NCHC Corporate

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.

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.

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.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 6, 2024
Contact: Jesse Dimick
Northern Counties Health Care
165 Sherman Drive
St. Johnsbury, VT 05819

Northern Counties Health Care Welcomes Dr. Michael Marro to Concord Health Center Northern Counties Health Care (NCHC) is thrilled to announce the addition of Dr. Michael Marro, DO, to the Concord Health Center team. Dr. Marro brings over a decade of diverse experience in family medicine, geriatrics, addiction medicine, and chronic pain management, further strengthening NCHC’s commitment to providing comprehensive, high-quality care to the Northeast Kingdom.

Dr. Marro earned his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine in 2010. He completed his Family Medicine residency at Long Beach Medical Center in Long Beach, NY, and pursued advanced fellowship training in Geriatric Medicine at South Nassau Communities Hospital. Board-certified in Family Medicine with additional certifications in Geriatrics and Addiction Medicine, Dr. Marro is uniquely equipped to address complex medical needs across all age groups.

Before joining NCHC, Dr. Marro served as an attending physician in various settings, including community health centers and academic medical groups, where he specialized in managing chronic diseases, addiction medicine, and medication-assisted treatment (MAT) programs for opioid use disorder. His work emphasizes a compassionate, patient-centered approach and interdisciplinary collaboration.

“We are thrilled to have Dr. Marro join our team,” said Ranson Hudson, Practice Manager at Concord Health Center. “His wealth of knowledge and passion for providing patient-centered care will greatly enhance our ability to serve the health needs of our community. Dr. Marro’s expertise is a perfect fit for the diverse and complex medical needs of our patients.”

Dr. Marro shares NCHC’s mission of delivering quality, accessible healthcare. “I am honored to join NCHC and look forward to serving the vibrant and resilient community of the Northeast Kingdom,” Dr. Marro said. “I believe in integrating holistic approaches with evidence-based
practices to provide care that supports both physical and emotional well-being.”

Northern Counties Health Care is dedicated to improving the health and wellness of Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom by delivering high-quality, affordable, and accessible care to the region’s residents. NCHC operates seven community health centers, including two walk-in primary care clinics, three dental centers, and a certified home health & hospice division. Together, these programs serve nearly one-third of the region’s population, addressing healthcare disparities and providing services that prioritize the well-being of underserved communities. To learn more about NCHC’s services, visit NCHCVT.org.

Dr. Marro will begin seeing patients at the Concord Health Center this month. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please visit NCHCVT.org or call the Concord Health Center at (802) 695-2512.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 25, 2024

Northern Counties Health Care
165 Sherman Drive
St. Johnsbury, VT 05819
(802) 748-9405

Christopher Towne Named CEO of Northern Counties Health Care

St. Johnsbury, VT – The Northern Counties Health Care Board of Directors is pleased to announce that Christopher Towne has been named the permanent Chief Executive Officer of Northern Counties Health Care. Towne has been serving as the Interim CEO since September 28, 2024, and has been with the organization for 8.5 years.

“Chris’s institutional knowledge, relationships, vision and commitment to Northern Counties Health Care make him uniquely qualified to serve as our next CEO.” said Louisa Driscoll, President of the Northern Counties Health Care Board of Directors. “Over his years with Northern Counties, he has demonstrated that he can lead the organization to provide quality health care sustainably.” Towne brings a wealth of experience to his role. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Vermont, a Master’s Degree in Health Care Administration from Champlain College and is currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in Health Care Delivery Science at Dartmouth College. His previous roles include Chief Operating Officer, Chief Strategy Officer, and Director of the FQHC Division at Northern Counties, as well as management positions in medical and optometric practices, including the University of Vermont Medical Center.

Reflecting on his appointment, Towne said, “It is an honor to serve as the CEO of Northern Counties Health Care. I am deeply inspired by the dedication of our teams, and I look forward to working together to ensure that our patients and communities continue to receive the compassionate, high-quality care they deserve.”
Northern Counties Health Care operates seven community health centers, including two walk-in primary care locations, three dental centers, and a certified home health care and hospice division. The organization remains steadfast in its mission to provide accessible, affordable, and comprehensive care to patients across Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Christopher Towne
Northern Counties Health Care
165 Sherman Drive
St. Johnsbury, VT 05819
(802) 748-9405 x1538

St. Johnsbury, VT – Northern Counties Health Care (NCHC) is proud to announce that the St. Johnsbury Community Health Center has been designated as an Age-Friendly Health System by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI). This designation reflects the Center’s commitment to ensuring that older adults receive the highest quality care, tailored to meet their needs and improve their overall well-being.

Chris Towne, Interim CEO of Northern Counties Health Care, commented on the importance of this milestone: “Achieving this designation is a reflection of the hard work and dedication of our staff at St. Johnsbury Community Health Center. It demonstrates our commitment to improving the health and quality of life for older adults in our region, ensuring that age-friendly care remains a cornerstone of our mission to support healthy communities.”

The Age-Friendly Health System initiative, developed by IHI in partnership with the John A. Hartford Foundation, American Hospital Association, and the Catholic Health Association of the United States, emphasizes evidence-based care for older adults based on the 4Ms Framework:

What Matters: Understand and act on what matters most to the patient.
• Medication: Use age-friendly medication practices to optimize health and avoid unnecessary harm.
• Mentation: Assess and manage mental health and cognitive function, including depression, delirium, and dementia.
• Mobility: Ensure that patients maintain mobility to function independently and prevent falls or injury.

This comprehensive approach ensures that health systems address the most critical elements of care for older adults, promoting well-being, independence, and dignity.
Nicole Haff, RN, Practice Manager of St. Johnsbury Community Health Center, also expressed her excitement about the achievement: “We are incredibly proud to receive the Age-Friendly Health System designation. Our team has embraced the 4Ms Framework, ensuring that every aspect of care is centered on what matters most to our older patients. This recognition reflects our commitment to meeting the unique needs of older adults in our community.”

Northern Counties Health Care remains dedicated to delivering accessible, high-quality care across the Northeast Kingdom. The Age-Friendly Health System designation at St. Johnsbury Community Health Center reinforces the organization’s vision of providing patient-centered care that enhances the lives of all individuals, including older adults.

For more information about the Age-Friendly Health System initiative or the St. Johnsbury Community Health Center, please call Nicole Haff at 802-748-5041.

Northern Counties Health Care is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing high-quality health care to the residents of Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom. The organization operates seven community centers, including two walk-in primary care clinics, three dental centers, and a certified home health & hospice division, all committed to serving nearly one-third of the region’s residents. For more information about Northern Counties Health Care and its services, visit NCHCVT.org.