Brattleboro OB/GYN Welcomes New Midwife

Brattleboro OB/GYN is pleased to welcome new midwife Heather Ferriera, CNM, WHNP, to the practice. A board-certified nurse midwife, Ferriera is a graduate of Ohio State University with a master’s degree in midwifery. She will provide both full scope midwifery services as well as gynecologic services. Ferriera, who resides in Brattleboro with her husband and son, will begin seeing patients as of January 6, 2014.

 Brattleboro OB/GYN is a group of obstetrician-gynecologists and certified nurse-midwives who practice collaboratively to provide comprehensive care in partnership with patients. Specializing in women’s health, obstetrics and gynecology, they strive to offer patients the most professional attention in healthcare.


Biologic Wellness Center Open for January Gallery Walk

Biologic Wellness Center will be hosting a photography exhibit and open house, during Gallery Walk, on Friday, January 3rd. Stop by our space on the ground floor of the Merchant’s Bank Building. Meet the featured exhibitor, Brattleboro resident, Dave Eagle, and enjoy his creative, edgy photographs. He describes himself as “a father, writer, photographer, irritable tech guy, forklift operator, ironist, socialist gubernatorial candidate, and a proponent of the Oxford comma.” Dave’s images, occurring at the “intersection of growth and decay,” remind the viewer that technological advance is fleeting and human triumph only temporary. This stunning, thought-provoking exhibit is on display throughout January.


Brattleboro Ford Test Drive Raises $3,240 to Help BMH Open “The New Doorway to Exceptional Care”

Brattleboro Memorial Hospital officials announced the October 27 “” event organized by Brattleboro Ford raised $3,240.00 for “The Doorway to Exceptional Care” capital campaign.

Drive 4 UR Community is a Ford Motor Company program that enables local dealerships to support community groups and nonprofit organizations. The automobile manufacturer donated $20 for every test drive taken by an individual during the day-long event on the BMH campus. The proceeds will support the hospital’s efforts to raise $3.5 million from the community to renovate and expand its Emergency Department.


Coverys Grant Supports BMH “Doorway to Exceptional Care” Campaign

Brattleboro Memorial Hospital officials announced the receipt of a $30,000 grant from for patient safety improvements to its Emergency Department.

Coverys is one of the nation’s leading providers of medical professional liability insurance and is represented locally by Cathy Coonan, CIC, at . The Boston-based company established the Coverys Community Healthcare Foundation, Inc. tosupport charitable endeavors that provide healthcare services, thus improving patient safety and care. 


Thank You From Art Greenbaum and Martha O’Connor

As Brattleboro Memorial Hospital wraps up it’s Doorway to Exceptional Care Capital Campaign for the Emergency Department we wanted to take a minute to say THANK YOU. Thank you to all who have given so generously and worked so hard to help bring about a new Emergency Department for our community.

We are also most to our $3.5 million goal. Many of you have made verbal commitments and have pledge cards sitting on your desk or table at home. Please fill them out and get them in so your support can be recognized and you can help get us over that last hurdle and to our goal.


Orthopaedic Surgeons Join BMH Physician Group

Orthopaedic surgeons Elizabeth McLarney, MD, Jon Thatcher, MD, and William Vranos, MD, announce they have joined the BMH Physician Group, changing their practice from Southern Vermont Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine to BMH Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine. Their office location remains the same at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital’s Richards Building, First Floor, 17 Belmont Avenue, but their phone number has changed to 802-251-8611.


BMH Travel Clinic Becomes the New Tri-State Travel Clinic

Brattleboro Memorial Hospital is pleased to announce the transition of its travel clinic services to the new Tri-State Travel Clinic under the direction of Dr. George Idelkope, effective immediately.

The BMH travel clinic was created in 2011 as part of the hospital’s Occupational Health Services department, with Dr. Idelkope as the medical advisor and Jean Bristol as one of the registered nurses on staff at the clinic. Bristol has moved with the travel clinic to Dr. Idelkope’s office, providing continuity of care for patients. Bristol has more than 20 years of experience in travel medicine and is a member of the International Society of Travel Medicine.


Trust Company of Vermont Helps BMH Open “The New Doorway to Exceptional Care”

Brattleboro Memorial Hospital officials announced that The Trust Company of Vermont has made a pledge in the amount of $25,000 to “The Doorway to Exceptional Care” capital campaign.

With almost three out of every four patients admitted to the hospital first coming through the Emergency Department, BMH is seeking a total of $3.5 million to expand and renovate the 31-year old facility. The additional 2,500 square feet of space will increase the number of treatment rooms and enable the medical staff to provide care with greater efficiency and privacy.


BMH Emergency Department Campaign – Join Us. Give Now

Brattleboro Memorial Hospital employees dance and sing their way through the Emergency Department encouraging the community to “Join Us. Give Now.” Make a secure gift at http://tiny.cc/y1r23w. Learn more about the ED project at http://bmhed.org/.

Or you can mail a check to BMH Office of Development, 17 Belmont Avenue, Brattleboro, VT, 05301. For more information call the Office of Development at 802-257-8314.


Post-Thanksgiving Low Cost Massage & Acupuncture in Putney

Come RELAX and Heal at Medicine for the People after the hustle & bustle of Thanksgiving and Black Friday.

We are now taking appointments for our Post-Thanksgiving low cost community clinic on Saturday November 30th 2-5pm. Deirdre Kelley will provide acupuncture and Collin Leech and Julie Fender will offer massage. All 30 minutes treatments are sliding scale $25-$50.


New Vermont Department of Health Page

The local.

We are currently running a contest for healthy holiday vegetables. Like us now and tell us the name of your favorite recipe and enter to win a gift certificate to the Brattleboro Food Co-op.

Get updates on local health and wellness events, health insurance, WIC, nutrition and other helpful information.

For more information, contact your local Department of Health at (802) 257-2880


BMH Annual Meeting Features Special Guests and Key Topics

The Annual Meeting of the Southern Vermont Health Services Corporation and its subsidiary, Brattleboro Memorial Hospital (BMH) held on November 8, 2013 featured special guests, key topics, and various recognitions.

Keynote speaker Dr. Kathleen McGraw, the Chief Medical Officer at BMH since January 2013, discussed the many ways that BMH has been focusing on and enhancing safety systems throughout the hospital. McGraw, who most recently worked at Baystate Franklin Medical Center, has earned recognition and awards during her career for improving health safety systems and leading team-based approaches to health care.


Biologic Integrative Healthcare Welcomes New Practitioners

BRATTLEBORO, VT – Founder and Medical Director of Biologic Integrative Healthcare (BIH), Dr. Samantha K. Eagle, is pleased to announce the addition of clinician, Dr. Steven M. Moore and Lifestyle Medicine Coordinator, Deborah M. Dittner, RN, to the practice. BIH is a multidisciplinary group of naturopathic and medical doctors, and other practitioners, providing family care with a comprehensive approach to restoring and maintaining health.


Holstein Association Helps BMH Open “The New Doorway to Exceptional Care”

Brattleboro Memorial Hospital officials announced today that Holstein Association USA, Inc. has made a significant pledge to “The Doorway to Exceptional Care” capital campaign.

The world’s largest dairy cattle breed organization joins a growing number of area businesses helping BMH raise $3.5 million in public donations for the renovation and expansion of its Emergency Department. CEO John M. Meyer states, “BMH is one of Brattleboro’s most treasured assets. On behalf of our wonderful employees, we are pleased to contribute to The Doorway to Exceptional Care Campaign to ensure that BMH remains a strong, vibrant hospital well into the future.” More than $3.2 million has been contributed by businesses and individuals in the community thus far, including area physicians and hospital employees.


Open House at GMCFit 11/9 9am-noon Free Classes! Come See What We’re All About!

OPEN HOUSE! Saturday, November 9 from 9am-12pm! We will start the party at 9am with a community photograph of past, present, and future clients courtesy of David Shaw to show that fitness is for everyone regardless of age, gender,or present state of health and fitness.

20 minute free trainings will be offered all morning so that anyone can sample everything we offer…9:30 Boot Camp w/Lacy, 10am MMA Style Kickboxing w/Joe, 10:30am P90X w/Trisha, 11am Zumba w/Ami. Amanda Upton will be offering yoga from 11:30 to 12:00 to get the weekend started off right.


BMH Invites Public to Forum about VT Health Connect Exchange

Brattleboro Memorial Hospital (BMH) is inviting the public to a community forum about the on November 12, 2013.

Join the conversation to learn more about the state’s new health insurance marketplace, which is designed to help you, your family or your small business find, compare and enroll in health insurance coverage.

According to the State’s Health Care Reform website at , “The Exchange is an online marketplace for health insurance products that requires all vendors (insurance carriers and state health programs) to play by the same rules. In 2011, the Vermont legislature passed Act 48 — a law that created the Vermont Health Benefit Exchange. Vermonters will be able to start shopping for health plans on October 1, 2013 and the Exchange plans will kick in on January 1, 2014. The Exchange will be the only place where individuals and businesses with 50 or fewer employees can get health insurance.”


Hungry Heart Film Conversation

As a follow up to the showing of the Hungry Heart Film in Windham County, there will be a community conversation  on Wednesday, November 13, from 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. This event will take place at the Brattleboro Retreat Conference Center and light snacks will be served.

The Hungry Heart film explored the world of prescription drug addiction through the intimate world of Vermont Pediatrician Fred Holmes who works with patients struggling with this disease. The film provided an intimate look at the often hidden world of addiction and recovery and revealed the many challenges Dr. Holmes and his patients face in confronting a relentless and difficult disease.


Minding the Mind: Keeping Tabs on Your Changing Brain

Alexander Potter will give a presentation on our human brain’s ability to change and grow throughout its
life span on Tuesday, November 12, from 7–8:30 pm. This event, taking place at the Marlboro College Graduate School in Brattleboro, is part of the ongoing series of talks, classes, workshops, and support groups offered by the Northeast Psycho-Neuro-Immunology Institute for Healing (NEPNI).

The brain’s ability to reorganize is now often referred to as neuroplasticity.  Our brains change on a daily basis, and we play a role in directing those changes, with or without our knowledge.  You can keep tabs on how your brain is changing –and direct those changes for your benefit.