News

What Does Your Thyroid Do?

| Graceful Health

By Devan Lucier, Grace Cottage Family Health AGNP

One of the first health promotions for 2018 is National Thyroid Awareness Month. That’s appropriate, considering how vital your thyroid is for all of your body’s functions.

The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland in your neck (just below the Adam’s apple). I have heard this gland compared to a car engine because, just as the engine controls when and how fast the car runs, likewise, the thyroid gland produces hormones that control everything that happens in your body. These hormones determine your adrenaline and dopamine levels, and therefore, your responses to fear, excitement, and pleasure. They also control metabolism–how fast your heart beats, how calories are burned, how your body uses food, and a number of other important actions. If your thyroid is not working right, all kinds of things will go wrong.

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WCAX TV Visits Grace Cottage

| In The News, News, Videos
WCAX Generator Video

On January 8th, Vermont television news station, WCAX Channel 3 ran a feature on Grace Cottage Hospital’s campaign to raise remaining funds necessary for the installation of four emergency generators. Thanks to an excellent job by reporter Taylor Young, and compelling interviews with staffers Andrea Seaton, Scott Hitchcock and Jen Good ale, the goal was reached just three days later.

With just over $17,000 to raise towards the goal of $115,793 when the story aired, generous people from all over the state of Vermont made donations. The largest gift, and one that came in completely unexpectedly, was from the Vermont Lions Charities, the Valley Lions Club, and the Troy (Vermont) & Area Lions Club.

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Have Fun on the Slopes, Not Accidents

| Graceful Health

By Dr. Kimona Alin, Medical Director, Grace Cottage Emergency Department

I love skiing. Anyone who knows me, knows that’s true. There’s nothing I like better than putting on my skiis and helmet and heading down the slopes on a beautiful bluebird day.  

You do wear a helmet when you ski or snowboard, don’t you? As much as I love skiing, I also know it can be dangerous. I work in the Emergency Department at Grace Cottage Hospital, so I see what can happen. I’d like to share some information about the most common injuries and some tips for preventing them.

Let’s start with head injuries…

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Grace Cottage Provides a Safe Place for Victims of Sexual Assault

| Graceful Health

by Christine Morris, RN, Pediatric/Adult SANE and Lisa May, RN, Clinical Nurse Educator, Grace Cottage Hospital

Sexual assault has been much in the news lately, and it’s more common than most people realize.
On average, there are over 380,000 victims of rape and sexual assault each year in the U.S. Over 60,000 of these attacks involve children under the age of 12. Also, it’s a common misconception that only women fall victim to sexual assault. According to the Department of Justice, 1 out of every 10 rape victims are male.

These statistics are frightening. Even more concerning is that these numbers only reflect those that have the courage and support to seek help following an attack. Not knowing where to go, plus feelings of fear, guilt and shame, as well as the stigma associated with rape often prevent victims from receiving necessary medical attention and emotional support.

Grace Cottage Hospital has two registered nurses on staff who are specially trained by the Vermont Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) Program to provide confidential, compassionate care and emotional support for patients during an extremely traumatic, frightening time.

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Healthy Cooking on a Tight Budget

| Videos

In this cooking class, West River Community Project volunteer Cindy Leszczak and Grace Cottage Hospital Health Coach Liz Harrison present insights on how to approach cooking so that it is nutritious, affordable, and easy. First Liz shares a recipe for black bean brownies – a desert that is actually healthy! Then Cindy talks about “intentional left-overs” – in this case, using pre-roasted chickens for easy meals later in the week: chicken salad, stir fry, fajitas and soup!

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Healthcare Matters – Ep. 5 Preparing for the Holidays

| News, Videos
Healthcare Matters - Preparing for the Holidays

Marty Cohn hosts episode five of Grace Cottage Hospital’s Healthcare Matters, discussing ways to be good to your mind, body, and spirit throughout December and into the winter, with guests Deb Brown, Diabetes Educator and Caroline Chase, Behavioral Health Counselor. Both are members of Grace Cottage’s Community Health Team that offers free services to area residents.

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Nurse Practitioners: Providing Personalized Care, Improving Accessibility

| Graceful Health

By Louise McDevitt, Nurse Practitioner, Grace Cottage Family Health   

National Nurse Practitioner Week, Nov. 12-18, is a good time to highlight the unique role that Nurse Practitioners have played in the evolution of today’s health care system, helping to focus the system on self-care and prevention as well as on treating disease. 

The education of a Nurse Practitioner starts with the same training that every Registered Nurse acquires. In fact, only those who have passed the RN certification and have earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing can apply for an Advanced Nurse Practitioner program. NPs must have at least a master’s degree, plus 500 hours of clinical training, before they can sit for NP certification. Many NPs have a doctorate, as well as advanced education and clinical training. Like physicians, they have yearly continuing education requirements in order to refresh and advance their skills.

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