Summary of Strategic Initiatives at SVMC

SVHC achieves openness, inclusiveness, and meaningful public participation in our strategic planning, decision-making and identification of community needs through a number of channels.

Healthy Community Partnerships — During the latter part of the 1990’s SVHC took the lead in forming Healthy Community Partnerships in each of four sectors of our service area. We convened community members from the health care, social services, education, local government, and civic organizations and worked together to do periodic community needs assessments. These assessments included interviews, focus groups, household surveys, as well as a survey and synopsis of existing health data. The partnerships prioritize issues, develop projects, and pool resources and/or pursue grants to execute projects and initiatives to meet those identified community needs. While at one time we were the convener and de-facto chairs of these partnerships, they are now mature with their own leadership and SVHC acts as a supportive partner. Ongoing dialogue with these organizations continues to inform our planning.

Regional Advisory Boards (RABS) — SVHC recruited RABS with a two-fold purpose, to assist SVHC in fundraising and to be advisors on needs in their communities. As we approach a critical fundraising effort to support a project to modernize the hospital, the role of the RABS has been focused more directly on fundraising. Nevertheless, they are at least an informal channel for our staff and Trustees to learn about the needs of the community.

Regular communication with identified opinion leaders — SVHC has compiled a roster of opinion leaders across our service area and engage in regular contact through a series of four informational updates each year. Opinion leaders are encouraged to bring comments and concerns to our Community Relations staff and/or Trustee contacts assigned to them.

Public meetings — SVHC has periodically announced public meetings for the purpose of garnering input on community needs and/or its strategic plan. Unfortunately, despite putting considerable resources into publicizing such meetings, attendance is always very sparse.

Participation on local boards and civic groups — A generous number of SVHC’s leadership team participate on local economic and business development boards and civic clubs. While not a formal channel to our strategic planning process, knowledge of the community gained form this participation is brought to the planning table.

Consumers interested in learning about opportunities to participate in processes contributing to strategic planning and/or community needs assessment can do so by contacting Vice President for Marketing and Planning Kevin McDonald via the channels below.

Phone: 447-5021
Fax: 802-440-4031
E-mail: krm@phin.org
Mailing : Kevin McDonald 
              Marketing and Planning Office
              Southwestern Vermont Medical Center
              100 Hospital Drive
              Bennington, VT 05201

 

Acting on Community Need
In 2004, SVMC commissioned Market Street Research to conduct a community needs assessment of its complete service area. This study include all parts of its service area and was designed to focus on both the general health and the specific health care needs of the populace SVMC serves. This study was updated in 2007. Download the full 2004 Community Needs Assessment

The study indicated needs in three key several areas:

• Nutrition and Physical Activity
• Substance abuse (alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs)
• Chronic disease screening

The committee charged with strategic planning at SVHC continues to use this information as a touchstone for planning the health system's activity to meet community need.

Nutrition and Physical Activity: SVHC continues to support Active Children Thrive, a family-based weight management program for children. SVMC also supports ongoing programs through our Wellness Connection to help people learn to cook healthier food, exercise more and generally live a healthier lifestyle.

Substance abuse: SVMC supports the strongest Tobacco Cessation program in the state. From Oct. 1, 2007 through March 31, 2008, more than 207 people have used our service to help to quit using tobacco. Our 1-year success rate is 22%, far above the 10% benchmark that is considered a good program.

SVMC also partners with the community or the state to supports the following programs to make our communities healthier:

• Flu Vaccine Clinics with the Vermont Department of Health  
• AARP Safe Driving Courses
• Weight No More, Adult Weight Management Courses
• Healthier Living with Chronic Conditions Workshops with the Vermont Blueprint  
• Trek for Health with the Vermont Blueprint  
• One Day at a Time Weight Loss Support Group

Consumers may obtain a copy or summary of SVHC's strategic plan, its one- and four-year capital expenditure plans, and a depreciation schedule for existing facilities by contacting Marketing and Planning at 802-447-5019.