Family Sees Stroke Survivor's First Unassisted Steps Thanks to Telehealth Technology

There was not a dry eye in the hospital hallway -- or on the computer -- as Tom Delaronde took his first unassisted steps after surviving a stroke. Though unconventional, the virtual visit allowed Mr. Delaronde to share the recovery milestone with loved ones staying home to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus, COVID-19. Just weeks ago, Mr. Delaronde’s family cheered him on in person at the University of Vermont Health Network - Elizabethtown Community Hospital. Since [...]

'I'm right where I want to be'

If not for Star Trek’s Dr. Spock, Johnnie Wren, MD, might not be practicing family medicine at the Au Sable Forks Health Center in northern New York. Fresh out of medical school and hoping to find a residency program to launch her career into family medicine, Dr. Wren attended a regional recruitment conference in Massachusetts. She remembers the conference was held shortly before Halloween. “I saw one group of program recruiters, head-to-toe in full costumes – incl [...]

Heart Care Hits the Road

The earlier Gavin Noble, MD, can discover a problem with a patient’s heart, the better. But when that patient lives in a rural community, where specialty care like cardiology isn’t available close by, discovering that problem can be impossible. “From Ticonderoga, it’s more than an hour drive to Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital in Plattsburgh, and nearly as far to Middl [...]

Puppy Love: Employees' Love of Animals Helps Support Local Shelters

“I wish I could take them all home,” says Michelle Meachem, surveying the dozens of dogs and cats nestled in their temporary home at the North Country Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NCSPCA) in Elizabethtown, New York. “If we don’t take care of these animals, who will?” The proud owner of several boxer dogs and an all-round animal lover, Meachem has been volunteering at the NCSPCA since 2017, first serving as a board member before [...]

Jessica Jeffrey, RN Honored with DAISY Award

ECH program celebrates extraordinary nurses

Joining Elizabethtown Community Hospital in May 2023, Jessica Jeffrey, RN quickly bonded with her colleagues on the night shift. Her supportive and caring nature extends to every one of her patients.  That is why Jessica is ECH’s newest recipient of the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses®. Jessica was nominated by one of her patients who wrote how she went above and beyond to provide help and a calming presence when an issue arose during th [...]

At the Heart of the Matter

Cardiac Rehabilitation Helps Keene Valley Resident on Road to Recovery

Beverly O’Connor had a problem. She was missing morning walks with her childhood friend. The issue was with her heart. “I could never catch my breath and it got to the point where I couldn’t walk for more than a few minutes at a time without stopping,” said O’Connor, a long-time resident of Keene Valley, New York. “When I first arrived at cardiac rehab, I was really scared that I’d never feel well again.” O&rsq [...]