Springfield Hospital

SPRINGFIELD, VT (July 18, 2019) –  Springfield Hospital helps nourish the region by distributing fresh fruits and vegetables to the community every month. In December 2015, Springfield Hospital joined the collaborative efforts of the Vermont Foodbank and others to use local community hospitals as distribution points for free fruits and vegetables.  Springfield Hospital and Vermont Foodbank’s Veggie Van Go team join forces the 2^nd Friday of every month, from 10 – 11 am, to distribute food to Springfield area residents who visit the distribution site set up on the hillside parking area opposite the main hospital campus.

Sandy Peplau, Maureen Shattuck, and SMCS Community Health Team members join many thoughtful and dedicated volunteers as they meet monthly to help feed the community. This important program grows each year, and Veggie Van Go now serves well over 200 Springfield-area families each month.

“Partnering with the Vermont Foodbank has been a wonderful experience. The community members who receive this needed food are very grateful for this service and our volunteers enjoy giving back to the community, so this is a win-win situation. It truly is a pleasure representing Springfield Hospital at the monthly distribution and the volunteers and I are happy to have the opportunity to serve our community in this way,” comments Sandy Peplau, Public Relations and Volunteer Coordinator for Springfield Medical Care Systems.

If you would like more information about this program, please contact Sandy Peplau at 802-885-7686 or email speplau@springfieldmed.org.    ###

SPRINGFIELD, VT (Friday, June 21, 2019) – The Accreditation Committee of the College of American Pathologists (CAP) has awarded accreditation to Springfield Hospital Laboratory, Springfield, Vt, based on results of a recent on-site inspection as part of the CAP’s Accreditation Programs.

The facility’s medical director, Carrie Cocklin, MD, was advised of this national recognition and congratulated for the excellence of the services being provided. Springfield Hospital Laboratory is one of more than 8,000 CAP-accredited facilities worldwide.

“The inspection showed that we are committed to patient safety and strictly follow the policies and quality indicators established by the CAP. I have been impressed by the positive attitudes and dedication of our staff. They are great assets to the hospital,” said Laboratory Medical Director, Carrie Cocklin, MD.

Upon learning of the laboratory’s accreditation, Michael Halstead, Interim Chief Executive Office of Springfield Hospital, said “Springfield Hospital has a long history of high standards for quality care, and this is but one example of the fine work being done each and every day for the benefit of our patients. We are very proud of the commitment of our staff, and I want to congratulate our laboratory team in particular for this achievement. Recognition such as this helps demonstrate the high quality care available close to home in our local community.”

The U.S. federal government recognizes the CAP Laboratory Accreditation Program, begun in the early 1960s, as being equal-to or more-stringent-than the government’s own inspection program.

During the CAP accreditation process, designed to ensure the highest standard of care for all laboratory patients, inspectors examine the laboratory’s records and quality control of procedures for the preceding two years. CAP inspectors also examine laboratory staff qualifications, equipment, facilities, safety program and record, and overall management.

As the world’s largest organization of board-certified pathologists and leading provider of laboratory accreditation and proficiency testing programs, the College of American Pathologists (CAP) serves patients, pathologists, and the public by fostering and advocating excellence in the practice of pathology and laboratory medicine worldwide. For more information, read the CAP Annual Report at www.cap.org.

Congratulations to the pathology and laboratory medicine team for this significant accomplishment that further demonstrates our commitment to high-quality patient care at Springfield Hospital. ###

Contact:

Anna Smith, Chief of Marketing & Development
Springfield Medical Care Systems
25 Ridgewood Road, Springfield, VT
802-885-7621   annasmith@springfieldmed.org

SMCS and Springfield Hospital invite you to attend community forums to discuss health care services for the area. Forums are planned for the following locations. All meetings are 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm.

7-8-19 Nolin Murray Center, Springfield, VT
7-10-19 Rockingham Free Public Library
7-15-19 Ludlow Town Hall
7-16-19 Londonderry Town Hall, S.Londonderry
7-18-19 Charlestown, NH Senior Center

Questions welcome during the forum.

Questions may also be e-mailed in advance to  questions@springfieldmed.org

SPRINGFIELD, VERMONT (February 1, 2019) – Springfield Medical Care Systems,
Inc. (SMCS), and Springfield Hospital today announced a restructuring of its
operations to reduce expenses and improve the organization’s financial
performance. The restructuring, which is part of a broader plan to ensure ongoing
access to quality healthcare services in the region, includes the elimination of
positions and system-wide wage adjustments to better align the system’s workforce
and costs to current market demand.

“These decisions are incredibly difficult, and we have worked hard to limit staffing
reductions as we begin the turnaround necessary to stabilize this organization so
that we can provide great care now and in the future,” said George Lamb, Chairman
of the Board for SMCS. “Though we know these changes are necessary, we deeply
regret the personal impact of this reduction. We are grateful to the state, our
community and the staff for their ongoing support as we manage through this
challenge.”

Like so many rural hospitals and health systems throughout the country, SMCS and
Springfield Hospital are faced with significant financial challenges. To move
forward, the organization must reduce $6.5 million in annual costs to be
implemented as quickly and efficiently as possible. This work requires SMCS and
Springfield Hospital to consider every option available. Staffing and wage reductions
are an initial step of this overall plan. The remaining items such as renegotiated
vendor contracts, and other organizational changes, are in development and will be
shared in the coming days and weeks.

Approximately 27 positions will be eliminated – which represent less than six
percent of the total workforce – and are spread throughout the organization, with
careful consideration of patient care needs and to minimize the impact on any one
area. Addressing staffing costs is an important first step since staffing represents
44% of our overall costs.

System-wide wage reductions will take effect February 24, 2019 and include 10%
for salaried positions, 4% for hourly staff, and a negotiated amount from contracted
staff.

These adjustments align staffing to the organizations’ current activity levels. To be
clear, the situation is fluid, and it is possible further staffing adjustments will be
necessary. The need to identify further cost savings remains.
Cecil Beehler, MD, Chief Medical Officer, added, “There is no denying this is a very
challenging time for us. SMCS and Springfield Hospital play a critical role in our
region – providing lifesaving care and improving overall health through prevention,
wellness and population health efforts. Our patients’ health and well-being remain
at the center of everything we do as we continue this difficult, but necessary,
journey.”

As part of a broader strategic review, individual service lines are being carefully
analyzed to determine market demand and sustainability. As part of this analysis,
options for further collaboration and affiliation with Dartmouth Hitchcock are being
discussed to enhance the availability of needed health care services for residents of
our region.

Additionally, under guidance of counsel, Chapter 11 reorganization is also being
considered as a possibility to help stabilize the situation so services can continue
into the future.

Lamb also stated the Boards are continuing to work closely with the Governor’s
office, including Tom Huebner, and the state and federal congressional delegation to
explore every available opportunity to improve the organization’s current situation.
“The healthcare environment is rapidly evolving, creating challenges and
opportunities in how we serve our communities. Our Board fully recognizes the
need to take immediate action to realign expenses and to develop a sustainable
model for the future,” he added.

CONTACT:
Anna Smith, Chief of Marketing & Corporate Communications
Springfield Medical Care Systems
25 Ridgewood Road, Springfield, VT 05156
802-885-7621
annasmith@springfieldmed.org

Springfield, Vermont  (January 18, 2019)  –  The 63rd Apple Blossom Cotillion is almost four months away, but the hard work for its participants began on Sunday, January 6th, at Riverside Gymnasium in Springfield and will continue every Sunday until the big night on May 4th.

13 high school senior girls and their chosen escorts will be joined by 21 elementary school couples at this year’s Cotillion.  

The musical theme for this year’s production is inspired by the television show “Glee” and will feature songs that were performed on that show. 

The high school senior girls who will be competing for the title of Apple Blossom Queen are: Emily Barr, Brooke Bennett, Bailie Carey, Paige Congdon, Hannah Crosby, Morgan Fontaine, Saby Hernandez, Cierra Howe, Mykahla Jasinski, Morgan Naumann, Meghan Power, Ashley Quelch, and Haley St. Louis.        

Pam Church and Carrie Jewell return as the directors of the Cotillion.  They will be assisted by Tracy Austin, Robin Keefe, and Kyla White. Larry Kraft will be the event’s master of ceremonies for the 19^th consecutive year.The Apple Blossom Cotillion is a fund raiser for Springfield Hospital.  The proceeds from this popular evening of community entertainment provide support for the Dr. E. Sherburne Lovell Health

SPRINGFIELD, Vermont (January 17, 2019) – Springfield Medical Care Systems, Inc.’s board of directors has approved three interim leadership appointments. 

Michael J. Halstead, MBA, has been appointed interim chief executive officer for Springfield Hospital. With more than 40 years of healthcare leadership experience, Halstead has guided dozens of hospitals through periods of significant challenge while working collaboratively with employees, physicians and other stakeholders to improve financial performance and maintain a strong focus on quality and satisfaction.

Halstead, who is employed by Quorum Health Resources (QHR), recently served as vice president of the company’s East Division where he provided strategic and operational guidance to nearly 50 hospitals and health systems throughout the eastern United States. Previously, Halstead served as regional vice president of QHR where he was responsible for 11 not-for-profit hospitals throughout the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions and president and CEO of Carlisle Hospital & Health Services, which included a 200-bed acute care hospital, a rural health center and several physician practices.  

“Mr. Halstead brings a strong background in strategic planning and finance, familiarity with Vermont and New Hampshire, and deep healthcare knowledge at regional and national levels,” comments George Lamb, chairman of the board for Springfield Medical Care Systems, adding, “His training and expertise are well-suited to the critical financial challenges we face.”

Halstead holds a master’s of business administration from University of Southern Maine School of Business in Portland, and is a certified fellow of the Healthcare Financial Management Association and a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives.

Joshua R. Dufresne, MBA, has been appointed acting chief executive officer for Springfield Medical Care Systems, Inc. (SMCS). Formerly chief operating officer and HRSA project director for SMCS, Dufresne will lead operations of the community health center network, which serves more than 35,000 patients annually.

Dufresne brings deep knowledge and experience with SMCS’ community health center operations. Throughout his 14 years with SMCS, he has served as director of practice operations, director of Rockingham Health Center, and director of patient financial services. In his most recent role, he was responsible for the network’s overall service line operations; the integration of behavioral health, dental, vision services; and the addition of school-based care and lifestyle medicine programs.

Dufresne holds a master’s of business administration from Franklin Pierce University in Rindge, New Hampshire, and currently serves on the board of Black River Innovation Campus (BRIC) and Vermont AHEC, both in Springfield. He is a current member of the Vermont Rotary and the American College of Healthcare Executives; and a past member of Edgar May Health & Recreation Center, Springfield Boys & Girls Club and Bryant Federal Credit Union boards.

Wayne A. Scholz, MBA, has been appointed interim chief financial officer for Springfield Medical Care Systems, Inc. Scholz, who is employed by QHR, most recently served as interim revenue cycle director at Holy Cross Hospital in Taos, New Mexico. As regional associate vice president of QHR, he has provided managerial and financial support to more than 24 non-profit and governmental hospitals around the country during his nearly 30 years with Quorum. Earlier in his career, he served as division controller for American Healthcare Management, Inc. and chief financial officer for HCA hospitals in San Antonio, Houston, and Uvalde, Texas.

Scholz holds a masters of business administration from University of Texas in San Antonio and serves on the board of the Lone Star Chapter of the Healthcare Financial Management Association in Dallas.

“We are pleased to welcome these accomplished leaders to our interim administrative team. Each brings extensive leadership experience and knowledge in their respective areas, which will be pivotal to our success as we navigate our current financial challenges and work to define a new path forward for SMCS and Springfield Hospital,” said Lamb.