For More Information Contact:
Ron Hallman, 388-4744
MIDDLEBURY—The Porter Medical Center Auxiliary voted on June 18 to donate $50,000 to the UVMHN Porter Medical Center as an unrestricted contribution to assist Porter during this unprecedented and challenging time, as the organization continues to transition to re-establishing elective services and procedures under strict protocols.
“We are deeply grateful to our Porter Auxiliary for this significant donation and their willingness to allow us to use it where most needed as we work to re-open services and address the financial challenges that were directly related to the COVID-19 pandemic”, said Porter Interim President/COO Tom Thompson.
Porter, along with every other Vermont hospital, discontinued all n0n-essential clinical services as part of the State’s response to COVID-19 last winter into spring. Although the Governor has authorized hospitals to re-establish elective procedures under very strict guidelines, the impact on hospitals and nursing homes has been significant. In an email to all UVMHN staff in early May, UMVHN President and CEO, Dr. John Brumsted, reported that the Network was facing an operating loss of $152 million if no actions were taken. Since that time, the UVMHN and all of its affiliates have taken significant steps to reduce expenses and explore new opportunities for government funding related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Porter, along with every other affiliate, has been working extremely diligently over the past several weeks to identify opportunities for new federal and state funding, while also making some difficult but necessary decisions to reduce expenses while maintaining our essential work for the people of this region,” Thompson added.
“The Auxiliary is grateful for the many generous donations we have received from our sponsors and the community which enable us to continue to support Porter during these challenging times,” said Porter Auxiliary President Alix O’Meara.
The Porter Medical Center Auxiliary has been supporting the work of Porter Medical Center since the 1930’s and has given well over $1 million in support of equipment and projects at the hospital and Helen Porter Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center. Funds are generated through special events, an annual membership appeal and the Round Robin Upscale Resale Shop in Middlebury.
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About The University of Vermont Health Network
The University of Vermont Health Network is an academic health system that is comprised of six affiliate hospitals, a multi-specialty medical group, and a home health agency. We serve the residents of Vermont and northern New York with a shared mission: working together, we improve people’s lives. Our partners include:
- The University of Vermont Medical Center
- The University of Vermont Health Network Medical Group
- The University of Vermont Health Network – Alice Hyde Medical Center
- The University of Vermont Health Network – Central Vermont Medical Center
- The University of Vermont Health Network – Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital
- The University of Vermont Health Network – Elizabethtown Community Hospital
- The University of Vermont Health Network – Porter Medical Center
- The University of Vermont Health Network – Home Health and Hospice
Our 4,000 health care professionals are driven to provide high quality, cost-efficient care as close to home as possible. Strengthened by our academic connection to the University of Vermont, each of our hospitals remains committed to its local community by providing compassionate, personal care shaped by the latest medical advances and delivered by highly skilled experts.