Living

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.

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.

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! 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.

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.”

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.

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.