Porter hospital readies for its 100th birthday

Porter Medical Center has accumulated more than its fair share of compelling stories during its first century as Addison County’s cradle-to-grave health care hub. Thousands of births spanning multiple generations, and patients vanquishing life- threatening illnesses since Porter Memorial Hospital was built in 1925.

Officials at Porter Medical Center, a UVMHN affiliate in Middlebury, said the cuts will not directly affect health care operations here, but Addison County patients will feel the pinch for some health care services.

Bob Ortmyer has worked as interim president and COO at Middlebury’s Porter Medical Center since this past September. Now he will lead the southern region of UVM Health Network.

Approximately 300 support staff and technical workers at Porter Medical Center voted decisively on March 3 to unionize, a move that will lead to collective bargaining negotiations with Porter’s administration later this year.

The nursing home confirmed that 21 of its residents tested positive for COVID-19, and the facility has reinstituted its visitor/staff masking requirement.

This community needs this hospital. This hospital needs this community. And, we have to do the work to connect the two in a meaningful and productive way.

Visitors to most units of three UVM Health Network hospitals in Vermont will not not have to wear masks starting Wednesday.

Got questions about anxiety and depression? Doctors and social workers will answer anonymous questions this Wednesday.

National Guard medics fill in at pandemic-pinched medical laboratory.

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)

BURLINGTON — The University of Vermont Health Network, which includes Middlebury’s Porter Medical Center, will require employees to either get a COVID-19 vaccination by Oct. 1, or be subject to weekly testing for the disease, which has killed 260 Vermonte … (read more)

MIDDLEBURY — Porter Medical Center has hired a new chief financial officer. Scott Comeau began his new role as the Middlebury hospital, rehab center and physicians network’s new associate vice president/chief financial officer last month.Comeau has a dive … (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 note … (read more)

UPDATE: On Friday the Middlebury location for the driveu-up COID testing changed to the Town Recreation Center off Creek Road in Middlebury. Local Emergency Management Director Tom Hanley said the testing will be done outside in the back parking lot of th … (read more)