Jennifer Grant

Caledonia Home Health Care and Hospice Earns 5-Star Patient Experience Rating

June 4, 2026 by Jennifer Grant

Caledonia Home Health Care & Hospice Earns Highest Possible 5-Star CMS Patient Experience Rating

Northern Counties Health Care (NCHC) is proud to announce that Caledonia Home Health Care & Hospice (CHHC) has earned a 5-star patient experience rating from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), the highest rating possible for patient satisfaction in home health care.

The recognition reflects direct feedback from patients and families served by CHHC and places the organization among the top-performing home health agencies for patient experience. Earning a 5-star CMS rating is a significant accomplishment that reflects consistently exceptional performance in communication, compassion, responsiveness, and overall quality of care.

For patients and families receiving care at home, often during some of life’s most vulnerable and meaningful moments, trust matters deeply. This recognition demonstrates the confidence patients place in CHHC’s team and highlights the extraordinary care, support, and compassion staff provide every day throughout the region.

“The 5-Star Patient Experience rating is especially meaningful because it comes directly from the voices of the patients and families we serve,” said Kelly Coons, Home Care Quality and Outcomes Manager at CHHC. “To achieve the highest possible rating reflects the incredible dedication of our staff and their unwavering commitment to making patients feel heard, supported, respected, and cared for during every step of their home health journey.”

CMS ratings are based on patient and family survey responses regarding communication, quality of care, responsiveness, and whether they would recommend the agency to others. The ratings are publicly reported through CMS Care Compare, the federal government’s official healthcare comparison tool.

“Earning a 5-Star Patient Experience rating is a tremendous honor and a reflection of the compassionate, patient-centered care our team provides every day,” said Tracy Turner, Assistant Director of Home Care & Hospice at CHHC. “Our staff are deeply committed to supporting patients and families with kindness, dignity, and clinical excellence during some of the most important moments in their lives. This recognition speaks not only to the dedication of our team, but also to the trust our community places in us.”

The recognition is a tribute to the nurses, therapists, aides, social workers, providers, and support staff whose dedication helps patients receive exceptional care in the comfort of their homes. It also reflects CHHC’s ongoing commitment to continuous improvement, quality outcomes, and compassionate service across the Northeast Kingdom and surrounding communities.

As healthcare organizations nationwide work to improve patient experience and quality outcomes, Caledonia Home Health Care & Hospice continues to stand out as a trusted leader in compassionate home-based care.

Heidi Gingue Honored for Emerging Leadership in Health Care

June 2, 2026 by Jennifer Grant

NCHC's Population Health Manager, Heidi Gingue

Northern Counties Health Care’s Heidi Gingue Receives 2026 Vermont Hunt Blair Leadership Award

Northern Counties Health Care (NCHC) is proud to announce that Heidi Gingue, Population Health Manager, has been named the recipient of the 2026 Vermont Hunt Blair Leadership Award, presented by Bi-State Primary Care Association.

The Vermont Hunt Blair Leadership Award recognizes emerging and evolving leaders in health care who embody the qualities of the late Hunt Blair, including passion, compassion, vision, humility, mentorship, and dedication to improving the lives of others. Award recipients are selected for demonstrating exceptional promise and leadership within the health care field.

Throughout her career, Gingue has been committed to strengthening the connection between health care and community well-being. She began her career as a case manager in long-term care, supporting older adults and helping individuals maintain independence and quality of life. Her work later expanded into quality improvement and collaborative care initiatives with Federally Qualified Health Centers and Rural Health Clinics across the region.

As Practice Manager at Concord Health Center and now as Population Health Manager at NCHC, Gingue has played an integral role in advancing team-based care, supporting providers and staff, and fostering partnerships that improve health outcomes for patients and communities.

“Heidi exemplifies the kind of thoughtful, mission-driven leadership that strengthens both our organization and the communities we serve,” said Chris Towne, Chief Executive Officer of Northern Counties Health Care. “This recognition is a reflection of the impact she has across our teams, our patients, and our partners.”

The award was presented during the Bi-State Primary Care Association’s 2026 annual conference and awards ceremony.

Northern Counties Health Care Announces 2026 Future Health Care Leaders Scholarship Recipient

May 18, 2026 by Jennifer Grant

From left to right, Jesse Dimick, Director of FQHC Operations, scholarship recipient Caydence Pierce, and NCHC CEO Chris Towne.

Northern Counties Health Care Announces Caydence Pierce as the 2026 Future Health Care Leaders Scholarship Recipient

Northern Counties Health Care (NCHC) is proud to announce that Caydence Pierce of Waterford, Vermont, has been selected as the recipient of the 2026 NCHC Future Health Care Leaders Scholarship.

A graduating senior at Saint Johnsbury Academy, Caydence plans to pursue a career in nursing and was selected for her academic achievements, commitment to community service, and passion for serving others through health care.

The Future Health Care Leaders Scholarship was created to support graduating high school seniors from Caledonia, Essex, and Orleans counties who are pursuing careers in health care. The scholarship reflects NCHC’s commitment to investing in the future health care workforce and encouraging local students to return and serve the Northeast Kingdom communities following completion of their education.

In addition to her academic accomplishments, Caydence has demonstrated a strong commitment to leadership and community involvement. Her experiences include serving as a student teacher at Dance Express, volunteering internationally at an orphanage in Ghana, and completing more than 150 community service hours through the National Honor Society.

Caydence also shared how personal experiences helped inspire her interest in health care and shaped her passion for helping others with compassion, empathy, and understanding. Those experiences, combined with her dedication to service and leadership, helped distinguish her application during the selection process.

“We were incredibly impressed by Caydence’s application, her accomplishments, and her commitment to pursuing a career in health care,” said Christopher Towne, Chief Executive Officer of Northern Counties Health Care. “She represents the type of compassionate and dedicated future health care professional this scholarship was designed to support. We are excited to see all that she accomplishes in the years ahead.”

As the 2026 scholarship recipient, Caydence will receive a $1,000 scholarship award to support her continued education in health care.

Northern Counties Health Care congratulates Caydence on this well-deserved recognition and wishes her continued success as she pursues her future in nursing.

Northern Counties Health Care is a nonprofit rural health network providing primary care, dental care, home health and hospice, behavioral health, and recovery services throughout Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom. Founded in 1976, NCHC is committed to delivering high-quality, compassionate care to all, regardless of ability to pay.

Northern Counties Health Care Celebrates 50 Years

May 17, 2026 by Jennifer Grant

Founding Executive Director David Reynolds and CEO Chris Towne

Northern Counties Health Care Celebrates 50 Years: Caring for the Kingdom Since 1976

Northern Counties Health Care (NCHC) is proud to celebrate 50 years of service to the communities of Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom, marking five decades of compassionate, community-based care for individuals and families across Caledonia, Orleans, and Essex Counties.

Founded in 1976 as Vermont’s first Community Health Center, NCHC was established in response to a critical need for accessible primary care in the region. At the time, much of the Northeast Kingdom was classified as medically underserved, with limited access to healthcare services in many rural communities. Working alongside local community members, NCHC secured one of the state’s first federal health center grants to establish health centers that would serve all patients regardless of their ability to pay.

Its founding Executive Director, David Reynolds, recently reflected on those early days. “We had no idea if it would succeed, since we had no facilities, no staff, no equipment, no administrative systems,” Reynolds said. “Yet within a year, we opened two physician-staffed health centers in Greensboro and Island Pond, and amazingly a dental clinic in Island Pond as well — one of the first health centers in the nation to include dental care.”

Guided by the belief that quality health care should be available to everyone, regardless of geography or income, the organization has grown into a comprehensive rural health network serving more than 40 percent of Northeast Kingdom residents.

Today, Northern Counties Health Care provides a broad continuum of services, including primary care, dental care, home health and hospice, behavioral health, and recovery support services. With community health centers in Concord, Danville, Hardwick, Island Pond, and St. Johnsbury; dental sites in Hardwick, Island Pond, and Orleans; and Northern Express Care locations in St. Johnsbury and Newport, NCHC continues to ensure that care remains close to home.

Over the past five decades, NCHC has continuously evolved to meet the changing needs of the communities it serves—expanding access, integrating services, and strengthening partnerships across the region. From its early efforts to improve access to primary care to the growth of dental, behavioral health, walk-in care, and home health and hospice services, the organization has remained focused on delivering coordinated, patient- and family-centered care.

NCHC also helped pioneer and demonstrate the effectiveness of the community health center model in Vermont. Today, federally qualified health centers serve communities across the state, and approximately one in three Vermonters receives primary care through one of Vermont’s 12 health center organizations.

As Reynolds reflected, “The organization began with a two-member staff, myself and an administrative assistant, and has grown to employ over 300 staff members. It truly is a case of neighbors serving neighbors.”

At the heart of this work are NCHC’s compassionate and dedicated employees. Their commitment, expertise, and deep connection to the communities they serve define who we are as an organization. Every day, they go above and beyond to provide high-quality, respectful, and personalized care – making a lasting difference in the lives of patients and families across the Northeast Kingdom. They are truly the heart and soul of Northern Counties Health Care.

“As we celebrate this milestone, we honor the vision and dedication of those who built this organization, and especially the extraordinary employees who bring our mission to life each and every day,” said Chris Towne, CEO of Northern Counties Health Care. “We are grateful for the trust our communities have placed in us for 50 years, and we look forward to continuing to serve the Northeast Kingdom for generations to come.”

For half a century, Northern Counties Health Care has stood beside the people of the Northeast Kingdom—caring for neighbors, strengthening communities, and helping individuals live healthier lives.

Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month

February 28, 2025 by Jennifer Grant

Dr. Timothy Tanner, MD, Medical Director, Northern Counties Health Care

Dr. Timothy Tanner, MD, Medical Director, Northern Counties Health Care

Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month is observed annually in March. This month aims to raise awareness about colorectal cancer, promote early detection and screening, and support individuals and families affected by this disease.

Colorectal cancer is cancer that occurs in the last part of the GI tract, the colon (also called the large intestine or large bowel) or rectum (the passageway that connects the colon to the anus). Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in both men and women in the United States. Yet it is one of the most preventable. It is highly treatable and is often curable when caught early.

The American Cancer Society recommends that adults begin colorectal cancer screening at age of 45 and continue through the age of 75. There are several screening tests. Colonoscopy is a one-step screening test that uses a flexible scope to look at the rectum and colon. If an abnormality is seen, such as a polyp (growths that can be pre-cancers) it can be sampled or removed during the procedure. Two-step screening tests require a colonoscopy as the second step if the first step is abnormal. Two-step tests include stool-based tests, a special type of CT scan and sigmoidoscopy (a shorter, flexible scope that looks at the just the last part of the bowel).

It is important to reach out to your health care providers if you have any symptoms that may be due to colorectal cancer, regardless of your age. Some of these symptoms might be: blood in the stool, change in bowel habits, rectal pain, abdominal pain or unexpected weight loss.

You might be at an increased risk of colorectal cancer if you have a close relative who has or had colorectal pre-cancerous polyps or colorectal cancer; if you have inflammatory bowel disease, Crohns disease, or ulcerative colitis; or if you have a genetic syndrome such as familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) or hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (Lynch Syndrome).

During March, Northern Counties Health Care will be doing recalls for patients that are due for colorectal cancer screening from the records that we have.

February is American Heart Month!

January 30, 2025 by Jennifer Grant

Dr. Timothy Tanner, MD, Medical Director, Northern Counties Health Care

During the month of February, we are raising awareness about heart health and disease. Heart disease is a general term for a variety of conditions that affect the heart. The most common type of heart disease is coronary artery disease (CAD). This is like debris building up in the fuel line in your car’s engine. But instead of blocking the flow of gas, in CAD the flow of blood, which is the heart’s fuel, is limited. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States for both men and women. High blood pressure, smoking and high cholesterol cause heart disease and are things we as individuals can change. Sometimes heart disease is “silent” and not diagnosed until a person has chest pain, dizziness, shortness of breath, fluttering feelings in the chest, fatigue, swelling in the feet, ankles, legs or neck veins.

What can you do?

Get active: try to get at least 2.5 hours of physical activity each week, this could be walking, going to the gym, jogging, doing at home exercise programs.
Eat healthy: eat a healthy diet that’s low in sodium and saturated fat. Cut back on processed products (chips, deli meats, soups, and prepared meals, white bread, packaged cookies, sodas) and try to use more fresh products or during this time of year frozen vegetables and fruits. Prepare your own meals. Eat more whole grain items and nuts.
Drink between 9-13 cups of water a day if you can.
Monitor your blood pressure if it is out of range.
If you smoke, work on quitting. There are resources to help! Visit www.802quits.org and www.myhealthyvt.org and enroll today.
If you have chest discomfort or pain or shortness of breath, especially with exertion seek medical attention.
Call your primary care provider for personalized advice on what you can do to lower your risk for heart disease.

My Healthy Vermont offers a series of self-management workshops proven to improve health outcomes from building healthy behaviors to managing high blood pressure to quitting smoking to managing pain and other long-term health problems. There is no cost and you will receive the support from trained facilitators who understand your needs because many have faced similar health challenges. Learn more at www.myhealthyvt.org

Opinion: Maintaining a Strong Primary Care and Home Health Network in the Northeast Kingdom

January 10, 2025 by Jennifer Grant

Every Vermonter deserves access to the health care services they need to live, work, and age in our Vermont communities. After years of flat or declining funding amid rising costs, primary care and home health organizations have reached the point where they must make tough decisions about how and to what degree they can maintain primary, preventive, and safety net services in their communities. These decisions will most acutely affect Vermonters living in rural areas like the Northeast Kingdom.
Northern Counties Health Care (NCHC) has been a cornerstone of care for the region since its establishment when the Comprehensive Planning Council opened its first Federally Qualified Health Center in Island Pond in 1977. A decade later, NCHC merged with Caledonia Home Health Care & Hospice which had been caring for Vermonters in their home since 1968.

Northern Counties Health Care now serves over 25,000 Vermonters annually through a robust network of five primary care sites with integrated behavioral health services, three dental clinics, two walk-in care facilities, and a Medicare Certified Home Health and Hospice agency. As a primary provider of health care services in the Northeast Kingdom, NCHC is committed to delivering high-quality, patient-centered care across these diverse areas, ensuring access to essential health services for all who need them. However, maintaining this comprehensive network is becoming increasingly financially unsustainable.

Federal rate cuts, stagnant reimbursement rates, and rising wages and supply costs are putting immense pressure on the robust care we deliver to Vermonters. The federal grants we receive to reduce financial barriers for our under- and uninsured patients have not increased in a decade. Inflation and the costs associated with delivering care continue to rise. The reimbursement we receive from commercial and government payers falls short of covering the true cost of providing primary care and home health services—some of the most underfunded areas in health care.

NCHC is unwavering in its commitment to the Northeast Kingdom. We strive to provide accessible, high-quality care to every individual and family in our region. This goal is increasingly difficult to attain as the gap between costs and reimbursement widens.
Addressing this challenge requires action. Policymakers must prioritize fair and sustainable reimbursement rates to ensure the long-term viability of primary care and home health services. Communities can support local health care by advocating for better funding and policies that recognize the value of comprehensive, integrated care.

While we acknowledge the challenges of tight state budgets and the collective desire to lower taxes and insurance premiums, it is important to recognize that investments in home health, primary care, and preventive services are practical and cost effective. These investments reduce expensive hospitalizations, emergency care, and long-term health costs, ultimately saving taxpayer dollars and reducing financial burdens on the healthcare system while improving health outcomes for Vermonters.
Together, we can create a health care system that reflects the resilience and strength of the Northeast Kingdom. By investing in primary, dental, behavioral health, and home health services, we can improve and sustain a model of rural health care that serves as a beacon of excellence. The Northeast Kingdom deserves nothing less.

Christopher Towne, MHA
Chief Executive Officer
Northern Counties Health Care, Inc.

January is Cervical Health Awareness Month

January 7, 2025 by Jennifer Grant

Information provided by Dr. Dana Kraus

January is Cervical Cancer Month. Cervical Cancer is one of the most common causes of cancer death for women. The cervical cancer death rate dropped significantly with the increased screening with PAP tests. In recent years, the HPV test has been approved as another screening test for cervical cancer, this can be done alone or at the same time as a PAP test.

Screening tests offer the best chance to have cervical cancer found early when treatment is most successful. Screening can also actually prevent most cervical cancers by finding abnormal cervical cell changes (pre-cancers) so that they can be treated before they have a chance to turn into a cervical cancer. Screening should start at age 21 and continues up to age 65. Depending on the testing done a woman should return in 3-5 years for another PAP/HPV test.

Being alert to any signs and symptoms of cervical cancer such as unusual vaginal bleeding such as bleeding after sex, between periods, or after menopause; vaginal discharge that is watery, bloody, or has a strong odor; or pelvic pain or pain during sex.

Northern Counties Health Care will be doing a recall if we think you might be due for your cervical screening in January. We understand that you might go to a local gynecologist to have your screening done instead of coming to one of our primary care clinics. If you get a call from us, please let us know if you would like to make an appointment for your annual physical or if you go elsewhere. If you think you are due for cervical screening, please call your primary care or gynecologist. Our goal is to have all of your health information in our medical records as you are part of our medical home, and we keep track of it.

Contact your primary care or women’s health provider with your cervical health questions or to schedule an appointment. Contact information for Northern Counties Health Care’s practices throughout the Northeast Kingdom can be found here.

Dr. Dana Kraus is a Family Physician at St. Johnsbury Community Health Center located at 185 Sherman Drive in St. Johnsbury. She is also the Medical Quality Lead for Northern Counties Health Care.