BS in Human Development from Cornell University
MD from Albany Medical College

The newest member of SVHC's general surgery team, Elizabeth Warner recently joined SVHC after completing her residency at Georgetown University Hospital in Washington, DC.

"I chose to practice at Southwestern Vermont because I believe I can practice at the standards that I want to have in my professional career and live in a beautiful community that is the kind of place where I want to raise my family.

The physicians here make it a priority to keep up with the standards of care. And the hospital has really shown a commitment to staying at the forefront of technology. I can do advanced laparoscopic procedures that I’d be able to do in the university setting as well. There’s also a real sense of collegiality here between specialties and with nursing, which is very important to me and really has a positive impact on patient care.

The environment here is uncommonly supportive of new physicians and extremely warm and collegial. I don’t feel like I left behind anything when I left the big city. The kind of care we’re offering here could stand up against a bigger hospital anywhere."

BS in Chemistry from Le Moyne College
MS and PhD in Nuclear and Radiochemistry from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
MD from Albany Medical College

From an outstanding graduate education at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) to a medical education at Albany Medical College and a fellowship at Yale New Haven Hospital, Jim Keenan knows quality care. That's one reason he chose to practice at SVMC.

"SVMC has a highly trained and skilled medical staff," he observes. "Interacting with providers, nurses, and technical staff of this quality is fulfilling and professionally satisfying. We learn from each other every day and continue to improve the high level of care that we provide. People on the medical staff are some of my very best friends. There are no egos here. Working here, I've found mutual professionalism in a nurturing and caring environment.

"My family and I moved to Bennington over nine years ago. We enjoy the more rural life. People here are truly honest and kind. And the safety and beauty of the surroundings and our simpler way of life can't be found in a big city. There are limitless outdoor activities that we enjoy together and that would be hard to match elsewhere. My wife and children love it here and have made many lasting friendships."

BA in Chemistry and Sociology from Case Western Reserve University MD from Wright State University

“Once you’ve lived in Vermont you'll find it hard leave.” After training in Internal Medicine at the University of Vermont, Schuster and her husband took their renovated 1975 airstream trailer cross country. She provided locums hospitalist coverage from Upstate NY to New Mexico, and yet, a year and 30,000 miles later, she came back to Vermont. “Bigger doesn’t always mean better. I worked in many different hospital settings, and for a small rural hospital, SVMC provides an extremely satisfying professional career. The patients we see have challenging conditions, and the collegial support from those in my group as well as other medical staff members is tremendous. You get that vibe from moment you walk in the door that this is good place to work.”

“Bennington really is an ideal place to practice medicine. You have all the benefits of small town Vermont living and a state of the art medical center that is truly committed to providing quality patient care. Working as both a clinical hospitalist and serving as the medical director for the program, I’m continually impressed by the quality of physicians and nurses we have practicing here, as well as the dedication of SVMC leadership to make this an outstanding institution.”

“For my husband and me, Bennington is a great fit. We both enjoy a variety of outdoor activities – hiking, kayaking, snowshoeing, and skiing to name a few. We’ve been in Bennington for nearly four years now, and find it very easy to call this place home. We’ve made lasting friendships and look forward to raising our three children in a community that has good schools and a safe environment.”

BS in chemistry from Union College
MD from the University of Vermont

"At Southwestern Vermont Medical Center we’re doing top-notch, cutting-edge surgery and medicine,” he says. “I left an area where the medical community was happy with the status quo. Being at SVMC has allowed me to develop my skills in minimally invasive surgery, permitting me to serve my patients better.”

Dr. Drew came to Bennington on the recommendation of his friend and fellow surgeon, Dr. Charles Salem. “I was recruited,” he jokes.

“The overall quality of life here is wonderful. My wife, Mary and three sons, ages 5, 7, and 9, love it in southern Vermont. We are an outdoor family. I love to run, bicycle, and Nordic ski. Together we garden and go on hikes. It’s a beautiful place to live. And the quality of the medical care patients receive at SVMC is remarkable. This is a small town hospital that is on top of its game and I’m glad to be a part of it.”