Porter battles inflation, major staffing problems

Porter Medical Center has embarked on a major effort to reduce its expenses in light of declining reimbursement for health care services, spiraling inflation and a workforce shortage that’s forcing the county’s hospital to fill some posts with traveling nurses whose compensation can amount to four times more than a staff RN.

What has happened to so many fine doctors, nurses, HR directors, PR development advocates at our community hospital, Porter Medical Center? 

I had to go into Porter Hospital this morning for what we call, I believe, a routine procedure — if I say that I had spent the previous day chugging Miralax to prepare, an inquiring reader might be able to figure out the details.

The mission and volunteers of End of Life Services, a non-profit hospice care agency in Addison County, will be integrated into Porter Medical center.

Editor’s note: The Letters Forum in the Independent is a place for correspondents to exchange information and opinions on issues of public policy and matters of broad public interest. As such, we don’t generally publish letters from a person extolling the … (read more)

MIDDLEBURY — After 32 years of service as the chief spokesperson and communications leader for Porter Medical Center, Ron Hallman stepped down from his role as Vice President for Communications and Engagement on Sept. 2.Through his hard work understanding … (read more)

MIDDLEBURY — Beginning later this month, all Porter Medical Center employees will be making at least $15 an hour.This new minimum base wage, to take effect July 12, is part of a major effort by one of the county’s largest employers to boost its wages to r … (read more)

MIDDLEBURY — Through the years, lifelong Middlebury residents Ben and Lois Foster developed a deep appreciation for Helen Porter Rehabilitation & Nursing. While he was alive, Ben showed his gratitude through service on the Porter Medical Center (PMC) boar … (read more)

MIDDLEBURY — After keeping most visitors from the hospital and nursing home for a year to guard against the spread of the coronavirus, Porter Hospital and Helen Porter Rehabilitation & Nursing today are easing some visitor restrictions. It is part of a lo … (read more)

MIDDLEBURY — Porter Medical Center President Tom Thompson is asking his managers to be frugal during the coming months in an effort to reduce a budget deficit produced in part by the COVID-19 pandemic. In a recent email to the PMC community Thompson noted … (read more)

MIDDLEBURY — Porter Medical Center President Tom Thompson is asking his managers to be frugal during the coming months in an effort to reduce a budget deficit produced in part by the COVID-19 pandemic. In a recent email to the PMC community, Thompson note … (read more)

MIDDLEBURY — Porter Medical Center is adopting a new leadership structure that will invite more physicians input into management of the county’s hospital, nursing home and a dozen affiliated provider practices. It’s a move that Porter administrators belie … (read more)

MIDDLEBURY — Porter Medical Center has created a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Council to help the county’s hospital create a more just, welcoming and responsive place for people of all colors, nationalities and religions to work and receive healt … (read more)

Racism is a public health issue. Black communities and other communities of color have higher rates of newborn death, childhood illness, women dying in pregnancy and childbirth, and shorter lives with higher rates of severe illness. Porter, as a healthcar … (read more)

MIDDLEBURY — By the end of this week, Porter Hospital will have given out a combined total of 1,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses to its staff and other frontline healthcare workers, though state and federal authorities have yet to indicate when the vaccine will … (read more)