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Radon Test Kits Available

January 18, 2023 by Brynn Evans

January is Radon Awareness Month. Thanks to the Vermont Department of Health, Northern Counties Health Care is distributing FREE radon test kits to residents of the NEK at our primary care practices – Concord Health Center, Danville Health Center, Hardwick Area Health Center, Island Pond Health & Dental Center, and St. Johnsbury Community Health Center.

Did you know radon can cause lung cancer? Radon is a radioactive gas that has no color, taste or smell. Radon enters your home through soil or water and can build up to high levels inside your home. Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer among people who do not smoke. If you smoke or used to smoke, your risk of getting lung cancer from radon is especially high.

The Northeast Kingdom’s bedrock geology is associated with higher levels of radon, which means you could have high levels of radon in your home. How do you know how if you do? Testing is the only way to know. Pick up a free test kit today from one of the sites listed above.

Learn more about radon in your home at www.healthvermont.gov/radon.

Plans for Caplan’s Building Announced

November 11, 2022 by Brynn Evans

Northern Counties Health Care (NCHC) is pleased to announce that plans are moving forward to make use of the Caplan’s building to better serve the community.

The organization purchased the Caplan’s building in October 2021, and since that time, NCHC has been considering the best way to utilize the building as part of its efforts to help build thriving and healthy communities. That plan has now been formed.

NCHC, following the appropriate town and state permitting processes, will relocate the Northern Express Care – St. Johnsbury practice from its current location, on the corner of Eastern Avenue and Railroad Street, to the Caplan’s Building. In addition, a portion of the building will be renovated for future community use.

Northern Express Care – St. Johnsbury opened in November 2020, through a partnership with NCHC and NVRH. The number of patients seeking walk-in care at the location has increased, and a new space is needed to meet the demand for services now and in the future.

“Caplan’s is an ideal space for Northern Express Care – St. Johnsbury,” said Dan Sherman, NCHC Director of Primary Care. “Being downtown provides a convenient walk-in option for people seeking care. The Caplan’s building allows us to stay downtown and provides the additional space needed to continue providing high-quality care, with an improved patient and staff experience.”

“Vermont’s downtowns are special, and we are thrilled that the Caplan’s building will serve St. Johnsbury for years to come,” said Michael Costa, NCHC CEO. “We are grateful to play a small part in the efforts already underway to make sure downtown St. Johnsbury is a vibrant destination for our residents and visitors alike.”

NCHC plans to incorporate the building’s history in the redesign, and will also permanently recognize and remember Gary Ely as part of this project.

Beyond medical space, the building will retain some space for future community needs.

“We want to learn and grow with our community, and keeping some of the building open provides us with a platform to collaborate with our community,” said Chris Towne, NCHC Chief Strategy Officer. “We plan to convene a small group to explore other community-focused initiatives for approximately 900 square feet of the renovated space.”

NCHC is currently finalizing the design and engineering for the building and will then work through the necessary permitting steps. Northern Express Care – St. Johnsbury will open in the new location during the summer of 2023.

Northern Express Care Coming Soon to Downtown Newport

March 4, 2022 by Brynn Evans

North Country Hospital (NCH) and Northern Counties Health Care (NCHC) are pleased to announce a partnership to bring Northern Express Care to downtown Newport. Once opened, the location will provide convenient, walk-in primary care access to the community.

Northern Express Care currently operates at two Northeast Kingdom locations—in Downtown St. Johnsbury and at Corner Medical in Lyndonville. Northern Express Care began through a collaborative relationship between NCHC and Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital.

“The Northern Express Care model has expanded access to primary care services in Lyndonville and St. Johnsbury, and we are proud to partner with the North Country Hospital team to bring express care to Newport,” said Michael Costa, Chief Executive Officer of NCHC. “Northern Counties is committed to building thriving and healthy communities throughout the Northeast Kingdom, and we are thrilled to become a part of downtown Newport.”

Brian Nall, Chief Executive Officer of NCH, said, “Northern Express Care – Newport is an exciting opportunity for our community. People will have expanded access to immediate care, with no appointment needed, regardless of their ability to pay. This will certainly help meet a need we are seeing in our service area.” Brian continued, “Northern Counties provides an ideal partner for this addition to downtown Newport. Their experience, mission, and collaborative efforts will certainly help provide an additional option to patients for urgent non-emergency room healthcare needs.”

Chris Towne, Chief Strategy Officer at NCHC added, “Northern Counties will be forming an excellent team of care providers to operate Northern Express Care – Newport, and will be open into the evening hours and on Saturdays. Our team will provide walk-in care for things like minor illnesses or injuries including, sprains, bumps and bruises, allergies, respiratory illnesses, and vaccinations, and can help connect people with a regular primary care provider.”

This is not the first endeavor between these two organizations. In 2016, NCH partnered with NCHC to open the Orleans Dental Center.

Northern Express Care-Newport is expected to open sometime this summer and will be located in the former UPS store at 137 Main Street.

Northern Counties Health Care Invests in St. Johnsbury with Purchase of Caplan’s Building

October 21, 2021 by Brynn Evans

Northern Counties Health Care (NCHC) has purchased the former Caplan’s Army Store building in downtown St. Johnsbury, making another investment in the communities it serves.

Michael Costa, NCHC CEO, stated, “We believe in downtown St. Johnsbury, which looks and feels more vibrant each and every day. This investment will put Northern Counties in a better position to respond to community needs in the future. Northern Counties truly believes that prosperous downtowns, villages, and communities help people stay healthy and thrive, which is why our organization is investing in projects throughout the NEK.”

The organization has not yet decided how to use the 3,500 square foot building. NCHC Chief Strategy Officer Chris Towne said, “NCHC’s Board of Directors and management team will seek community input prior to determining how to use this space. We will examine the local needs and be strategic in our ultimate plan for the building. In the meantime, there may be creative ways for other groups or organizations to use the space on a short term basis.” Aside from some minor work to prep the space for future uses, NCHC expects to seek input and finalize a plan in 2022.

Michael Costa said, “The Caplan’s building has been an iconic space in St. Johnsbury for 75 years, and we hope to use the space in service of our community for at least the next 75 years.”

Grant Opportunities Available!

April 20, 2021 by Casey Legge

Northern Counties Health Care remains a dedicated partner in working to build healthy and thriving communities. In our continued efforts to support community based population health in our local communities, NCHC shares that funding is now available for the towns of St. Johnsbury and Island Pond through RiseVT and its Amplify Grant program. RiseVT is the lead prevention program for OneCare Vermont, helping make the healthy choice, the easy choice in communities throughout the state.

Funding proposals are being accepted now through May ^15thwhich will provide support to local projects that focus on key health and wellness priorities, like promoting walkable communities, supporting nutrition education, increasing opportunities for physical activity, improving stress management, enhancing support for breastfeeding, or supporting tobacco-free environments.

Led by Jen Grant, RiseVT Community Health Lead at NCHC, and in partnership with the Accountable Health Community at Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital, known as NEK Prosper!, community members are encouraged to seek out and expand opportunities for everyone to get active, eat well, and enjoy local connection in our Northeast Kingdom communities.

“When opportunities for good nutrition, physical activity, mindfulness, and community connection are built into our environments, we can help Vermonters manage and prevent chronic illness down the road.” said Michael Costa, CEO of NCHC.

Prevention doesn’t just happen in a healthcare provider’s office—in fact as much as 80% of a patient’s health and wellness can be determined by factors outside of the clinical setting, also known as the social determinants of health. Social determinants of health include health behaviors, social and economic factors, and the physical environments where they live, work, learn, and play.

To learn more about RiseVT and the Amplify Grants visit https://risevt.org/amplify-grant/

Building Thriving Communities

March 19, 2021 by Casey Legge

NCHC remains an active partner working to build healthy and thriving communities by promoting wellness programs, reducing food insecurity, and providing access to services and benefits. We’re excited to announce that NCHC will be receiving grant funding from the State of VT, NVRH, and OneCare Vermont to continue this work!

Jennifer Grant will build upon her previous work as one of our Community Resource Coordinators to devote time in helping NEK Prosper! efforts to integrate with similar State efforts. Jen will serve as the Vermont Blueprint Regional Coordinator for Self-Management Programs, which empowers community members to learn the skills needed to prevent and manage chronic diseases. Jen will also serve as the RiseVT Community Health Lead, supporting NEK Prosper!’s programming to promote physical activity, healthy food, and social and emotional well-being among other goals.

Jen recently helped to launch an effort through NEK Prosper! called Walk Your Way to Better Health walking map project. Read more about it here: http://bit.ly/3vzLR0l.

COLORECTAL CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

March 5, 2021 by Casey Legge

Throughout the month of March, Northern Counties Health Care is working to share information about how to prevent colorectal cancer through regular screenings from the age of 50 to 75 years of age.

To provide better insight on this awareness month, Dr. Dana Kraus of our St. Johnsbury Community Health Center & NCHC’s Quality Lead shared her recommendations and experience around colorectal cancer with NVRH’s Director of Healthcare Integration and author of Vital Signs, Katie Bocchino.

The article was shared through the Caledonian Record, read more information and what Dr. Kraus had to say here: https://bit.ly/3rio5n1

Thank you so much for your insight in this area, Dr. Kraus! NCHC sincerely appreciates your devotion to spreading awareness about Colorectal Cancer.

Please speak with your primary care provider if you have a family history of colorectal cancer, if you are experiencing symptoms, or if you think you are due for a colorectal cancer screening!

NORTHERN EXPRESS CARE ON THE RADIO

March 3, 2021 by Casey Legge

We continue to share the great message about how Northern Counties Health Care and Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital have partnered together to bring you Northern Express Care!

Offering walk-in visits for your acute primary care needs in two convenient locations: Corner Medical in Lyndonville and in the heart of downtown St. Johnsbury. Both locations are here to care for you and your non-emergent medical needs Monday through Saturday.

Thank you to Physician Assistant, Katie MacDonald at Northern Express Care – Lyndon for recording our new recording which can be heard throughout the Northeast Kingdom on MAGIC 97.7, MOO 92, and Kix 105.5! Click below to listen to Katie sharing about Northern Express Care, and check out all of the details on our ad!