Local Hospitals are Major Economic Engine, Study Finds

Over 800 jobs; $79.6 million combined economic impact on local community

November 10, 2003

Brattleboro, VT -- Brattleboro's two local hospitals, Retreat Healthcare and Brattleboro Memorial Hospital, employ more than 800 people, equating to an average of 600 full-time jobs, and generate approximately $79.6 million a year for the local economy, according to a study released today by the Vermont Association of Hospitals and Health Systems [VAHHS]. BMH and the Retreat combined generate an additional 546 "indirect" jobs in the community, as a result of employees funneling wages back into the economy for goods and services.

The study, Vermont's Hospitals and Health Systems Sector: An Assessment of Economic Impact , is the second installment in a three-part report examining strengths of and challenges to Vermont's health care delivery network.

In a joint statement, Brattleboro Memorial Hospital's CEO and President Brian Mitteer and Retreat Healthcare's CEO and President Rick Palmisano said, "The study documents that in addition to providing first rate medical care and psychiatric and addictive disorder services to our community, our hospitals are among the largest employers in Brattleboro, and are crucial to the economic health of the region we serve. As our community begins to plan for our health care future, it is vitally important that local residents have accurate and reliable information about the many aspects of how our institutions function. We are pleased to provide this information to the public as a first step in launching the community dialogue that must now take place in our service area."

Copies of the detailed Economic Impact Reports on each institution are available online at www.vahhs.org . Alternatively, read Retreat Healthcare's economic impact report here (154 K PDF file).

For more information contact:

Maria Basescu, Retreat Healthcare: 802-258-6161

Barbara Gentry, Brattleboro Memorial Hospital: 802-257-8316