Yes!  We are so fortunate to have a robust medical staff of talented and caring physicians and advance practice providers caring for our community here in northwestern Vermont. These remarkable professionals touch lives every day and I am sure each one of us has more than one story in which we are grateful for what they have done for us or a loved one.  With “National Doctors’ and Advance Practice Providers” day coming on March 30, please join me in thanking them for their care and service.

Medicine is a challenging field and the shortages are real.  Education is costly, regulations are complex, change is absolutely constant, litigation looms, documentation is demanding, healthcare system reform efforts are challenging, and hours are long. National studies published by the Association of American Medical Colleges estimate that the United States could see a shortage of 40,000 to 120,000 physicians by 2030. Even in the face of these issues, our community is well served.  We have strong medical staff with a well-rounded blend of individuals in private practice, group practices, federally qualified health centers, and hospital-employed practices. We are cared for by both women and men and by individuals across the spectrum of years of experience.

Most importantly, we are served by physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, certified registered nurse anesthetists, and other medical providers who are deeply trusted and respected by their patients, their colleagues, and the hospital team. We know them, they know us and we trust one another. That is the most important element in the proverbial ‘doctor-patient’ relationship. Trust. We have that here and it shows in the patient feedback I see day after day, all year long. Here are some quotes: “The doctors are all so caring.” “The doctors always take the time to make you feel special.” “NMC is so lucky to have such caring and compassionate providers on their medical staff.”  “I travel from another county to see providers at Northwestern because my experiences have been so positive.”  That all speaks to the trust that our medical staff has rightfully earned and that helps keep care local – and draws people in from away for what they see as special here at Northwestern.

I know I speak for the entire NMC family when I say how deeply we appreciate our medical staff and all they do for our patients, our community, and our hospital. We want to thank them for this and we want to wrap around them with support, partnership, and wellness to help them continue to provide exceptional care and thrive in their calling to care. Please join me in thanking the medical providers who are accompanying you on your health and wellness journey. We are so fortunate to have them at our side as our trusted local partners.

— Jill Berry Bowen, NMC’s Chief Executive Officer