University of Vermont Medical Center — Local services in Burlington

I read the reviews on UVM Medical Center and feel immediately puzzled as to whether we are all talking about the same place. In any case, this review is for the ED, Mother and Baby Unit, Labor and Delivery, and NICU.

After my water broke suddenly, we found ourselves at the ED at UVM. We were swiftly admitted after calling ahead, and within minutes, the nurses and doctors in L&D were examining me and attempting to figure out if I was in fact in labor. Within hours, I had been given a preventative steroid shot, had my babies monitored, and spoken with NICU and other relevant staff about the possibility of my babies coming soon.

Fast forward, and I spent 12 days in the Mother and Baby unit trying to stave off a “too early” delivery under the care of immensely kind, talented, and competent nurses and doctors. We were in awe of how much attention we were given. The nurses ranged from 9/10 to 12/10 in terms of what they did for us. Having had several nurses over the course of such a long stay, take that rating range to mean something significant. Each doctor was down-to-Earth, knowledgeable, and easy to speak with.

My emergency C section was nothing short of amazing. The team assembled in what felt like minutes, and the amazing anesthesiology team explained every step with the perfect balance of lightheartedness and clarity for a scary situation. Then there was the fleet of yellow-scrub-clad nurses from NICU ready to work on my twins as soon as they came out, as well as all the other support staff. A beautifully done surgery, and most importantly, in hindsight, the right calls were made the whole way through.

Fast forward a little more to my twins in the NICU, where the staff was downright awe-inspiring with the level of care and attention given. It’s the small things — remembering the babies’ names, our story about our unexpected birth, the little extras for the babies, and beyond. These people are human angels.

Other notes include the comfort of the Mother and Baby rooms. Partners are given a Murphy bed which is an absolute lifesaver, and the kitchen is stocked with snacks and drinks for families — all sponsored by our favorite grocery store, Healthy Living.

Somehow this review doesn’t feel like enough to adequately express the care we received at this incredible hospital. I also wish I could list names, but I got into the several dozen — keeping track of all the amazing individuals we encountered — and missed a few, so it doesn’t seem fair.

I feel blessed to have birthed my twins here, and this hospital will forever have a special place...

I had my first ever mammogram at this location and it couldn't have been more wonderful. The staff was extremely friendly and professional. it turns out there are different gown lengths depending on if you show up for your appointment in a one-piece dress or pants - this was a popular discussion in the waiting room! They informed me a couple of different times that since it was my first time I might receive a follow-up request for additional imaging and an ultrasound. So when I got the call I was not alarmed. During the follow-up appointment I was told that there was something in my left breast that they wanted to biopsy. They showed me the images and walked me through the 'whys.' Once I was dressed again I was taken to a private area to discuss the procedure. I was given a brochure and had the opportunity to ask questions. The next day I was contacted to schedule the appointment. Initially we were looking at several weeks ahead for the biopsy. However, since I was going to be leaving to be out of state for an extended period, they worked with me and managed to schedule in the same week.- I just had to split the procedure into multiple visits (one for the pre-procedure mammogram and then another for the actual procedure). Everyone in the room was extremely nice and reassuring. They gave me the option of being able to see the procedure (no thank you) and also whether I wanted to be walked through what was happening in real-time. They demonstrated the sound the biopsy tool would make so that I wouldn't be surprised. I was given a rolled up wash cloth to clench for both stress and to make my elevated arm position more comfortable. After the procedure I was given post-surgery instructions, ice packs and a lovely thank you card signed by everyone involved. I was told results would take 3-5 business days. I received the results in 2. I came into contact with many different hospital team members throughout my visits and everyone was extremely cordial, professional and caring. This was my very first mammogram and I was nervous - we grow up hearing horror stories about how uncomfortable and demeaning the process can be. I'm grateful to everyone at UVM for making my experience as seamless and low-stress as it was. I highly...

There are so many great people and caregivers at this hospital, but their care and dedication is diminished and negated by the bad people there and the administration's eagerness to covers for those bad people instead of addressing their behaviors. I had a nurse deny me care because she decided that she thought I couldn't pay for it. I had no outstanding debt to the hospital or history of delinquency, she simply appointed herself a freelance personal finance deputy and denied me a treatment I needed because she thought it was too expensive for me. This was after I had told her very clearly that I understood the cost and to go ahead with the scheduling while I took care of the financial piece. I had spoken to patient financial assistance and they had told me to go ahead with it because I was eligible for assistance. This nurse inserted herself between me and the care I needed based on her perceptions of my financial situation. I felt this was deeply inappropriate and patient financial services did, too. They told me to report her to the office of patient and family advocacy.

This is where the funny part of the joke begins, the hilarious joke that is a whole department supposedly dedicated to advocating for patients but which actually just gaslights them, automatically goes with whatever version of the story they get from staff, and basically tries to make you feel crazy for trying to get the care you need delivered respectfully and appropriately. It's not advocacy, it's damage control. The patient and family "advocates" exist to make you go away, not to help you.

I was finally able to get the treatment I needed - the treatment my doctor ordered because my immune system is attacking my joins, glands, and liver - but only after weeks of full-on phone tag combat with multiple departments. So not only was my treatment delayed a month, the stress of this prolonged incident caused a flare up of my autoimmune disorder. Too bad I have no other choice unless I want to drive all the way down...