SVMC marks completion of major construction and renovation projects

BENNINGTON, VT—August 29, 2024—On Thursday, August 29, Southwestern Vermont Medical Center (SVMC), a member of Dartmouth Health, celebrated the completion of a three-year renovation and construction project that modernized its emergency department, front entrance and other public areas in the hospital.

Part of Vision 2020, A Decade of Transformation capital campaign, the $31 million project was primarily funded through philanthropic giving. The project included expanding and renovating the emergency department to create the new Kendall Emergency Department (ED), construction of a new front entrance, including the Richard and Pamela Ader Foundation Lobby, the Jackie and Tony Marro Café and the Stout Thomson Waiting Area and Outpatient Registration,  The renovated and new spaces were named in honor of major supporters of the campaign, many of whom attended the official SVMC Ribbon Cutting ceremony on Thursday, along with ED staff, local leaders and dignitaries.

“This transformation of our Emergency Department, key patient areas and front lobby will have a profound impact on this community and the care we provide for many years to come,” said SVMC CEO and President Thomas A. Dee, FACHE.

Dee thanked and recognized all of the major donors and friends who supported the Vision 2020 Campaign thus far and SVMC’s volunteer leaders, including Kathy Fisher, Chair of the Board of Trustees. He also thanked the ED physicians, providers, nurses and clinical staff, in addition to the engineering and vendor teams that brought the plan renderings into reality.

“This project was a massive team effort, made possible by many talented and resourceful people,” Dee said.

Dartmouth Health’s CEO and President Joanne M Conroy, MD also marked this special celebration on Thursday, noting the partnership that began with SVMC in 2012, before the integration last July.

“The transformation of the SVMC ED and other key spaces on the campus will enhance the care experience for patients and continue the legacy of SVMC and Dartmouth Health responding to the needs our communities,” Conroy said. “And, this is just the start. It will be exciting to see what the future brings.”

 The Kendall ED was completed recently and includes a number of modernizations to enhance care and the patient and family experience, including private rooms with hands-free wave action access doors to reduce infection control risks and negative pressure capability to help keep patients and staff safe during airborne infection outbreaks. SVMC’s ED serves about 25,000 patients a year. The ED also includes a new Emergency Crisis Area (ECA) for patients in psychiatric crisis. This is a 5-room area, fitted with de-escalation tools.

U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-VT) congratulated SVMC on the completed projects, which he said will enhance healthcare delivery in the state.  He highlighted the commitment to community shown by donors, staff, community members and volunteer leaders at SVMC.

“All of you have made the impossible achievable with this extraordinary improvement of the emergency department facilities,” Sen. Welch said.

SVMC’s new Stout Thomson Waiting Area and Outpatient Registration opens to the public on Thursday, Sept. 5.

The Vision 2020 campaign is an ongoing effort that will include construction of a new cancer center on the campus. Following regulatory approvals, SVMC plans to start construction of that new facility next spring.

Photo Caption: Southwestern Vermont Medical Center celebrated the completion of its emergency department and front entrance renovation and construction project with donors, staff and state leaders on Thursday. Pictured from left to right are: Dartmouth Health CEO and President Joanne Conroy, MD, U.S. Sen. Peter Welch (D-VT), SVMC President and CEO Thomas A. Dee, Don and Nancy Kendall, SVMC Board of Trustees Chair Kathy Fisher, Jackie and Tony Marro, Susan Hunter, Consie West and Cindy Thomson.

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About SVMC:

Southwestern Vermont Medical Center (SVMC), a member of Dartmouth Health, is a comprehensive, preeminent, health care system providing exceptional, convenient, and affordable care to the communities of Bennington and Windham Counties of Vermont, eastern Rensselaer and Washington Counties of New York, and northern Berkshire County in Massachusetts. SVMC includes the Dartmouth Cancer Center at SVMC, the SVHC Foundation, as well as 25 primary and specialty care practices. Southwestern Vermont Medical Center is among the most lauded small rural health systems in the nation. It is the recipient of the American Hospital Association’s 2020 Rural Hospital Leadership Award. In addition, SVMC is a five-time recipient of the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Magnet® recognition for nursing excellence. SVMC provides exceptional care without discriminating on the basis of an individual’s age, race, ethnicity, religion, culture, language, physical or mental disability, socioeconomic status, sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity or expression. Language assistance services, free of charge, are available at 1-800-367-9559.