BS in Human Development from Cornell University
MD from Albany Medical College

The newest member of SVHC's general surgery team, Elizabeth Warner recently joined SVHC after completing her residency at Georgetown University Hospital in Washington, DC.

"I chose to practice at Southwestern Vermont because I believe I can practice at the standards that I want to have in my professional career and live in a beautiful community that is the kind of place where I want to raise my family.

The physicians here make it a priority to keep up with the standards of care. And the hospital has really shown a commitment to staying at the forefront of technology. I can do advanced laparoscopic procedures that I’d be able to do in the university setting as well. There’s also a real sense of collegiality here between specialties and with nursing, which is very important to me and really has a positive impact on patient care.

The environment here is uncommonly supportive of new physicians and extremely warm and collegial. I don’t feel like I left behind anything when I left the big city. The kind of care we’re offering here could stand up against a bigger hospital anywhere."

BS in biology from Franklin and Marshall College

MD from Pennsylvania State University

"I finished my fellowship in endocrinology at Mt Sinai Hospital in New York, and my wife and I moved to Florida, her home state. Soon, we realized we wanted to be in a smaller community. We missed the seasons, so we returned to the Northeast. I really wanted to practice where I could make a difference. In Florida, there were five other endocrinologists on the same floor of my medical office building. When I moved here in 1992, I was the third endocrinologist in Vermont."

"I have most everything I could wish for here. SVMC has a really solid medical staff, especially for a small community hospital. Because we are reasonably close to Albany, I can attend Endocrine conferences there, and I hold a Clinical Assistant Professorship in the Division of Endocrinology at Albany Medical College. I enjoy teaching the residents and fellows there. I've been privileged to introduce insulin pumps and bone densitometry to our rural community. And, my wife and I enjoy our rural lifestyle only a few hours from major cities."

BS in chemistry from Union College
MD from the University of Vermont

"At Southwestern Vermont Medical Center we’re doing top-notch, cutting-edge surgery and medicine,” he says. “I left an area where the medical community was happy with the status quo. Being at SVMC has allowed me to develop my skills in minimally invasive surgery, permitting me to serve my patients better.”

Dr. Drew came to Bennington on the recommendation of his friend and fellow surgeon, Dr. Charles Salem. “I was recruited,” he jokes.

“The overall quality of life here is wonderful. My wife, Mary and three sons, ages 5, 7, and 9, love it in southern Vermont. We are an outdoor family. I love to run, bicycle, and Nordic ski. Together we garden and go on hikes. It’s a beautiful place to live. And the quality of the medical care patients receive at SVMC is remarkable. This is a small town hospital that is on top of its game and I’m glad to be a part of it.”

BS in Chemistry from Le Moyne College
MS and PhD in Nuclear and Radiochemistry from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
MD from Albany Medical College

From an outstanding graduate education at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) to a medical education at Albany Medical College and a fellowship at Yale New Haven Hospital, Jim Keenan knows quality care. That's one reason he chose to practice at SVMC.

"SVMC has a highly trained and skilled medical staff," he observes. "Interacting with providers, nurses, and technical staff of this quality is fulfilling and professionally satisfying. We learn from each other every day and continue to improve the high level of care that we provide. People on the medical staff are some of my very best friends. There are no egos here. Working here, I've found mutual professionalism in a nurturing and caring environment.

"My family and I moved to Bennington over nine years ago. We enjoy the more rural life. People here are truly honest and kind. And the safety and beauty of the surroundings and our simpler way of life can't be found in a big city. There are limitless outdoor activities that we enjoy together and that would be hard to match elsewhere. My wife and children love it here and have made many lasting friendships."