How NOTCH is making a healthy difference in Swanton

SWANTON — For 22 years, Northern Tier Center for Health has provided essential medical services to the Swanton community.

In 2002, NOTCH started by offering medical and behavioral health services at the Swanton School House Apartments on Church Street, but in the years since, the federally qualified health center has relocated and expanded to include dental services and a pharmacy, meeting community needs and filling important gaps. NOTCH services are available to everyone in the community, regardless of their ability to pay.

“That's the direction that we always tend to move in,” executive director Kathy Benoit said. “When there's a need, we identify it and then we try to act on it.”

At the Canada/York Street campus,medical, dental and pharmacy services are within walking distance of each other and Swanton’s main street.

“One of the many values of having these wrap-around services…is that it frees up local people's time,” said Sandy Kilburn, former NOTCH board member and Swanton resident.

Kilburn thinks having so many services nearby cuts down on travel time, which in turn gives people more time to spend with their families, participating in local government or supporting local businesses.

“The influence of NOTCH will be felt for generations to come,” she said.

NOTCH really expanded its reach in Swanton in 2015, when it bought the former Aubuchon Hardware Store and moved its medical and dental offerings to the more centralized location. The move created the opportunity to expand services; there are now eight dental operatories at the location on Canada Street.

In 2019, NOTCH took over the Swanton Rexall from longtime pharmacist Troy Spaulding who was beginning to plan his future retirement. By purchasing the pharmacy, and later moving it to the former TD Bank building on York Street, NOTCH ensured people from Swanton and the surrounding communities wouldn’t have to travel far to obtain their prescriptions.

The drive-thru window added further convenience along with other pharmacy services including medication synchronization, multi-dose packaging and medication disposal. Not only do these offerings provide convenience for the community, but they are also a necessity for many who access NOTCH services.

“We did not go in that direction to compete with other local businesses,” Benoit said. “We went in that direction because that was the only way these services were going to be retained in the community.”

Earlier this year, NOTCH launched a medical clinic at Missisquoi Valley Union High School. Dr. Scott Spicer, a board-certified pediatrician, provides pediatric care there two days a week for students and their siblings.

“We do see school-based services being the future,” Benoit said. “Parents need the convenience of getting their kids services for medical and dental care at the school.”

Overall, NOTCH employs about 250 people in Franklin County. About 60 of those employees work at the Swanton campus.

“The investment in the community goes beyond just the services that we provide; it's jobs and having a positive economic impact on the community’s landscape,” Benoit said. “Repurposing vacant and sometimes blighted properties within communities and transforming them into service sites is part of our blueprint for integrating accessible healthcare into places where they are most needed. Our investments help revitalize empty buildings and provide a place for community members to work as well as receive excellent quality care.

“Job opportunities are extremely important in a lot of these rural communities,” she added. “People don't have to travel in order to work, they can stay in their communities.”

NOTCH also knows the importance of hearing community feedback. The organization’s board is made up by a majority of members that are NOTCH patients, which Benoit said has been extremely helpful for learning about local wants and needs.

Kilburn recently retired from the board, but had been a member for more than two decades. As a former mental health counselor, she has a passion for strengthening families and has been glad to help NOTCH do that in Swanton.

In addition to the medical, dental and pharmacy offerings, Kilburn pointed to NOTCH’s healthy cooking classes in collaboration with NOTCH’s social grocery programs, offered at places like the Swanton Public Library and Abenaki of Missisquoi Tribal Office, which are helping to make people’s lives easier and healthier.

“So much is going on in Swanton that wouldn't be going on if it hadn't been for NOTCH’s presence here,” she said. “Young people are so involved now. More than ever. Because they have the time to put in on local issues.”

This is paid content. Northern Tier Center for Health is part of the Messenger’s Preferred Business Program. Learn more at www.samessenger.com/preferred_business_program.