It’s been just over two months since coronavirus completely captured the attention and the actions of our nation. After more than eight weeks, it’s understandable that many people are getting complacent if they live in an area with a low incidence of the virus, as we are experiencing in Vermont. However, part of the reason we have the lowest growth rate of coronavirus of any state in the nation is that we have been so vigilant and cautious.
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CEO Coronavirus Update – May 12, 2020
These messages, which I’ve been sending out weekly since March 24th, have generated such a tremendous outpouring of support, including countless e-mails from many of you with positive messages, as well as donations in the form of financial contributions and personal protective equipment. Grace Cottage has been here for almost 71 years and we feel genuinely and completely embraced and cherished by our community — a community which, as we have learned, extends across many states and several countries. We thank all of you who have reached out to Grace Cottage in one way or another, from the bottom of our hearts.
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Click here to review the WHO instructions on how to wear a facemask.
Read More...CEO Coronavirus Update – May 5, 2020
Since the Governor’s March 24th ‘Stay Home Stay Safe Order’, many of you cancelled medical appointments for wellness visits or the continuing treatment of chronic conditions. Now that the Governor has approved the resumption of outpatient medical services, we are ready, willing, and safely able to schedule your visit, the sooner the better.
The Medical Director of our Rural Health Clinic, Dr. Timothy Shafer, shared with me his extreme confidence in inviting patients to the clinic to see him. As Dr. Shafer says, we have set up many procedures to keep patients safe throughout our facility, including our medical offices, outpatient rehab, X-ray, and lab. In fact, coming here for an outpatient visit or test is safer than going to a grocery store or a gas station.
Read More...CEO Coronavirus Update – April 28, 2020
As the COVID-19 curve continues to flatten in Vermont, with a total of 855 cases in the state and just 11 patients with COVID-19 currently hospitalized statewide, we are beginning the process of gradually and safely welcoming patients back onto our campus for medical visits. We are concerned that you and your loved ones may have been postponing necessary medical care for chronic and/or urgent conditions, either because you were afraid of contracting the disease, or because you felt guilty about imposing upon a medical staff that was preparing for a possible surge due to the pandemic.
Not only has our ER remained open 24/7, but our Grace Cottage Family Health Clinic and Outpatient Rehabilitation Services have been open as well, for important medical issues not requiring ER care. As of this week, our clinic and outpatient Rehab Department are expanding hours and visits.
Read More...CEO Coronavirus Update – April 21, 2020
I hope that you’re continuing to stay safe and well. This week, I am turning my weekly message over to our Chief Medical Officer, Dr. George Terwilliger, so that he can address your concerns from a medical perspective.
Before I do, though, I’d like to bring your attention to an article that appeared in VTDigger last week about the financial challenges that Grace Cottage and other hospitals are facing. Kevin O’Connor did an excellent job of summarizing the issues, and I want to take this opportunity to thank our community for your overwhelming support that you have given in so very many ways.
Read More...CEO Coronavirus Update – April 14, 2020
For many of us, this was the first Passover or Easter we have spent without gatherings of family members and friends, and it felt very strange and disconcerting. However, there have been many silver linings during this unprecedented time, as we all find a variety of ways to connect with our loved ones.
Here at Grace Cottage, we’ve been overwhelmed and gratified by the outpouring of community support, which has been extended to us in countless ways, including letters and e-mails of encouragement, donations of personal protective equipment, and an amazing number of generous financial contributions from individuals and organizations from far and wide.
Read More...Telehealth Offered at Grace Cottage Family Health
Grace Cottage Family Health is offering Telehealth appointments to provide additional access to primary care health needs in view of social distancing necessary because of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Telehealth is a virtual (video chat) appointment with your healthcare provider. Telehealth appointments are available for both established and new patients.
Read More...Child Immunizations Should Continue
If you are the parent of a very young child, you may be wondering, “What do I do about my child’s immunizations?” Grace Cottage Family Health has procedures in place so these can be done safely.
“Remember that the recommended immunization schedule for very young pediatric patients follows a frequent pattern. They are recommended at ages of two months, then four, six, twelve, fifteen, and eighteen months. It’s important to stick with this schedule so your child is fully protected,” says Grace Cottage Pediatrician Dr. Elizabeth Linder.
Read More...CEO Coronavirus Update – April 7, 2020
We are working hard and diligently to stop the spread of COVID-19, while continuing to provide high-quality medical care and to protect the safety of our community, including patients, their families, and our employees. As the total number of confirmed coronavirus cases nationally has reached 331,000, it has been shown that coronavirus may be transmitted […]
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