2022 by the Numbers
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/ Categories: WELLNESS, 2022

2022 by the Numbers

What a year! Southwestern Vermont Health Care is looking back at the biggest stories from the last year and tallying our successes. Here’s 2022 by the numbers.

Medical Staff
We welcomed 15 new providers in 2022 in such specialties as Cardiology, OB/GYN, Oncology, Orthopedics, Pulmonology, Surgery, and others. More than that, our physicians made great news by getting
important new certifications and taking aim at the Olympics games. We show no signs of slowing; more than 10 new providers are already planning to join us in the new year.

Nursing
Like the medical staff, the nurses of SVMC had a great year. We topped the charts for
nurse satisfaction, launched the state’s one and only accredited nursing residency program, and earned a distinction  for shared governance, a powerful indication of just how empowered our nurses are. In addition, we gave nine DAISY awards and four DAISY team awards. Great work, nurses!

New Services in New Locations
Together, doctors, nurses, and others launched two new services. Most notably, SVMC launched an
Interventional Pain Management Service to help those with chronic pain. In the past, patients traveled up to an hour away for the same care. Now it is more convenient than ever.

We also brought weight loss surgery closer to local residents by forging a partnership with Capital Bariatrics of Albany, NY. On top of that, our Outpatient Therapy department expanded speech therapy to Northshire and Deerfield campuses and occupational therapy to Deerfield.

SVHC Foundation
Hundreds of donors contributed to record-breaking fundraising efforts in support of local health care. An astounding $450,000 was raised at the annual
Summer Gala. Over the last few years, the Foundation has raised $24 million to support the Vision 2020, A Decade of Transformation Capital Campaign for improved and expanded emergency and cancer care services. The total puts them just $1 million away from their $25 million goal.

The New Emergency Department
SVHC has put those funds to work making
a major transformation to our Emergency Department and main entrance. Dozens of construction workers showed up every weekday of the past year to carry out the thousands of tasks necessary to continue this important project. There are just 20 weeks before the scheduled completion of the first phase of the project.

In the final hours of 2022, Southwestern Vermont Health Care is grateful to its 1,300 staff members for all they do to fulfill our mission of exceptional care and comfort to the 75,000 people we serve. Happy New Year!

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Introducing Dr. Amy Freeth

Amy E. Freeth, MD, resumed endocrinology services at SVMC in March 2020. The practice, known as SVMC Endocrinology, is a part of Southwestern Vermont Medical Center (SVMC) and Southwestern Vermont Health Care (SVHC). It replaces the Bennington Osteoporosis Center, where Dr. David Gorson had provided similar services to the community until his retirement in 2019.

How do you describe endocrinology to people who don’t know what it is? The endocrine system is made up of glands that make hormones. These hormones are chemical messengers that travel via the bloodstream to communicate with the cells and organs of the body. Hormones are important for growth, development, mood, metabolism, and reproduction. These glands include the pituitary, thyroid, parathyroid, pancreas, adrenal, testes, and ovaries.

Endocrinology is a practice of medicine that specializes in disorders of these systems. Disorders most commonly are related to underactive or overactive function of these glands and require replacement of the hormone or specific treatments such as medications, ablation, or surgery.

Since hormones function in feedback loops and are part of a larger complex functional system that exists in flow with the human body, replacement hormones or treatment of endocrine disorders can be challenging and involve changes to our lifestyles that support the optimal functioning of the body.

What diagnoses are most common among the patients you treat?  Pituitary tumors, hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, thyroid nodules, thyroid cancer, hyperparathyroidism, osteoporosis, diabetes, adrenal insufficiency, Cushing’s disease, primary hyperaldosteronism, pheochromocytoma, obesity, and polycystic ovarian syndrome.

What sorts of treatments do you offer? I offer comprehensive consultation and management of endocrine disorders. I also interpret testing and make treatment plans for endocrine disorders. I also provide interpretation of bone density reports and perform fine needle aspiration biopsies in collaboration with Radiology Associates of Bennington. Technology is increasingly becoming more important in the management of diabetes. Technology includes glucose meters, insulin pumps, and continuous glucose monitoring (sensors). I work with certified diabetes educators to create a team approach to diabetes management. As we develop this new department, we are looking for innovative ways to help people regain and optimize their health. I have training in nutrition counseling and health coaching to help people find their path to good health.

Why is it important for patients who need an endocrinologist see them regularly? Your endocrinologist is part of your health team and has experience and a deep understanding of what is happening within your body to help assess, guide, and co-manage your disorder. There is testing that may need to be done to make sure you are living with optimal hormonal balance. Allowing hormones to run too low or too high can have lasting adverse effects on the body leading to other disease or imbalances.

How do you help protect patients who need to come into the office from infections, like COVID-19? At this time, I am seeing patients via telemedicine and phone visits. This week we are starting to see a portion of our patients in the clinic. Patients can register on the phone and wait in their car until the room is ready. Patients will be screened for fever and should wear a mask. Staff will wear proper protective equipment and follow guidelines for handwashing and cleaning of the rooms.

Since many patients who will likely want to come to the endocrinology clinic will be members of high-risk populations (diabetes, hypertension, obesity, and the elderly), patients will have a choice of the type of visit they have.

Dr. Freeth sees patients 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Tuesday - Thursday in Suite 307 of the Medical Office Building located at 140 Hospital Drive in Bennington. For an appointment, call 802-447-4555. The schedule will expand to additional days as needed.

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