This year, University of Vermont Health-Porter Medical Center marked a once-in-a-lifetime milestone: 100 years of service to Addison County and beyond.

A Birthday to Remember

On June 14, Porter Medical Center hosted a Centennial Birthday Party on the hospital lawn, bringing together staff, volunteers, patients, families and community partners for a day of music, food and family-friendly fun. 

Vermont Senator Ruth Hardy read a legislative resolution honoring Porter’s century of service. Middlebury College’s David Provost led the crowd in singing “Happy Birthday,” continuing a beloved tradition. Guests also enjoyed lawn games, emergency vehicle displays, and live music by The Loose Monkeys, joined by Michael Seaton, MD, Porter’s associate chief medical officer. 

A Gift with Purpose

Porter’s story began with the generosity of William Henry Porter, a Middlebury College trustee and successful New York banker who never forgot his Addison County roots. In 1923, he pledged $50,000 to build a hospital that would both the College and the wider community — on the land where his family farm once stood.

After delays caused by World War I and inflation, the hospital opened its doors on June 15, 1925. A year later, the Addison County Hospital Association was formed to ensure Porter’s future as a community-led institution.

Decades of Growth

Over the decades, Porter has grown to meet the region’s needs — building new facilities, adding services, and embracing innovations to improve care. Milestones include the opening of Helen Porter Rehabilitation & Nursing in the 1970s and the adoption of technologies advances that transformed care at the bedside. 

That progress has always been fueled by generosity. The Porter Auxiliary and countless donors have helped fund expansions, modern facilities and programs that support patients and families every day. 

In 2017, Porter joined what was then called the University of Vermont Health Network — gaining access to specialists and long-term stability while preserving its identity as a community hospital. Just a few years later, during the COVID-19 pandemic, staff, volunteers and partners worked together to keep patients safe and maintain access to care. 

Honoring the Past, Shaping the Future

As Porter Medical Center enters its second century, the focus remains on strengthening care close to home while honoring the community that has sustained it for 100 years.

To mark this milestone, Porter launched the 100 Donations in 100 Days campaign to support the Patient Support Fund. When the goal was met, the Porter Auxiliary contributed an additional $10,000. 

The celebration continues this fall with the unveiling of the Porter Centennial Exhibit and Time Capsule on Friday, October 17. The event, open to the public from 1 to 3 pm in hospital’s main lobby, invites community members to reflect on Porter’s history, share today’s stories and look ahead to the next century of compassionate care.