M&T Bank Contributes to SVHC's Vision 2020 Campaign

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Left to right: SVHC’s President and CEO Thomas A. Dee, FACHE; Michael McKenna, financial advisor with D.B. McKenna, secretary of the SVHC Foundation Board of Directors, and a member of the corporate committee for Vision 2020; M & T Senior Vice President Remus Preda; and M & T Senior Vice President John A. Conlon, CFA, CFP.
BENNINGTON, Vt. — The Southwestern Vermont Health Care (SVHC) Foundation accepted a $25,000 donation from the M&T Bank Charitable Foundation last week. 
 
The contribution will help fund Vision 2020, A Decade of Transformation Capital Campaign, the hospital's largest project in more than 30 years. The funds will help enhance the emergency and cancer care services available to residents regionwide.
 
"Southwestern Vermont Health Care is more than a medical and health resource in southwestern Vermont," said M & T Senior Vice President John A. Conlon, CFA, CFP.  "It is part of the heart and soul of the community."
 
The Vision 2020 project includes the renovation and expansion of the health system's Emergency Department and the construction of an all-new regional Cancer Center. The new Kendall Emergency Department and Hoyt-Hunter Regional Cancer Center will impact care for residents of southern Vermont, northern Berkshire County, and eastern New York.
 
"Support from our local business community is so very meaningful as we attempt this major transformation of two of our most important services," said SVHC's President and CEO Thomas A. Dee, FACHE. "We are grateful for M&T's contribution and their demonstrated commitment to the health of our communities."
 
The newly expanded Kendall Emergency Department will nearly double the size of the current Emergency Department, which was designed to accommodate 14,000 patient visits a year but currently sees nearly 25,000 annually. The project will further enhance patient safety, infection prevention, and patient privacy. Vertical treatment areas will allow for highly efficient treatment of low-acuity conditions. The project also includes an expansion to the Emergency Crisis Area for those experiencing mental health distress and increased telehealth connectivity with Dartmouth-Hitchcock.
 
The new Hoyt-Hunter Regional Cancer Center will have double the number of exam and infusion rooms. The design focuses on patient comfort in addition to clinical excellence.
 
Those interested in learning more about the project should visit svhealthcare.org/vision2020.

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Companion Corner: Odie at Second Chance

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

ARLINGTON, VT — There is a sweet Beagle boy waiting for his new family to play with.

iBerkshire's Companion Corner is a weekly series spotlighting an animal in our local shelters that is ready to find a home. 

Odie is a four year old Beagle who has been at the shelter for about a month.

Lead canine care technician Alaura Lasher introduced us to him. 

"He came to us with another beagle friend because his previous owner was moving. As you can see he's a very loving, sweet, sweet boy. He loves his toys and he loves to snuggle. He also loves going outside and running and rolling in all the grass, frolicking along the grass." 

Odie loves his stuffies and will even play with other dogs once he isn't shy.

"He does well with other dogs. He can be a little nervous at first meeting other pups, but he does do well with them. We think he'll get along with cats just fine, and kids too, as long as they're respectful."

He would love someone who will cuddle him and give him all of the pets he deserves and throw some stuffed toys around for him.

"The perfect home is honestly just someone who wants to give him snuggles and play with him. He's a pretty easygoing dude. He really just loves affection. Like he'll just come up to you and stand and wait for pets all the time. So, someone who wants a snuggle buddy, who's also you know he's a good age for a snuggle buddy, but also can play with him quite a bit."

He would also love someone who will take him outside to roll around and run as fast as he can or a long walk to enjoy some more sights he has yet to see.

"His favorite things again: toys, snuggles, kisses. Favorite activities are just going outside for walks. He loves to go for long walks with some of our volunteers."

He does not know basic commands like sit but he is very happy to learn.

While he did come to the shelter with some medical needs he is getting them treated and is healthy and ready for his new family.

"He came in and he was positive for Lyme and anaplasmosis, but we are treating him currently for that. Other than that, as far as we're aware, he's a pretty healthy, young boy."

If you need or want a new companion in your home consider meeting Odie.

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