Medical Matters Weekly Focuses on Diversity and Inclusion Efforts at SVMC

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BENNINGTON, Vt. — Southwestern Vermont Health Care's (SVHC) Medical Matters Weekly with Dr. Trey Dobson—a weekly interactive, multiplatform medical-themed talk show—will feature Dr. Lisa Downing-Forget, a physician at SVMC Internal Medicine and Rebecca Filson, FNP,  a hospital medicine provider (right), on its July 14 program. 
 
The show will air live at 12 p.m. Both guests are involved in diversity and inclusion programs at Southwestern Vermont Medical Center (SVMC) .
 
The show is produced with cooperation from Catamount Access Television (CAT-TV). Viewers can see Medical Matters Weekly on Facebook at facebook.com/svmedicalcenter and facebook.com/CATTVBennington. The show is also available to view or download a podcast on www.svhealthcare.org/medicalmatters.
 
Dr. Downing-Forget specializes in geriatrics. She earned a bachelor's in Human Development & Family Studies from Cornell University in New York and holds a master's in Public Health with a focus in sociocultural aspects of health from the University of California Los Angeles. She earned her medical degree from Charles Drew University of the University of California Los Angeles and completed a family medicine residency and fellowship in Geriatrics at the University of Rochester in New York. In addition, Dr. Downing-Forget holds a Certificate in Medical Direction (CMD). She is board certified in geriatrics and family medicine by the American Board of Family Medicine.
 
Ms. Filson earned a bachelor's in sociology from Wesleyan University in Connecticut and a Master of Science in Nursing from the University of San Diego in California. She earned her post-master's family nurse practitioner certificate from the University of Massachusetts and is board certified by the ANCC. She is a past chairperson of the Professional Practice Council, Critical Care Consortium liaison and Nursing Strategic Planning Committee. She is the founding member of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee, and currently sits on the hospital Ethics Committee and Peer Support Team.
 
Both guest are members of SVMC's Diversity and Inclusion Committee.
 
After the program, the video will be available on area public access television stations. On CAT-TV, viewers will find the show on channel 1075 at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, 1:30 p.m. Monday, 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, 7:30 a.m. Wednesday, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, 7:30 a.m. Friday, and 7 p.m. Saturday. GNAT-TV's Comcast channel 1074 airs the program at 8 a.m. Monday, 9 p.m. Wednesday, and 1 p.m. Saturday.
 
Upcoming guests include:
 
12 p.m.  Wednesday, July 21: Rosalind Case, PhD, of Monash University in Australia, about the psychological aspects of healthcare choices.
12 p.m. Wednesday, July 28: Kelsey Dueland, of the Project Against Violent Encounters in Bennington, will share local resources for those attempting to escape threats in the home.
12 p.m. Wednesday, August 4: Alya Reeve, MD, medical director of United Counseling Service in Bennington, will discuss the most pressing mental health needs in our community.
12 p.m. Wednesday, August 11: Art Groux, executive director of the Bennington Rescue Squad, will discuss the Rescue Squad and its work in our community.
 
To contribute questions in advance of each week's show, please e-mail wellness@svhealthcare.org or post to Facebook with #SVHCMedicalMattersWeekly.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Create an Ad: Coggins Auto Group

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff

BENNINGTON, Vt. — Fourth-grade students at Bennington Elementary School illustrated the exciting experience of purchasing a Toyota or Honda at Coggins Auto Group as part of our Junior Marketers Create an Ad series.
 
The dealership group has two locations, the Toyota/Honda dealership in Bennington and an independent store, Coggins of the Berkshires, located on East Street in Pittsfield, Mass. 
 
In this episode, students in Sara Plante's art class depicted the fun and stress free experience of purchasing a car at the Vermont location, at 751 North Bennington Road. View all their advertisements here.
 
"Our main mission is to sell and service cars the right way, help people when they need it, and support the communities that we operate in," said Valerie Harrington, Coggins marketing director. 
 
"The students really captured the excitement of buying a new vehicle and the family friendly atmosphere that we try to create here at Coggins, while helping people find exactly what they want." 
 
Coggins Auto Group offers a full spectrum of automotive services, including new and used vehicle sales, maintenance and repairs, parts, and collision repair.
 
"They did a great job showing the welcoming environment and teamwork that we call the Coggins way," Harrington said. 
 
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