Timberlane Dental Group was formed to provide a more comprehensive, comfortable and caring dental experience for you & your family. In addition to the relationship you'll have with your personal dentist, the quality of your care is enhanced by the depth & diversity of our team of dental specialists practicing in virtually all areas of dentistry. Along with our skilled and caring staff, we're able to provide for essentially all of your family's dental health needs. Our focus is to address potential dental problems before they occur, using the most comfortable & effective approaches available. Our approach is to bring you to the highest level of dental health & maintain it for a lifetime. For you, it's the most comfortable, convenient & economical approach to dental health. ^popular Click here to read more.

Pearle Vision Pearle Vision was a one-of-a-kind shopping experience that completely revolutionized the way we bought our prescription eyeglasses. Now, 40 years later, we're still providing the full-service experience our customers know and expect. Dr. Stanley C. Pearle had a vision to create a store that combined complete eye exams, an extensive selection of frames and corrective lenses and convenient store hours. ^popular Click here to read more.

Greater Burlington YMCA has a long history of serving our community. Founded in 1866 as a men's prayer group that met above a storefront on College Street, the Y grew to meet the needs of young men coming to the bustling city of Burlington by providing rooms, physical education and cultural programs. By the early 1900's, the Y began serving women and children, and by the end of the century became Vermont's largest provider of child care programs. Our downtown facility houses two indoor pools, as well as an air-conditioned Nautilus/Cardiovascular Center, Racquetball Court/Spinning Room, and Gymnasium for members. Adult members may also choose to join our Men's or Women's Wellness Centers, which contain a whirlpool, sauna, steamroom, additional equipment, towel service and free racquetball. There are numerous exercise and sports programs, including step, pre/post natal exercise, yoga, kickboxing, dance classes, water fitness classes, swim lessons and basketball leagues. ^popular Click here to read more.

Human Resources Institute, Inc has assisted over 1,000 business and community organizations in their efforts to create healthier and more productive cultures. An overview of our culture change framework is described in the free Culture Change Planner. Their web site explains key concepts and tools that have been useful in bringing about lasting and positive culture change. Here you can purchase surveys, training, videos, software, books and journal article reprints developed by the Human Resources Institute with the support of its clients and marketing partners. You can also read about 2002 initiatives. ^popular Click here to read more.

Appearances Salon and Spa is a cosmetic therapy salon for image and well-being for men, women & children. Appearances has been providing image and well-being services and products to men, women and children throughout New England and upstate New York since 1986. Peg Allen, owner and certified Cosmetic Therapist, is dedicated to helping her clients regain or maintain their self-esteem and self-confidence by looking and feeling their best. ... We believe that a harmony exists between physical appearance and internal wellness. We are dedicated to helping every client discover and maintain his or her own personal balance. We believe that true success comes from love and understanding and we will do our very best to provide you with the ultimate in salon and spa service. ^popular Click here to read more.

Yoga Vermont offers yoga classes and workshops with an emphasis on the Astanga Yoga system. Our store features favorite yoga books, videos, music, yoga clothing and supplies. ^popular Click here to read more.

Curves for Women is an organization built on a solid foundation of values. The Curves franchise family attracts solid and diverse people, many of faith, who are passionate in their concern for the welfare of people. Local franchises include 95 St Paul St, Suite 100 in Burlington, VT and 340 Dorset St, Suite B in South Burlington, VT ^popular Click here to read more.

David Chase, M.D. provides all the services needed by people with vision problems. Chase's continuing commitment to total family eye-care has helped his practice, Vermont Associates in Ophthalmology, and its Pine Street office grow into one of Chittenden County's largest practices. It is the only practice offering the three "o's" ophthalmology, optometry and optical services at one location, but what makes the practice really unusual is an added "o" for operating room, the only in-house surgical room for eye operations in the state. A team of specialists and a fully fitted surgical room have their advantages. Patients can expect quick, thorough and expedient service without scheduling multiple visits to multiple places. Chase and a staff of 13 deliver a complete range of eye-care services under their roof, from administering eye exams, dispensing eyeglasses and fitting contact lenses to prescribing medication for diabetic patients, treating cataracts and glaucoma. They also perform LASEK surgery. Surgery is Chase's passion. ^popular Click here to read more.

It's a typical morning at Curves, and everyone is on a strict schedule. For thirty minutes, women of all sizes, ages and fitness levels make their way around the Curves circuit. The concept behind the womens-only gym is simple: Every thirty seconds exercisers move to the next hydraulic resistance machine, alternating with a low platform for aerobic work. ... No men, but also no daunting weight machines, or juice bars at this health-club. Here it's just the basics, and women are seeing results. ... And this no-frills, no pressure program seems to be working. Curves is the fastest growing franchise in the country, with more than a million and a half members. Cathy Michaels owns four Curves in Vermont with her business partner. The two former healthcare workers saw an opportunity to open a gym for those who might feel intimidated by the typical exercise environment. ^popular Click here to read more.

Dr. David S. Chase gets suspended medical license. A Burlington eye doctor with 35 years' experience lost authorization to see patients and perform surgery Monday, after the state Medical Practice Board determined he presented "a clear danger to public health, safety and welfare." The board summarily suspended the license of ophthalmologist Dr. David S. Chase, following a Burlington woman's complaint that he scheduled her for cataract surgery she did not need. The state also based its decision on the affidavit of a former employee of Chase's, who said the doctor "crafted records to force patients into cataracts surgery" until there were nine operations scheduled each week. .... ^popular Click here to read more.

Doctor David Chase was ordered to stop seeing patients Monday. The emergency action was taken against Doctor David Chase by the Vermont Medical Practice Board. The state claims Dr. Chase was fixing eye exams so patients would have unnecessary cataract surgery, targeting patients over 35 years of age who had no prior cataract troubles. "And he would have a certain speech for these patients in the target group. And the technician observed the speech was almost verbatim for every patient in this target group and it was a script that was supposed to be followed by a scribe, a person in the room taking down what Dr. Chase was saying," said Assistant Attorney General Joseph Winn. Much of the state's case is based on a complaint from a former technician in Dr. Chase's office. In her complaint to the state, Amy Landry told investigators that she believed Dr. Chase "crafted records to force patients into cataract surgery". ... After deliberating for about ten minutes in seclusion, the medical practice board voted unanimously to suspend.... ^popular Click here to read more.

health-and-safety : Fletcher-Allen-Health-Care

Fletcher Allen Health Care is a private, publicly supported, non-profit teaching hospital and physician network, serving more than 850,000 people in the State of Vermont and in northeastern New York State. ^popular Click here to read more.

Early figures show VT's hospital budgets are on the rise again. This year's increase is nine and a half percent -- that's 91 million dollars more of your money spent on hospital care. The increase follows a trend in past years. Older and sicker patients needing more care are behind the ballooning budgets. Later this month, all 14 hospitals will justify their projected budgets to regulators. But there is some concern about Fletcher Allen Health Care. Recent allegations that hospital executives hid the cost of a parking garage from the state -- have raised questions about Fletcher Allen's credibility. Susan Gretkowski, the Deputy Commissioner of Health Care Administration, told the Public Oversight Commission that she is working with Fletcher Allen Trustees to ensure the budget information will be accurate. The P.O.C. studies the budgets and makes recommendations to the Administration for a final decision. ^popular Click here to read more.

Burlington's controversial methadone clinic has been open for a little over a month, and except for one incident where a woman was caught selling drugs outside the clinic, there have been very few problems. But in other cities, especially Cincinnati, problems abound. When you take a prescription drug there's usually a warning on the bottle advising you not to drive, but methadone patients can actually get in their cars and drive away after treatment. In Cincinnati there have been a few serious car accidents as a result. Tonight we asked police and clinic officials if that could happen here. Stopping a heroin addiction only happens if you work at it daily. Right now 33 patients are getting regular doses of methadone at Burlington's new treatment clinic. Dr. Warren Bickel, Director at the Chittenden Center said, "We give them methadone so they don't go through withdrawal. We don't give them enough methadone where they're intoxicated." ^popular Click here to read more.

Employees of Fletcher Allen Health Care have been warned of layoffs and changes to how the medical center operates. In a two-page letter dated April 3, Interim Chief Executive Officer Edwin Colodny outlines a bleak financial picture at Vermont's largest hospital and the need to act quickly to return Fletcher Allen to more stable ground. Colodny said Sunday that he couldn't be specific about how many jobs might be affected by the impending changes. The number ''is not going to be huge,'' he said. Fletcher Allen management is reviewing more than a dozen programs, including cardiology, finance, nursing and information services, looking for ways to lower costs and increase revenues, Colodny said. Nursing will not be affected by the employee cuts, and the hospital continues to recruit nurses to fill shortages in staffing, Colodny said. ^popular Click here to read more.

Fletcher Allen Health Care on Wednesday cleared a first hurdle toward installing $3.8 million of cutting-edge equipment. The Public Oversight Commission -- an appointed, volunteer panel -- voted 4-0 to endorse Fletcher Allen's proposal for a powerful magnetic resonance imaging system. The vote came after a three-hour hearing, during which Fletcher Allen doctors compared crisp images produced by the new technology with the fuzzier images produced by the older, existing technology. Four commissioners were absent Wednesday, and one member abstained from the vote. John Crowley, commissioner of the Vermont Department of Banking, Insurance, Securities and Health Care Administration, makes the final decision. Commissioners recognized that the MRI they recommended for approval would cost more than the alternative. An independent review suggested Fletcher Allen would be as well served with a less powerful, less expensive MRI. ^popular Click here to read more.

Fletcher Allen Health Care is severing its contract with an insurer that covers nearly one in eight Vermonters, hospital officials announced Thursday. ... The hospital will honor the current contract until then, officials said. In 2004, patients with Cigna coverage might be responsible for their own hospital bills, they said. ... Cigna HealthCare provides health insurance and benefits management for 85,000 Vermonters. The largest Cigna account in Vermont is state government. Officials at the insurance company said the hospital had sought "dramatic increases in reimbursement," at double the rate of health care inflation. "We found that unacceptable," said Cigna spokeswoman Lindsay Shearer. Brumsted said it was important for Vermonters to know that the business decision of severing the contract would not affect patient care. ^popular Click here to read more.

health-and-safety : Fletcher-Allen-Health-Care : Renaissance-Project

An expansion project at Vermont's largest hospital is expected to cost six-point-five million dollars more than earlier estimates. Officials at Fletcher Allen Health Care say the higher price than the amount given five months ago is largely due to regulators' demands. The latest figure comes from the hospital's finalized application seeking state permission for the project. Fletcher Allen this year had to apply for a new state permit after managers lied to regulators and concealed the expansion project's true cost. Hospital spokesman Mike Noble says much of the added costs already have been spent or budgeted. The hospital has announced plans to borrow 85 million dollars next year to help pay for the project. Monday, 7/21/03 ^popular Click here to read more.

health-and-safety : Fletcher-Allen-Health-Care : Renaissance-Project-scandal

2002-11-20: Two more executives are leaving Fletcher Allen in the wake of problems with the hospital's multi-million-dollar expansion. The hospital's interim chief executive says chief operating officer Thad Krupka and senior vice president David Demers will be leaving by mutual agreement. Additionally, the trustees chairman will be leaving the board next month as part of a routine rotation and five other trustees whose terms expire next month may be replaced. Already, former hospital chief executive William Boettcher has left under pressure and its staff lawyer resigned in September. Fletcher Allen also says it is ending its relationship with Burlington law firm Downs Rachlin and Martin. Wednesday, 11/20/02 ^popular

2002-11-20: The debate continues tonight over how F.A.H.C. should be managed in the future and what other agencies and people are to blame for the hospital's financial fallout. There are plenty of fingers being pointed by state politicians. Congressman Bernie Sanders is crystal clear with his opinion on the Fletcher Allen scandal. He says change is needed now. Sanders said, "I can't go back to Washington and say increase Medicare and Medicaid at a time when a hospital may be wasting substantial sums of that money or using it in an illegal way." He doesn't think any new construction phases should commence. While the blame game is being played, Congressman Bernie Sanders is pointing a finger at the outgoing Dean administration and the legislature. He says the state should protect the public's interest, and instead they provided inexcusably weak oversight. ^popular Click here to read more.