Kathryn Czaplinski
/ Categories: NEWS, 2024

'Sasquatch Search' comes to Bennington Oct. 12

For Immediate Release:

BENNINGTON, VT—September 17, 2024—The Bennington Sasquatch Search, a fun, free, (and furry) family event, is coming to Bennington on Saturday, Oct. 12, 12:30-3:30 p.m. at the Stark Street Playground.

Southwestern Vermont Medical Center (SVMC), a member of Dartmouth Health, has partnered with other community organizations and businesses to launch the Bennington Sasquatch Search. The event encourages kids and families to play outside and explore the mysteries of Sasquatch. Otherwise known as Bigfoot, Sasquatch is a mythical biped who holds a special place in Vermont folklore and pop culture.

The event will explore several questions about how Sasquatch eats, lives and stays clean. Guests can take a walk through Bennington’s wooded trails to look for Sasquatch clues, and learn about the plants and animals that are part of the Vermont outdoors.

Some of the businesses and organizations participating in the day include: Dion Snowshoes, Lake Paran, Children’s Integrative Services, Bennington Women Infants and Children, Head Start/Early Head Start. Sasquatch-themed snacks will be provided by Shire Cottage Bakery and Bennington Community Market.

Attendees can enter a free raffle to win an event t-shirt featuring the infamous Bennington Sasquatch strolling across Vermont State.

SVMC Director of Planning James Trimarchi explained that the event is one way SVMC is supporting the well-being of community families.

“Sasquatch has healthy habits we can learn from, like eating fruits and veggies and doing lots of walking,” said Trimarchi. “Sasquatch sets a good example and gives us an excuse to have fun outdoors.”

The event has been organized by Faye MacDonald, a Volunteer In Service to America (VISTA) at SVMC. VISTA is an AmeriCorps program that provides needed resources to nonprofits through a year-long fellowship. Stewart’s Shops Holiday Match Grant is also supporting the launch of the event.

“Outdoor play is essential for kids’ health. Having families enjoy time together outside exploring is one of our goals,” said MacDonald. “We’re thrilled that local businesses and organizations are excited to be part of the Bennington Sasquatch Search.”

If your organization or business wants to participate, please email: vista.svhealthcare@gmail.com.

This free, family-friendly Bennington Sasquatch Search will have something for everyone. To follow event updates, please check facebook.com/svmedicalcenter.

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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.

Contact: Kate Czaplinski with additional questions or media inquiries.

 

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Six Questions with the Medical Director of SVMC Orthopedics

Dr. Michaela Schneiderbauer, medical director of orthopedics and orthopedic surgeon, answers six questions about getting orthopedic care right now.

1. What types of patients are you able to treat right now?

We are happy to see patients with all sorts of conditions returning to the practice for care. Patients have heard that the Governor has lifted restrictions for elective procedures, and they are ready to investigate their options for joint pain relief. Plus, the weather is getting nice again, so people are active outside. We've seen an increase in injuries related to outdoor activity, too.


2. Are you seeing patients remotely via telemedicine?

Yes. We offer telemedicine, and we use it a lot. Of course, there are limitations for those that need an X-ray or a physical exam. But telemedicine is a great option for initial visits when we need to collect patients' health history and for follow-ups.


3. How has care in the office changed over the past several months?

Patients will notice that we have gone beyond all of the Centers for Disease Control and Vermont Department of Health recommendations for office visits. All of our staff are wearing masks and shields or goggles, and patients are expected to wear a cloth face covering when they come in. In addition, we are making efforts to limit the number of people in our waiting rooms and office at any one time. For example, part of the check-in process now happens on the phone, instead of in person.


4. How is preparing for a surgery and recovering from a surgery different since COVID-19 became a concern?

Like for office visits, our pre-surgery processes have all been ramped up well beyond the state and national recommendations designed to decrease risk of contracting COVID-19. A few days before the surgery, we test patients for COVID-19 and ask them to self-quarantine until their procedure. The patient arrives to the hospital in their own cloth face covering. Visitors are limited. After the procedure, we provide patients with an app that allows them to note their temperature and any type of respiratory symptoms for a few weeks. If any of the information falls outside the norm, a nurse gives the patient a call. These are all examples of ways we are going beyond our very high infection-prevention standards to ensure safety for patients, their families, and our staff.


5. What would you like to share with people who postponed a joint replacement or other orthopedic care because of COVID-19?

Here in Vermont cases of COVID-19 cases have been relatively low. The Governor has given his approval by lifting restrictions for elective procedures, even those requiring an overnight hospital stay. SVMC started with an exceptionally low rate of hospital-acquired infections and added many extra precautions on top of that. We have the attitude that it is definitely safe to resume care both surgeries and other types of orthopedic care.


6. What are the greatest risks and rewards related to having orthopedic care now?

From our position as one of the safest hospitals in one of the safest states, the risks of contracting COVID-19 and other illnesses during a procedure or other care are very low. Many patients know this. They are coming in for their procedures and joint replacements. Many of them will recover and be active again in time to really enjoy this summer. That’s our goal: to help every patient resolve their orthopedic issues so that they can get back to doing the things they love.

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