NVRH Corporators Attend 2023 Annual Meeting

From left to right (front): Thad Richardson, Mark Bowen, NVRH outgoing Board Chair Mary Parent, Natalie Morris, John Kascenska, Warren Dow, Steve Feltus, Barbara Hatch, Sara Simpson and Kinsley Sicard. Left to right (back): Joe Kasprzak, NVRH pediatrician Josh Kantrowitz, Dan Daley, NVRH CEO Shawn Tester, Cynthia Stuart, Terry Hoffer and Hank Parker.

ST. JOHNSBURY, Vt. (December 15, 2023) – Over 140 Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital (NVRH) Corporators attended the organization’s annual meeting at Vermont State University – Lyndon on Tuesday, December 5.

The meeting highlighted how the hospital plans to move towards a successful future despite complex challenges. It also highlighted the West Wing Project – which will expand the Emergency, Lab and Pharmacy Departments – as well as its new mission and vision and its 2023 – 2026 Strategic Plan.

Gathering in person for the first time since 2019, the meeting offered a wealth of information and updates. In his opening remarks, NVRH CEO Shawn Tester announced the new strategic priorities, which focus on patient experience, community health, leadership and workforce and stability and innovation.

“I’m really excited about our new strategic plan,” Tester said. “These priorities will help guide us in the coming years as we continue to meet our communities’ healthcare needs.”

Before Tester invited State Senator Joe Benning to the podium, who commended the hospital on the life-saving care he received and emphasized the importance of being able to access such care locally, Tester invited Corporator Mandy Chapman, Trustee and Chair of the NVRH Strategic Planning Committee Steve Feltus and NVRH Vice President of Operations & Medical Practices Laura Newell to read the new mission, vision and value statements:

• New mission statement: Committed to improving the health and wellbeing of all.
• New vision statement: Providing exceptional care in an environment where our patients, community, and employees thrive.
• New values statement, which fall into the acronym SERVICE: safety, empathy, respect, vision, integrity, community and excellence.

After these statements were read and after Benning shared his personal story, outgoing NVRH Board Chair Mary Parent talked about the year and the many positive developments which will allow the organization to now embark on a new chapter in NVRH’s history.

“As I look forward, I optimistically have to say that the future is bright for NVRH,” Parent said. “We have a lot of work in front of us to accomplish our goals, but I have confidence in our team’s ability to do so.”

The evening’s guest speaker, Interim Director of Health Care Reform for the Vermont Agency of Human Services Pat Jones, talked about the major changes she has seen impact our state and our region as well as what may lie ahead for Vermont hospitals in terms of regulations. She also acknowledged that NVRH has been a leader in healthcare reform. She also recognized the hospital’s community health team, including Community Connections, which offers assistance, support, and resource coordination free of charge to the community.

Jones has worked in Vermont’s health care sector for more than 30 years. She has held pivotal roles in a variety of institutions, from not-for-profit home health agencies and state government to the Green Mountain Care Board and the Agency of Human Services. She is currently on the Board of the Vermont Program for Quality in Health Care and has also served on the Advisory Board of her local substance abuse prevention coalition and the Board of Directors of her local United Way.

Along with the election and re-election of Corporators and trustees, the meeting included a financial overview of the budget from NVRH Chief Financial Officer Andre Bissonnette, a brief report from NVRH VP Marketing and Community Health Improvement Diana Gibbs on the results of a Corporator engagement survey and updates on the West Wing campaign and its expansion of the hospital by NVRH Philanthropy Director Emily Hutchison.

“We’ve raised over $4.6 million to-date of our $5.5 million community goal,” Hutchison said. “And that is amazing.”

The West Wing Project will expand the Emergency Department, Laboratory and Pharmacy and is the largest expansion of the hospital since its construction 51 years ago. It will not only make the abovementioned spaces bigger, but also more efficient and better able to serve the community.

Tester recognized Board Chair Mary Parent for her six years of service to the Board and Parent recognized Betsy Bailey for three years as well as Terry Hoffer for 9 years. Parent thanked Dr. Josh Kantrowitz for serving as the 2023 Medical Staff President and welcomed Dr. Amanda Van Straten, who will serve in this role for 2024. She also recognized Lorraine Matteis for her service on the Board as well as serving as the President of the Auxiliary over the past two years. The new Auxiliary President – Sue Carr – was also announced.

Trustee Barbara Hatch read the Corporator Emeritus nomination letter – written by former NVRH CEO Paul Bengtson – for Kenneth Hammer, who has served as a Corporator since 2008. She also read the Honorary Trustee nomination letter – written by Terry Hoffer – for Jane Arthur. Parent concluded the evening by presenting 34 Corporators up for re-election, 11 Corporators up for election, three trustees – Warren Dow, Steve McConnell and Sara Simpson – up for re-election and three new trustees, Dan Daley, Hank Parker and Cynthia Stuart. All motions passed unanimously.

More information about the West Wing Project, the 2023 Annual Report, which was distributed at the meeting, and a complete list of NVRH trustees and Corporators is available at www.nvrh.org.