SVMC Seeks Participation in Community Health Needs Assessment

Participants can enter to receive one of ten $50 gift cards.

BENNINGTON, VT—March 5, 2021—Southwestern Vermont Medical Center (SVMC) is initiating a comprehensive health assessment of the communities that it serves. Conducted every 3 years, the Community Health Needs Assessment process allows SVMC to understand the current health needs of its region, assess the services available to residents, and identify where and how improvements can be made.

“The past year has illustrated the importance of accessible health services and the need to reduce health inequities,” said Pamela Duchene, PhD, APRN, SVMC’s chief nursing officer and vice president of Patient Care Services. “A wide range of voices from our region are needed to help guide SVMC in continuing to provide exceptional care and comfort for our community.”

Information and opinions will be collected using a digital survey as well as through a series of virtual community forums. The short, anonymous survey will ascertain health and wellness information from respondents and will help to identify health-related priorities at the community-level. Additionally, community forums will allow for robust discussion about current needs and what steps are needed to improve the long-term health of all area residents. Those who complete the survey or attend a forum can opt to be included in a drawing to receive one of ten $50 gift cards.

“Together, the survey and forums will provide vital information about the communities that we serve,” said Rory Price, the health system’s coordinator of Population Health. “While SVMC is always looking for feedback from our community, the Community Health Needs Assessment process offers a wonderful chance for a deeper discussion about the barriers to good health that exist locally. Through this process, we can identify solutions and areas for improvement to support long and healthy lives for everyone in our community.”

A link to the electronic survey will soon be published at svhealthcare.org, and included in SVMC’s weekly e-newsletter as well as on the hospital’s social media pages.

Five community forums are scheduled from 6 – 7 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday evenings beginning on March 23rd. Attendees are encouraged to click the link to register for and attend the forum associated with the town in which they reside:
 

•           March 23: Manchester and the Northshire

•           March 25: Wilmington and the Deerfield Valley

•           March 30: Hoosick Falls, NY

•           April 1: Williamstown, MA, and the Northern Berkshires

•           April 6:  Bennington and the Southshire

Those interested can click the link associated with their community or visit svhealthcare.org/Classes-Events to register to attend a community forum. Those with questions about the Community Health Needs Assessment process or with questions to submit for discussion may contact Rory Price at rory.price@svhealthcare.org or 802-440-4024.

About SVHC:
Southwestern Vermont Health Care (SVHC) 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. SVHC includes Southwestern Vermont Medical Center (SVMC), Southwestern Vermont Regional Cancer Center, the Centers for Living and Rehabilitation, and the SVHC Foundation. SVMC includes 25 primary and specialty care practices.

Southwestern Vermont Health Care 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. SVMC ranked fourth nationwide for the value of care it provides by the Lown Institute Hospital Index and is a five-time recipient of the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Magnet® recognition for nursing excellence. It has also received the highest marks possible from the Leapfrog Group. 

Southwestern Vermont Medical Center 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.