UVM Health - Home Health & Hospice, 1110 Prim Road, Colchester, VT (2025)

11/29/2025

🎨 MOSAIC PROJECT | The Art of Nourishing Others 🎨
“I’ve always needed to make things with my hands.” Meet Amanda Brunell, a recruiting and outreach coordinator for UVM Health Nutrition Services.
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Whether I’m kneading bread, sketching before dawn or piping icing onto a cake, creating gives me calm and purpose. I just like making things for people I care about.

I started college as an art major, but I realized that a traditional academic path wasn’t for me. I come from a long line of makers. My grandmother had a kiln. My grandfather could play any string instrument. Both my parents are excellent cooks. I followed in their footsteps and found my creative outlet in a bakery, decorating cakes.

After a decade in bakeries and food service — plus a passion for nutrition — I joined UVM Health. What began as a line-chef role led to recruiting for nutrition services, which I love. It keeps me close to food and nutrition.

When my daughters started dance lessons, art returned. I’d sketch in the early mornings and while they practiced, post my work online. Commissions followed, and in 2022, Seven Days named me Best Illustrator.

My older daughter danced her way to Sugar Plum Fairy before switching to field hockey and college. My younger daughter competed in dance and eventually left that hobby in favor of volleyball and lacrosse. But she always tagged along to art shows. Art became her safe space, too.

Eventually, commissions wore me down. Everyone wanted dog portraits — 10 hours each — and I couldn’t turn off the self-critique. I wanted to get back to creating for the joy of it.

Now, to satisfy my creative needs, I volunteer wherever I can: Project Grad, athletic boosters, Art Hop. Every Christmas, I try a new craft: finger-knitted blankets, family cookbooks and more. I’ve made balloon arches, ribbon leis and digital posters. My family teases me for never saying no, but I like giving without expectations.

Whether I’m cooking mac and cheese for 200 high school seniors or sketching before sunrise, it’s all the same at heart — using my hands to bring people together.
~~~
The Mosaic Project is a collection of short stories about the people of University of Vermont Health. These are your coworkers, caregivers, neighbors, family members, friends – each with unique life experiences that are part of the vibrant mosaic of who we are.

11/28/2025

With cases of pertussis (also known as "whooping cough") rising in Central Vermont and beyond, our physicians reveal who is most at risk, what symptoms look like and how to stay protected against this highly contagious respiratory disease.

11/26/2025

Ten minutes. That’s all it took each day for Maggie Frampton to fight breast cancer.

Thanks to cutting-edge technology and an incredible care team with The University of Vermont Cancer Center, her treatments were quick, precise and life-changing.

Read the full story to see how Frampton's story is proof that there's hope - and life - on the other side of cancer.

The University of Vermont Cancer Center

~~~

When Frampton was diagnosed with breast cancer, her life changed instantly. A psychotherapist in Montpelier, she’s used to helping others navigate emotional challenges. Facing her own was a different story.

“I was stunned by the reality of it,” Frampton says. “But I thought, okay, they have a plan. We’ll take care of it.”

That plan included daily radiation treatments for four weeks. Thanks to a new linear accelerator at University of Vermont Health–Central Vermont Medical Center, Frampton’s treatments were fast.

“I expected it to take 30 or 45 minutes,” she recalls. “But I was in and out in 10. I could come in, get treated and carry on with my life. I’m still working part-time, and I could work with the schedule. We are really, really lucky to have this kind of technology here.”

WORLD-CLASS TECHNOLOGY, LOCAL ACCESS

Installed in May 2025, the new machine is part of a multi-year initiative to upgrade cancer treatment technology across UVM Health’s four radiation oncology sites: Central Vermont Medical Center, UVM Medical Center, Alice Hyde Medical Center and Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital.

These upgrades mean:

✅ Faster, more efficient treatments
✅ Sharper imaging during therapy
✅ Cloud-based software that connects cancer experts across the region

In 2023 alone, more than 25,000 radiation treatments were delivered across the health system. The goal: treat more patients quickly and as close to home as possible.

“Being able to come here and be out so quickly meant I could carry on with the other part of my life,” says Frampton. “That’s huge.”

A TEAM THAT CARES

Frampton describes her care team as “outstanding,” from the doctors to the techs and front desk staff. “They’re comforting, passionate, and have a great sense of humor. I felt very well cared for.”

She also used support services like acupuncture and Reiki to relieve stress and support healing. “The educational piece was so clear,” she adds. “I could ask any question, anytime. It made a big difference.”

A MOMENT TO CELEBRATE

After her final treatment, Frampton rang the bell outside the cancer center — a tradition that marks the end of radiation therapy.

“Everyone clapped,” she says. “It felt like I was on stage, which I’m not comfortable with. But in that case, it worked. It made me feel really good.”

She celebrated with friends over dinner in Stowe, grateful for the care she received and the life she still gets to live.

“Walking, talking with friends, going places, concerts,” Frampton says. “I feel like I’m in my next life just enjoying things.”

11/25/2025

How do you know when it’s time for hospice care?

Hospice can begin as early as the last six months of life, but many people start only in the final weeks or days.

Starting sooner means more time together and access to the full range of support hospice offers:

✅ Clarify and achieve end-of-life goals
✅ Reduce hospital and ER visits
✅ Emotional, spiritual, and practical support
✅ Pain and symptom management with fewer side effects
✅ Guidance through grief and what’s ahead

These benefits lead to better quality of life — for your loved one and for you.

📞 Call us anytime with your questions: 802-860-4410. Or talk to your health care provider. It’s never too early to start the conversation.

11/22/2025

🎼 MOSAIC PROJECT | When Memory Sings 🎼
“I was born in Sierra Leone in western Africa and adopted by a family in Connecticut when I was 3.” Meet Ashley Snow, an activities coordinator at UVM Medical Center.
~~~
I was born in Sierra Leone in western Africa and adopted by a family in Connecticut when I was 3. I didn’t speak English yet, but music was a language I could understand. My parents used to sing me to sleep, and music quickly became my second language. Whenever I’m singing, practicing or performing, it feels like home.

When I was a little girl, I would tell people that I was going to be a singing doctor — someone who helped people while singing to them. I had not yet learned about the scientific benefits of music, but I was living proof of it. Music has guided and shaped my life.

Some of my earliest memories are visits to my grandmother’s nursing home, which I thought was the happiest place on earth. She was on the swim team, loved community events and even taught my siblings and me billiards in the activities room. From then on, I knew I wanted to work with older adults.

Gradually my two passions converged. I trained as an opera singer at Interlochen Arts Academy, where I first learned about music therapy. I went on to study it at Ohio University.

Seeing music therapy in action changed everything. As a student, I worked with a woman in memory care who had been nonverbal for years. After weeks of music therapy, she sang her name to me.

I think of that moment often. It was the moment I knew I’d work in memory care.

During the pandemic, I was an activities assistant at a senior care center in California. Overnight, as lockdowns took effect, I became a bridge for families and their loved ones, a companion for the lonely, and an advocate for improving residents’ quality of life with less reliance on medications. Movement, friendship, music and connection became the foundation for better health and deeper human connection.

It’s a focus I’ve brought with me to my work at University of Vermont Health - UVM Medical Center. The work isn’t easy, but it’s worth it — especially being able to bring out a part of someone that memory has taken. Sometimes, all it takes is a little companionship. And it never hurts to try music.
~~~
The Mosaic Project is a collection of short stories about the people of University of Vermont Health. These are your coworkers, caregivers, neighbors, family members, friends – each with unique life experiences that are part of the vibrant mosaic of who we are.
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11/21/2025

Myth: Hospice means giving up.

Reality: Hospice is a treatment plan focused on comfort, dignity and living fully in the time that remains.

“It’s about living every moment of your life, surrounded by support and care,” says Annie Meredith-Mitchell, our director of hospice care.

This month, we’re answering questions about hospice and clearing up some common misperceptions.

Call us anytime with your questions: 802-860-4410. Or talk to your health care provider. It’s never too early to start the conversation.

11/20/2025

Ever imagine what life would be like if you couldn't eat your favorite foods?

That was the reality Jeff Thomas lived with after a stroke, until he learned about a therapy that changed everything.

From a feeding tube to family dinners, his fight will move you.

~~~

Pizza, cheese bread and cake.

It’s a simple meal to celebrate a birthday — but for Jeff Thomas, it once felt impossible.

After a stroke, Thomas couldn’t swallow. He lived with a feeding tube, carried a spit bucket and relied on medication patches to manage constant drooling. He couldn’t enjoy meals with his family and felt isolated.

“I thought for sure I’d be spitting in that bucket the rest of my life,” he recalls. “I had lost so much weight, and I didn’t think I’d ever get back to where I was before.”

That changed when he met Anthony Lewis, MA, CCC-SLP, senior speech language pathologist at University of Vermont Health–Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital. Lewis introduced Jeff to Ampcare, a therapy using gentle electrical stimulation to help muscles relearn how to swallow. It was newly available at the hospital — and for Jeff, it was life changing.

“He put electrodes on my chin, and after just a few sessions, I could feel the muscles working again,” Thomas says. “It was weird at first, but it worked. It really worked.” He immediately set a goal: take his daughter out for lunch on her birthday, three months away. After six sessions, he started to feel more like himself again. A follow-up swallow study confirmed he could eat regular food, and his feeding tube was removed.

After a year of frustration, Thomas enjoyed the birthday meal — complete with pizza and cheese bread.

“I can eat anything I want now,” he says with a big smile. “Thank God. I never thought I’d get here. I can’t thank Tony enough.”

Lewis saw Thomas’s determination firsthand.

“Jeff came in with a goal, and he worked hard,” Lewis says. “Ampcare gave him the tools, but it was his spirit that made the difference. Seeing him eat again, seeing him smile — it’s why we do what we do.”

Thomas has regained much of the weight he lost and, more importantly, his confidence. Ice cream, mac and cheese and cereal are among his favorites. He also loves going out to eat — which has become a bit of a habit for Thomas and his father.

“Every time I go into Plattsburgh for rehab or any reason, really, I always want to go somewhere and eat,” he says. “After a while, my dad would jokingly give me a look, like he’s saying, ‘Really? Again?’ But I know he is just really happy to see me able to do these kinds of things again.”

Thomas was among the first to receive Ampcare therapy at the hospital. Since then, Lewis has treated several other patients and is thrilled with the results.

“We’re seeing more and more patients like Jeff who are able to regain their ability to swallow and eat like so many of us do every day,” Lewis explains. “It’s changing lives, and it’s just the beginning.”

“I just want people to know what the hospital did for me,” Thomas adds. “They gave me my life back.”

11/18/2025

You may already know that smoking and genetics can raise your cancer risk. But did you know some viruses can, too?

While less common, viruses are responsible for 15% to 20% of cancers worldwide. The good news: You can take steps to protect yourself, including getting vaccinated and reducing exposure.

We spoke with Ashley Volaric, MD, a pathologist at University of Vermont Medical Center and assistant professor at The Robert Larner, M.D. College of Medicine at The University of Vermont, about four viruses that can increase your cancer risk — and how to stay safe.

Link in the comments.

11/17/2025

A lot of injuries happen during ordinary moments - but the good news is, most can be prevented.

Here are a few quick reminders to help you stay safe as the snow starts to arrive.

Want to learn more?
Our team is hosting a virtual "lunch and learn" tomorrow, November 18 at noon.
Link in the comments.

11/16/2025

✨ MOSAIC PROJECT | Not Just Smoke and Mirrors ✨
“I never imagined a magic trick could save a life.” Meet Kurt Trautmann, a licensed pharmacist, at Alice Hyde Medical Center.
~~~
I never imagined a magic trick could save a life.

But after decades of performing the Mr. Yuk Magic Show, I’ve seen how a little wonder can leave a lasting impression. Kids remember the giggles, the surprises and most importantly, the message.

For 50 years, I’ve blended magic and poison-prevention for children. Not because I wanted to be a magician, but because I wanted them to remember. You can’t lecture 4-year-olds about poison safety. But if you make it fun, colorful and engaging, they’ll carry that lesson with them for life.

I don’t try to fool them. Little kids are literal. If something disappears, they’ll say, “It went up your sleeve.” So, I don’t aim for mystification — I aim for joy. I bring out spring snakes, inflatable wands, silly props and a stuffed rabbit named David Hopperfield. I ask them to help me make the magic happen. And when they do, their faces light up. That’s the moment I live for.

Every year, I tweak the show — adding a new trick or swapping out a prop. I’ve got banners that say “Caution: Magic Zone,” and a six-foot wand that’s always a hit in class photos. But the heart of it never changes: teaching kids to be smart, safe and to have fun doing it.

I’ve seen thousands of kids over the years. Some still have Mr. Yuk stickers on bottles at home. Some remember the exact tricks I did. That tells me the message stuck.

And that’s the real magic. It’s not about the disappearing scarves or misbehaving wands. It’s knowing something I did helped a child stay safe. That’s why I keep going. If I can leave a little wonder in their hearts and a little wisdom in their heads, then I’ve done something that matters.
~~~
The Mosaic Project is a collection of short stories about the people of University of Vermont Health. These are your coworkers, caregivers, neighbors, family members, friends – each with unique life experiences that are part of the vibrant mosaic of who we are.

11/15/2025

A kitchen fire spiraled into an opioid addiction that nearly took everything from him.

🎧 Listen to the podcast to hear how he found his way back.

Link in comments

~~~

Real stories. Real care. Real impact.

Living Healthy Together | Pathways to Recovery: Inside Central Vermont’s Unique Substance Use Disorder Treatment System

Nearly 15 years ago, a kitchen grease spill at home left Aaron Blair with burns on his foot so severe that he needed skin grafts and months of recovery. What Aaron could never have predicted at the time was that his traumatic injury would also begin a years-long struggle with opioid use disorder. Before Aaron knew it, he was taking 15 Percocet a day – along with oxycontin and other prescription painkillers.

Join us as we follow Aaron’s journey through opioid use disorder and meet the mental health and substance use clinicians, peer recovery coaches and primary care physicians who have built a unique regional system of treatment, care and support that has served thousands of people across our region – and is now being replicated in other states.

11/13/2025

In late September, friends, loved ones and members of the Green Mountain Nurses Honor Guard gathered in Fair Haven to celebrate the life of nurse Mary Lussier. Throughout her long career as a nurse, Mary worked selflessly to treat each one of her patients with the highest standard of care.

At her service, the Honor Guard passed the symbolic Nightingale Lamp along to Mary's granddaughter, Lauren, who is in her final year of nursing school. Mary's legacy of compassion and resilience will live on through all those who knew her.

The Green Mountain Nurses Honor Guard is made up of active and retired nurses who volunteer their time to pay tribute to Vermont nurses who have passed away. Their missions is to honor nurses' legacy of care, compassion and sacrifice.

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