BMH

Brattleboro Memorial Hospital is offering a Chronic Pain Self-Management Program at in the Holt Conference Room with a partnership with (Support and Services at Home). This free workshop series is scheduled to start on September 21^st from 3:00 PM to 5:30 PM and continue every Wednesday ending October 26^th 2016.

Living a Healthier Life with Chronic Pain Workshop is a Self-Management Program (CPSMP) designed for people who have either a primary or secondary diagnosis of chronic pain (as defined as lasting for longer than 3 to 6 months or lasting longer than the normal healing time of an injury) and focuses on problem solving, appropriate usage of medications and exercise, nutrition, emotions and communicating with health care providers. The CPSMP is a workshop given over two and a half hours, once a week for six weeks.

Brattleboro Memorial Hospital is offering a WRAP (Wellness Recovery Action Plan) workshop series scheduled on September 23rd (3PM – 8PM), 24th (9AM – 6PM) and 25th (9AM – 5PM) in Brew Barry Conference Room 2. This free workshop, conducted in three sessions, provides participants with tools to deal with life’s complications and to plan for the inevitable bumps along the way.

WRAP was developed in 1997 by a group of people searching for ways to overcome their own mental health issues and move on to fulfilling their life dreams and goals. It is now used extensively by people in all kinds of circumstances, and by health care and mental health systems all over the world to address all kinds of physical, mental health and life issues.

Brattleboro Memorial Hospital Medical Group Director, Dr. Tony Blofson announced three recent additions to the hospital’s staff.

is joining BMH’s . Dr. Fleet received his BA from Columbia College of Columbia University and his M.D from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. He served his internship and residency at Cleveland Metropolitan General Hospital, as well as a fellowship in Cardiology at Lahey Clinic in Burlington, MA. Dr. Fleet is board-certified in Internal Medicine, Geriatric Medicine, Cardiovascular Medicine, Nuclear Cardiology, and Cardiovascular Computed Tomography. Most recently a member of Senior Staff at Lahey Clinic in Burlington and Peabody, MA, Dr. Fleet has also served on the medical staff at Beverly Hospital in Beverly, MA and Union Hospital in Lynn, MA.

Brattleboro Memorial Hospital is offering a Tobacco Cessation Workshop starting on September 7, 2016.

The Tobacco Cessation Workshop is a FREE quit smoking program that meets for an hour each week in a caring and encouraging group format. Each week you will be given concrete strategies to use on working toward your goal of tobacco-free living. Together, the group will develop an understanding of the dynamics of tobacco addiction and the ability to choose alternative behaviors to tobacco use. The role of nutrition and healthy habits is covered as well as goal-setting and follow-through.

Brattleboro Memorial Hospital will be holding a job fair targeted at filling positions within their Environmental Services (Housekeeping) department. The event will take place Tuesday, June 14^th from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM in the hospital’s Human Resources Department on the 3^rd floor of the Dunham Building.

“Our housekeepers are critical members of the BMH team,” says Bill Norwood, BMH’s Director of Human Resources. “They are responsible for enhancing the safety of our patients and staff by maintaining an impeccably clean environment, and their work is at the heart of our infection control protocols.” Norwood hopes that the event will draw the interest of those seeking jobs at one of the region’s top employers, and give them an opportunity to meet some of the hospital’s leadership team.

Just So Pediatrics (JSP), a member of the BMH Medical Group, is now offering extended hours in order to accommodate patients who request evening and occasionally, weekend appointments. In addition to its regular hours of 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM on weekdays, JSP has extended their office hours from 8 AM until 8 PM on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, with additional appointments available on some Saturdays.

“Extended hours benefit working parents who cannot come during 8:30am to 5pm hours,” says Cynthia Howes, RN, a Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner with JSP. “They also increase health care access to school aged children and decrease school absences.” Research from the University of Michigan shows children who have access to extended pediatric primary care appointments have half as many Emergency Department visits as those who do not.

In collaboration with , podiatrist will be opening a local office at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital, where she will see patients in the Podiatry Department as well as the BMH . 

Dr. Newkirk holds a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine from New York College of Podiatric Medicine in New York, New York and a Bachelor of Science from North Georgia College and State University in Dahlonega, Georgia. She completed her residency in Podiatric Medicine and Surgery at North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System in New Hyde Park, New York and is qualified by the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery. In addition to joining the staff of the Center for Wound Healing, Dr. Newkirk is an employee of the Department of Podiatry at Cheshire Medical Center/Dartmouth-Hitchcock Keene.

Brattleboro OB/GYN & Four Seasons Midwifery, a department of Brattleboro Memorial Hospital is pleased to announce their CenteringPregnancy® site approval. CenteringPregnancy is a holistic childbirth program committed to the empowerment of pregnant women. “This is an exciting time for our practice as we offer CenteringPregnancy, a nationally recognized model of care,” said Cynthia Pearson, Director of Maternal and Child Health.

In CenteringPregnancy, pregnant women with similar due dates join together in a group with their healthcare provider. They receive all the components of prenatal care, including health assessment, education and support. There is a facilitated discussion of pregnancy, birth and newborn care as well as overall health, stress management, etc. Studies in sample populations show Centering care increases breastfeeding rates and duration of breastfeeding. Patient and provider satisfaction are higher than traditional care.

This spring, Brattleboro Memorial Hospital is offering three self-management workshops to give individuals new tools to deal with chronic health issues and live a fuller, healthier life. All of the workshops are free and open to the public.

The first program, Tobacco Cessation Workshop is for anyone over 18 ready to quit smoking. Your will help you get ready to quit with advice and support that works for your needs. Free nicotine replacement therapy available for Vermont residents. The workshop meets at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital every Wednesday from 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM or 4:30 – 5:30 PM. There will be an additional two community workshops offered by BMH with pre-registration required: one at Grace Cottage Hospital running April 4-25 and one at Parks Place running April 5-26, both will be from 5:00 – 6:00 PM. For more information call 802-251-8456.

The YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program helps adults at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes reduce their risk for developing the disease by taking steps that will improve their overall health and well-being.

The (CDC)-led evidence-based program is delivered over a 12-month period in a supportive small group classroom setting. Sixteen weekly one-hour sessions are followed by eight monthly sessions. Facilitated by trained lifestyle coaches Terri Kneipp and Nancy Schaefer, the class is scheduled to begin January 21, 2016 and will be held at the Brattleboro Memorial Hospital from 3:00 – 4:00 PM.

Brattleboro Memorial Hospital’s Community Health Team will present a free 4-part workshop series focused on the role of mindful eating for those seeking to lose weight.

Presented by Peg Canal MS, RD, CDE Nutritionist/ Registered Dietitian/Certified Diabetes Educator, Carrie Quimby MS, RD Nutritionist/ Registered Dietitian and Nancy Schaefer, BS Health Coach, the workshop series will help participants identify triggers that contribute to unhealthy eating and learn to develop mindful eating practices.

As part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October, two local businesses organized fundraising activities for the Brattleboro Memorial Hospital and .

Robin White and her staff at held a Zumba dance party on October 30th, with the help of local Zumba instructors, Maribeth Fonda and Rachel Shaw. More than 30 women danced for over 2 hours to raise awareness and support for women battling breast disease. Three of the participating women, who raised over $500 each, received a free one-year membership to Curves. The event raised $3,719 and will be used to support BMH breast cancer patients by providing wigs, bras, breast prostheses, books and materials, groceries and gas cards to help women through treatment and recovery. “I wanted all the money to go to local women facing this disease head on,” said White.

On Tuesday, November 3, 2015 from 6:00 – 8:00 PM Brattleboro Memorial Hospital will be offering a free workshop, open to the public titled: “Bone Health: Make It Or Break It” in the Brew Barry Conference Room. This workshop will highlight the perspectives of providers in two disciplines, Orthopaedics and Endocrinology, as they discuss evaluation and treatment of our bone health.

Margaret Ferry, MD and Maureen Mahoney, PA-C

As part of its commitment to community wellness, Brattleboro Memorial Hospital will present a workshop examining different perspectives on treating lower back pain. of and Brett Hynninen, MD of Pioneer Spine and Sports Physicians, West Springfield, MA will be the co-presenters of “We’ve Got Your Back” on Monday, October 26, 2015 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM in the Brew Barry Conference Center. The workshop is free and open to the public, refreshments will be provided.

Wayne Temmen, PA-C and Brett Hynninen, MD

Brattleboro Memorial Hospital is offering a WRAP () workshop series scheduled on Oct 16th (3-8pm), 17th (9-6pm), 18th (9-5pm) in Brew Barry Conference Room 2. This free workshop, conducted in three sessions, provides participants with tools to deal with life’s complications and to plan for the inevitable bumps along the way.

WRAP was developed in 1997 by a group of people searching for ways to overcome their own mental health issues and move on to fulfilling their life dreams and goals. It is now used extensively by people in all kinds of circumstances, and by health care and mental health systems all over the world to address all kinds of physical, mental health and life issues.

Brattleboro Memorial Hospital is pleased to announce that midwife Emily Martyn, CNM has joined the staff of and is accepting new patients.

Martyn received her Bachelor of Arts in Dance from Kenyon College in Gambier, OH, her Certificate in Nursing and Masters of Science in Nursing from Yale University School of Nursing in New Haven, CT.

Martyn says that her background in movement and dance piqued her interest in nursing as a career. “I have always been interested in human bodies, in how they work and move. “As a dancer I have seen how humans have an innate sense of what is good and right in their own bodies. I was drawn to being a midwife because I get to help my patients find that in themselves, pregnant or not, and help them advocate for their own bodies.”

Brattleboro Memorial Hospital’s Community Health Team will present a free 4-part workshop series focused on the role of mindful eating for those seeking to lose weight.

Presented by Peg Canal MS, RD, CDE Nutritionist/ Registered Dietitian/Certified Diabetes Educator, Carrie Quimby MS, RD Nutritionist/ Registered Dietitian and Nancy Schaefer, BS Health Coach, the workshop series will help participants identify triggers that contribute to unhealthy eating and learn to develop mindful eating practices.

The YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program helps adults at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes reduce their risk for developing the disease by taking steps that will improve their overall health and well-being.

The (CDC)-led evidence-based program is delivered over a 12-month period in a supportive small group classroom setting. Sixteen weekly one-hour sessions are followed by eight monthly sessions. Facilitated by trained lifestyle coaches Teri Kneipp and Nancy Schaefer, the class is scheduled to begin October 1, 2015 and will be held at the Brattleboro Memorial Hospital from 3:15 – 4:15 PM.

Brattleboro Memorial Hospital is among the first hospitals in Vermont to acquire the Olympus EVIS EXERA III video endoscopy system. This system uses a video processor, light source, endoscope, and monitor to enable physicians to look inside the gastrointestinal (GI) system to diagnose, detect, and treat GI diseases such as colorectal cancer. The advanced imaging in the EVIS EXERA III system will help BMH physicians to detect GI disease at an earlier stage when treatments are most successful.

“By acquiring this new system we are able to further our commitment to providing exceptional care to our patients. With this advanced technology we increase our capacity to provide more accurate diagnoses, shorter procedure times, and an overall improved procedural experience,” said Steven R. Gordon, President and CEO of Brattleboro Memorial Hospital.

To cap off a week’s worth of employee recognition events in celebration of National Hospital Week, Steve Gordon, President and CEO of Brattleboro Memorial Hospital invited all hospital staff to join him for an ice cream social where he announced BMH’s 2015 Employees of the Year.

Departing from BMH’s tradition of naming one employee for the honor each year, two employees were named for 2015. According to Gordon, “Their nominations from colleagues described qualities we all appreciate in our co-workers and to which we should aspire ourselves,”

Described as “positive, helpful, knowledgeable, dedicated, caring and skilled,” the two award winners were celebrated for their commitment to patient care and exceptional standards of professionalism.