Dr. Charles Caverly

Dr. Charles Caverly. . , Dr. Charles Caverly identified the first polio epidemic in the world, in Rutland County in 1894. Sporadic cases of paralysis and related symptoms began to appear around the world in the mid-1800s, but they were not typically connected, and a diagnosis remained elusive until Caverly began to investigate and treat a series of sick patients., Caverly, a young Rutland doctor, was the first to connect multiple cases. He couldn't determine what caused the disease, but according to the American Association of Immunologists, his diligence laid the groundwork for substantial understanding of polio. His study and analysis informed other researchers' work to combat the disease, which caused life-altering paralysis and death., Caverly also led Vermont's effort to combat tuberculosis. He advocated for the creation of the Vermont Sanitarium, established in 1907 in Pittsford, which operated into the 1960s, when medical treatment for TB allowed its closure., The sculpture, designed and carved by Alessandro Lombardo, was funded by Rutland Health Foundation, Dave and Lyn Wolk, Jane and Steve Costello, Claudio and Brenda Fort, Melbourne and Lynn Boynton Family, Rutland Regional Medical Center senior medical staff, Mountain Cider Company, and Rutland City Rotary. It is dedicated not only to Dr. Caverly, but all of Vermont's health professionals who worked to treat patients during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic., The Rutland Sculpture Trail is a collaboration of the Carving Studio and Sculpture Center, Green Mountain Power, MKF Properties, and Vermont Quarries.