This week is a celebration! According to the American Hospital Association, it celebrates the over seven million healthcare workers in our country! This includes all people who work in healthcare and support our hospitals from those greeting you at the front door, ensuring you have a safe and clean space, and running all your paperwork. Hospital Week’s annual celebration, recognizing these contributions of hospitals and healthcare professionals to their communities, is something that certainly hits home in our community, with North Country Hospital being a major contributor to the health, wellness, employment, and of course, health and safety of our neighbors. While celebrating your hospital is welcome at any time, this week is a time to express gratitude and celebrate the dedication of its workers.
NCH is home to many resources some may not even realize! Not only does it employ almost 600 employees, but it’s also filled with invaluable resources. The Northern Vermont Center for Sleep Medicine, which offers cutting-edge diagnostics and treatment for sleep-related issues, is in both Newport and St. Johnsbury. As most people know, sleep disorders can significantly impact overall health, leading to complications such as obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease and impact the community. NCH’s center provides comprehensive evaluations and personalized treatment plans, ensuring that community members receive the best care possible for their sleep health.
In addition to sleep medicine, our local hospital boasts The Wellness Center, a cornerstone of health and fitness in the community for over 43 years. Recognized with numerous awards, such as the best gym in the area, The Wellness Center provides a variety of health, fitness and wellness programs designed to engage individuals of all ages. They are infamous for their group fitness classes that promote an active lifestyle while fostering a sense of community among its members. In addition, it houses the award-winning worksite wellness programs, which have been instrumental in improving employee health not only at NCH but all across the NEK.
Our local hospital also features state-of-the-art radiology and laboratory services that are crucial for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment planning without the need to travel. Having advanced local imaging technologies that allow physicians to detect conditions early on, leading to better patient outcomes, is something not all rural communities have. Whether it’s routine blood tests or complex imaging studies like MRIs and CT scans, these services are available here and integral to complete patient care right here in our community.
With a local hospital that employs hundreds of people, you can be sure that the care you receive isn’t just transactional, it’s personal. With compassionate staff and specialized care tailored to mothers and newborns, older adults and those in critical stages of care, there isn’t a stage in life that NCH can’t support, and that is worth celebrating. Because most people know, when you need healthcare support from having a baby to the necessity for surgery, your healthcare team is invaluable to you. From nutritional services staff who learn about your dietary needs to the physical therapy team who can support you from bed-bound to taking new steps, there is a vulnerability to trust your care team, and that vulnerability can be life-changing.
Celebrating Hospital Week also broadens awareness about the hundreds of people who make life better right here in our towns. Having these healthcare heroes and services is a gift that positively impacts lives. The ways you can celebrate this week are simply by highlighting these offerings during Hospital Week, speaking well of your local hospital, thanking a healthcare worker, offering your patience at your next appointment and just being part of the contagious positivity that a local hospital can bring.
Hospital Week is an opportunity for us all to come together as a community to celebrate our local hospital’s contributions. NCH is well known for giving back in many ways from their scholarships to students, patient care funds, local donations, and many other contributions to keep our community healthy, well fed, educated and entertained. As we honor their commitment and service during this special week, let us also recognize how fortunate we are to have access to such comprehensive medical resources right here in our community. This week isn’t just a celebration for others, it’s a benefit to us all to have local opportunities for healthcare. Here’s a big thank you to all hospital workers and everyone celebrating local healthcare.