Creating a budget for a health system is always a complex and monumental undertaking. Thanks to the tremendous leadership of Steve Gordon and Andre Bissonnette prior to their departures, BMH’s FY 2023 budget building process was highly interactive and included input from every department as well as medical staff leadership.

This process was skillfully carried through to completion by Dr. Kat McGraw and Jodi Stack, with so much of the finished product ultimately completed by Laura Bruno.

As you may know, the Green Mountain Care Board is in place to regulate the rates that Vermont hospitals charge—and ultimately to control the costs Vermonters pay for out-of-pocket healthcare services. We embrace this noble goal and participate in efforts to keep costs in check while ensuring access to the highest quality care possible.

BMH prepared a very responsible budget proposal that included a higher rate increase than what we typically would have requested. However, in order to ensure our stability as we face soaring inflation, workforce shortages, and the ongoing effects of the pandemic, it was necessary. Our original budget proposal was approved by BMH’s Board and promptly submitted to the Green Mountain Care Board, which began its budget review process for all Vermont hospitals in July.

On Monday, September 12, that process came to a conclusion with BMH’s budget proposal being approved with only minor adjustments. The entire effort was complex—even monumental—and we are extremely happy to say that we now have an approved budget for FY 2023!

This is by no means an end point. Rather, it’s a beginning point as we must forge ahead in our work to ensure that the people of our community have access to the highest quality healthcare at the lowest possible cost, while also solidifying and stabilizing BMH’s role as the hub of hope, health, and healing in our beautiful corner of the world. Together we can make this happen!

Big shout out to the team that works hard each day to keep BMH clean and safe! Last week was Environmental Services Week (9/12/22 to 9/16/22) and many of us took the opportunity to show our thanks and appreciation by including a note on the bulletin board near the Mapleview Cafe. If you missed the chance to add a note, you can always tell them when you see them around the hospital!

by Travis Kumph, Director, Quality and Patient Safety

1.Always wear your ID Badge

3. Always “lock before you walk” to keep your computer secure. To lock:

Patients can hear and see the language we use when we refer to them in clinical settings and when writing about them in the patient portal. That’s why we must always choose our words carefully, and ensure that our language is respectful, patient-centered, and empowering.

An emerging body of literature* demonstrates how our words influence the attitudes of providers, patients, and the public. Words can also affect a patient’s likelihood of accessing care, and can even impact medical decision-making.

Follow this link to check out and download a useful reference sheet from Temple University Health System. It offers suggestions on language to use, and language to avoid, in our professional and personal lives:

*Further reading:

Stigmatizing language likely contributes to healthcare disparities for historically marginalized groups. Check out these resources listed on LeadMN.

The Pharmacy Team enjoyed some end of summer fun when they gathered for an outdoor celebration with staff and families.

Our own SarahBean Muzzi is now a bona fide medical laboratory technician! SarahBean recently received her diploma from Springfield Technical Community College in Springfield, MA. We are all very proud of her!

Skyla works per diem as a Patient Access Representative. Way to go, Skyla!

The most recent graduates of the CCV/BMH College to Career Medical Assistant Program became certified in August 2022 when they passed the certification exam. Well done and congratulations to Monique Carson (MA at Maplewood Family Practice), Dawn Cutter (MA at Putney Family Healthcare), and India Martin (MA at Four Seasons OB/GYN and Midwifery).

Shannon Hubbard has been a medical assistant at Maplewood Family Practice since May 2022 and she also also passed the certification exam in August 2022.

Congrats to all!

We will be applying a sealing coat of asphalt this weekend, Saturday 9/24 and Sunday 9/25, as well as striping some spaces. Below is a map of the area. Please note the area being worked on is between the green lines (parking area B).

Alice Kaufman, MD joined Brattleboro Family Medicine in September 2022.

Anna May Seaver, FNP-C joined Brattleboro Family Medicine in May 2022

Johanna Murphy, APRN will be transitioning to

Brattleboro Family Medicine from Maplewood Family Practice on October 7.

Tim Kelley, MD joined BMH Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine in September 22022.

Laura VanGuilder, RN transitioned to her new role as Director, Inpatient Services in August 2022.

Cheryl Aiken transitioned to Director, Pharmacy

in July 2022.

*Refer to the email sent on Tuesday, September 20 ("Upcoming Moves") for more detailed information.

Tours will be offered to staff on Monday, September 26 and Tuesday, September 27. Staff are invited to attend at the time that works best for them.