Interviews with Health Professionals

By Anna Bennett

One part of the wellness program at Green Mountain is providing students with accessible medical help from professionals. GM has had the opportunity to work with Naturopathic Physician Susanne Booth and Medical Assistant Brianna Schaefer from Sojourns Clinic in Westminster since last year. The visits of another physician, Zoe W. Frolking from Dartmouth, have been added as well to the program starting this year. Jess and Brittney have invited a dental hygienist as well this year. Her name is Lisa Watson, representing North Shore Health.

I had the pleasure of interviewing both Suanne Booth and Brianna Schaefer a few weeks ago. The first question I asked was, “Why do you love your jobs?” Their main reason was that they liked helping people. That is why they got into the medical field in the first place and enjoy going to work every day. Nurse Schaefer also added that she enjoys this job in particular because it’s the healthiest work environment she has ever been a part of. She thinks “it is a great healthcare community” due to its welcoming, even sort of homey feel. “It doesn't feel like a sterile environment” in a hospital-type way that other doctors' offices might. This truly speaks to Sojourns Clinic, the authenticity of the staff there, and the devotion they have to their patients. Personally, I can say that I would agree with Schaefer's sentiments. Dr. Booth has been my doctor for several years, and I really love my visits with her. I know I am receiving high-quality medical care from her, and that she cares about me. This is what Dr Susanne hopes that other kids feel after meeting with her. She wants to make students who are having a hard time accessing healthcare “feel less fearful” when it comes to seeking medical help. She wants this program to “empower students to ask for what they need from healthcare professionals”. Similarly, Nurse Schaefer hopes the program positively impacts students by allowing them “to know that health care is accessible for them and that they can always reach out when they need something.” Dr. Booth says her interest in the program was due to a desire to help kids in need of healthcare. Nurse Schaefer thinks that a lot of kids in this area struggle at home, resulting in a lack of medical health for them. It's nice that this program “can be a safety net for the kids who need one”.

After interviewing Dr. Booth and Nurse Schaefer, I got the chance to meet with Lisa Watson. Aside from working with North Shore Health, Lisa also works for the 802smiles network under the Vermont Department of Health. Ms. Wartson says she's happy to provide dental services to the schools because "kids typically stop going to the dentist after middle school." Once they get to high school, with all their baby teeth gone, kids feel like they don't need to see a dentist anymore. However, Ms. Watson says that "the mouth is the gateway to the body" and thus must be cared for.  Ms. Watson prioritizes the patient and wants students to be comfortable to ask questions and be at ease while getting their teeth worked on. I think that this program is a great opportunity, and we are privileged to have these services at our school. All these professionals care about the Vermont community and are taking time to focus on our needs despite being a small school.

If you are interested in making an appointment with one of the visiting medical professionals, you should talk to Jess or Katrina!