UVM Health - Alice Hyde Medical Center, 133 Park Street, Malone, NY (2025)

11/23/2025

Hunting Season is Here—Stay Safe Out There!

Hunting season in New York runs from now until December 7, and we want everyone to enjoy it safely. Here are a few quick tips to keep in mind:

✅ Wear blaze orange so other hunters can see you
✅ Use a safety harness if you’re in a tree stand
✅ Treat every firearm as if it’s loaded
✅ Know your target—and what’s beyond it
✅ Dress for the weather and tell someone where you’ll be

Let’s make this season safe and injury-free!

More tips in the comments below.

11/22/2025

🎼 MOSAIC PROJECT | When Memory Sings 🎼
“I was born in Sierra Leone in western Africa and adopted by a family in Connecticut when I was 3.” Meet Ashley Snow, an activities coordinator at UVM Medical Center.
~~~
I was born in Sierra Leone in western Africa and adopted by a family in Connecticut when I was 3. I didn’t speak English yet, but music was a language I could understand. My parents used to sing me to sleep, and music quickly became my second language. Whenever I’m singing, practicing or performing, it feels like home.

When I was a little girl, I would tell people that I was going to be a singing doctor — someone who helped people while singing to them. I had not yet learned about the scientific benefits of music, but I was living proof of it. Music has guided and shaped my life.

Some of my earliest memories are visits to my grandmother’s nursing home, which I thought was the happiest place on earth. She was on the swim team, loved community events and even taught my siblings and me billiards in the activities room. From then on, I knew I wanted to work with older adults.

Gradually my two passions converged. I trained as an opera singer at Interlochen Arts Academy, where I first learned about music therapy. I went on to study it at Ohio University.

Seeing music therapy in action changed everything. As a student, I worked with a woman in memory care who had been nonverbal for years. After weeks of music therapy, she sang her name to me.

I think of that moment often. It was the moment I knew I’d work in memory care.

During the pandemic, I was an activities assistant at a senior care center in California. Overnight, as lockdowns took effect, I became a bridge for families and their loved ones, a companion for the lonely, and an advocate for improving residents’ quality of life with less reliance on medications. Movement, friendship, music and connection became the foundation for better health and deeper human connection.

It’s a focus I’ve brought with me to my work at University of Vermont Health - UVM Medical Center. The work isn’t easy, but it’s worth it — especially being able to bring out a part of someone that memory has taken. Sometimes, all it takes is a little companionship. And it never hurts to try music.
~~~
The Mosaic Project is a collection of short stories about the people of University of Vermont Health. These are your coworkers, caregivers, neighbors, family members, friends – each with unique life experiences that are part of the vibrant mosaic of who we are.
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11/21/2025

Who will care for our rural communities tomorrow? Two residency programs in our region are training the next generation of physicians to answer that call.

🎧 Listen to the podcast to hear how these programs are shaping the future of rural care.
Link in comments.

~~~

Real stories. Real care. Real impact.

Living Healthy Together | Growing Rural Health Care: Inside UVM Health’s Family Medicine Residency Programs

Only 10% of physicians practice in rural areas — and just one percent of graduate medical training programs are located in rural communities, meaning many, if not most, providers-in-training aren’t exposed to rural health care at all.

We explore two residency programs that buck this trend: the Family Medicine Residency Programs at the University of Vermont Medical Center in Burlington, Vt., and Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital in Plattsburgh, N.Y.

Learn how the next generation of physicians is thinking about practicing medicine in rural America, and dive into how these programs have found success in both attracting medical students and keeping physicians in our communities after they graduate.

11/20/2025

Ever imagine what life would be like if you couldn't eat your favorite foods?

That was the reality Jeff Thomas lived with after a stroke, until he learned about a therapy that changed everything.

From a feeding tube to family dinners, his fight will move you.

~~~

Pizza, cheese bread and cake.

It’s a simple meal to celebrate a birthday — but for Jeff Thomas, it once felt impossible.

After a stroke, Thomas couldn’t swallow. He lived with a feeding tube, carried a spit bucket and relied on medication patches to manage constant drooling. He couldn’t enjoy meals with his family and felt isolated.

“I thought for sure I’d be spitting in that bucket the rest of my life,” he recalls. “I had lost so much weight, and I didn’t think I’d ever get back to where I was before.”

That changed when he met Anthony Lewis, MA, CCC-SLP, senior speech language pathologist at University of Vermont Health–Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital. Lewis introduced Jeff to Ampcare, a therapy using gentle electrical stimulation to help muscles relearn how to swallow. It was newly available at the hospital — and for Jeff, it was life changing.

“He put electrodes on my chin, and after just a few sessions, I could feel the muscles working again,” Thomas says. “It was weird at first, but it worked. It really worked.” He immediately set a goal: take his daughter out for lunch on her birthday, three months away. After six sessions, he started to feel more like himself again. A follow-up swallow study confirmed he could eat regular food, and his feeding tube was removed.

After a year of frustration, Thomas enjoyed the birthday meal — complete with pizza and cheese bread.

“I can eat anything I want now,” he says with a big smile. “Thank God. I never thought I’d get here. I can’t thank Tony enough.”

Lewis saw Thomas’s determination firsthand.

“Jeff came in with a goal, and he worked hard,” Lewis says. “Ampcare gave him the tools, but it was his spirit that made the difference. Seeing him eat again, seeing him smile — it’s why we do what we do.”

Thomas has regained much of the weight he lost and, more importantly, his confidence. Ice cream, mac and cheese and cereal are among his favorites. He also loves going out to eat — which has become a bit of a habit for Thomas and his father.

“Every time I go into Plattsburgh for rehab or any reason, really, I always want to go somewhere and eat,” he says. “After a while, my dad would jokingly give me a look, like he’s saying, ‘Really? Again?’ But I know he is just really happy to see me able to do these kinds of things again.”

Thomas was among the first to receive Ampcare therapy at the hospital. Since then, Lewis has treated several other patients and is thrilled with the results.

“We’re seeing more and more patients like Jeff who are able to regain their ability to swallow and eat like so many of us do every day,” Lewis explains. “It’s changing lives, and it’s just the beginning.”

“I just want people to know what the hospital did for me,” Thomas adds. “They gave me my life back.”

11/19/2025

🌟 Spotlight on Compassion: Honoring Dr. Stanley Yang

We wanted to take a moment to celebrate Dr. Stanley Yang for his exceptional dedication to patients and their families.

A colleague, Ashleigh Weegar, discharge planner, shared how Dr. Yang went above and beyond to keep her informed about her elderly father’s care. Despite a busy schedule, he followed up at 5:30 p.m. on a Friday to review test results, discuss changes and develop a care plan — spending time ensuring the family felt supported and informed.

“I was really impressed with his commitment to compassionate care and witnessed firsthand how he truly puts his patients first,” said Weegar. “This means the world to me not only as a daughter and caregiver, but also as an employee of Alice Hyde. I am grateful to have Dr. Yang caring for my father and caring for our patients in the community.”

Not every doctor takes the time to connect so personally with patients and their loved ones. Dr. Yang’s commitment to compassionate care is a reminder of the incredible dedication of our clinicians every day. Thank you, Dr. Yang, for putting your patients and our community first!

11/18/2025

You may already know that smoking and genetics can raise your cancer risk. But did you know some viruses can, too?

While less common, viruses are responsible for 15% to 20% of cancers worldwide. The good news: You can take steps to protect yourself, including getting vaccinated and reducing exposure.

We spoke with Ashley Volaric, MD, a pathologist at University of Vermont Medical Center and assistant professor at The Robert Larner, M.D. College of Medicine at The University of Vermont, about four viruses that can increase your cancer risk — and how to stay safe.

Link in the comments.

11/18/2025

You may already know that smoking and genetics can raise your cancer risk. But did you know some viruses can, too?

While less common, viruses are responsible for 15% to 20% of cancers worldwide. The good news: You can take steps to protect yourself, including getting vaccinated and reducing exposure.

We spoke with Ashley Volaric, MD, a pathologist at University of Vermont Medical Center and assistant professor at The Robert Larner, M.D. College of Medicine at The University of Vermont, about four viruses that can increase your cancer risk — and how to stay safe.

11/17/2025

A lot of injuries happen during ordinary moments - but the good news is, most can be prevented.

Here are a few quick reminders to help you stay safe as the snow starts to arrive.

Want to learn more?
Our team is hosting a virtual "lunch and learn" tomorrow, November 18 at noon.
Link in the comments.

11/16/2025

✨ MOSAIC PROJECT | Not Just Smoke and Mirrors ✨
“I never imagined a magic trick could save a life.” Meet Kurt Trautmann, a licensed pharmacist, at Alice Hyde Medical Center.
~~~
I never imagined a magic trick could save a life.

But after decades of performing the Mr. Yuk Magic Show, I’ve seen how a little wonder can leave a lasting impression. Kids remember the giggles, the surprises and most importantly, the message.

For 50 years, I’ve blended magic and poison-prevention for children. Not because I wanted to be a magician, but because I wanted them to remember. You can’t lecture 4-year-olds about poison safety. But if you make it fun, colorful and engaging, they’ll carry that lesson with them for life.

I don’t try to fool them. Little kids are literal. If something disappears, they’ll say, “It went up your sleeve.” So, I don’t aim for mystification — I aim for joy. I bring out spring snakes, inflatable wands, silly props and a stuffed rabbit named David Hopperfield. I ask them to help me make the magic happen. And when they do, their faces light up. That’s the moment I live for.

Every year, I tweak the show — adding a new trick or swapping out a prop. I’ve got banners that say “Caution: Magic Zone,” and a six-foot wand that’s always a hit in class photos. But the heart of it never changes: teaching kids to be smart, safe and to have fun doing it.

I’ve seen thousands of kids over the years. Some still have Mr. Yuk stickers on bottles at home. Some remember the exact tricks I did. That tells me the message stuck.

And that’s the real magic. It’s not about the disappearing scarves or misbehaving wands. It’s knowing something I did helped a child stay safe. That’s why I keep going. If I can leave a little wonder in their hearts and a little wisdom in their heads, then I’ve done something that matters.
~~~
The Mosaic Project is a collection of short stories about the people of University of Vermont Health. These are your coworkers, caregivers, neighbors, family members, friends – each with unique life experiences that are part of the vibrant mosaic of who we are.

11/15/2025

A kitchen fire spiraled into an opioid addiction that nearly took everything from him.

🎧 Listen to the podcast to hear how he found his way back.

Link in comments

~~~

Real stories. Real care. Real impact.

Living Healthy Together | Pathways to Recovery: Inside Central Vermont’s Unique Substance Use Disorder Treatment System

Nearly 15 years ago, a kitchen grease spill at home left Aaron Blair with burns on his foot so severe that he needed skin grafts and months of recovery. What Aaron could never have predicted at the time was that his traumatic injury would also begin a years-long struggle with opioid use disorder. Before Aaron knew it, he was taking 15 Percocet a day – along with oxycontin and other prescription painkillers.

Join us as we follow Aaron’s journey through opioid use disorder and meet the mental health and substance use clinicians, peer recovery coaches and primary care physicians who have built a unique regional system of treatment, care and support that has served thousands of people across our region – and is now being replicated in other states.

11/13/2025

Our Radiology team is on the move — literally!

Alice Hyde’s new mobile X-ray system is an upgrade to our existing portable imaging capability, offering faster performance, higher image quality and greater ease of use for our caregivers.

The enhanced unit allows our team to perform high-quality imaging right at the patient’s bedside — reducing the need to move patients who are immobile or critically ill, saving time and improving comfort.

From our Emergency Department to inpatient units, this new technology is improving both patient care and efficiency — another example of how we’re investing in technology that supports our teams and enhances the care we provide every day.

“It’s a big win for our patients and our staff,” said Kaela Bonesteel, director of Radiology and CPS. “Having this upgraded capability enhances our ability to provide timely, compassionate care wherever it’s needed.”

11/12/2025

When one patient’s dialysis journey revealed how complex kidney care can be, Dr. Macaulay Onuigbo teamed up with UVM engineers to find smarter, more reliable solutions. Together, they’re working to make dialysis treatment safer and easier for patients.

“This is exactly where academic medicine shines,” says Dr. Onuigbo, “when a committed and dedicated multidisciplinary team can combine clinical insight with engineering innovation to find a new solution for an old problem.”

👉 Read the full story in the comments.

The Robert Larner, M.D. College of Medicine at The University of Vermont | UVM College of Engineering and Mathematical Sciences

UVM Health - Alice Hyde Medical Center

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