Southwestern Vermont Health Care Introduces Healthy Holiday Challenge

BENNINGTON, VT—November 11, 2022—Richer meals, shorter days, late nights celebrating with friends, and cookies, so many cookies… The holidays can be a tricky time to maintain our healthy routines. That’s why Southwestern Vermont Health Care (SVHC) is launching the 8-week Healthy Holiday Challenge.

“We were looking for a fun way to engage the community about making healthier choices this holiday season,” said Pam Duchene, PhD, APRN, chief nursing officer and vice president of Patient Care Services. “Our staff came together with some great challenges that we think people will truly enjoy.”

Every Friday from November 25 – January 13, SVHC will release a video featuring a different SVHC health role model sharing a fun and motivating challenge to complete that week. The challenges address different aspects of health, including nutrition, movement, and more. They are adaptable to all fitness levels and dietary needs and emphasize trying new things.

Participants will be able to find the videos at svhealthcare.org, on the organization’s social media pages, and in its weekly e-newsletter. They are encouraged to complete the challenge and post a photo or video to social media with #SVHCHHC. SVHC will share posts that exemplify making healthy choices.

“We hope everyone interested in maintaining or improving their health will have fun joining in,” Duchene said. “We can all learn new things, inspire and motivate each other, and adopt habits that will improve and maintain our health now, in the new year, and for years to come.”

About SVHC:
Southwestern Vermont Health Care (SVHC) is a comprehensive, preeminent, healthcare 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. In addition, SVMC ranked fourth nationwide for the value of care it provides by the Lown Institute Hospital Index in 2020 and is a five-time recipient of the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Magnet® recognition for nursing excellence. The health system is fortunate to have the support of platinum-level corporate sponsor Mack, a leading supplier of contract manufacturing services and injection molded plastic parts based in Arlington, VT.

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.