Employers sought for Employment Fair
SPRINGFIELD - Employers looking to fill out their workforce are encouraged to register for the sixth annual River Valley Employment Fair at Riverside Middle School in Springfield.
The Employment Fair will be held on Wednesday, April 26, from 2 to 5 p.m.. There will be an educational hour from 1 to 2 p.m. where area high school and middle school students will come through the fair to gain early exposure to the workforce. Engaging young people will give students an opportunity to explore careers think about their future.
The Employment Fair has had more than 40 employers attend their previous events offering hundreds of job opportunities. Job seekers should bring their resumes and be prepared to speak to employers about the many jobs available in our region. For more information, contact Suzanne Groenewold, Employment Fair Coordinator, at [email protected].
Herbalist opens in Putney
PUTNEY - Now open in downtown Putney is the area's newest source for herbs, teas, jewelry, gifts and more. Nightingale Upstairs offers more than 200 herbs and spices, along with dozens of teas and an array of essential oils and tinctures. They also carry Fair Trade gifts from around the world, incense, books on herbalism, tarot supplies, sterling silver jewelry, and many other curiosities.
Starting on March 11, Nightingale Upstairs will be hosting Eric Tackeff's Spiral of Light every Saturday from noon to 1 p.m.. This healing light meditation is open to the public by donation, though no one will be turned away for a lack of money.
Nightingale is located upstairs at 126 Main St., across from the Town hall, and is open Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Fridays from 5 to 9 p.m., They can be reached at 802-536-4554 or at www.nightingaleupstairs.com.
Grace Cottage Rehab now offers pediatric occupational therapy
TOWNSHEND -- Grace Cottage Family Health and Hospital's Rehabilitation Department now provides pediatric occupational therapy (OT), as well as pediatric physical therapy and speech therapy.
Pediatric OT helps children develop the skills of daily living - bathing and dressing, using eating utensils, doing household chores, and interacting with others. Children who may benefit from pediatric OT include those with birth defects, sensory processing challenges, fine motor coordination difficulties, orthopedic and traumatic brain injuries, and a range of chronic conditions like autism, Down syndrome, and cerebral palsy.
A pediatric OT can help a child with low muscle tone or strength, coordination, and balance issues, as well as fine motor skills like grasping a pencil or a spoon. The OT can also teach behavioral and social skills to improve attention deficit, learning difficulties, and sensory stimulation overload.
Pediatric OTs also work with a child's family, caregivers, and teachers, helping them to develop supportive strategies. These may include providing adaptive equipment for dressing, feeding, and bathing; developing a special diet; and the use of attention-getting techniques to increase the child's successful participation with school, friends, and family.
For more information about Grace Cottage's pediatric OT services or to schedule an appointment, call 802-365-3637.
BMH included in top 100 U.S. rural hospitals
BRATTLEBORO - Brattleboro Memorial Hospital (BMH) was recently recognized as one of the Top 100 Rural & Community Hospitals in the United States by iVantage Health Analytics and the Chartis Center for Rural Health (CCRH). Published annually, the list expands on the research presented by a study from CCRH: Rural Relevance: Vulnerability to Value.
The hospitals included on the list are noted as top performers in managing risk, achieving higher quality, securing better outcomes, increasing patient satisfaction, and operating at a lower cost than their peers.
“We are honored to be included in the list,” saidd Steven R. Gordon, President and CEO of BMH, in a news release. “It is a reflection of our outstanding team of providers, employees, and volunteers that are dedicated to providing exceptional care to our local community every day.”
iVantage Health Analytics' Hospital Strength INDEX is the industry's most comprehensive rating of rural providers, measuring eight pillars of hospital strength: Inpatient Share Ranking, Outpatient Share Ranking, Cost, Charge, Quality, Outcomes, Patient Perspectives, and Financial Stability.
“It is more important than ever that rural hospitals proactively understand and address performance in the areas of cost, quality, outcomes, and patient perspective. iVantage's INDEX was designed to serve as the industry model,” said Michael Topchik, national leader of the Chartis Center for Rural Health. “Across the spectrum of performance indicators, there are rural providers that are writing the blueprint for success as they transition to value-based healthcare. Our analysis shows that this group of top performers exhibits a focused concern for their community needs.”