Springfield Hospital

Springfield, VT (May 9, 2023) – Springfield Hospital is pleased to announce Eric Richardson, RN, as the recipient of the 2023 Eileen Austin Neal RN Spirit of Nursing Award.

This award was created in 2004 in honor of Eileen Austin Neal, RN, who worked at Springfield Hospital for 64 years and retired in 2005. Judy Mittica, RN, was the first recipient of this award at the request of Eileen. Photos of Eileen along with her cap and uniform, and a list of the all the recipients since 2004 can be seen in the Springfield Hospital lobby on Level C.

Criteria for the award includes communication, care for patients, nursing professionalism, and teamwork. Nominations are accepted from throughout the organization and are reviewed and voted on by a committee that includes the previous year’s recipient and a member of Eileen’s family, among others. This year’s nominees included Elena Bender, RN, Windham Center; Olga Carey, RN, Emergency Department; Heidi Clough-Agoes, RN, Windham Center; Sherry Cobb, RN, Inpatient Care Unit; Mary Esden, RN, Inpatient Care Unit; Ernest Frost, LPN, Windham Center; Tracie Harris, RN, Case Management; April Lawrence, RN, Perioperative Services; and Paula Tudor, RN, Windham Center

Eric has been working at Springfield Hospital since 2014 and is currently working in the Perioperative Services Department.  Contained within Eric’s nomination are the following words from one of his colleagues: “Eric has a natural ability to provide quality care without trying to. He has a calming way about him that makes patients feel comfortable and relaxed. When patients return for other procedures, they are at ease knowing Eric will be there.”

“Congratulations to all of our 2023 nominees, and to Eric as the 2023 award winner. As we celebrate National Nurses Week and National Hospital Week, we are pleased to express how extremely proud we are of our nurses, and the entire hospital staff at Springfield Hospital, and grateful for the care and service they provide to our patients, 24/7/365,” says Robert Adcock, CEO, Springfield Hospital.    ###

SPRINGFIELD, VT (May 26, 2023) –  Springfield Hospital is now accepting applications for  the 18th Annual Eileen Austin Neal Nursing Scholarship of $1,000.  This scholarship is open to any student who has been accepted into a nursing program of study.  Applicants will be judged on interest in and commitment to the field of nursing.  Determination will be based on merit and need.

Eileen Austin Neal was a registered nurse at Springfield Hospital for 64 years, retiring in 2005.  She was the first recipient of Springfield Hospital’s Community Health Award in 2003. In 2004, the Hospital established the Spirit of Nursing Award in recognition of her many years of dedicated service.

Upon her death in February 2006, at the request of Eileen’s family, Springfield Hospital established a nursing scholarship fund in her name with the gifts received in her memory.

The application deadline is June 9, 2023. Scholarship application is available here.

If you would like more information, please contact Sandy Peplau in the Marketing & Development office by email speplau@springfieldhospital.org or call 802-885-7686.

SPRINGFIELD, VT (April 11, 2023) – This year, National Doctors’ Day was recognized by Springfield Hospital and its Medical Staff with matching donations from each directed to three local charities chosen by the medical staff.

Springfield Hospital has recognized National Doctors’ Day on March 30^th, with a medical staff appreciation breakfast and/or carnations. This year, medical staff leadership suggested funds traditionally used for such a celebration be redirected to support local charities. The organizations chosen by the medical staff to receive donations include the Vermont Foodbank, Southeastern Vermont Community Action (SEVCA), and Turning Point. Each organization received a $1,000 donation in honor of Springfield Hospital’s Medical Staff and their efforts and ongoing commitment to the health and wellbeing of our region.

“Each of these local charities play a vital role in service to people throughout our region,” commented Robert Adcock, Springfield Hospital Chief Executive Officer. “On behalf of the medical staff and all employees at Springfield Hospital, we extend our thanks for your dedication to your individual missions, and for the assistance you provide to many who turn to you for assistance,” continued Adcock.

SPRINGFIELD, VT (April 6, 2023) – Springfield Hospital and its Physical Therapy Department in Ludlow, VT, (Mt. View Physical Therapy) extend thanks to the Trustees of the Anthony Marro Memorial Trust for a grant to purchase a new recumbent bicycle. The new equipment has arrived and is being used by patients on a regular basis.

“The recumbent bike allows patients with mobility issues, that cannot safely get on and off of the stationary bike, an opportunity to get the mobility, strengthening and cardiovascular benefits of bike exercise,” says Dan Collins, PT.

“On behalf of all patients seeking care in our physical therapy department, we are delighted that the Anthony Marro Memorial Trust selected us as one of their beneficiaries. This will enhance our patients’ experience and enable them to improve their health under the guidance of our professional staff. Thank you,” says Robert Adcock, CEO of Springfield Hospital.

(Springfield, VT) – April 1, 2023 – Springfield Hospital is partnering with New England Donor Services during the month of April to celebrate National Donate Life Month. This month-long celebration includes local, regional, and national activities designed to help inspire people in the U.S. to register as organ and tissue donors and to honor those that have saved lives through the gift of donation.

“More than 100,000 patients are on the U.S. wait list for a lifesaving organ transplant, but there are simply not enough organ donors to meet the growing need,” said Lyndsy McIntyre, MBA, MSN, RN, Chief Nursing Officer and Chief Operating Officer at Springfield Hospital. “Opportunities for organ donation are rare. Fewer than 2% of deaths each year meet the medical eligibility to become donors. This is why it is so important for us all to recognize the need and to register as donors.”

A single organ donor can save the lives of up to eight people and transform the lives of as many as 75 more by donating their corneas, skin and other tissue.  Nearly 43,000 lifesaving transplants were performed in the U.S. in 2022, an increase of five percent from 2021.

“Organ and tissue donation is a remarkable gift and an expression of compassion and generosity,” said Berta Grunbeck, RN, CTBS, Hospital Relations Coordinator of New England Donor Services. “We appreciate our continued partnership with Springfield Hospital to share the importance of the Donate Life message and to save more lives through donation and transplant.”

National Donate Life Month recognizes the generosity of those who have saved and healed lives by becoming donors, while also highlighting the critical need for more people to register as donors.  Becoming an organ or tissue donor is easy. People may register at the local motor vehicle office, on their iPhone health app or online at RegisterMe.org.

To help facilitate organ recovery and placement,Springfield Hospital is one of more than 200 hospitals and 14 transplant centers in New England who work directly with New England Donor Services.

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Contact Sandy Peplau, 802-885-7686, speplau@springfieldhospital.org

About Springfield Hospital:
Springfield Hospital is a not-for-profit, critical access hospital located in Springfield, VT, serving communities in Windsor, Windham and portions of Bennington counties, in Vermont; and parts of Sullivan and Cheshire counties in New Hampshire. The hospital offers inpatient and outpatient care, 24-hour emergency care, adult day care, and specialty care services including cardiology, infusion, general surgery; ear, nose and throat; orthopaedics, pain management, podiatry, gynecology and urology. A comprehensive program of inpatient mental health services is offered at The Windham Center in Bellows Falls, VT. For more information, please visit our website at www.springfieldhospital.org, or follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/SpringfieldHospitalVT

New England Donor Services coordinates organ and tissue donation in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, the eastern counties of Vermont and Bermuda. Through its federally designated organ procurement organization, New England Organ Bank (NEOB), and its centralized tissue donation services operation, NEDS serves thousands of donor families each year who have generously made the decision to donate and honors the wishes of those who registered as donors and gave the gift of life. Working sensitively with the donor families, NEDS staff leads donation authorization discussions, maintains medical support of potential donors, coordinates recovery surgeries, allocates organs according to the national transplant waiting list and directs transport of organs to transplant centers and tissues to processors.

SPRINGFIELD, VT (March 24, 2023)  –  Springfield Hospital has been diligently searching for a new director or directors to lead the annual Apple Blossom Cotillion. Unfortunately, this year’s search was unsuccessful. As a result, we must report there will be no Cotillion in May of 2023.

     The good news is we remain steadfast in our commitment to the director search and are, once again, appealing to the community for assistance and suggestions as we look to plan the Cotillion for 2024.  We recognize the Apple Blossom Cotillion is a valued community event and a tradition that provides great pride and joy to our local youth and their families and friends. The first Cotillion was held in 1957, drawing as many as 1,500 attendees to its annual performances held the first Saturday in May. Originally a project of the Springfield Hospital Auxiliary, the Apple Blossom Cotillion has more recently been a presentation and fundraising event of Springfield Hospital. It is our intent to continue this unique and time-honored tradition.

     If you are personally interested in helping direct the Apple Blossom Cotillion, or would like to recommend someone who may be a good candidate, please contact Sandy Peplau by email at speplau@springfieldhospital.org, or phone at 802-885-7686.   ###

SPRINGFIELD, VT (January 3, 2023) –  According to the American Heritage Dictionary, tradition means “a time-honored practice or a set of such practices.” Keeping traditions, like the Apple Blossom Cotillion alive requires people and a strong commitment to the “practice.” For years, there certainly has not been any lack of commitment from individuals such as Pam Church, Carrie Jewell, Larry Kraft, Marie Laplante, Tracy Austin, and numerous others… years of volunteer dedication since the Cotillion’s inception in 1957.

Springfield Hospital remains committed to the Apple Blossom Cotillion, and we are seeking your help. We are seeking new directors for the 2023 Cotillion. Pam and Carrie have done an outstanding job over the years, and are now ready to hand over the directorship to new leadership. If you have an interest in either directing or helping with the production of the 2023 Apple Blossom Cotillion which traditionally takes place the first weekend in May, please email or call Sandy Peplau, Marketing and Development, 802-885-7686, speplau@springfieldhospital.org.