Friday marked a moment of celebration for local hospital officials

Friday marked a moment of celebration for local hospital officials tempered by the persistent and daunting challenges facing rural healthcare systems. Local, state and federal officials gathered Friday at Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital to announce the receipt of critical funding for facility construction projects and to discuss the myriad needs of hospitals and health care providers in rural America. NVRH is slated to receive $17.5 million in grants and loans from USDA to support the second phase of the hospital’s expansion and renovation that is already underway. NVRH is currently adding four beds to the Emergency Department, and with the new funding, intends to continue the expansion and renovation of the ED as well as expand the lab and pharmacy services at the hospital.