Bethel Health Center
Contact us1823 Route 107 Bethel, VT 05032 Phone (802) 234-9913 Fax (802) 234-5507 Our providersOffice hoursMonday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. For emergency care after office hours, please
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The Bethel Health Center provides family care and also mental health services through a private practice psychologist. Conveniently located off from Route 107, the health center additionally has a Rite Aid pharmacy and Gifford's Adult Day Program on the ground floor.
Family medicine providers work as a team to attend to your health care needs. Office hours listed are by appointment. Our dedicated health center staff make every attempt to schedule your appointment with your provider, but if the situation is urgent, you will be given the next available appointment.
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Learn more about our story
The Bethel Health Center:
A medical home for generations
Ask a Bethel Health Center patient why they seek treatment at the Route 107 primary care clinic and the answer is almost always the same: it’s tradition.
“We’ve just always come here,” says Claudia Smith of Braintree. 
Many, like Claudia, were patients of Dr. Ronald Gadway. In fact, he “delivered” her two children.
The Bethel Health Center got its start as Dr. Gadway’s and Dr. Edward Armstrong’s combined practice. In 1973, Dr. Gadway of South Royalton and Dr. Armstrong of Bethel broke ground on a joint practice. It opened in February of the following year in the same building that today houses the Bethel Health Center.
Gifford bought the health center in January of 1990, but some of the current Bethel Health Center staff were long fixtures before Gifford was on the scene. Office manager Diane Harrington worked for Dr. Gadway in South Royalton and in all the time since has been there – except the five years she took off to be home in Royalton when her two sons were young. 
Medical secretary Fran Curtis of Bethel started in 1979, 30 years ago.
“I like helping people. That’s what it’s all about,” says Fran, who is usually the first voice callers to the health center hear. “When they call, lots of times they’ll say, ‘Fran, thank goodness it’s you.’
“Patients like a small community health center where they’re recognized and feel that they’re important.”
“I see everybody here: family, friends, neighbors. I think what most people like is the continuity of care,” Diane adds.
By that standard, current Bethel Health Center doctors Mark Seymour and Terry Cantlin – who are the first to acknowledge that it is really Diane and Fran who are the draw – might be considered newbies. After all, they’ve only been there 20-plus years.
Dr. Cantlin got his start at the Bethel clinic in 1987. Dr. Seymour came two years later in 1989. The health center’s commitment to family medicine and working class roots has kept them there.
“I like this clinic because it’s a more working class population,” Dr. Cantlin says.
The pair, both family physicians, say the Bethel area is home to industry, such as Vermont Castings, Stanley Tool and GW Plastics, and consequently the patients coming through their doors are often “real Vermonters,” who work hard and are coming in for annual physicals, family care or to address workplace injuries. 
Family nurse practitioner Sheri Mayo and family physician assistant Tammy Gerdes are the newest members of the Bethel team. They joined the veteran staff in 2009.
For Tammy, her work in Bethel is the realization of a dream to be a small-town primary care provider who has strong connections with her patients.
“I like to think of my patients as extended family members,” she says.
That sounds just perfect for health center known for drawing generations of working-class folks.
Read one couple's story __________________________________________________________________________ Carl and Florence Symonds'They really care'Carl and Florence Symonds of South Royalton have been going to the Bethel Health Center for 44 years, since they moved to the area, Dr. Ronald Gadway was still the physician there and office manager Diane Harrington was in high school. “I’ve known Diane since she went to high school. She’s a great gal,” says Florence. “(Medical secretary) Fran (Curtis) is a friend too.” Florence, 87, is a retired homemaker. She raised four sons with her husband of 70 years. Carl, 89, is a past general manager of GW Plastics, was one of four men who bought out the company in 1983 from British Petroleum, and is still an owner and sits on its board of directors. The couple now sees Dr. Mark Seymour at the Bethel Health Center for their routine care. He’s their family physician. A World War II veteran, Carl also goes to the VA Medical Center in White River Junction. Gifford and the area’s tertiary care centers provide needed back up diagnostic, emergency and surgical care. Going to the Bethel Health Center, however, is a favorite among the jovial couple. “It may sound funny, but we look forward to going there,” Florence says of her beloved health center. “When you get older, it makes a big difference when someone pays attention to you and is kind to you.” Carl adds that they also receive “very good care.” “And they really care,” says Florence. “You walk in and they greet you like long lost friends. You’re not just a patient.” __________________________________________________________________________ |
