Documenting health care preferences offers peace of mind for patients and families
ST. JOHNSBURY, VT (April 10, 2026) – Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital (NVRH) will hold a free Advance Directive Day event on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, in Conference Rooms 126 and 127. This event is part of a focused educational series from Living & Dying Well in the Northeast Kingdom.
An Advance Directive is a document that helps you outline your preferences for medical care if you’re unable to speak for yourself. Nearly 60% of people facing serious medical events have no formal plan in writing. The Advance Directive Day event will show participants how to outline their personal health care decisions and provide guidance for those who care about them.
From L to R: Community Health Worker (CHW) Crystal Bigelow, CHW Supervisor Deborah Locke-Rousseau, Kathryn Mello, CHW Samantha Bailey, and Chaplain Abby Pollender.r preferences for medical care if you’re unable to speak for yourself. Nearly 60% of people facing serious medical events have no formal plan in writing. The Advance Directive Day event will show participants how to outline their personal health care decisions and provide guidance for those who care about them.
“Having an Advance Directive is so important because it helps the family honor the patient’s wishes and it helps us honor the patient’s wishes as well,” says NVRH Emergency RN Pauline Sylvain. “It gives the family peace of mind knowing that they did what their loved one wanted.”
NVRH Advance Directive Day will begin with a presentation from 12:00 – 1:00 PM. Attendees will be given information about Advance Directives, receive the necessary forms, and learn how to file their Advance Directive. Attendees can opt to stay from 1:00 – 2:00 PM to speak with experts and get personalized assistance.
“Discussing your choices is important,” says Deb Locke-Rousseau, Community Health Worker Supervisor at NVRH’s Community Connections. “Review your choices with your agent and your family so they’re comfortable and confident when needed. My grandmother and I had many conversations as she completed her directives. When we were in the emergency room and she couldn’t speak for herself, I could just advocate for her voice because she had already done this important planning work.”
NVRH will also be hosting the third annual Living & Dying Well in the NEK Education & Resource Fair on May 7 from 9 AM – 1 PM. The fair will feature local experts on topics ranging from living wills and green burials to palliative care, aging in place, and much more.