Springfield Hospital

SPRINGFIELD, VT (October 28, 2021) – Caroline Kirkpatrick, Pharm.D., was awarded Pharmacists Mutual Insurance Company’s 2021 Vermont Distinguished Young Pharmacist Award at the annual Vermont Pharmacists Association (VPA) meeting in Burlington, VT on Sunday, October 24^th.

The Distinguished Young Pharmacist award was created in 1987 to encourage newer pharmacists to become involved in association activities and community service. This award recognizes one pharmacist in each state for individual excellence and outstanding contributions.

The prestigious award is presented by Pharmacists Mutual Insurance Company, nationally recognized as a leader in providing insurance products and risk management solutions to Pharmacy professionals.

The 2021 Vermont Pharmacists Association recipient was selected by a committee of his/her peers as this pharmacist exemplifies and exceeds the required criteria.

Achievements of this year’s recipient include:

•  Prior to graduating from Albany College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences in 2016, Caroline served as the President of the Vermont Pharmacists Association Student Chapter, including service as editor of the VPA newsletter, and student-coordinator for the annual Vermont Pharmacists Day in Montpelier.

•  Post-graduation, Caroline joined the VPA and became an officer of the Board soon thereafter. As the VPA treasurer for five years, she helped the VPA organize and stabilize its financial picture.

•  Additionally, Caroline’s enthusiasm and active efforts for the profession and the association have manifested in numerous gatherings and social events. She organized several joint pharmacy-student and pharmacists “meet-and-greets.”

•  Professionally in her role at Springfield Hospital, Caroline is known as a competent, calm practitioner. She serves as a valuable liaison between pharmacy and the medical staff at the hospital. Caroline is currently chair of the Pharmacist and Therapeutics Committee, sits on the Policy and Procedures Committee, and has initiated a Patient Safety Committee at Springfield Hospital.

•  Due to Caroline’s efforts, a pharmacist is now embedded in the emergency department to not only provide relevant information and consultation in real time, but also to participate in direct patient care as part of the emergency department team.

•  When Caroline’s supervisor was called to active duty by the Army Reserve in response to the COVID crisis, Caroline, with skill and professionalism, shouldered an increased work load and work hours while successfully serving as the interim department director.

•  Caroline’s determined efforts ensured that vitally needed medications for treatment of COVID-19 were obtained by the hospital when they were in short supply. “Rather than shrink away, she charged ahead with a positive attitude of ‘this is what we’re trained for and obligated to do as pharmacists.’”

•  Caroline’s assistance led to the U.S. Marshall Service court security of Rutland and Burlington’s federal courts being able to obtain COVID vaccinations.

•  Caroline, and her pharmacist-mother Jane, with their own time and money, created interesting and fun medical masks early in the pandemic as a means to help pharmacists and technicians stay safe.

Former VPA Executive Director, James Marmar, RPH, commented: “In conclusion, Caroline Kirkpatrick, as the Pharmacists Mutual’s Distinguished Young Pharmacist Award recipient, embodies all the qualities one looks for when evaluating individuals for this award.”

Springfield Hospital Chief Executive Officer, Robert Adcock, commented, “On behalf of our Board of Directors and all staff at Springfield Hospital, we extend our thanks and gratitude to Caroline for her skill and dedication to our hospital and our patients, and our congratulations on receiving this prestigious award.”     ###

Springfield Hospital recently launched a new patient portal (10/11/21).  My Care Corner (the new patient portal) experienced a technical glitch with this launch but issues have now been resolved.

To access the new patient portal, please log in to your previous Thrive portal which will automatically forward to the new site, “My Care Corner.”  You will then be asked to set up your new portal account.

Patient information accessible through My Care Corner includes:

• Springfield Hospital services – inpatient care, emergency, laboratory and radiology health records
• Specialty Clinic services – oncology and cardiology health records

If you have any questions or concerns related to the portal, please call our Patient Portal Support line at 802-885-7026 for assistance.

SPRINGFIELD, VT (October 1, 2021)  –  Springfield Hospital and the Vermont Department of Health joined together to offer COVID-19 Drive Through Testing for Springfield area students and families on September 23rd, 24th and 28th. Over six hundred samples were collected and sent out for testing.

The Drive Through Testing was conducted as our community was reporting increasing numbers of students who had been exposed to COVID-19. To help meet the urgent demand for prompt testing, Springfield Hospital collaborated with the Vermont Department of Health in setting up these clinics.

“We recognized that it was important to get this testing done as quickly as possible for the health and safety of our community. We are grateful to the VT Dept. of Health for their efforts and appreciate those that used the drive through testing to enable us all to be safe and healthy”, said Lyndsy McIntyre, MSN, RN, VP of Patient Care Services.

SPRINGFIELD, VT (September 17, 2021)  – 

September is National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month.

Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer, and a leading cause of cancer deaths among men in the United States.  Today, one in eight men in the United States will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in his lifetime and, frequently, without any previous signs or symptoms.  

The most common risk factor is age, since the chance of getting prostate cancer increases with age. African American men or those who have a family history of prostate cancer are at increased risk.

Men age 55-69 years of age should discuss prostate screening with their doctor. Many men who have prostate cancer have no symptoms and, without screening, would never know they have the disease. Screening and early diagnosis can find cancer early and prevent prostate cancer from spreading to other places in the body. For more information, or to schedule an appointment for screening, contact Springfield Urology at 802-886-3556.  

SPRINGFIELD, VT (September 22, 2021)  –  Springfield Hospital is pleased to welcome Ian Odigie, DPM to Springfield Podiatry.

Dr. Odigie received his Doctorate of Podiatric Medicine from the College of Podiatry Medicine and Surgery in Des Moines, IA. He is a graduate of Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, IL with a Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering and a Bachelor of Science in Physiology. He completed his residency training in Podiatric Medicine and Surgery at Ascension St. John Hospital in Detroit, MI and Reconstructive Rearfoot/Ankle at Hahneman University Hospital in Philadelphia, PA.

Dr. Odigie is currently accepting new patients at Springfield Podiatry.  Please call to schedule an appointment at 802-885-5600.

Springfield, VT (September 22, 2021)
Our community is reporting increasing numbers of students who have been exposed to COVID-19. To help meet the urgent demand for prompt testing, Springfield Hospital is collaborating with the Vermont Department of Health in setting up a drive-through testing site on the hospital campus free of charge for impacted students and families. This drive-through service will be located on the hill to the left of the Hospital’s main parking lot on Thursday, 9/23 (11am-3pm) and Friday 24^th (8am-10:30am). Please do not call the hospital at this time for an appointment, no pre-registration is required. For the health and wellbeing of our local communities, Springfield Hospital and its staff remind everyone to remain vigilant over the coming months. Wear your mask, get vaccinated, social distance, wash your hands, and avoid attending large gatherings. Be alert to changes in your health and any respiratory or flu-like symptoms and seek prompt medical advice.

SPRINGFIELD, VT (September 16, 2021)  –  September is Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month, a national recognition established by the Foundation for Women’s Cancer in 1999. It is estimated that this year 98,000 women will be diagnosed with a gynecologic cancer and some 30,000 will die from the disease. Gynecological Cancer Awareness Month provides an important opportunity to draw attention to this important women’s health issue and offer vital information on cancer risks, warning signs, and prevention strategies.

Gynecological cancers are those that develop in a woman’s reproductive tract. These include cervical cancer, ovarian cancer, uterine cancer, vaginal cancer, and vulvar cancer.

There are different risk factors for each of these cancers, including, in some cases, heredity or genetics.  Most cancers are not inherited and some are related to a virus known as the Human Papilloma Virus or HPV for short.  Many women develop cancer without being considered high risk. It is important for women to be aware of the types of gynecological cancer, symptoms and potential warning signs to watch out for, and screening and prevention strategies.

Each type of gynecological cancer has different symptoms, some of which may be difficult to recognize. While women should be familiar with the symptoms associated with gynecological cancer, it is just as important for women to pay attention to their own bodies and take note when something is “off” or not normal. Women should be aware of any abnormal bleeding especially after menopause.  Screening exams and evaluations should be scheduled for unusual symptoms such as a persistent increase in vaginal discharge, abdominal or pelvic pain that does not resolve.  For further information or to make an appointment, please call Springfield Gynecology at 802-885-7561.     

SPRINGFIELD, VT (September 16, 2021)  – Springfield Hospital hosted its 21st Annual Golf Challenge on September 14th at the Fox Run Golf Club in Ludlow, Vermont. Proceeds from this year’s fundraising event go to the annual giving campaign to support the Defibrillator Equipment Fund.

Ninety tournament participants enjoyed a variety of competitions on the course in addition to 18 holes of scramble golf tournament play. A 2021 Cadillac was up for grabs for a hole-in-one on hole 8, thanks to Springfield Buick GMC Cadillac; and ten thousand dollars was available on hole 17 for a hole-in-one, thanks to Ludlow Insurance Agency. We did not give either of these big prizes away this year, but we could not have asked for a nicer day to play golf in the splendid beauty of Vermont.

Winners in the A and B Flights were as follows:
A Flight
1^st Low Gross – Dan Patria, Mary Patria, Jeff Matulonis, Cole Lewis
2^nd Low Gross – Dr. Rick Marasa, Christina Graves, Chris Garvey, Brian Perkins
1^st Low Net – Eric Warren, Stu Currie, Bob O’Brien, Dan Frost
2^nd Low Net – David Muller, Tim Mello, Greg White, Nathan Roth
B Flight
1^st Low Gross – Chad Illingworth, David Byrne, Gary Parzych, Ryan Gadapee
2^nd Low Gross – Jamie Spence, Karl Wentworth, Mike Matulonis, Brett Jasinski
1^st Low Net – Gus Gutierrez, Jim Lapine, Kelly Blanchard, Shawn Aubin
2^nd Low Net – Mike Pinney, Collin Pinney, Gary Stearns, Walter Oaks

The straightest drive was won by Dan Frost and longest putt went to Dave Nichols.

Over forty sponsors and raffle prize donors made this year’s tournament a fundraising success. The tournament sponsors this year at the $1000 level were: Connecticut Valley Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine, Ellen Lander/Renaissance Benefit Advisors, Kinney Drugs Foundation, NFP, QHR Health, SunSoil and The Richards Group.

“Many thanks go to our sponsors and participants for their generous support; and to the staff and volunteers that organized this event. We also extend our thanks and appreciation to Fox Run Golf Club for preparing a course that the golfers certainly enjoyed.  It was great to see so many golfers across the staging area as they prepared to play their round of golf, and I am grateful to all who made this event a fundraising success”, commented Robert Adcock, CEO of Springfield Hospital.

To see a list of all of the sponsors, go to http://www.springfieldhospitalgiving.org/golf.

Due to the rise in COVID-19 cases in Vermont, effective Wednesday, August 11^th,Springfield Hospital is changing its visitation policy. 

Until further notice, anyone under the age of 12 will not be permitted to visit Springfield Hospital. Depending on the department involved, patients are allowed one or two healthy adult support people to accompany them to their appointment, if necessary. Please check with your appointment desk staff regarding allowable visitors. 

Nursing staff reserves the right to manage visitation traffic for the safety of patients and staff. Masks are required at all times for all visitors to Springfield Hospital.

Thank you for your cooperation.