In this season of giving, Southwestern Vermont Medical Center (SVMC), a member of Dartmouth Health, recognizes the community commitment that helps enhance patient care and experience.
Keeping patients closer to home for exceptional healthcare is at the heart of SVMC's mission.
Don and Nancy Kendall, of Mack Molding, believe in this mission. They helped fund a cardiac computed tomography (CT) scanner at our Bennington hospital this year, providing diagnostic capabilities typically found only at academic centers.
SVMC is now one of the few hospitals in Vermont to offer cardiac CT, giving local patients a non-invasive option that provides clinicians with a real-time view of the heart, valves, arteries, and more.
Don has experienced two heart attacks and worked closely through his recovery with Dr. Scott Rogge, Medical Director of SVMC Cardiology. Don’s interest was piqued when he heard about SVMC’s plan to improve cardiac diagnostic capabilities for patients by investing in a cardiac computed tomography (CT) scanner.
A Cardiac CT scan uses many X-rays from different angles to construct images of your heart using a scanner and computer. This quick but detailed and high-resolution scan shows your healthcare provider problems with your heart structure, valves, arteries, aorta and more. SVMC is one of only a few Vermont hospitals that has this technology.
With a price tag of over $1 million, SVMC knew it needed the support of its community to bring Cardiac CT to SVMC. The SVHC Foundation made Cardiac CT the focus of the 2024 Annual Fund campaign. Soon after, Don and Nancy Kendall reached out, committing a gift that made this investment possible.
Dr. Rogge, explains it best: “This is a huge boost to our diagnostic capabilities. Cardiac CT provides a real-time view of what’s happening and enables us to develop more informed treatment plans. Thank you to Don and Nancy for their incredible investment in our community and health system.”
This latest investment is only one piece of the Kendall's commitment to enhancing local care. They contributed significantly to the SVHC Foundation’s Vision 2020: A Decade of Transformation capital campaign, supporting construction of the Kendall Emergency Department, which fully opened in 2023.
“As the region’s only hospital, it touches the lives of everyone who lives here in some way at some time,” said Don. “We are truly fortunate to have this level of award-winning care available to us. My feeling is that of all the things you can support in Bennington County, this hospital should be at the top of your list. When you give to the hospital at any level, you give to the community and ensure everyone will be well cared for in the future.”