Awards and New Members at PHC Annual Meeting 2024

On November 15, 2024, the Public Health Council of the Upper Valley (PHC) Board of Directors held their annual meeting at Hypertherm with 54 community members and public health advocates in attendance.

During the business portion of the meeting, Bise Wood Saint Eugene, of Lebanon, was elected to serve a 3-year term on the Board. Suellen Griffin was elected to serve as Board Chair for 2025, taking the reins from W. Brett Mayfield, who steps aside after 2 years in the role.

2024 Public Health Hall of Fame Awards

Each year, the PHC Board of Directors also solicits nominations for our Public Health Hall of Fame Award. This year, we celebrated the noteworthy work of two Upper Valley institutions: Community Nurse Connections and the Upper Valley Medical Reserve Corp.

Board Chair Brett Mayfield presents Kristin Barnum with the award as CNC Board Members, Laurie Harding and Don Kollisch, look on.

Community Nurse Connections: Under the capable leadership of Kristin Barnum, CNC advocates for and supports a growing network of Community Nurses who care for people, especially older adults, who struggle to live on their own, and who are not accessing needed services. Kristin plays a critical role in guiding communities interested in Community Nursing and collaborating with health care organizations to help them understand the role of the nurse. CNC also helps sustain Community Nursing through a robust documentation system and structured mutual support for Community Nurses. CNC understands vulnerable people are falling through the cracks of our health care system and works tirelessly to fill the need.

Misha McNabb, MRC Unit Leader from the Vermont Department of Health — WRJ District, accepts the Public Health Hall of Fame Award from Brett Mayfield, PHC Board Chair and UVMRC Member.

Upper Valley Medical Reserve Corps: The award was given in recognition of our region’s MRC Unit 1776, formed in 2008, which includes more than 150 medical and non-medical volunteers. This rare bistate MRC Unit is led by coordinators from the Vermont Department of Health – Springfield, Vermont Department of Health – WRJ, and Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center Population Health. From Tropical Storm Irene to the COVID-19 pandemic to recent flooding events, the UV MRC has supported regional emergency response capacity. The unit also promotes community health through event support at vaccination clinics, road races, fairs, and training such as Stop the Bleed, Be Bright at Night, and Narcan administration education. In these activities, the UV MRC builds resilience in our communities to buffer the effects of the health threats we all face.

A Regional Vision for Public Health

The meeting included a panel presentation exploring ways to build a more regional approach to public health. Panelists included Shaun Mulholland, Lebanon City Manager; Leigh Hayes, Chief Building Official and Health Officer, City of Lebanon; Heather Rigney, Emergency Preparedness Coordinator/Medical Reserve Corps Statewide Coordinator, Vermont Department of Health; Elizabeth Austin, Executive Director, Good Neighbor Health Clinic/Red Logan Dental Clinic; and Alice Ely, Public Health Council.

PHC is our region’s trusted leader in public health, supporting the people, professionals, and organizations who, together, make our communities healthier places to live, work, and play. Our mission is to improve the health of all Upper Valley residents.

2025 Schedule of Meetings Begins January 17

The next meeting of the Public Health Council is Friday, January 17, 2025, from 9:00 to 11:00 am. The meeting will be virtual. The agenda and login information can be found on the PHC website at www.uvpublichealth.org. All meetings are open to the public.