Richford Health Center, Inc.

d/b/a Northern Tier Center for Health (NOTCH)

A Federally Qualified Health Center

Administration (802) 255-5560

Release: Dr. Robert Zelazo Receives Outstanding Clinician Award

May 18, 2011

Bi-State Primary Care honored Dr. Robert Zelazo with Vermont’s “Outstanding Clinician Award” Tuesday, May 17, 2011 at its 25th Anniversary Primary Care Conference held at Lake Morey Resort in Fairlee, Vermont.  The Outstanding Clinician Award honors primary care clinicians from Vermont and New Hampshire whose exemplary skills and service have made a significant impact on the health of underserved patients and the community in which they serve.

Dr. Zelazo is the medical director of Richford Health Center, Inc. d/b/a Northern Tier Center for Health (NOTCH) and has held this position since 1994.  He graduated Magna cum laude from Harvard College in 1971, received a Doctorate from Boston University School of Medicine in 1975, and completed residency at Boston Veterans Administration Hospital in 1978.  Dr. Zelazo is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine and is a member of the Vermont State Medical Society.  

Initially, Dr. Zelazo was a part-time medical director supervising a single mid-level provider and all inpatient care while maintaining his private practice in St.Albans.  He assumed supervision of four more mid-level providers in 2002 when Richford Health Center, Inc. became a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) at four sites.  In 2004, Richford Health Center, Inc. began doing business as Northern Tier Center for Health, and Dr. Zelazo became the organization’s first full-time medical director.   

NOTCH is now comprised of 5 medical clinics, 2 dental offices, and a pharmacy.  The organization spans Franklin and Grand Isle counties and employs 85 workers.  Under Dr. Zelazo’s strong leadership, NOTCH delivers quality, affordable health care to nearly 9,000 patients.