Annual Report July 2024 – June 2025
Board of Directors:
- Don Murray, President – Fayston
- Polly Bednash, Vice President – Waitsfield
- Rosemarie White, Treasurer – Warren
- Steve Fried, Secretary – Waitsfield
- Bill Zekas, Treasurer – Moretown
- Danielle Hampton – Fayston
- Mike Curtin – Fayston
- Judy Phelon – Warren
- Rosemarie White – Warren
- Ted LaRock – Warren
The Board gave a heartfelt thanks to Mike Kelley upon the completion of his term on the Board in September of 2024.
In November 2024 the Board learned that Central Vermont Medical Center would be closing the Mad River Family Practice here. For additional details on the efforts made by the Board to avoid this closure, click here. Ultimately, CVMC announced that their final day of seeing patients would be at the end of September 2025. While CVMC’s departure will have a significant impact on the Valley and the Health Center, all other tenants remained current on their rent payments. As had been the practice in past years, rent increase was limited to the CPI. There was no other turnover of tenants during the year. On June 30, the following health care providers were using the Health Center to deliver their services.
- Mad River Valley Family Practice (CVMC)
- Three Moons Wellness
- Hannah’s House
- Dr. Richard Davis
As noted above, while CVMC announced that it will be leaving as a tenant, the Board began having discussions with Dr. John Wilson, one of the physicians at the clinic. Ultimately, Dr. Wilson decided to leave CVMC and to start his own clinic here. The clinic that Dr. Wilson will be starting will be based upon the small patient volume model – maximizing on time with patients and focusing on disease prevention. This model gives patients more direct access to the doctor. This model does limit the number of patients that a doctor can see, but it also means that the doctor can spend more time with each patient, often offering same-day or next-day appointments and being more available through phone, email, and even house calls. A retainer fee is paid for this service which generally covers the doctor’s availability and time but is separate from a patient’s insurance.
Both the Board and Dr. Wilson are acutely aware that such a practice may not be the ‘ideal’ solution to the decision by CVMC to close its clinic here. However, having looked at a number of other potential options, this is the only one that Dr. Wilson feels can work financially. Having exhausted many other options, when Dr. Wilson asked if the Board would be willing to rent space to him for his proposed new practice, the Board agreed. Dr. Wilson has indicated that he wants to remain here in the Valley and wants to continue to see patients here. While not all potential patients will be able to utilize this new service, the Board determined that there were no other solutions available. Note too that Dr. Wilson will not be utilizing all of the space that CVMC has been renting, so there remains room for some other type of practice if one can be found. Dr. Wilson’s new practice is slated to open in late October or early November.
With the vision and energy of board member Polly Bednash, in the fall of 2024 a highly successful vaccination clinic was held where COVID, flu (including the quadrivalent for adults over age 64), RSV, Shingles, Prevnar (pneumonia), and Tdap (tetanus) vaccines were offered. The clinic was a success in large part due to the pharmacists and staff at the Waterbury Shaw’s Osco Pharmacy who contributed their time and services by hosting this clinic and providing the vaccinations.
The facility remains in excellent condition. However, given that the building is now just over 20 years old, we can expect increased maintenance in future years. Overall, the financial situation remains solid with few surprises. Barring any unusual expenses, sufficient reserves are available to fund most reasonably expected repairs. The next potential major project may be the roof. The roof should be good for 25 to 30 years and the building is currently just over 20 years old.
The Board of Directors is confident that the Health Center is financially stable and remains the highest quality facility in the Mad River Valley for health care professionals.