Lane Freeto

We’re excited to share the Northeast Kingdom-wide Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) Report — a valuable resource for community members, organizations, and partners. This report brings the entire NEK together in one report. Inside you’ll find local data, which can be used to prioritize community needs and identify opportunities.

·         Advocate for policy and systems change

·         Shape new programs and services

·         Inform and strengthen funding proposals

Together, we can use this shared overview of our region’s health to make the NEK a healthier, stronger place for everyone.

To read the full report, click here: Northeast Kingdom-wide Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) Report

Northern Counties Health Care Announces Rylee Strohm as 2025 Recipient of Future Health Care Leaders Scholarship

St. Johnsbury, VT — Northern Counties Health Care (NCHC) is pleased to announce that Rylee Strohm, a 2025 graduate of St. Johnsbury Academy, has been selected as the 2025 recipient of the Future Health Care Leaders Scholarship. This inaugural $1,000 scholarship supports a graduating high school senior from Caledonia, Essex, or Orleans counties who is pursuing a career in health care and exemplifies compassion, leadership, and community engagement. Rylee will attend Western Kentucky University this fall, where she plans to pursue a degree in nursing.

This year’s scholarship is awarded in memory of Kim Wood, PTA, a dedicated and beloved member of the NCHC team whose career reflected a deep commitment to caring for others. Kim’s legacy of service continues to inspire, and this scholarship honors her lasting impact on the community.

Rylee Strohm impressed the selection committee with her thoughtful essay and clear passion for helping others. Reflecting on her experiences, she shared, “Overcoming my own challenges has driven me to pursue a career in nursing… I’m dedicated to making a tangible impact on the lives of individuals facing health challenges while actively engaging with my community.”
Rylee is a standout student, athlete, and leader. She has served on Student Council, the Student Athletic Council, and She’s the First, while also competing in multiple varsity sports and volunteering as a youth coach and referee. Her dedication to service and her community mirrors the values embodied by Kim Wood.

Treny Burgess, PT, Director of Caledonia Home Health Care & Hospice, who worked alongside Kim for many years, remarked, “Kim had an incredible way of making people feel seen, supported, and valued. When I read Rylee’s application, I was reminded so much of Kim—the compassion, the leadership, and the quiet determination to make a difference. It’s an honor to award this year’s scholarship in Kim’s memory to someone who so clearly shares those same qualities.”

“We’re incredibly proud to recognize Rylee as this year’s scholarship recipient,” said Christopher Towne, CEO of NCHC. “She represents the next generation of health care professionals who will not only deliver excellent care, but do so with empathy and integrity.”

To learn more about Northern Counties Health Care and its mission to build healthy families and thriving communities in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom, visit www.nchcvt.org.