

Insulin Pump Management if for diabetic patients who are actively pursuing insulin pump therapy.
Thursday, May 27th from 1pm-4pm. This class takes place every month.
Vermont Regional Diabetes Center at 3 Timber Lane in South Burlington.
Please call 847-4576 to register and with any questions.

Neuroscience Grand Rounds

Thu, 27 May 2010 00:00:00 -0500

"Introduction of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation"
Yanan Shang, MD
Resident, Neurology
The Unversity of Vermont, College of Medicine

9:30-10:30am
Davis Auditorium

Fletcher Allen Wins National, State Awards for Green Practices

Thu, 27 May 2010 00:00:00 -0500

May 27, 2010
Michael CarreseMarketing and Communications802-847-2886
BURLINGTON, VT – Fletcher Allen' drive to become one of the greenest health care organizations in the country was recognized this month with awards from two national organizations and the State of Vermont.
For the second year in a row, Fletcher Allen was selected to be in the "Environmental Leadership Circle" by Practice Greenhealth, the nation' leading association devoted to environmentally responsible health care. The Leadership Circle awards are given to institutions that have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to reducing the environmental footprint of their operations. In 2009, Fletcher Allen increased recycling to 34% of its waste stream, up from 21% in 2007. Electric use at the Medical Center Campus dropped8% from FY 2008 to 2009.
"All of our members are committed to improving health care's environmental performance, but Fletcher Allen belongs to a select group of facilities setting the highest standards," said Practice Greenhealth Executive Director Anna Gilmore Hall.
Also this month, Fletcher Allen was one of four Vermont organizations to receive the Governor' Award for Environmental Excellence in Earth Stewardship & Resource Protection. This award recognizes projects with "measurable and direct benefits to air, land or water – or fish, wildlife and human communities dependent upon a clean and healthy environment." The award citation noted organization-wide projects to improve the environmental impact of Fletcher Allen, including a commitment to local and sustainable food.
Programs to make commuting easier for employees earned Fletcher Allen a repeat award as one of the Best Workplaces for Commuters by the National Center for Transit Research at the University of Florida (www.bestworkplaces.org).
The designation – which is shared with the Campus Area Transportation Management Authority (CATMA) – recognizes employers who meet the Environmental Protection Agency national standard of excellence for offering outstanding commuter benefits. These promote energy conservation by reducing traffic congestion and related air pollution.
Among commuter programs available to Fletcher Allen employees are the Bike/Walk Rewards Program, Carpool Matching Service, Emergency Ride Home, discounted bus passes and alternative commuting incentives.
"These awards reflect the commitment of all the Fletcher Allen employees who have worked hard to make our operations greener," said Melinda L. Estes, M.D., President and CEO. "I'm proud that we are being recognized as an environmental role model both locally and nationally, and I'm committed to continuing our efforts to further reduce our environmental impact."
About Fletcher AllenFletcher Allen Health Care, together with our partners at the University of Vermont College of Medicine and the College of Nursing and Health Sciences, is Vermont' academic medical center. Our mission is to improve the health of the people in the communities we serve by integrating patient care, education and research in a caring environment. Fletcher Allen serves as a regional referral center -- providing advanced care to approximately one million people in Vermont and northern New York -- and as a community hospital for approximately 150,000 residents in Chittenden and Grand Isle counties. With more than 30 patient care sites and 100 outreach clinics, programs and services throughout the region, Fletcher Allen is committed to being a national model for the delivery of high-quality academic health care for a rural region. For more information about Fletcher Allen, visit our Web site at www.fletcherallen.org.

The Autism Epidemic: Fact or Fiction?

Wed, 26 May 2010 00:00:00 -0500

William Barbaresi, M.D., Chair and Director, Developmental Medicine, Children’s Hospital, Boston, sponsored by Stern Center for Language and Learning, Vermont Children’s Hospital at Fletcher Allen, and the UVM College of Medicine Departments of Pediatrics, Neurology and Psychiatry.

Date: May 26, 2010
Time: 8:00 AM-12:00 PM
Location: Hilton Hotel
Address: 60 Battery Street
City: Burlington
State: VT
Cost: $75
Instructor: Dr. William J. Barbaresi
Information:
loosterman@sterncenter.orgRegistration: http://www.sterncenter.org/news-events/calendar/details?event_id=430

Fletcher Allen Eliminates 30 Medical Transcription Jobs

Tue, 25 May 2010 00:00:00 -0500

New Technology Decreases Need for Transcriptionists
BURLINGTON, VT -- Today, Fletcher Allen Health Care announced that 23 full- and part-time employees will lose their medical transcription positions, effective June 25, as a result of increased efficiencies gained by new technology. Additionally, three positions were vacated through attrition and four per diem positions were eliminated, bringing the total to 30 positions. Fletcher Allen is providing severance packages to affected employees and has reached out to three transcription companies to try to secure employment for qualified candidates.
New TechnologyMedical transcriptionists type and edit the notes dictated by health care providers for a patient’s medical record. A combination of two new technologies is responsible for the decreased need for transcription services. New speech-recognition software, which transcribes lines of dictation that only require editing, was introduced in the fall of 2009; with this new software, the transcription service can produce more lines of dictation in less time with fewer people. In addition, Fletcher Allen implemented an electronic health record system in June, 2009, which allows physicians to enter information directly into the system without dictation; this technology decreased the overall volume of transcription work by 27% to date.New technology is one example of the changing health care landscape. Health care reform is encouraging the adoption of electronic medical records in health care systems to enhance patient safety, improve outcomes and reduce health care costs.
Impacted Employees to Receive Human Resources SupportFletcher Allen is providing severance packages to impacted employees tied to their length of service. The package includes assistance in locating other employment. To that end, Fletcher Allen is working with three transcription companies that have expressed interest in making jobs available to qualified candidates; these companies will be testing those interested within the next two weeks. Fifty-three people will continue to provide editing services and a small amount of traditional transcription services for the organization, which currently produces approximately 19 million lines of transcription per year.
About Fletcher AllenFletcher Allen Health Care, together with our partners at the University of Vermont College of Medicine and the College of Nursing and Health Sciences, is Vermont’s academic medical center. Fletcher Allen serves as a regional referral center -- providing advanced care to approximately one million people in Vermont and northern New York -- and as a community hospital for approximately 150,000 residents in Chittenden and Grand Isle counties. With more than 30 patient care sites and 100 outreach clinics, programs and services throughout the region, Fletcher Allen is committed to being a national model for the delivery of high-quality academic health care for a rural region. For more information about Fletcher Allen, visit our Web site at www.FletcherAllen.org.

WCAX: Local Graduate Chooses Fletcher Allen

Mon, 24 May 2010 00:00:00 -0500

Diabetes: Living Well Class Part II

Mon, 24 May 2010 00:00:00 -0500

Living Well with Diabtes Class - Part II
Please Join us for a 2-part class at the Vermont Regional Diabetes Center at 3 Timber Lane in South Burlington.
Please call 847-3198 to register for both classes or with any questions.
Monday, May 17 and Monday, May 24th, from 9am - 12 noon.
This is a comprehensive 2-part class which includes the seven core areas of competency identified by the American Association of Diabetes Educators.

Osteoporosis Grand Rounds

Fri, 21 May 2010 00:00:00 -0500

Topic: Bariatric Surgery and Bone Disease
Speaker: Lynda Tilluckdharry, M.D.
Time: 12:00-1:00 PM
Location: Austin Auditorium, Shepardson 4, Medical Center Campus

Neuroscience Grand Rounds

Thu, 20 May 2010 00:00:00 -0500

"Post-Traumatic Headache View and Controversies:
Focus on Chronic Types Secondary to Mild Closed Head Injury"
Fred Sheftell, MD
Assistant Professor, Departments of Neurology and Psychiatry
Albert Einstein School of Medicine, Bronx, NY
Director, New England Center for Headache, Stamford, CT

9:30-10:30am
Davis Auditorium

HealthSource: Community Blood Pressure Screenings

Tue, 18 May 2010 00:00:00 -0500

Community Blood Pressure Screenings - FREE
WHEN: 10:00 am–12:00 pmWHERE: Community Health Improvement, 199 Main St. Burlington
Walk-ins welcome. Call 847-2278 for more information.

Diabetes: Living Well Class Part I

Mon, 17 May 2010 00:00:00 -0500

Living Well with Diabtes Class - Part I
Please Join us for a 2-part class at the Vermont Regional Diabetes Center at 3 Timber Lane in South Burlington.
Please call 847-3198 to register for both classes or with any questions.
Monday, May 17 and Monday, May 24th, from 9am - 12 noon.
This is a comprehensive 2-part class which includes the seven core areas of competency identified by the American Association of Diabetes Educators.

Fletcher Allen Teams with Vermont HITEC to Train Licensed Nursing Assistants

Mon, 17 May 2010 00:00:00 -0500

Applications for Free Training Program Due June 1, 2010
Burlington, VT: Fletcher Allen and Vermont HITEC are recruiting candidates for the partnership’s first training program for Licensed Nursing Assistants (LNAs). The free training will lead directly to employment in part-time or full-time positions for eight participants. The program is targeted to unemployed and underemployed Vermonters, and Fletcher Allen employees seeking to upgrade their skills.
The two-part training program will be conducted over an eight week period. Students who successfully complete an unpaid three week readiness program will enter a paid five-week training program that combines academic course content with clinical rotations. The program will prepare eight participants to work directly with patients and to apply for LNA licensure with the Vermont State Board of Nursing. Upon completion of the eight week training, the new LNAs will also participate in a one year state certified apprenticeship program.
The pay scale for an LNA begins at $11.23 per hour with a comprehensive benefits package, with potential future earnings up to $16.89 per hour. Participants may also receive college credit toward an associate’s degree at a state community college.
The LNA program follows the success of six previous training programs between Fletcher Allen and Vermont HITEC, funded with support from Senator Patrick J. Leahy.
“LNAs are valued members of our nursing care team, working with the RNs and LPNs in providing quality care and caring for the patients and their families. We look forward to working with our partners at Vermont HITEC to provide this excellent training opportunity,” said Sandra Dalton, Senior Vice President of Patient Care Services and Chief Nursing Officer of Fletcher Allen Health Care.
"Fletcher Allen has provided Vermonters with the opportunity to demonstrate that with the appropriate training they can become part of a high quality workforce dedicated to patient care,” said Gerry Ghazi, President of Vermont HITEC. “We applaud their efforts to engage in this innovative partnership and hope to continue to offer similar opportunities in the future.”
The deadline for applying to the LNA program is Tuesday, June 1, 2010. Individuals interested in applying to the program must visit www.vthitec.org to fill out an online application. Questions and inquiries can be directed to Lisa Gorman, ITAR Project Leader, Vermont HITEC, Inc., P.O. Box 1548, Williston, VT 05495, or by email at lisa.gorman@vthitec.org. For up-to-date program information, visit: www.vthitec.org.
About the Fletcher Allen/Vermont HITEC PartnershipFletcher Allen and Vermont HITEC developed their partnership in 2004 with funding assistance from both the State of Vermont and the U.S. Department of Labor. The partnership was created to help address critical workforce development needs by training unemployed and underemployed Vermonters for jobs that are persistently difficult to fill. The goal is designed to be flexible to match current workforce needs with potential applicants who lacked the necessary skills to be considered for a position.
Training programs have been conducted for a variety of positions including practice support specialists, registration representatives, medical coders and phlebotomists. Most recently, in the fall of 2009, the partnership trained 32 Data Abstractors and PRISM Go-Live Specialists to assist with the implementation of Fletcher Allen's electronic health record. To date, a total of 102 Vermonters have been trained and offered positions at Fletcher Allen as a result of these programs.
About Fletcher AllenFletcher Allen Health Care, together with our partners at the University of Vermont’s College of Medicine and the College of Nursing and Health Sciences, is Vermont’s academic medical center. Our mission is to improve the health of the people in the communities we serve by integrating patient care, education and research in a caring environment. Fletcher Allen serves as a regional referral center – providing advanced are to approximately one million people in Vermont and northern New York – and as a community hospital for approximately 150,000 residents in Chittenden and Grand Isle counties. With more than 30 patient care sites and 100 outreach clinics, programs and services throughout the region, Fletcher Allen is committed to being a national model for the delivery of high-quality academic health care for a rural region. For more information about Fletcher Allen, visit our Web site at www.fletcherallen.org.
About Vermont HITECVermont HITEC is a 501C (3) non-profit organization with a mission to transform the lives of Vermonters through employer based education and training opportunities. Vermont HITEC has employed over 400 Vermonters over the past ten years in the fields of healthcare, information technology and manufacturing partnering with over 20 Vermont businesses including Fletcher Allen Health Care, Husky Injection Molding Systems, Hazelett Strip Casting Corporation, IDX Systems (GE Healthcare) and Dealer.com.

2010 Knowledge Fair

Fri, 14 May 2010 00:00:00 -0500

Marking National Hospital Week at Fletcher Allen, features fun and informative displays from around Fletcher Allen and beyond. Get hands-on experience with the latest technology, learn about what’s new around the organization, meet a therapy dog and register for door prizes. Includes free food, reiki and shoulder massages. Time: 7 a.m.-6 p.m.Location: McClure Lobby Conference Room

Neuroscience Grand Rounds

Thu, 13 May 2010 00:00:00 -0500

"Deep Brain Stimulation in Epilepsy"
Shasha Wu, MD
Resident, Neurology
The University of Vermont, College of Medicine

9:30-10:30am
Davis Auditorium

Diabetes Guest Speaker Series: "Diabetes and Gum Disease: The Vicious Cycle"

Wed, 12 May 2010 00:00:00 -0500

"Diabetes and Gum Disease: The Vicious Cycle"
Please join us in welcoming Nicole Fortune, RDH and Stephanie Field, DA from Champlain Periodontal on Wednesday, May 12, from 6-7:30 pm at the Vermont Regional Diabetes Center at 3 Timber Lane in South Burlington.
People with diabetes have and increased risk for gum disease. In addition, uncontrolled gum disease makes it more difficult to control your diabetes. Please join us to explore the relationship between oral health and diabetes.
Please call 847-4576 with any questions.

African Children's Choir to the Children's Specialty Center

Mon, 10 May 2010 00:00:00 -0500

Neuroscience Grand Rounds

Thu, 06 May 2010 00:00:00 -0500

"Intramedullary Spinal Cord Tumors in Children"
Arthur DiPatri, MD
Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery
Feinberg School of Medicine
Northwestern University, Chicago, IL

9:30-10:30am
Davis Auditorium

Surgical Grand Rounds

Thu, 29 Apr 2010 00:00:00 -0500

Current Controversies and Ethical Considerations of Bariatric Surgery
Michael Wood, M.D.Chief ResidentDivision of General Surgery
7:30-8:30 AMDavis Auditorium
Trauma M&Ms to follow

Neuroscience Grand Rounds

Thu, 29 Apr 2010 00:00:00 -0500

"Detection of Preclinical Alzheimer's Disease: The Future of Diagnostic Biomarkers"

John C. Morris, MD
Professor of Neurology, Pathology, Immunology, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy
Director, Alzheimer's Disease Research Center
Washington University School of Medicine, St Louise, MO

9:30-10:30am
Davis Auditorium

Washington Post: Fletcher Allen's Dr. Terry Rabinowitz Discusses Patient Denial

Tue, 27 Apr 2010 00:00:00 -0500

Local Doctor to Become President-elect of National Doctors' Organization

Mon, 26 Apr 2010 00:00:00 -0500

April 26, 2010

Michael CarreseMarketing and Communications802-847-2886

Term to Begin in April During American College of Physicians Annual Meeting
BURLINGTON, VT -- (April 21, 2010) Virginia L. Hood, MBBS, MPH, FACP, a local internist and nephrologist, will take office April 24, 2010, as President-elect of the American College of Physicians (ACP), the nation’s second-largest physician organization. Her term will begin during Internal Medicine 2010 -- the ACP annual scientific meeting in Toronto, Canada, April 22-24. Dr. Hood will become ACP President in April 2011.

A resident of Burlington, Vt., Dr. Hood is a professor of medicine at the University of Vermont College of Medicine. She is an attending physician and Chair of the Residents’ Research and Scholarly Activity Committee at Fletcher Allen. She is also a consulting physician for Central Vermont Medical Center.
Dr. Hood was elected to the ACP Board of Regents in 2005 and re-elected in 2008. She served as the 2008-2010 Chair of the national ACP Ethics, Professionalism and Human Rights Committee. She has been a member of that committee since 2003. She has also served as Chair of the ACP International Subcommittee, now the International Council, for 2007-2009 and is an ex-officio member of the ACP Membership Committee.
Dr. Hood has served in an advisory capacity to the State of Vermont’s health care programs as a member of the Drug Utilization Review Board in the Office of Vermont Health Care Access (Medicaid). She also served as a member of the Diabetes Surveillance Committee, Healthy Vermonters 2010 Heart Disease Workgroup and Ladies First Program for the Vermont Department of Health. She contributed to developing and updating the guidelines for Management of Diabetes for the Vermont Program for Quality in Health Care.
Dr. Hood served as ACP Governor for Vermont for 1999-2003, and was the chapter's Vice President from 1991 to 1994. In 2003, she was named a Laureate of the Vermont Chapter. Laureate awards honor local Fellows or Masters of ACP who have demonstrated a long-term commitment to excellence in medical care, education or research, or who have provided service to their community, chapter and the ACP. Dr. Hood has been a Fellow of the American College of Physicians (FACP) since 1991. FACP is an honorary designation that recognizes ongoing individual service and contributions to the practice of medicine.
A medical graduate of the University of Sydney, Dr. Hood completed a residency at Mater Misericordiae Hospital. She completed two years of fellowship training in nephrology at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and her third year of fellowship training at the Medical Center Hospital of Vermont. In 1993 she received an MPH from the Harvard School of Public Health. She is board-certified in internal medicine and nephrology.
The American College of Physicians is the largest medical specialty organization and the second-largest physician group in the United States. ACP members include 129,000 internal medicine physicians (internists), related subspecialists, and medical students. Internists specialize in the prevention, detection, and treatment of illness in adults. Follow ACP on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
# # #
Media Contacts: Laura Zansitis, ACP, lzansitis@acponline.org or 215-351-2656.
Mike Noble, Fletcher Allen Health Care, 802-847-2886.
Jennifer Nachbur, UVM College of Medicine, 802-656-7875.
　

Cookie Monster, Elmo Leave Sesame Street to Visit Kids at Fletcher Allen

Mon, 26 Apr 2010 00:00:00 -0500

Fletcher Allen Gives Back: Destination Haiti

Mon, 26 Apr 2010 00:00:00 -0500

Team Fletcher Allen: Make Every Step Meaningful!

Mon, 26 Apr 2010 00:00:00 -0500

Thu, 25 Mar 2010 00:00:00 -0500

"It is Much Harder to Stop a Rumor than to Start One:
Is There a Venous Etiology of MS?"
Yang Mao-Draayer, MD
Assistant Professor of Neurology
The Univeristy of Vermont, College of Medicine
Fletcher Allen Health Care

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0500

"Presentation of Scientific Information in Graphic Form: Aesthetics, Principles and Common Errors"

George Osol, Ph.D.
Professor Ob/Gyn, UVM
Division of Reproductive Science Research

7:30-8:30 a.m.
Davis Auditorium

Blood Pressure Screenings

Healthsource Community Education Series:

Making Seasonal Soups

Richard Jarmusz, Executive Chef & author of Cooking Close

to Home: a Year of Seasonal Recipes

Soup's on! Learn to make basic stocks and soups. Recipes

include the use of fresh, local and seasonal ingredients

such as cheese, vegetables, and local meats. A tasting is

included along with a lively discussion on how to use local

foods in your daily meals. (15-person limit)

6 - 8 p.m.

O'Brien Community Center, Winooski

$10 per participant

To register, call 847-2278

Ob/Gyn Grand Rounds

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0500

"Under the Golden Dome or Like It or Not Here It Comes"

George Till, M.D.
Clinical Associate Professor
Ob/Gyn, UVM

7:30 - 8:30 a.m. @ Davis Auditorium

Blood Pressure Screenings

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0500

For Safety's Sake

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0500

Healthsource Community Education Series:

For Safety's Sake!

Diane Wheaton, R.N.

Learn how to manage medications, prescriptions written

from multiple providers, and the challenge of using more

than one pharmacy. Managing side effects and taking

over-the-counter medications and supplements (including

herbal) with your prescribed medications will also be

addressed.

6 - 7 p.m.

Fanny Allen Campus, Colchester

FREE

To register, call 847-2278

Surgical Grand Rounds

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0500

A Brief History of UVM Anesthesia

Joe Kreutz, MD
Associate Professor of Anesthesiology and Pediatrics

7:30am
Davis Auditorium

Fletcher Allen Makes Additional Changes to Inpatient Pediatric Visiting Policy in Anticipation of H1N1 Flu Season

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0500

Kim O'LearyMarketing and Communications802-847-2886
Immediate: October 15, 2009
BURLINGTON VT - Fletcher Allen Health Care has made further changes to its visiting policy in an effort to protect both high-risk patients and its staff during the expected outbreak of H1N1 this fall. Visiting restrictions are already in place in the Birthing Center, the Mother/Baby Unit, and intensive care units. Additional restrictions have now been applied to protect pediatric inpatients and their families.
The following restrictions now apply to those visiting pediatric inpatients:
For All Visitors to Inpatient Pediatrics:

Use hand hygiene:

Wash hands or use hand sanitizer upon entering the floor, AND just before and just after leaving a patient's room

No one under the age of 12 to visit the inpatient Pediatric unit.
Only immediate family to visit, or guardians/caregivers if applicable.
Only two (2) immediate family members in the patient's room at one time.
Patients will be asked not to visit if they have symptoms of a fever and a cough or cold, or if they suspect they may have the flu.

For Visitation With Inpatient Pediatric Patients Who May Have Flu:
Additional restrictions include:

While in the room, visitors must wear a white mask, gown and gloves. These should be disposed of in the room. Instructions from the nurse shall be provided BEFORE the visitor enters the room.
Visitors to Pediatric patients with influenza (or being tested for influenza), must minimize contact with all other people in the hospital. They will be asked to leave the hospital immediately after visiting. This precaution protects other patients and their families.

"These extra visiting precautions are in the best interests of our patients during the flu season," said Dawn LeBaron, vice president, Hospital Services. "Patient safety and infection control are top priorities at this institution. We recognize that this flu season will not be like others in recent memory and we have made plans that anticipate different levels of a flu outbreak. The visiting policy changes are part of that plan and they may change as the flu season progresses."
Fletcher Allen is also mounting a strong campaign to encourage staff to get both the seasonal flu shot and the H1N1 vaccine shot when it becomes available. The organization will make the vaccines available to staff at no charge.
Updated flu season visitation policies are always available on our website, http://www.fletcherallen.org/
About Fletcher Allen Fletcher Allen Health Care, together with our partners at the University of Vermont College of Medicine and the College of Nursing and Health Sciences, is Vermont's academic medical center. Our mission is to improve the health of the people in the communities we serve by integrating patient care, education and research in a caring environment. Fletcher Allen serves as a regional referral center -- providing advanced care to approximately one million people in Vermont and northern New York -- and as a community hospital for approximately 150,000 residents in Chittenden and Grand Isle counties. With more than 30 patient care sites and 100 outreach clinics, programs and services throughout the region, Fletcher Allen is committed to being a national model for the delivery of high-quality academic health care for a rural region. For more information about Fletcher Allen, visit our Web site at http://www.fletcherallen.org/.

Terrific Toddlers

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0500

Healthsource Community Education Series:

Terrific Toddlers

Lewis First, MD and Mary Lee Ritter, PNP

Vermont Children's Hospital, Fletcher Allen

Toddlers are terrific! This workshop will discuss caring

for your children through the toddler years by addressing

nutritional needs, behavioral strategies for those

"challenging" moments, and advice on handling the

occasional temper tantrum.

7 - 8 p.m.

ACC Campus, Burlington

FREE

To register, call 847-2278

Board of Trustees Meeting - Full Board Meeting with Public Session

Tue, 13 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0500

Board of Trustees Meeting - Full Board Meeting with Public Session

Date: Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Time: 2:00 p.m.

Location: Fletcher Allen McClure Lobby Conference Center

Ob/Gyn Grand Rounds

Tue, 13 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0500

"Insulin Pump for Glucose Management in Pregnancy"

Muriel Nathan, M.D., Ph.D.
Endocrinologist, FAHC
Professor, Medicine, UVM

7:30 - 8:30 a.m. @ Davis Auditorium

Willpower & Grace

Tue, 13 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0500

Healthsource Community Education Series:

Willpower & Grace

Amy Cadge, Certified Instructor

This barefoot cardio workout class is designed to improve

your strength, flexibility, balance, and endurance through

a fusion of plyometrics, calisthenics, and dance principles.

All you need is your body weight and your bare feet.

(10-person limit)

7 - 8 p.m.Location YMCA, Burlington

FREE

To register, call 847-2278

Fletcher Allen Receives Accreditation from American College of Surgeon Commission on Cancer

Tue, 13 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0500

Immediate (October 13, 2009)
Mike Noble Marketing and Communications802-847-2886
BURLINGTON VT - Fletcher Allen has received a full three-year accreditation from the American College of Surgeons' Commission on Cancer.
This is the highest level of accreditation the Commission on Cancer awards, and serves to distinguish organizations that voluntarily commit to provide the best in cancer diagnosis and treatment. Accredited institutions successfully undergo a rigorous 36-point evaluation process and performance review, focusing on quality outcomes, education and performance monitoring. The Commission on Cancer site survey report gave particular praise to Fletcher Allen's cancer-related outcomes work, clinical trials accrual, community outreach initiatives, and cancer registry operations. Fletcher Allen's cancer activities are closely tied to the Vermont Cancer Center, which links patient care with research and education at the University of Vermont College of Medicine.
According to the Commission on Cancer, there are 1,400 Commission on Cancer-accredited cancer programs in the United States and Puerto Rico, representing 25% of all hospital programs. These 1,400 programs diagnose and treat 80% of newly-diagnosed cancer patients each year.
The Commission on Cancer is a consortium of professional organizations dedicated to improving survival and quality of life for cancer patients through setting standards, cancer prevention efforts, research, education and the monitoring of comprehensive quality care. For more information, please visit their Web site at www.facs.org/cancer/index.html
About Fletcher Allen Fletcher Allen Health Care, together with our partners at the University of Vermont College of Medicine and the College of Nursing and Health Sciences, is Vermont's academic medical center. Our mission is to improve the health of the people in the communities we serve by integrating patient care, education and research in a caring environment. Fletcher Allen serves as a regional referral center -- providing advanced care to approximately one million people in Vermont and northern New York -- and as a community hospital for approximately 150,000 residents in Chittenden and Grand Isle counties. With more than 30 patient care sites and 100 outreach clinics, programs and services throughout the region, Fletcher Allen is committed to being a national model for the delivery of high-quality academic health care for a rural region. For more information about Fletcher Allen, visit our Web site at http://www.fletcherallen.org/.

Radiology Grand Rounds

Fri, 09 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0500

Jerry Froelich, M.D. Univeristy of Minnesota

Topic:

Location: Radiology Education Center - McClure 1312

Surgical Grand Rounds

Thu, 08 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0500

Esophageal Resection for Cancer: Through the Chest, the Hiatus, or the Scope?

David McFadden, MD
Bruce Leavitt, MD
Ed Borrazzo, MD

7:30-8:30 AM
Davis Auditorium

General Surgery M&Ms to follow

Ob/Gyn Grand Rounds

Tue, 06 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0500

"BRCA Mutations and Screening for High Risk for Ovarian/Breast Cancer"

Marie Wood, M.D.
Hematology/Oncology
Professor, UVM
and
Wendy McKinnon, M.S.
Genetic Counselor, FAHC

7:30 - 8:30 a.m. @ Davis Auditorium

(Workshop #10-117-06)

Baby Care Basics

Tue, 06 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0500

Healthsource Community Education Series:

Baby Care Basics

Lewis First, M.D. and Mary Lee Ritter, P.N.P.

Vermont Children's Hospital, Fletcher Allen

If the thought of bringing home a new baby seems

overwhelming, put your mind at ease. This workshop will

discuss your baby's growth and development, sleep, and

potential sibling issues.

7 - 8 p.m.

ACC Campus, Burlington

FREE

To register, call 847-2278

Radiology Grand Rounds

Mon, 05 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0500

Carole Dennie, M.D. Ottawa Hospital

Topic:

Location: Radiology Education Center - McClure1312

Revitalize Your Work Day

Mon, 05 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0500

Healthsource Community Education Series:

Revitalize your Work Day

Linda Sheridan, Occupational Therapist

Do you develop neck, shoulder, back or hand pain while

working at a computer for long periods of time? Learn

techniques and stretches to minimize physical stress

while working and ways to improve your comfort.

5:30 - 6:30 p.m.

Fanny Allen Campus, Colchester

FREE

To register, call 847-2278

Healthier Living Workshop

Mon, 05 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0500

Do you have a chronic condition that is affecting your life? Learn to feel better! The Healthier Living Workshop teaches skills and tools to help individuals living with a chronic condition and their caregivers. Free!

This workshop meets for six Mondays, 5:30 to 8:00 pm.

Please call 847-2278 to register.

Radiology Grand Rounds

Fri, 02 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0500

Bruce Hillman, M.D. Univeristy of Virginia

Topic: Radiology-An Emerging Research Specialty

Location: Radiology Education Center - McClure 1312

Surgical Grand Rounds

Thu, 01 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0500

OR Game Theory

Mitchell Tsai, MD
Clinical Instructor
Department of Anesthesiology

8:30 AM
Davis Auditorium

Canning 101

Thu, 01 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0500

Healthsource Community Education Series:

Canning 101

Peggy Thompson

Canning expert Peggy Thompson teaches the techniques needed to store your harvest for the long winter ahead. The techniques of water bath, pressure canning and freezing will be discussed and demonstrated using apples.

(15-person limit)

6 – 8 p.m

O’Brien Community Center, Winooski

$5 per participant, supplies provided

To register, call 847-2278

Ob/Gyn Grand Rounds

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0500

"Theory-based Approaches to Cervical Cancer Prevention"

Carmen Radecki Breitkopf, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Ob/Gyn
Division of Pediatric & Adolescent Gyn
University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston

7:30 - 8:30 a.m.

Davis Auditorium

(Workshop # 10-117-05)

Fletcher Allen Makes Changes to Visiting Policy in Anticipation of H1N1 Flu Season

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0500

For Release:
September 29, 2009
Contact:Mike NobleMarketing & Communications(802) 847-2886 View recent changes to Pediatric Visiting Hours
BURLINGTON, VT - Fletcher Allen Health Care has made changes to its visiting policy in an effort to protect both high-risk patients and its staff during the expected outbreak of H1N1 this fall. Changes affect the Birthing Center, the Mother/Baby Unit, and intensive care units.
The Birthing Center, located on the seventh floor of the McClure Building, and the Mother/Baby Unit, located on the fifth floor of the Shepardson Building have made the following changes:

The number of people accompanying the mother-to-be is limited to two persons.

These persons must remain the same throughout labor, delivery and the stay on the Mother and Baby Unit. No alternates will be allowed to visit.
A child 12 years of age or older will count as one of the two allowed visitors.

The two visitors must have no signs of illness.
Children under 12 years of age cannot visit.

Additionally, the Intensive Care Units located on the 3rd and 4th floors of the McClure Building have instituted the following visiting policy:

Visitors are limited to include only immediate family members or close friends if the patient has no immediate family.
Visitors with signs of influenza-like illness (cough, cold or fever) will not be permitted to visit.
No visitors under the age of 12.
Visitors will be asked to use hand sanitizers entering the intensive care units and upon entering and leaving the patient’s room.
For patients sick with seasonal or H1N1 influenza visitors will wear a protective gown, gloves and mask while in the room.
Visitors will be asked to minimize contact with others in the hospital to reduce the risk of acquiring or spreading disease.

The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit located on the 7th floor of the McClure Building will make the following change effective October 1:

Only the child’s parents may visit, or the child’s mother and one consistent adult support person.

These visiting precautions are in the best interests of our patients as the flu season begins. Patient safety and infection control are top priorities at this institution. We recognize that this flu season will not be like others in recent memory and we have made plans that anticipate different levels of a flu outbreak. The visiting policy changes are part of that plan and they may change as the flu season progresses.
Fletcher Allen is also mounting a strong campaign to encourage staff to get both the seasonal flu shot and the H1N1 vaccine shot when it becomes available. The organization will make the vaccines available to staff at no charge.
About Fletcher Allen Fletcher Allen Health Care, together with our partners at the University of Vermont College of Medicine and the College of Nursing and Health Sciences, is Vermont’s academic medical center. Our mission is to improve the health of the people in the communities we serve by integrating patient care, education and research in a caring environment. Fletcher Allen serves as a regional referral center -- providing advanced care to approximately one million people in Vermont and northern New York -- and as a community hospital for approximately 150,000 residents in Chittenden and Grand Isle counties. With more than 30 patient care sites and 100 outreach clinics, programs and services throughout the region, Fletcher Allen is committed to being a national model for the delivery of high-quality academic health care for a rural region. For more information about Fletcher Allen, visit our Web site at www.fletcherallen.org .

The Healing Power of Sleep

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0500

Healthsource Community Education Series:

The Healing Power of Sleep

Susan Fitzgerald, Certified Instructor/Therapist of Deep

Relaxation Therapy

Discover why and how deep quality of sleep helps balance

your heart rate, breathing, blood pressure and vital body

functions. The simple practice of deep relaxation can

significantly improve the depth and quality of sleep to

greatly enhance your health and well-being.

7 - 8 p.m.

Fanny Allen Campus, Colchester

FREE! Call 847-2278 to register

Keep Your Head in the Game: Concussions in Sports

Mon, 28 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0500

Healthsource Community Education Series:

Keep Your Head in the Game: Concussions in Sports

Dr. James Slauterbeck, Associate Professor of Orthopedics and Rehabilitation, UVM School of Medicine

Parents, coaches, and students are invited to attend this presentation to learn more about: recognizing concussion, concussion management, when and how to return to playing sports after a concussion, and results of poor concussion management and multiple head injuries.

Sponsored by Kohl’s

Robert Miller Community Center, Burlington

7:00-8:30 pm

FREE! Call 847-2278 to register

Surgical Grand Rounds

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0500

"Doctors Without Borders: A Sri Lanka Experience"

Bruce Leavitt, MD
Professor of Surgery
Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery

Davis Auditorium, 7:30 AM

Trauma M&M Conference to follow at 8:30 AM

*For clinicians and professionals

Radiology Grand Rounds

Wed, 23 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0500

Lee Rogers, M.D. Arizona Univeristy

Topic: Imaging T&L Spine Trauma. What, Where & Why

Location: Radiology Education Center - McClure 1312

Ob/Gyn Grand Rounds

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0500

"Pandemic Planning for Ob/Gyn"

Mark Phillippe, M.D.
Professor, Ob/Gyn, UVM
and
Marjorie Meyer, M.D.
Associate Professor, Ob/Gyn, UVM

7:30-8:30 a.m.

Davis Auditorium

Families Surviving Cancer

Sat, 19 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0500

The Eleanor B. Daniels Fund is hosting a FREE program for Survivors and their Supporters entitled “FAMILIES SURVIVING CANCER”.

Date: Saturday, September 19
Times: 8:30 am – 11:45 am
Location: Sheraton Burlington Conference Center

Come and hear a unique panel of five cancer survivors with their supporters who will candidly discuss their experiences. Panel will be moderated by Heather Barton, M.A., psychotherapist in the Cancer Patient Support Program. Also, Dr. Cheung Wong, Director of Gynecologic Oncology at Fletcher Allen/UVM will speak on “The Family Link: Updates and Impacts on Cancer Treatment”. We’ll end with a Healing Support Circle and Closing Word Ceremony led by Sherry Daniels, Survivor and sister of Eleanor B. Daniels.

Reservations are requested, but not required. Please call Deb Drury at 847-3919.

Glen Wright to Chair Fletcher Allen Foundation

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0500

F O R R E L E A S E: September 17, 2009
C O N T A C T: Maria McClellan Marketing & Communications(802) 847-2886
BURLINGTON, VT - Fletcher Allen Health Care today announced that Glen Wright has been elected Chair of the hospital's Foundation board.
Wright, a native Vermonter and former managing partner of KPMG LLP's Burlington office, succeeds Edwin I. Colodny as chair of Fletcher Allen's fundraising board. In addition, Brian Boardman has been elected Vice Chair, and Emily Morrow has assumed the position of Secretary.
"Fletcher Allen has touched both my life and that of my family," said Wright, 60, who suffered two heart attacks in his 50's. "As a result, I have a great devotion to the hospital and view it as one of the most significant and valuable assets in Vermont and upstate New York. I am honored to serve as chair of the Fletcher Allen Foundation, and I look forward to continuing to build on the success of the philanthropic efforts of the medical center."
Wright's commitment to fundraising for Fletcher Allen also comes from his father, Wilbur Wright, now deceased, who used the hospital extensively, and like Glen, was a cardiac patient.
"We are extremely fortunate to have Glen Wright step forward to lead our Foundation," said Melinda L. Estes, M.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of Fletcher Allen. "Glen has deep roots in the community and longstanding ties to Fletcher Allen. He understands firsthand the value of our academic medical center and the important role that philanthropy plays in helping us achieve our vision of being a national model of the delivery of high-quality academic health care in a rural region."
Other members of the Fletcher Allen Foundation Board include: Dr. Nancy Binter, Dr. John Brumsted, David Coates, Phil Daniels, Holly Miller, Marc Monheimer, Dr. David Schneider, Roger Stone and ex officio member Dr. Melinda Estes.
About Fletcher Allen Fletcher Allen Health Care, together with our partners at the University of Vermont College of Medicine and the College of Nursing and Health Sciences, is Vermont's academic medical center. Our mission is to improve the health of the people in the communities we serve by integrating patient care, education and research in a caring environment. Fletcher Allen serves as a regional referral center -- providing advanced care to approximately one million people in Vermont and northern New York -- and as a community hospital for approximately 150,000 residents in Chittenden and Grand Isle counties. With more than 30 patient care sites and 100 outreach clinics, programs and services throughout the region, Fletcher Allen is committed to being a national model for the delivery of high-quality academic health care for a rural region. For more information about Fletcher Allen, visit our Web site at http://www.fletcherallen.org/.

Surgical Grand Rounds

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0500

"Optimal Treatment of Carotid Artery Disease"

James Menzoian, MD
Professor of Surgery
University of Connecticut School of Medicine

7:30-8:30am

Davis Auditorium

Fletcher Allen and Eleanor B. Daniels Fund Sponsor Free Educational Program for Cancer Survivors and Their Supporters

Mon, 14 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0500

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:      September 14, 2009 CONTACT:                                        Sherry DanielsEleanor B. Daniels Fund(802) 434-3979Sdaniels2@cs.com
(Burlington, VT) – The Division of Gynecologic Oncology at Fletcher Allen and the Eleanor B. Daniels Fund are pleased to present “Families Surviving Cancer,” a free, educational program for survivors of cancer and their supporters on Saturday, September 19, from 8:30 am to noon at the Burlington Sheraton Conference Center. The event is sponsored by The Eleanor B. Daniels Fund.
PROGRAM DETAILS
WHAT: Exploring Survivorship: Families Surviving Cancer   A Free Program for Survivors and their Supporters
WHEN: Saturday, September 19, 2009 from 8:30 am to Noon
WHERE: Sheraton Burlington Conference Center
SCHEDULE:

8:00-8:30 a.m.

Welcome and light refreshments

8:30-9:45
Survivors Dialogue – panel of cancer survivors with Heather Barton, M.A., Moderator

10:00-10:45
Family Link: Updates and Impacts on Cancer Treatment with Dr. Cheung Wong, Fletcher Allen/UVM

10:45-11:30
Healing Support Circle with Heather Barton, M.D.

11:35-11:45
Closing Word Ceremony with Sherry Daniels

The program will begin with a “Cancer Survivors Dialogue” during which a unique panel of cancer survivors and their supporters will candidly discuss their experiences living through cancer diagnosis and treatment, and how they approach their daily lives. Other presentations include:

Dr. Cheung Wong, Director of Gynecologic Oncology at Fletcher Allen and associate professor at the University of Vermont College of Medicine on “The Family Link: Updates and Impacts on Cancer Treatment.”
“Healing Support Circle”- an interactive session that will explore issues and insights relating to survivorship lead by Heather Barton, M.A. of the Cancer Patient Support Program.
Closing Word Ceremony lead by Sherry Daniels, cancer survivor and sister of Eleanor B. Daniels.

Members of the public wishing to attend the event should call 847-3919 to make a reservation. For more information, go to www.ebdfund.org.  The Eleanor B. Daniels Fund was created in 2004 in honor of Eleanor B. Daniels, a beloved artist, mother, and teacher. Her courageous efforts in the area of cancer trials have advanced the techniques of cancer treatment today. The EBD Fund is dedicated to supporting education, research and development efforts for gynecologic malignancies and women’s health issues. The Division of Gynecologic Oncology at Fletcher Allen provides free educational programs for the public each fall and spring, sponsored by the Eleanor B. Daniels Fund.

Radiology Grand Rounds

Fri, 11 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0500

James Provenzale, M.D. Duke Univeristy

Topic: Applications of Nanotechnology to Tumor Imaging & Therapy

Location: Radiology Education Center: McClure 1312

Anesthesia Grand Rounds

Thu, 10 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0500

September 10, 2009

“Fluid Resuscitation in Trauma”

Bruce A. Crookes, MD, FACS

Assistant Professor of Surgery

Chief, Division of Trauma, Burns and Critical Care

University of Vermont College of Medicine

*For providers and clinician's only*

Medical Education Center

Sullivan Classroom #200

O7:00 - 08:00

workshop#10-100-11

Surgical Grand Rounds

Thu, 10 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0500

The Colodny Lecture: "A tailored approach to the undescended testis"

Martin A. Koyle, MD
Michael Mitchell Endowed Chair in Pediatric Urology
Seattle Children's Hospital

7:30-8:30am

Davis Auditorium

Ob/Gyn Grand Rounds

Tue, 08 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0500

"Updates in Treating Gynecologic Malignancy with Radiation Therapy"

Havaleh Gagne, M.D.
Department of Radiation Oncology
FAHC

7:30-8:30 a.m. @ Davis Auditorium

(Workshop # 10-117-02)

Board of Trustees Meeting - Medical Credentialing

Tue, 08 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0500

Board of Trustees Meeting - Medical Credentialing*

Date: Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Time: 3:00 p.m.

Location: Telephonic

* Not open to the public.

Surgical Grand Rounds

Thu, 03 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0500

"Mentoring the Next Generation of Surgery"

Ted James, MD
Chief, Division of Surgical Oncology

Davis Auditorium, 7:30 AM.

Surgical Oncology Mortality & Morbidity Conference to follow at 8:30 AM.

*For clinicians and professionals.

Ob/Gyn and Reproductive Sciences Grand Rounds

Sun, 30 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0500

Sept. 7, 2009 7:30-8:30 a.m. @ Davis Auditorium

"Ovarian Cancer"

Cheung Wong, M.D.

Radiology Grand Rounds

Fri, 28 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0500

Benjamin Yeh, M.D. University of California, SF

Topic: Abdominopelvic Vasculature Keys to Improved Diagnosis for the General Radiologist.

Location: Radiology Education Center - McClure 1312

Radiology Grand Rounds

Fri, 14 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0500

Brian Pogue, M.D.

Professor

Dartmouth Medical School

"Combined Magnetic Resonance & Optical Spectroscopy Imaging of Breast Cancer: Clinical Evaluation"

12-1pm Radiology Education Center McClure 1312

Nursing Grand Rounds

Thu, 23 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0500

Scott Perrapato, M.D., and Rachel Bouvier, R.N., will present “DaVinci Surgery and Nursing Implications: Urologic Procedures,”

Time: 2 P.M.

Location: Davis Auditorium

Pediatrics Grand Rounds

Wed, 22 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0500

Alan Homans, M.D., Assistant Professor, will present “DVTs and OCPs,”

Time: 8 a.m.

Location: Davis Auditorium

*For physicians and clinical providers

Site-Directed Bone Formation at Sites of Osteoclast Bone Resorption

Fri, 17 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0500

“Site-Directed Bone Formation at Sites of Osteoclast Bone Resorption,” with J. Edward Puzas, M.D., Professor, Department of Orthopedics, University of Rochester, Metabolic Bone Research Conference

Time: 11 a.m.

Location: Austin Auditorium.

Teriparatide (Recombinant PTH) and Fracture Healing

Fri, 17 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0500

“Teriparatide (Recombinant PTH) and Fracture Healing,” with J. Edward Puzas, M.D., Professor, Department of Orthopedics, University of Rochester, Metabolic Bone Conference.

Lunch is provided.

Time: Noon

Location: Austin Auditorium.

Grand Rounds: Radiation Risks - What Radiologists Need to Know

Fri, 17 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0500

Radiation Risks: What Radiologists Need to Know,” with Walter Huda, Ph.D., University of South Carolina, Radiology Grand Rounds

Time: Noon

Location: Radiology Education Center

*For physicians and clinical providers

Quality and the Electronic Health Record - Making the Connection

Thu, 16 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0500

The important relationship between the implementation of Electronic Health Records and improved quality of care and patient safety will be explored in a day-long symposium sponsored by the James M. Jeffords Institute for Quality and Operational Effectiveness at Fletcher Allen, in partnership with the University of Vermont. We are pleased to have the following national speakers making presentations:

• John Glaser, Chief Information Officer, Partners HealthCare

• Jon White, MD, Director, Health IT Portfolio, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality

• William Kassler, MD, Chief Medical Officer, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid – New England Office

Fletcher Allen Debuts Redesigned Web Site

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0500

F O R   R E L E A S E: Immediate (July 9, 2009)
C O N T A C T:                        Kim O’LearyMarketing and Communications802-847-2886BURLINGTON VT – Fletcher Allen unveiled its redesigned Web site today, www.FletcherAllen.org. Designed with patient and visitor needs in mind, the site features a fresh look, enhanced content and a new, user-friendly structure that will make it easier for visitors to find the information they are seeking. The site includes several key enhancements:

Searchable Provider Directory – Visitors can now easily search for a provider who meets their needs with familiar terms like “heart” and “cancer” in addition to “cardiology” and “oncology”. The directory, which can now be printed by visitors to the site, features a more professional look and includes color photos of most of Fletcher Allen’s 500 Faculty Practice physicians who are jointly employed by Fletcher Allen and the University of Vermont College of Medicine.
Google Maps – The new site features interactive maps and driving directions for each of our 30 satellite locations, as well as a map and directions for our medical center campus in Burlington.
Events Calendar – An Events link on the home page includes news about public educational offerings such as our Community Medical School and HealthSource classes, and other events of interest to the general public.
Enhanced Support Groups Directory –Support group information has been reorganized so that visitors can easily find comprehensive information on support services available across the region.
Video Gallery – FletcherAllen.org features over 50 videos, including educational videos about services, medical conditions and procedures, patient testimonials about the quality of care they received at Fletcher Allen, and videos about the history of this organization.

Click here to visit our new Web site.
About Fletcher AllenFletcher Allen Health Care, together with our partners at the University of Vermont College of Medicine and the College of Nursing and Health Sciences, is Vermont’s academic medical center. Our mission is to improve the health of the people in the communities we serve by integrating patient care, education and research in a caring environment. Fletcher Allen serves as a regional referral center -- providing advanced care to approximately one million people in Vermont and northern New York -- and as a community hospital for approximately 150,000 residents in Chittenden and Grand Isle counties. With more than 30 patient care sites and 100 outreach clinics, programs and services throughout the region, Fletcher Allen is committed to being a national model for the delivery of high-quality academic health care for a rural region.
###

Fletcher Allen Health Care Teams with Vermont HITEC to Train EHR Data Abstractors

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0500

For Release:  Immediate (July 8, 2008)
Contact: Kim O’LearyMarketing & CommunicationsFletcher Allen802-847-2886Applications for Free Training Program Due July 20th
BURLINGTON, VT - Fletcher Allen and Vermont HITEC announced today that they are recruiting candidates for the partnership’s first training program to prepare participants for a career working with Electronic Health Records (EHRs). The training will lead directly to a one-year term of employment at Fletcher Allen, with the possibility for additional training and continued employment.
Up to 25 program participants will be trained to work directly with Fletcher Allen’s new Electronic Health Record system, called PRISM (Patient Record and Information Systems Management) as EHR data abstractors. EHR data abstractors convert medical data from physical patient files to an electronic record.
The training programs are targeted to unemployed and underemployed Vermonters, as well as current Fletcher Allen staff, and are offered free to selected participants. Successful graduates of the program will be offered positions for a term of one year at Fletcher Allen at the completion of the 5-week course. The pay scale for EHR data abstractors starts at $11.50 per hour. The positions will also include a comprehensive benefits package.
Individuals will be selected for the training program through an extensive recruitment process. The deadline for applying to the Fletcher Allen EHR Data Abstractor ITAR program is July 20, 2009. Individuals interested in applying to the program must visit www.vthitec.org to fill out an online application. Questions and inquiries can be directed to Lisa Gorman, ITAR Project Leader, Vermont HITEC, Inc., P.O. Box 1548, Williston, VT 05495, or by email at lisa.gorman@vthitec.org. For up-to-date program information, visit: www.vthitec.org.
"We deeply value our partnership with Vermont HITEC, which has grown into a long-term commitment to train Vermonters for jobs in the health care industry – not just today, but for many years to come," said Melinda L. Estes, M.D., president and chief executive officer of Fletcher Allen Health Care.
"The emergence of the Electronic Medical Record in Vermont is creating a new branch in the job market," added Gerry Ghazi, President of Vermont HITEC. "As Fletcher Allen pioneers the adoption of this technology, our goal is to match the growing needs of this field by providing highly-motivated Vermonters with a valuable skill set.”
The EHR data abstractor program is conducted under the auspices of the Fletcher Allen Workforce Development Institute, a partnership between Fletcher Allen and Vermont HITEC. The Institute is funded with support from Senator Patrick J. Leahy. The EHR data abstractor program follows on the success of five previous training programs implemented by the partnership between Fletcher Allen and Vermont HITEC over the past four years.
About the Fletcher Allen/Vermont HITEC PartnershipThe Fletcher Allen Workforce Development Institute was created in partnership with Vermont HITEC to help address critical workforce development needs by training unemployed and underemployed Vermonters for jobs that are persistently difficult to fill. The institute is designed to be flexible to match current workforce needs.
Fletcher Allen and Vermont HITEC developed their partnership in 2004 with funding assistance from both the State of Vermont and the U.S. Department of Labor. The first Vermont HITEC training session was conducted over an eight-month period in an intensive training program for 20 medical transcriptionists. This work-at-home program was followed by the launching of a more formal health care workforce development training institute developed with the support of a $325,000 federal grant secured by Senator Patrick Leahy. The federal funding allowed for the implementation of the workforce institute and associated programs. Senator Leahy has since secured another $588,000 to support additional training programs.
Funding for the EHR data abstractor program is offered in part with support from the Vermont Department of Economic Development and the Vermont Department of Labor. To date, a total of 68 Vermonters have been trained and offered positions at Fletcher Allen Health Care as a result of these programs.
About Vermont HITECVermont HITEC is a 501C (3) non-profit organization with a mission to educate, train and employ Vermonters in a variety of fields. Vermont HITEC has employed over 300 Vermonters over the past seven years in medical transcription, information technology and manufacturing partnering with over 20 Vermont businesses including Fletcher Allen Health Care, Husky Injection Molding Systems, Hazelett Strip Casting Corporation, IDX Systems (GE Healthcare) and Dealer.com.
About Fletcher AllenFletcher Allen Health Care, together with our partners at the University of Vermont College of Medicine and the College of Nursing and Health Sciences, is Vermont’s academic medical center. Our mission is to improve the health of the people in the communities we serve by integrating patient care, education and research in a caring environment. Fletcher Allen serves as a regional referral center – providing advanced are to approximately one million people in Vermont and northern New York – and as a community hospital for approximately 150,000 residents in Chittenden and Grand Isle counties. With more than 30 patient care sites and 100 outreach clinics, programs and services throughout the region, Fletcher Allen is committed to being a national model for the delivery of high-quality academic health care for a rural region. For more information about Fletcher Allen, visit our Web site at www.fletcherallen.org.

Fletcher Allen Recognized for Providing High-Quality Care to Area Military Personnel and Their Families

Tue, 07 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0500

F O R R E L E A S E:  Immediate (July 7, 2009)
C O N T A C T:                                 Michael CarreseMarketing and Communications802-847-2886 Demand for Services Will Increase as National Guard Units Are Deployed
(Burlington, VT) Fletcher Allen Health Care has been recognized by Health Net Federal Services for providing high-quality health care to members of the Armed Services and their families living in Vermont and northern New York.
Health Net Federal Services (HNFS) is the managed care support contractor for the TRICARE North Region, a health care program for active duty and retired service members, members of the National Guard and Reserve, family members of each of these populations, survivors and other eligible beneficiaries. It serves approximately 20,000 people in Vermont and northern New York.
Denise Luck, Plattsburgh TRICARE Service Center Manager at HNFS recently presented a plaque thanking Fletcher Allen for its support of military personnel to Dr. Mitchell Norotsky, Associate Vice President for Faculty Practice Operations.
“We really appreciate Fletcher Allen’s continued efforts to provide the highest quality care for our military heroes and their families," said Denise Luck. “Its participation as a TRICARE network provider will become even more critical during the upcoming deployment of National Guard units to Afghanistan, which will add about 3,000 people to our program,” she added.
“I’m proud to accept this recognition on behalf of all the Fletcher Allen employees who are dedicated to providing excellent patient care for these important members of our community and their families,” said Dr. Norotsky. About Fletcher AllenFletcher Allen Health Care, together with our partners at the University of Vermont College of Medicine and the College of Nursing and Health Sciences, is Vermont’s academic medical center. Our mission is to improve the health of the people in the communities we serve by integrating patient care, education and research in a caring environment. Fletcher Allen serves as a regional referral center -- providing advanced care to approximately one million people in Vermont and northern New York -- and as a community hospital for approximately 150,000 residents in Chittenden and Grand Isle counties. With more than 30 patient care sites and 100 outreach clinics, programs and services throughout the region, Fletcher Allen is committed to being a national model for the delivery of high-quality academic health care for a rural region. For more information about Fletcher Allen, visit our Web site at www.fletcherallen.org .  ###

VCC Grand Rounds

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0500

Date:
6/30/2009
8:00AM - 9:00AM

Location:
UVM - Medical Education Building Room 300

Contact:
Linda Norton, (802) 847-3827

Workshop #:
09-142-34

*For physicians and clinical providers

Obstetrics & Gynecology Grand Rounds - Department Business Meeting"

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0500

Date:
6/30/2009
7:30AM - 8:30AM

Location:
Davis Auditorium

Contact:
Darlene Sweeney, (802) 847-5112

Workshop #:
09-117-44

*For physicians and clinical providers

Family Medicine Grand Rounds

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0500

Date:
6/29/2009
8:00AM - 9:00AM

Location:
Davis Auditorium

Contact:
Lise Vance, (802) 847-8549

Workshop #:
09-101-01

*For physicians and clinical providers

Pediatric Professor Rounds

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0500

Date:
6/29/2009
7:30AM - 8:30AM

Location:
McClure Lobby Conference Room

Contact:
Meghan Seymour, 802-656-2296

Workshop #:
09-167-05

*For physicians and clinical providers

Rheumatology Rounds

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0500

Date:
6/29/2009
7:30AM - 8:30AM

Location:
FAHC, East Pavilion 5-154

Contact:
Chi Chi Lau, 802-656-4574

Workshop #:
09-116-52

*For physicians and clinical providers

Medical Grand Rounds

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0500

Date:
6/26/2009
8:00AM - 9:00AM

Location:
Davis Auditorium

Contact:
Maruf Haider, 802-847-4960

Workshop #:
09-104-43

*For physicians and clinical providers

Ophthalmology Grand Rounds

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0500

Date:
6/26/2009
7:30AM - 8:30AM

Location:
UHC Campus - One South Prospect St.

Contact:
Gwyn Travis, 802-847-3026

Workshop #:
09-135-10

*For physicians and clinical providers

Pediatric Professor Rounds

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0500

Date:
6/26/2009
7:30AM - 8:30AM

Location:
MCHV, Austin Auditorium
Burlington, VT

Contact:
Meghan Seymour, 802-656-2296

Workshop #:
09-167-04

*For physicians and clinical providers

Radiology Grand Rounds

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0500

Date:
6/26/2009
12:00PM - 1:00PM

Location:
MRI Classroom, McClure 1
Burlington

Contact:
Susan Bushey, (802) 847-3592

Workshop #:
09-147-33

*For physicians and clinical providers

Anesthesia Grand Rounds

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0500

Date:
6/25/2009
7:00AM - 8:00AM

Location:
West Pavilion 2-260
Burlington, VT

Contact:
Kathy Muller, 802-847-0192

Workshop #:
09-100-52

*For physicians and clinical providers

Multidisciplinary Breast Conference

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0500

Date:
6/25/2009
12:00PM - 1:00PM

Location:
Trainer Conference Room - ACC

Contact:
Tina Wolcott, 847-2262

Workshop #:
09-139-34

*For physicians and clinical providers

Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine Grand Rounds

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0500

Date:
6/25/2009
11:30AM - 12:30PM

Location:
MCHV, Austin Auditorium
Burlington, VT

Contact:
Maura Pierson, 802-656-2182

Workshop #:
09-169-52

*For physicians and clinical providers

Neuroscience Grand Rounds

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0500

Date:
6/25/2009
9:30AM - 10:30AM

Location:
Davis Auditorium

Contact:
Jiyon Hwang, 802-656-5176

Workshop #:
09-140-43

*For physicians and clinical providers

Orthopedics & Rehabilitation Grand Rounds

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0500

Date:
6/25/2009
7:00AM - 8:00AM

Location:
UVM, Stafford Hall Room 101
Burlington, VT

Contact:
Melissa Kretmar, 802-656-3806

Workshop #:
09-118-43

*For physicians and clinical providers

Surgery Grand Rounds

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0500

Date:
6/25/2009
7:30AM - 8:30AM

Location:
Davis Auditorium

Contact:
Charles Brooks

Workshop #:
09-136-43

*For physicians and clinical providers

Pediatric Grand Rounds

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0500

Date:
6/24/2009
8:00AM - 9:00AM

Location:
Davis Auditorium

Contact:
Cassondra Helm, 802-656-0027

Workshop #:
09-125- 48

*For physicians and clinical providers

Fletcher Allen Can Help You Quit Smoking

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0500

F O R R E L E A S E: Immediate (June 22, 2009)
C O N T A C T: Kim O’LearyMarketing and Communications802-847-2886
BURLINGTON VT – Fletcher Allen’s Tobacco Cessation Program can provide you the tools you need to quit smoking, and to stay smoke-free for life.
Quitting smoking supports a healthy lifestyle and will save you money. With recent increases in Vermont’s tobacco taxes, tobacco products are now more expensive than ever.
Fletcher Allen’s Tobacco Cessation Program provides free personal coaching and classes, as well as quit-smoking aids such as patches, gums, and lozenges.
To learn more, call the program at 802 847-6541, or email: wellness@vtmednet.org.

Obstetrics & Gynecology Grand Rounds - "Laboring Twins: What Does the Data Show?"

Tue, 23 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0500

Date:
6/23/2009
7:30AM - 8:30AM

Location:
Davis Auditorium

Contact:
Darlene Sweeney, (802) 847-5112

Speaker:
Shane Reeves, MD

Workshop #:
09-117-43

*For physicians and clinical providers

Family Medicine Grand Rounds

Mon, 22 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0500

Date:
6/22/2009
8:00AM - 9:00AM

Location:
Davis Auditorium

Contact:
Lise Vance, (802) 847-8549

Workshop #:
09-101-01

*For physicians and clinical providers

Pediatric Professor Rounds

Mon, 22 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0500

Date:
6/22/2009
7:30AM - 8:30AM

Location:
McClure Lobby Conference Room

Contact:
Meghan Seymour, 802-656-2296

Workshop #:
09-167-03

*For physicians and clinical providers

Rheumatology Rounds

Mon, 22 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0500

Date:
6/22/2009
7:30AM - 8:30AM

Location:
FAHC, East Pavilion 5-154

Contact:
Chi Chi Lau, 802-656-4574

Workshop #:
09-116-51

*For physicians and clinical providers

Medical Grand Rounds

Fri, 19 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0500

Date:
6/19/2009
8:00AM - 9:00AM

Location:
Davis Auditorium

Contact:
Maruf Haider, 802-847-4960

Workshop #:
09-104-42

*For physicians and clinical providers

Pediatric Professor Rounds

Fri, 19 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0500

Date:
6/19/2009
7:30AM - 8:30AM

Location:
MCHV, Austin Auditorium
Burlington, VT

Contact:
Meghan Seymour, 802-656-2296

Workshop #:
09-167-02

*For physicians and clinical providers

Psychiatry Grand Rounds - "Realistic Options for Mental Health Human Resources in Africa - Time to be Innovative or be Doomed"

Fri, 19 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0500

Date:
6/19/2009
10:30AM - 11:45AM

Location:
Davis Auditorium

Contact:
Sarah Sterling, 802-847-2124

Speaker:
David M. Ndetei, MD

Workshop #:
09-128-42

*For physicians and clinical providers

Radiology Grand Rounds

Fri, 19 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0500

Date:
6/19/2009
12:00PM - 1:00PM

Location:
MRI Classroom, McClure 1
Burlington

Contact:
Susan Bushey, (802) 847-3592

Workshop #:
09-147-32

*For physicians and clinical providers

Anesthesia Grand Rounds

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0500

Date:
6/18/2009
7:00AM - 8:00AM

Location:
West Pavilion 2-260
Burlington, VT

Contact:
Kathy Muller, 802-847-0192

Workshop #:
09-100-51

*For physicians and clinical providers

Multidisciplinary Breast Conference

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0500

Date:
6/18/2009
12:00PM - 1:00PM

Location:
Trainer Conference Room - ACC

Contact:
Tina Wolcott, 847-2262

Workshop #:
09-139-33

*For physicians and clinical providers

Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine Grand Rounds

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0500

Date:
6/18/2009
11:30AM - 12:30PM

Location:
MCHV, Austin Auditorium
Burlington, VT

Contact:
Maura Pierson, 802-656-2182

Workshop #:
09-169-51

*For physicians and clinical providers

Neuroscience Grand Rounds

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0500

Date:
6/18/2009
9:30AM - 10:30AM

Location:
Davis Auditorium

Contact:
Jiyon Hwang, 802-656-5176

Workshop #:
09-140-42

*For physicians and clinical providers

Orthopedics & Rehabilitation Grand Rounds

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0500

Date:
6/18/2009
7:00AM - 8:00AM

Location:
UVM, Stafford Hall Room 101
Burlington, VT

Contact:
Melissa Kretmar, 802-656-3806

Workshop #:
09-118-42

*For physicians and clinical providers

Surgery Grand Rounds

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0500

Date:
6/18/2009
7:30AM - 8:30AM

Location:
Davis Auditorium

Contact:
Charles Brooks

Workshop #:
09-136-42

*For physicians and clinical providers

Pediatric Grand Rounds

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0500

Date:
6/17/2009
8:00AM - 9:00AM

Location:
Davis Auditorium

Contact:
Cassondra Helm, 802-656-0027

Workshop #:
09-125- 47

*For physicians and clinical providers

VCC Grand Rounds

Tue, 16 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0500

Date:
6/16/2009
8:00AM - 9:00AM

Location:
UVM - Medical Education Building Room 300

Contact:
Linda Norton, (802) 847-3827

Workshop #:
09-142-33

*For physicians and clinical providers

Obstetrics & Gynecology Grand Rounds - "Issues in the Management of Male Infertility"

Tue, 16 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0500

Date:
6/16/2009
7:30AM - 8:30AM

Location:
Davis Auditorium

Contact:
Darlene Sweeney, (802) 847-5112

Speaker:
T.K. Chan, MD

Workshop #:
09-117-42

*For physicians and clinical providers

Family Medicine Grand Rounds

Mon, 15 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0500

Date:
6/15/2009
8:00AM - 9:00AM

Location:
Davis Auditorium

Contact:
Lise Vance, (802) 847-8549

Workshop #:
09-101-01

*For physicians and clinical providers

Pediatric Professor Rounds

Mon, 15 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0500

Date:
6/15/2009
7:30AM - 8:30AM

Location:
McClure Lobby Conference Room

Contact:
Meghan Seymour, 802-656-2296

Workshop #:
09-167-01

*For physicians and clinical providers

Rheumatology Rounds

Mon, 15 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0500

Date:
6/15/2009
7:30AM - 8:30AM

Location:
FAHC, East Pavilion 5-154

Contact:
Chi Chi Lau, 802-656-4574

Workshop #:
09-116-50

*For physicians and clinical providers

Medical Grand Rounds

Fri, 12 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0500

Date:
6/12/2009
8:00AM - 9:00AM

Location:
Davis Auditorium

Contact:
Maruf Haider, 802-847-4960

Workshop #:
09-104-41

*For physicians and clinical providers

Pediatric Professor Rounds

Fri, 12 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0500

Date:
6/12/2009
7:30AM - 8:30AM

Location:
MCHV, Austin Auditorium
Burlington, VT

Contact:
Meghan Seymour, 802-656-2296

Workshop #:
09-126-99

*For physicians and clinical providers

Templeton Lecture Series