Daniel Novembrino, 83, could barely make it across the kitchen of his home without fighting for breath. His aortic valve was damaged and constricted to the point that his heart could no longer pump enough blood — and the oxygen it carries — throughout his body. Most of his major heart arteries were in trouble too, all showing signs of blockages that […]
After fighting and winning his battle against COVID-19, Albert LaDuke is back home with his family and the things he enjoys – especially his scratch-off tickets. His treatment and rehabilitation at the UVM Health Network helped him build strength and independence so he could return home. When Mr. LaDuke, 86, first arrived at UVM Health Network […]
Raymond Mitchell’s lower back just gave out. Sitting on his porch, the Grand Isle Rescue volunteer EMT shakes his head as he describes responding to a call to help a person up from a chair – ironically due to back pain. As he lifted, he felt his own lower lumbar give out. Mitchell’s injury was 30 years in the making, beginning when he first hurt his back while lifting boxes during a home move. This latest injury was much […]
Our LGBTQ+ friends, family and neighbors have faced long-standing challenges in our society from increased rates of mental health issues to higher rates of substance use, but during the COVID-19 quarantine, they are managing another daunting issue. Pride Month is celebrated every June, and in honor of this month we’d like to address this important issue.
As we shift to a longer-term acceptance of our new reality, many patients in our older adult population have been asking great questions about their health, their risk of contracting COVID-19, and how to live a healthy lifestyle while social distancing. Learn more in this Q+A with UVM Medical Center geriatrician Amelia Gennari, MD, about how older adults can stay safe during this time.
Growing food for yourself or your family is empowering and benefits both mental and physical health. Growing a few things at home can help reduce the number of trips to the grocery store and can make a big impact in your weekly food budget. In fact, during a similarly uncertain time in our nation’s history, […]
With a majority of states relaxing restrictions on staying home, people may feel a growing temptation to return to their pre-pandemic lives. This temptation may be further amplified by the season’s warmer weather and an increased opportunity to gather socially outdoors. However, as Vermont Commissioner of Health Mark Levine, MD, said during Governor Phil Scott’s […]
The signs of spring are outside my window. Flowers are starting to bloom and robins are chirping across my lawn to eat worms and other insects. With nowhere to go, I know I’m not the only one tempted to tackle all the yard work projects that have been pushed off due to life and busy […]
We are all adjusting and coping with change, from our homes, work, the way we connect with loved ones, and even the way we receive health care. While our protocols have changed, one thing remains the same: we are here for you. We’d like to share this personal story from a local mother who recently […]
When Priscilla Baker called her doctor about a pain in her abdomen, she didn’t think twice about how health care has changed during the COVID-19 pandemic. She knew she needed care, and she needed it now. Baker, a recently retired Middlebury resident, was enjoying the solitude of self-quarantine. Otherwise very active in the community, she appreciated her slower routine “following the thread of the day” by taking daily walks and […]
