A local doctor’s perspective on how COVID reshaped primary care

While “COVID fatigue” often makes us feel that the disease has been with us forever, the reality is that the pandemic has brought about tremendous systemic and societal change within a very short timeframe. Prior to the pandemic, if one were to propose enacting wholesale changes to our health care delivery system in the span of 12 mo[...]

ECH health centers are open to safely provide the care you need

After some changes to operating hours during the early months of the coronavirus pandemic, two of Elizabethtown Community Hospitals health centers will return to a full schedule next week. All six of the hospitals community-based health centers areopen and can safely provide care in person and online.We sat down withM[...]

Building a foundation for less stress and good health

with Luis F. Sierra, Ph.D., R.Y.T.

Building a foundation for less stress and good health In our society when we think about stress we think of the big stuff—the large, life-altering incidents that turn our lives upside down. But stress can come at us from every angle during even the most routine parts of our daily lives. Of course, a house fire, a car[...]

From the Front Lines of Care: Innovations with Heart

UVM Medical Center nurse witness to cardiology advancements over four decades

The first time Kathy Getty showed up at the Medical Center Hospital of Vermont she was, well, a newborn. She debuted in what was then called the Mary Fletcher Hospitalin 1954. Fourteenyears later, she was back here as a candy striper. What she saw inspired her to pursue a career in nursing. “I saw the nurses dealing with th[...]

Flu Season Has Arrived

With Cindy Dion Noyes, MD, University of Vermont Health Network Medical Group, UVM Medical Center Infectious Disease

Influenza has arrived in our region and is considered to be widespread at this time. This means that at least half of the regions in the state of VT and NY are reporting laboratory confirmed influenza (usually with a nasal swab). Current Regional Strains The current strains we are seeing locally include two[...]

Pro tips to avoid the flu

With Meredith King, RN, BSN and infection prevention coordinator at University of Vermont Health Network – Elizabethtown Community Hospital

Health care workers are on the front lines during flu season. But we don’t follow any secret formula to avoid getting sick. In fact, our go-to ways of avoiding the flu can be adopted by anyone looking to stay healthy or slow the spread of the influenza virus: Get vaccinated, clean your hands frequently, adopt healthy behaviors an[...]

5 Most Common Myths about the Flu

With the health care experts from Central Vermont Medical Center, University of Vermont Health Network

Every flu season, people decide not to get the flu shot for reasons based on misconceptions about flu and flu vaccines. To help you make an informed decision, we put five of the most common myths under the microscope to see how well they fare in light of the latest scientific evidence. Here we go! Myth #1: Influenza i[...]

What to Know About the Flu if You Have Diabetes

With Brianne Jeror, NP, University of Vermont Health Network Alice Hyde Medical Center, Primary Care

Another flu season is right around the corner. A seasonal flu vaccine is the best way to protect against it and any potentially serious complications. Immunity can take up to two weeks to develop after getting the vaccine, so getting your flu shot and helping to protect your friends, family and loved ones from seasonal influenza is eve[...]

Winter Is Coming… And So Is the Flu

With Lewis First, MD, University of Vermont Health Network Medical Group Chief of Pediatrics, University of Vermont Children’s Hospital

If you haven’t noticed, fall is underway. Parents often comment to me that time simply flew by. And speaking of flu, what better time to remind parents about flu shots for their children and what the flu is and is “snot.” After all, “‘tis the sneezin’.” There are more than 200 viruses t[...]

What is the Flu and What Can be Done to Prevent It

What is the Flu and What Can be Done to Prevent It Guest Post: Kathy Mariani, MD, University of Vermont Health Network Medical Group UVM Medical Center Family Medicine, South Burlington Influenza, or the flu, is a viral infection that affects 5 percent to 20 percent of the US population every year. That&r[...]