2026 Collaborative Meeting


Register Here!

The 2026 Collaborative will be held at Topnotch Resort in Stowe on November 13 and 14, with the option to join online for the Awards Ceremony. The weekend will include educational sessions, time to spend with colleagues, policy-setting meetings, and an opportunity to honor physicians and other health care leaders across the state. VMS Annual Meeting, hosted in collaboration with the American Academy of Pediatrics Vermont Chapter, the Vermont Academy of Family Physicians and the Vermont Psychiatric Association, is a celebration of the unwavering commitment Vermont clinicians have to their practice and to the deep connection VMS members have with each other.

During the VMS Business Meeting, the VMS President will steward the organization through elections and issues affecting its members. Afternoon CME sessions provide insight on issues affecting health care practitioners and their patients.

Agenda: Friday, November 13th 

9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. - Registration

10:30 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. - Welcome

10:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. - Health Care in Focus: Policy, Practice & Emerging Issues

  • Mark McGee, MD: Psychedelics: Fact vs. Hype
  • Maggie Frye, Esq.: Immigration Enforcement in Health Care
  • Liz McCarthy: Advances in Dementia Care and Risk Reduction
  • Jessa Barnard: Private Equity in Vermont

12:15 p.m. to 1 p.m. - Lunch

1 p.m. to 2 p.m. - Lunch and Learn with Medical Student and Resident Case Presentations

2 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. - Leadership for a Thriving Health Care Workforce with Sarah Davies, MD

2:45 p.m. to 3 p.m. - Break to Specialty Society Meetings

3 p.m. to 5:15 p.m. - Specialty Society Meetings (AAPVT, VPA & VTAFP)

6 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. - Reception

7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. - Awards Dinner and Reception


Saturday, November 14th

7 a.m. to 8 a.m. - Morning Run/Walk

8 a.m. to 8:50 a.m. - Registration and Breakfast

8:50 a.m. to 9 a.m. - Welcome

9 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. - Social Media Engagement for Clinicians with Tracy Tyson, MD

10:15 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. - Healthcare Affordability in Vermont

  • Beth Roberts, BCBSVT: Insurance Affordability/Accessibility
  • John Saroyan, Blueprint for Health: Primary Care Payment Reform 
  • Owen Foster, Green Mountain Care Board: Hospital Sustainability and Budgets 
  • Heather Smith, MD, MPH, AMA Board: Obstetrical and Maternity Care Sustainability 
  • Sarah Nosal, MD, AAFP President: Promoting the Value of Primary Care in the Search for Affordability 

11:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. - Break with Lunch

12:15 p.m. to 1:15 p.m. - Small Working Groups -Vermont Healthcare Affordability Solutions

1:15 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. - Final Thoughts

1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. - VMS Business Meeting

Submissions Closed for VMS' Leadership Awards

Every year, VMS asks members to nominate Vermont leaders who have made outstanding contributions to the medical profession, health organizations, and public welfare. Submissions for 2026 are now closed. If you know of someone who demonstrates a steadfast commitment to the health of their patients and all Vermonters, submit a nomination for the 2027 Awards here. Awards will be presented Friday, Nov. 13 at 7 p.m. in person and virtually, as part of the 2026 Collaborative Meeting.

Accommodations

  1. Stay on site with a Discounted Room at Topnotch - This discounted room rate runs until Monday, Oct. 12, or when rooms run out. We recommend booking ASAP. You may also call the hotel directly at 1-800-451-8686 and say you are attending the VMS 2026 Collaborative/Annual Meeting to receive the discount. Book a spa treatment in advance by calling the Topnotch spa at (802) 253-6463 and mention you are attending the event to receive 20% off your treatment.
  2. Hotels in the Area - when booking, confirm that your dates are correct and that you are comfortable traveling the distance in between your hotel of choice and Topnotch to join us for meeting start times.
  3. Airbnbs in the Area - when booking, confirm that your dates are correct and that you are comfortable traveling the distance in between your Airbnb of choice and Topnotch to join us for meeting start times.

    Community Service

    Thanks to the incredible support at prior year’s Collaborative Meeting, we’re excited to continue the community service tradition this year!

    For 2026, we're partnering with The Renita Marshall Helping Hands Foundation to collect toiletries for families and children facing unexpected financial hardships. We are coordinating with school nurses to direct our donations to students in need. Please consider bringing new, unopened donations from the list below to support our neighbors:

    • Deodorant
    • Toothbrushes
    • Toothpaste
    • Floss
    • Combs/Brushes
    • Lotions
    • Hair Ties
    • Feminine Hygiene
    • Disposable Razors
    • Lip Balms
    • Travel-sized Shampoo/Conditioners (for all hair types) and Body Wash

    Together, we can make a meaningful difference—thank you for your generosity!