Randolph
The practices, which also included Springfield Health Center Family Medicine, were honored by the Vermont Department of Health for meeting the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Healthy People 2020 goals for recommended vaccines.
Danielle Davis, a registered nurse and Gifford’s pediatrics nurse manager, led the team that developed and incorporated new workflow systems to ensure that children are up-to-date on immunizations, according to a Gifford news release. Starting with the chart preparation that occurs before patient visits, they check to see if immunizations, well-child visits, and asthma care action plans are current. If not, the chart is flagged so providers can administer needed immunizations during the visit, and follow-up appointments can be scheduled.
“To find a practice where everyone participates, from the providers down through the staff, is really remarkable,” said Jan Eberly, public health nurse for the state of Vermont, who last week gave Gifford’s pediatrics team a framed certificate and a copy of Epidemiology and Prevention of Vaccine Preventable Diseases.
According to the CDC, vaccines are among the most successful and cost-effective tools available for preventing disease and death.
“They help protect vaccinated individuals and also help protect entire communities by preventing and reducing the spread of infectious diseases,” the release said. “Among children born during 1994-2016, vaccination will prevent an estimated 381 million illnesses, 24.5 million hospitalizations, and 855,000 deaths over the course of their lifetimes.”
Woodstock
Perras will provide an overview of the hospital and the Woodstock-based health center, which is part of Mt. Ascutney Hospital. He also will describe his vision for the future of the organizations and “engage the audience in discussion around issues that they raise,” according to a hospital news release.
Perras is also the chief medical officer for Mt. Ascutney Hospital and Health Center, a role he has held since February 2015. He joined the organization, a Dartmouth-Hitchcock affiliate, in 2013, as director of hospital medicine. He is a member of the senior leadership group for the Dartmouth–Hitchcock health system.
White River Junction
Mulcahy was recognized, in part, for his leadership as the medical center’s associate director and chief operating officer, according to a news release from the medical center.
“In my interactions with Matt, it is clear that he embodies not only the core values of the American College of Healthcare Executives, but he also embraces the VA’s core values and ensures that every action is done with the interest of the veteran at the forefront,” said Alfred Montoya, the medical center’s director.
Mulcahy started his VA career in 2007, as chief of facilities management service at the White River Junction site. In that role, he successfully oversaw the planning, implementation and completion of more than $70 million in infrastructure upgrades, according to the release.
He was named acting associate medical center director and chief operating officer in 2015, and was appointed associate director last year.
“Through his (persistence) and tenacity, the medical center has been able to attain a level of clinical operations unsurpassed by any VA facility in the region,” the release said.
Before joining the VA, Mulcahy was an officer in the Navy’s submarine force for 12 years, serving in positions including flag aide and the chief engineer of a fast attack nuclear submarine.
He first joined the military as an enlisted member of the Marine Corps. While serving, he was selected for a Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps scholarship and attended Tulane University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree.
New London
The chairman for 2017-2018 is Dr. Donald A. Eberly. A longtime New London resident, Eberly retired in 2016 after 36 years as a general surgeon at New London Hospital. He served on the board of the hospital from 1990-1998. Eberly holds a bachelor’s degree from Dartmouth College and attended medical school at the University of Florida.
The other executive committee members are Deanna Wilson, of Grantham, vice chair; Maynard Goldman, of Grantham, treasurer; and Bo Quackenbos, of New London, secretary.
The new board members are Lisa Richmond, of Claremont; Daniel Junius, of Sunapee; and Dr. Gregory Curtis, of Etna.
Hanover
A 1986 graduate of the medical school, Kirkland also is section chief and director of the Palliative Medicine Program at Dartmouth-Hitchcock.
The chair was established in 2007 with a generous gift from Jack and Dorothy Byrne, whose long-term support has been integral to the development of palliative care at Geisel and Dartmouth-Hitchcock, according to a Geisel news release. Palliative care interdisciplinary teams work to address the social, emotional, spiritual, and physical needs of seriously ill patients and to ensure that they receive health care that is aligned with their values and preferences.
Endowed chairs support distinguished faculty members in their multiple roles of physician, teacher, and researcher, allowing them the time and resources to mentor students and trainees and to collaborate with fellow faculty, the release said.
The support from the Byrne Chair will allow Kirkland to build the palliative program and help educate students and clinicians in the best practices for caring for patients and their families under the most difficult of circumstances, said Duane Compton, dean of the medical school.
The Byrnes’ support for palliative care at Geisel and Dartmouth-Hitchcock began more than 20 years ago with a gift that funded the creation of the Regional Palliative Care Initiative, a project of Norris Cotton Cancer Center, the release said. “That led to the creation of a formal Palliative Care Program at Dartmouth-Hitchcock, which was strengthened by the Byrnes’ ongoing generosity over the next decade.”
New London
An inaugural concert was held last week during the opening reception for the hospital’s spring art exhibit, which will be on display until Sept. 1.
The show features visual artists Diane Bell, Kathy Lowe, Sam Morgan, Janet Tamulevich and Caroline Tavelli-Abar.
The concert was part of a series of live musical performances planned as part of a New London Hospital initiative to use the arts to promote health and well being, according to a hospital news release.
Experienced pianists are welcome to partner with the hospital as the program develops, the release said.For more information, email community.relations@newlondonhosptial.org or call 603-526-5084.
— Compiled by Aimee Caruso