UVM Health - Home Health & Hospice, 1110 Prim Road, Colchester, VT (2026)

01/22/2026

🌟 Staff Spotlight: Sierra Gempka, RN 🌟

What does a day look like for a community health nurse at UVM Health – Home Health & Hospice?

In this short video, Sierra shares how she plans her visits and builds a schedule that fits her life. From morning check-ins to finishing her notes at a favorite coffee shop, Sierra shows how flexible, meaningful and deeply personal home-based care can be.

01/21/2026

Brain Surgery. Big Comeback.

At 14, severe headaches brought Vermont athlete Kian Ruid to a breaking point. An MRI revealed a rare and dangerous brain abnormality—an arteriovenous malformation (AVM)—lodged near the motor center of his brain.

With the risk of a potentially deadly rupture steadily increasing as Kian grew older, doing nothing wasn’t an option. But surgery could mean a permanent loss of movement.

“It wasn’t until I spoke with Katrina that I started to think, we’re going to get through this,” said Kian’s mom, Rebecca.

Kian’s family placed their trust in Dr. Katrina Ducis—the only pediatric neurosurgeon in Vermont—and a team prepared to take on one of the most complex challenges in neurosurgery.

👉 Next: what happened in the operating room—and beyond. Link to story in the comments.

01/20/2026

Golf, Gratitude and the Smith Family Legacy ⛳💚

Each August, the John and Theresa Smith Memorial Golf Tournament brings family, friends and community members together at the Champlain Country Club in Swanton, VT, to celebrate life, laughter and the legacy of two beloved parents.

The tournament is organized by siblings Brian, Brenda and Brad Smith, originally from Essex Junction, VT, who began this tradition to honor their parents’ memory and support hospice, which provided compassionate care at the end of both John and Theresa’s lives. John passed away under hospice care in Sarasota, FL, in 2019, and Theresa spent her final days at the Vermont Respite House in 2013.

The event is held each year on the first weekend in August, a time chosen both to honor their mother’s passing and to allow far-flung family members to travel during summer vacation. Last August, the Smith family hosted their 7th annual tournament. The afternoon was filled with sunshine, camaraderie and the joyful sound of friendly competition. Eighty golfers — 20 spirited teams — took to the course, enjoying both the game and each other’s company.

What makes this tournament special is not only the cause it supports but also the sense of fun at its heart. Just as John and Theresa shared laughter and friendships on the golf course, today’s players keep that spirit alive. Along with a modest registration fee, funds are raised through the sale of “cheats” — mulligans, tosses and ropes — that add an extra element of playfulness to the competition.

Through joy and generosity, the Smith family and their community continue to honor John and Theresa’s memory while supporting hospice programs and a mission of comfort, dignity and care.

To learn more about supporting hospice care or establishing a fund within the Home Health & Hospice endowment, contact Maya Fehrs, director of development, at 802-860-4475.

01/14/2026

It’s a fact: Getting vaccinated against flu and developing immunity against other strains helps reduce illness severity and protects our communities.
This year, staying protected matters even more.

Doctors in our region have seen strong Influenza A, and COVID-19 and RSV continue to cause serious illness, especially for older adults, young kids and people with chronic conditions.

The good news? It’s not too late to get vaccinated! Flu, COVID-19 and RSV vaccines are available, and most people can get all three at the same visit. 💉

Rebecca Bell, MD, pediatric critical care physician at Golisano Children’s Hospital at University of Vermont Health, explains why the flu vaccine matters for you, your family and your community.

Learn more at the link in the comments.

01/13/2026

Honoring a Legacy of Compassion 💜

Pam MacPherson’s journey with hospice began in the early 1980s, when her beloved aunt received care during a time when hospice was still new in the U.S. That experience sparked a lifelong passion for ensuring dignity and compassion at the end of life.

For more than 40 years, Pam has served as an advocate, educator, connector and volunteer — helping families navigate one of life’s most profound moments. Now, she and her husband, Bruce, are ensuring that commitment lives on through the MacPherson Family Fund, an endowed fund supporting hospice care for generations to come.

Establishing a way to continue supporting hospice long after their lifetimes was deeply meaningful to both Pam and Bruce. For both, giving back in this way is more than philanthropy — it’s an extension of their lives and values. “It’s coming from what is meaningful to us and what we’ve committed our hearts to,” Pam reflects.

Pam’s commitment to hospice has changed their lives in ways they never could have imagined. “It’s just so powerful to bear witness and to be given that privilege,” says Pam about sitting vigil with a dying person.

“There isn’t anything else in my life that’s quite like that for impact. I’m just so grateful. I feel like for years, I have learned about living from people who are dying.”

To learn more about supporting hospice care or establishing a fund within the Home Health & Hospice endowment, contact Maya Fehrs, director of development, at 802-860-4475.

01/06/2026

🌸 Throwback to a Beautiful Fall Day at the Respite House! 🌸

Back in October, when the grass was still green and mums were in full bloom, our friends from JPMorganChase spent an afternoon making our outdoor spaces shine. They planted vibrant fall flowers (thanks to Claussen’s for the donation!), assembled Adirondack chairs and gave our wooden furniture a fresh coat of oil.

This annual tradition goes back more than a decade, with some volunteers joining us since 2012! Each year, their hard work helps keep our grounds welcoming for residents and families — whether power washing the gazebos, weeding the gardens or cleaning the birdfeeders.

A huge thank-you to the JPMorganChase team for their continued dedication. We’re already looking forward to next year! 💚

01/03/2026

❤ MOSAIC PROJECT | Heartfelt Connections ❤
“We support parents by helping them connect and ask questions, and to let kids be kids.” Meet Michael Towle, Chief Financial Officer at University of Vermont Health – Home Health & Hospice.
~~~
On a September day in 2012, life changed suddenly for our family.

That’s when we learned our 3-month-old son, Jack, needed open heart surgery for a congenital defect.

We had no idea anything was wrong when we took Jack for his checkup. Even when our pediatrician referred us to Golisano Children’s Hospital at UVM Health for a possible heart murmur, we didn’t expect what came next.

We found out that Jack had a ventricular septal defect — a hole between his heart chambers. Left untreated, he likely would not live past his 20s.

It’s hard to describe what you feel as a parent in that moment. But after the shock, you put on your shell and find strength. You do what is needed.

We endured months of medication, ambulance rides and waiting. Jack’s surgery was postponed twice due to illness before he finally had the procedure in February 2013. That was the longest day of my life. I’ll never forget seeing him after the surgery, hooked up to so many machines.

Today, Jack is thriving: He’s a healthy, active 13-year-old, and the Kevlar patch in his heart lets him live a normal life. He plays sports and practices martial arts. We are a happy, and lucky, family of five — Jack and our two daughters.

But many families are still going through similar things. That's why my wife, Katie, and I started an organization called VT Cardiac Kids: To support parents by helping them connect and ask questions, and to let kids be kids.

Our first event was a breakfast with Santa in 2014. Now, we’re a registered nonprofit, hosting outings to baseball and hockey games, apple orchards and the Vermont Teddy Bear Factory.

Our families come from Vermont, upstate New York and New Hampshire. Some kids have been through multiple heart surgeries, with more ahead.

It’s so important for families to know they’re not alone. That connection is the biggest thing.
~~~
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.

12/29/2025

What if you needed 24-hour medical care, but wanted to stay home?

Shaun McGuire of South Burlington does.

Thanks to a high-tech nursing program—and his family’s dedication, he gets care right where he belongs: At home.

This small but critical program keeps patients out of the hospital and supports families throughout Vermont.

Learn more about Shaun’s story and high-tech nursing at the link in comments.

12/29/2025

🌟 Staff Spotlight: Diane Bacon, LPN 🌟

28 years. That’s how long Diane Bacon cared for one client in their home. Over nearly three decades, she became more than a nurse — she became family. For Diane, the work was never just about tasks; it was about connection, trust and sharing life’s moments.

That extraordinary relationship began in 1995 and continued until the family relocated in 2023. Saying goodbye wasn’t easy, but Diane’s love for this work kept her from retiring. Instead, she came full circle, joining our Adult Day Program — a place where she had once filled in years earlier. Today, she continues to make a difference as a per diem nurse, “ever grateful to still be part of a great organization.”

💬 “I’ve always loved working with older adults and hearing their stories. They’re a piece of history, and I’m always learning from them,” Diane shares.

Diane first joined UVM Home Health & Hospice (then the VNA) in December 1990, bringing with her a passion for caring for older adults — a calling that began in 1977.

💚 Thank you, Diane, for 35 years of dedication, compassion and heart. We’re so grateful to have you as part of our team!

12/27/2025

🌟 MOSAIC PROJECT | Bringing Light, Building Trust 🌟
“Whether it’s welcoming a new neighbor or organizing community events, I’ve always believed small gestures make a big difference.” Meet Dana Frusco, the executive assistant for the Associate VP of operations and the facilities department at Champlain Valley Medical Center
~~~
I thought I’d be an attorney, shaping policy in the halls of power. In high school and college, I had my sights set on public service — writing legislation, working in government. I interned in Senator Clinton’s office, worked on agricultural policy and helped draft early versions of what would become New York’s farm-to-fork program.

It was meaningful work, but after a few years in D.C., I realized law school and life inside the Beltway wasn’t for me. I wanted something more human, more immediate. Not federal policy, but everyday care. Things essential to life, yet rarely in the spotlight. That realization brought me back to the North Country. I traded influence for impact, put down roots and focused on what matters most: building trust, creating space for others and making sure people feel seen. Whether it’s welcoming a new neighbor or organizing community events, I’ve always believed small gestures make a big difference.

I’ve also spent years building relationships at the hospital, especially with the teams who keep things running behind the scenes — people who don’t always get credit but whose work holds everything together.

I’ve always been someone who fights for others. I’ve done civil rights work, volunteered with LGBTQ+ organizations, and helped secure asylum for families fleeing political violence. I’ve been proud to help build bridges — literal and figurative — between Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital and the community. The first year our team joined the Plattsburgh Pride March, someone in the crowd said, “It’s nice to see CVPH out here.” That moment meant everything to me.

I’m also a mom to an autistic son. I advocate fiercely for him and others like him. I believe healing isn’t just physical — it’s emotional and spiritual, too.

I dream of opening a community wellness center that complements medical care with things like energy work, compassion and Shrinrin-yoku, Japanese forest bathing, which encourages individuals to spend time in nature and reconnect. Until then, I bring my light wherever I can.
~~~
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.

12/23/2025

The Murphy family recently donated much-needed items to the Respite House in memory of their grandmother, Donna Murphy. Her great-grandchildren — Henry, Carter and Raegan — joined in the effort. Donna’s granddaughter, Kalee, shared: “Our family is so very thankful for this beautiful facility and the caring staff we met while she was here.” 💙 Please join us in thanking the Murphy family for their heartfelt gift!

12/21/2025

A new biomarker test developed by our cardiology researchers could reveal who’s at highest risk of dangerous bleeding from blood thinners - and who’s more likely to experience a second heart attack. Hear this breakthrough and more on this week’s podcast.

🔗 Link in the comments.

~~~

Real stories. Real care. Real impact.

Living Healthy Together | Changing the Beat: How UVM Medical Center Is Advancing Heart Care

Across America, heart disease causes nearly 1 million deaths each year. In Vermont and northern New York, tens of thousands are impacted annually. At UVM Medical Center, a small but mighty team of heart specialists has spent decades advancing cardiac care for patients and our understanding of the complex factors that impact heart health.

Join us to learn more about the paradigm-shifting work of the Cardiology team at our region’s only academic medical center. You’ll hear about a new biomarker test that gives physicians prescribing blood thinning medications more information than ever before, new treatments for the sickest heart patients and previously unknown misconceptions about heart health.

UVM Health - Home Health & Hospice

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