ST. JOHNSBURY - 40 years of operation and Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital (NVRH) has many plans for the future. NVRH hosted its 3^rd annual radio-thon with a goal to reach fifteen thousand dollars for additional equipment to assist with patient care. The NVRH Development Director Jim Flynn said Wednesday "We raised just over 15 thousand dollars" Flynn also said, "I think we are becoming one of the old institutions of the area which is kind of nice. We're not the Athenaeum yet or Lyndon Institute or St. J Academy, but we are getting there."

With 40 years under their belt they are looking at the next 40 years with enthusiasm for new and innovative projects and ideas. Flynn said "There are two things on the horizon. One is a physician's office building so that we can put in a number of the practices that are affiliated with NVRH under one roof. And it will be more efficient from an energy stand point and its good for patients to have one stop shopping."

NVRH is also ready to open their new 727 square foot Cancer Boutique. On Monday cancer patients will be able to come to get wigs and prosthetics fitted free of charge. Pat Forest the Volunteer Coordinator for NVRH talked about how happy patients are that they can make appointments and get fitted. "There are very few of us that haven't been touched by cancer in some way.  To see the patients come to the door while we were setting this up and say oh can I get a wig fitted here, yes ma'am you can, I'll be here on Monday to make my appointment. Those just make you feel good that they can come here they can get their treatment, they can see their physicians, and then they can come here and get services they needed like fitting for a prosthetics or getting fitted for a wig."

The cancer boutique will open on Monday morning.