At the Hospitals: Hanover Terrace Awarded VA Contract

Hanover Terrace Awarded VA Contract

Hanover — Hanover Terrace Health and Rehabilitation Center was recently awarded a five-year contract by the Department of Veterans Affairs enabling the facility to provide skilled and long-term care to veterans disabled by an injury or illness that was incurred or aggravated during active military service.

The contract begins Oct. 1 and runs through Sept. 30, 2022.

In order to qualify for the contract, the 100-bed skilled nursing facility successfully underwent a full-day, on-site examination by VA representatives, including a dietician, a registered nurse and a social worker, along with a review the physical environment to assure compliance in all areas of current life safety standards, laws and codes, Hanover Terrace said in a news release.

The facility also recently received a Level Two designation with the We Honor Veterans program of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, in collaboration with the Department of Veterans Affairs.

“We look forward to partnering with the Veterans Administration, and the We Honor Veterans organization, in providing excellent care to our veterans,” Hanover Terrace Administrator Martha Chesley said in the release.

Mt. Ascutney Hosts Adaptive Sports Demo Day

Windsor — The Rehabilitation Center at Mt. Ascutney Hospital and Health Center wants to show that, with the right equipment, activities such as skiing, biking and kayaking are available to anyone and will be showcasing adaptive equipment from Vermont Adaptive Ski & Sports on Thursday, from 1-3 p.m., at the hospital, 289 County Road, Windsor.

“Therapeutic recreation is a vitally important part of the rehabilitation care we provide,” Michael Denmeade, a recreational therapist at Mt. Ascutney., said in a news release. “Technology, ingenuity, and the determination of our patients make it possible for them to do the things they love as they improve or maintain function. Evidence shows that recreation has mental, social and physical health benefits. Yes, disabilities need to be accounted for, but we have first-hand experience that they don’t have to slow people down.”

Representatives from Vermont Adaptive Ski & Sports will show gear that helps people experiencing motor skill and perceptual disabilities to engage in a full range of sporting activities. They’ll also discuss programming ranging from canoeing to rock climbing that is intended to get people outside in every season to exercise and compete.

The partnership between Mt. Ascutney and Vermont Adaptive Ski & Sports has been an important resource for rehab patients at the hospital and beyond, said Belinda Needham-Shropshire, the hospital’s director of rehabilitation services.

“They’ve been invaluable partners, collaborating with us to make life better for the people we serve,” she said in the release. Anyone who comes to this demo event will see some amazing gear and programming, designed for amazing people.”

For more information, contact Mike Denmeade at 802-674-7293 or michael.denmeade@mahhc.org.

NLH Wellness Director Named to Gov’s Council

New London — The wellness and community health director from New London Hospital has been appointed to serve on the Governor’s Council on Physical Activity and Health, a program known as NH Moves.

Catherine Bardier leads The Wellness Connection at New London Hospital, and also is responsible for the employee wellness program.

“I look forward to working with my colleagues from across New Hampshire in our shared determination to make our state a healthier place,” Bardier said in a news release.

NH Moves promotes a healthy lifestyle for New Hampshire residents by emphasizing physical activity and fitness. The council is comprised of representatives from state agencies, health care, the business community, education and other sectors.

Alice Peck Day Gets New Sleep Health Manager

Lebanon — Respiratory therapist John Ennis has joined Alice Peck Day Memorial Hospital as the new manager of sleep health and cardiopulmonary services.

Ennis was a respiratory therapist with Mt. Ascutney Hospital and Health Center’s respiratory department and at Valley Regional Healthcare for the past two years. Before that, he was the clinical manager of respiratory therapy, cardiac and pulmonary rehab at St. Mary’s Hospital in Leonardtown, Md.

Ennis earned his bachelor’s degree in health care administration from Independence University, and his associate of science in respiratory therapy at State Fair Community College. He also has specialty credentials in perinatal-pediatrics, pulmonary function technology, and cardiology.

Valley Regional Names New Development Director

Claremont — Robin Caissie of Strafford, has been named senior director of development and community engagement at Valley Regional Healthcare.

Caissie earned her bachelor’s degree in business management from Franklin Pierce University and took several master’s level courses in health care leadership at The Dartmouth Institute. She has spent the last 24 years working in the development field, and has held senior positions at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Middlebury College, The Sharon Academy, and The Trust for Public Land.

Mt. Ascutney Pediatricians To Be Honored

Woodstock — Drs. Michael Kilcullen and Patricia Staley of Ottauquechee Health Center in Woodstock will be recognized at a special event at the Woodstock Elementary School on Saturday, from 2-4 p.m.

Kilcullen retired in June after serving on the Mt. Ascutney Hospital staff since 1979. From 1983 to 1997 he was also the medical director at Ottauquechee Health Center, and he is now an assistant professor of pediatrics and community and family medicine at Dartmouth Medical School.

Staley is new to Ottauquechee Health Center. The Barnard resident worked at Christus St. Vincent Medical Center in Sante Fe, New Mexico and at the Indian Health Service on the Navajo Reservation in Chinle, Ariz., before coming to Vermont.

The public is invited to the event. Refreshments will be served. The school is located at 15 South St., Woodstock.

— Compiled by Kelly Burch