SVMC honors Vermont health commissioner and recognizes provider excellence at annual event

For Immediate Release:

BENNINGTON, VT—March 27, 2025— Southwestern Vermont Medical Center (SVMC) honored outgoing Vermont Health Commissioner Mark Levine, MD Wednesday night during its annual Medical Staff Recognition.

SVMC, a member of Dartmouth Health, hosts the annual event to recognize physicians and advanced practice providers for excellence in practice, teamwork, and tenure. This year’s event included a special honor for Levine, who was named an honorary member of SVMC’s Medical Staff.

“Dr. Levine’s deep understanding of public health, coupled with his ability to communicate clearly with a wide variety of audiences, made him an incredibly effective leader in Vermont,” said Trey Dobson, MD, SVMC’s chief medical officer and vice president of clinical services. “Dr. Levine is a role model to us all.”

Levine, who retires at the end of the month, accepted the honor, saying he has been privileged to lead the Vermont Public Health Department for the last eight years. He also gave a keynote presentation highlighting unique public health challenges in Vermont, due to the impacts of climate change.

Following Levine’s recognition, SVMC celebrated the recipients of the 2025 Clinical Excellence Award and 2025 Teamwork Award.

The Clinical Excellence honor recognized Gastroenterologist David Furman, MD, chair of SVMC’s Department of Medicine.

“This year's recipient holds his practice to a high standard and has a steady, reliable engagement with patients and staff,” Dr. Dobson said. “He supports other medical staff in managing complex cases and never complains. Dr. Furman is known for his dedication and integrity.”

The 2025 Teamwork Award was presented to Reija Rawle, MD, recognizing excellence in collaboration. Rawle is a physician at SVMC’s Pownal practice and the chair of the Department of Primary Care.

“Dr. Rawle consistently goes above and beyond to foster collaboration, communicate clearly, and provide unwavering support for her colleagues and patients,” said Dr. Dobson.

The event, which falls right before National Doctors Day on March 30, recognized all medical staff for their commitment to patients.

“What we do is hard. We strive for scientific rigor, ensuring our medical decisions are informed and sound. Yet, we must balance the science of medical practice with the art of medicine. We must understand the patient in front of us. We must honor and support their decisions. We must recognize our own biases. We must provide assurance, be transparent, and maintain hope, even when these notions conflict,” Dobson said. “We should feel good about what we do. We should also recognize each other for what we do. Everyone here has a gift. Everyone here should take pride in their commitment to the betterment of humanity.”

The following provider was recognized for 45 years of service: Terrell Coffield, MD

The following provider was recognized for 40 years of service: Keith Michl, MD.

The following provider was recognized for 35 years of service: Judy Orton, MD

The following provider was recognized for 30 years of service: Scott Rogge, MD

The following providers were recognized for 25 years of service: Marie George, MD and Kim Griffin, CNM.

The following providers were recognized for 20 years of service: Adam Cohen, MD, Simon Drew, MD, Martin Hammond, MD, Erik Niemi, DO, Matthew Nofziger, MD, Nancy Schuster, MD, Ann Marie Swann, MD, Elizabeth Whateley, MD.

The following providers were recognized for 15 years of service: Anthony Donaldson, MD, Daniel Fodor, MD, Joshua Samuelson, DO, Lance Smagalski, DDS

The following providers were recognized for 10 years of service: Peter Fisk, MD and Dedrick Luikens, DO.

The following providers were recognized for 5 years of service: Christine Burke, FNP, Lisa Campanella-Coppo, MD, Andrew Caughey, MD, Spencer Ciancola, PA-C, Rachel Darby, PMHNP, Lisa Downing-Forget, MD, Gerald Drabyn, MD, Erin Duquette, MD, Emma Ferguson, FNP, William Smith, FNP, Richard Wiseman, MD

The following providers were celebrated for being new to SVMC: Matthew Alef, MD, Morgan Bazyk, FNP, Lia Braico, FNP, Dillard DeHart, DO, Kerry DeHimer, PA-C, Allison DeTommasi, MD, Shauna Dunton, MD, Gregory Fanaras, MD, Jasmine Gale, MD, Philip Goodney, MD, Todd Gregory, MD, Moriah Krason, MD, Sanjay Misra, MD, Jaclyn Penson, PA-C, Ashley Rock, FNP, Carlos Sanchez, DO, Kelsey Schaefer, DO, Kumar Singh, MD, Sarah Slader-Waldorf, NP, Samantha Sohnen, MD, Svetlana Zakharchenko, DO.

Caption: Vermont Health Commissioner Mark Levine, MD receives honorary membership to SVMC's Medical Staff from Trey Dobson, MD, SVMC’s chief medical officer and vice president of clinical services.

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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.