The University of Vermont Health Network - Central Vermont Medical Center

Jodi Gibbs: Community Champion "I love to organize. Plan. Help. During the holidays, I organize volunteers to ring the bell four or five days a week at our local Walmart to raise money for the Salvation Army. I’m the chairperson of the Ticonderoga Area Chamber of Commerce ambassadors. I serve on the board of directors for the TrailNorth Federal Credit Union. And I volunteer at my church. I am a greeter every Sunday. It’s so much fun to see the same people week after week. They always tease me because I know almost every single person’s name who comes into the church. They always comment, “Oh my word, how can you possibly keep track of everyone’s name?” It’s just a little trick I have. I keep busy throughout the year. Everyone can use some help now and then, and that’s really all I want to do. There’s a sense of connection to my community that brings me joy. I’ve been on the planning committee for Memorial Day events for my hometown, Crown Point, for 30 years. We have a parade, fireworks, a carnival and music. Every year for my entire life, my family has gone to my aunt’s house – she lives on the main road and the parade goes right by – so we have lunch and watch. It brings me joy to see happy children, families and generations of people come together. It’s fun to be able to ensure that tradition continues. That’s a big part of why I keep volunteering. It brings such joy to my heart to help others with no expectation of a return. " Jodi Gibbs is the quality and population health assistant at Elizabethtown Community Hospital. She’s been with us for six years. Her story is part of The Mosaic Project, a collection of short stories about the people of University of Vermont Health Network.

Nurses and nurse leaders from the University of Vermont Health Network, Porter Medical Center, University of Vermont Medical Center and Central Vermont Medical Center partnered with Habitat for Humanity today in Winooski, working to construct a triplex on Hall Street that will ultimately house three families selected through Champlain Housing Trust.

Casey Kolb Nava: A Lasting Legacy. "Almost every time I’m in the car with a relative, I learn something new about my family’s history. "Sometimes it’s a small graveyard with the remains of one of our 1700s ancestors. Sometimes it’s an unexpected link to historical figures like Ethan Allen or George Dewey, who was from Montpelier and became Admiral of the United States Navy. Sometimes it’s something humbler – a pasture with a beautiful view that was once owned by another branch of the family. "I wasn’t born and raised here – I grew up near Washington D.C. – but these connections to Central Vermont have been important to me since I was a kid. We often visited family here and soaked up stories about the past from older relatives. When I moved here with my family in 2015, I saw all this history with fresh eyes and started to appreciate how much the past is tied up with the present and the future. "The place where this all comes together for me is what my family calls the “Old Farm,” at the end of Slaughterhouse Road outside of Northfield Falls. It’s all the way at the top of the hill there. "My great-grandfather had this idea in the ’60s to turn the land into a red-pine farm that could be harvested for telephone poles. My grandparents, my dad and his five siblings spent a lot of time planting trees on this 160-acre piece of land. Every school break they would be out there planting. "By the ’90s, the trees were grown, but no one wanted to cut them down. The land was too beautiful and filled with wildlife – we see moose tracks up there and “our bear” comes through regularly. It’s one of those places where Vermont’s past and present coexist." Casey Kolb Nava, MD is the medical director of the Central Vermont Medical Center hospitalist group. She’s been with us for more than nine years. Casey's story is part of the Mosaic Project, a collection of short stories about the people of University of Vermont Health Network.

Our people. Their stories. Introducing the Mosaic Project. The Mosaic Project is a collection of short stories about the people of University of Vermont Health Network. These are your coworkers, caregivers, neighbors, family members, friends – each with unique life experiences that are part of the vibrant mosaic of who we are. This ongoing series comes from interviews conducted by the storytellers on our Communications and Engagement Strategies team. UVMHealth.org/Mosaic

Central Vermont Medical Center (CVMC) is working with Vermont Youth Conservation Corps (VYCC) to produce and deliver free weekly farm shares for families in the area.

🎉 Congratulations to the CVMC Rehabilitation team for placing 1st in their class at this year's Dragonheart Vermont boat race! Despite the celebration being cut short due to stormy weather, race officials made a special visit to Waterbury to present the team with their trophy. 🏆 Way to go, team!

Residents of Vermont and northern New York have been warned: Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) is in our area. The mosquito-borne illness has infected several people across New England. Local health experts recommend the following prevention measures to stay safe.

We are proud to recognize Trina Nutter, a security supervisor at CVMC, with the BEE Award for her exceptional kindness and compassion! Recently, Trina was nominated by her colleague Chrissy Searles for going above and beyond during a patient's visit to our Emergency Department. The patient, who had come from out of state, had their 15-year-old husky with them and no place to safely keep the dog in the extreme heat. Trina drove her truck to the ER parking lot and let the dog stay inside with the air conditioning on while the patient’s family made the three-hour drive to Vermont. Chrissy shared, “I feel she went above and beyond her duty. I am honored to work with such a kind, caring soul!” Thank you, Trina, for your empathy and dedication in ensuring the well-being of our patient’s companion during a difficult time! CVMC's BEE (Be Exceptional Every day) Award recognizes support staff who consistently go above and beyond in their roles. Support staff includes all employees who work alongside nurses and providers to enhance the physical, emotional, and spiritual health of our patients and their families.

A big THANK YOU to NorthCountry Federal Credit Union for their generous contribution to the Woodridge Life Enrichment Fund! Your support helps our residents engage in meaningful activities, like the Pollinators Club. This club is dedicated to creating habitats where pollinators, such as 🦋 butterflies and 🐝 bees, can forage for pollen and nectar—essential for producing the foods we love and maintaining biodiversity. Thank you, NorthCountry, for helping us build a vibrant community for our residents!

Congratulations to Sophie Gould, RN, for receiving this month's 🌼 DAISY Award 🌼 for Nursing Excellence! A colleague nominated Sophie after witnessing her extraordinary compassion with a grieving family. “Sophie cared for a young CMO (comfort measures only) patient whose family was understandably anxious and distressed. Sophie addressed every one of their questions with unwavering grace and empathy.” “Anyone would be lucky to have Sophie as their nurse.” Thank you, Sophie, for holding this family in your care. Your sensitivity and kindness truly exemplify what matters most.