Copley Hospital Named EMS Hospital of the Year
Copley Hospital Named EMS Hospital of the YearMorrisville Copley Hospital has been named the 2008 EMS Hospital of the Year by the Vermont Department of Health Office of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and Injury Prevention. Denis Barton, head of the Vermont Department of Healths Office of Rural Health and Flex Program, presented the award March 29 during the 20th annual Vermont EMS Conference. Accepting for Copley were: Donna Toohey, RN and Nurse Manager, Emergency Room & Ambulatory Care Unit; Dale Porter, RN; Emergency Medical Technician Tammy Lurvey and Leah Hollenberger, Senior Director Development and Public Relations. The Hospital of the Year award is considered to be a peoples choice award as the winner is selected by their EMS peers. Copley was nominated by services of EMS District #4.Tonight we recognize a hospital that is successfully meeting the challenge of a new model for patient services, said Barton when presenting the award. &by asking the question What is right for the patient?, [Copley] has shaped local policies and procedures in ways that support a team approach to the best possible care with the resources available.The award recognizes the changing role of community hospitals in Vermont. This evolution has brought about the challenge of a creating a new model for patient care. As a critical access hospital, Copley has embraced this challenge, fulfilling its role as the emergency resource center for Lamoille County and the surrounding area, at the same time building a critical care transfer team that is a key element in achieving rapid transfer for those who require specialized care at a tertiary center. We are so proud to receive this award, recognizing the collaborative relationship Copley has long had with EMS driven by the goal to advance EMS care for our community, says Copley Hospital spokesperson Leah Hollenberger. For residents and visitors in the Lamoille County area, Copley is the resource for critical stabilizing care in life-threatening emergencies. And they can rest easy, knowing Copley and our EMS teams are leaders in providing both high-tech sophisticated medicine along with high-touch compassionate care.As Hospital of the Year, Copley was recognized for excellence in communications between EMS and the Emergency Department as well as for support it provides in the areas of education and EMS personnel development, resources, technical assistance to EMS, and integration of EMS in the spectrum of care. In particular, Copley was noted for its support in providing doctors to local squads to help critique and teach, an ED nurse to provide district training, and years of providing and presenting an injury prevention program. A number of EMS providers serve on Copleys staff and local rescue squads are an integral part of Copleys annual free Health Fair for the community. In addition, Copley supports EMS classes, providing meeting space and equipment. Copley Hospital is Lamoille Countys non-profit community hospital, providing expert quality care with a personal touch. The hospital is an essential health care resource in this rural region and employs more than 500 people. Copley provides excellent primary care, womens and childrens health services, emergency services, general surgery and orthopedics, along with a state-of-the-art Cancer Care program, Pain Management, and access to a variety of medical specialists on its campus in Morrisville. Committed to fostering wellness, Copley sponsors extensive community education opportunities, focusing primarily on diabetes, obesity, heart health, and personal safety. In 2007, Copley provided more than one million dollars in charity care. Copley Hospital is located at 528 Washington Highway in Morrisville, VT.