Officers, Stewards, and Staff
By Your Side, On Your Side, Because We Care
 
			Nicole DiVita, President
Ophthalmology, COT
7 years at UVMMC
Email: nicoled@vfnhp.org
“I support VFNHP because they give us a voice in the workplace and are committed to ensuring our rights are protected. Having worked in a nonunion private practice prior to UVMMC for the first 10 years of my career I see the union as a valuable asset in my career.”
 
			Jess Kilpatrick, Executive Vice President
Baird 5, R.N.
20 years at UVMMC
Email: jessicak@vfnhp.org
“In our contracts, we have bargained for a fair process around how time off gets granted, what shift lengths are (based on unit sometimes), how call is assigned, etc. While the contract outlines these scheduling practices, it doesn’t mean that your unit has to change what is working for your group. There is specific wording in the contract that states a unit can continue to use a practice that is in place. This language is still true several contracts later in both the nurse and technical units. Each unit all does something a little different with schedules and other contract areas because it works for that unit.”
 
			Mike Popovitch, VP of Technical Professionals
Radiology OR Specialty Technologist
18 years at UVMMC
Email: mikep@vfnhp.org
Chief Steward for: IP Radiology, Interventional Radiology
 
			Sharon Shroeder, Vice President of Communications/Treasurer
Mother-Baby (B7), R.N. IV
Email: sharons@vfnhp.org
Jason Serota-Winston, VP of Organizing
Email: jasonsw@vfnhp.org
Sophia Simkins, VP of Political Education
Email: sophias@vfnhp.org
 
			Kelly Borch, Grievance Chair
Mother Baby (B7), R.N.
22 years at UVMMC
Email: kellyb@vfnhp.org
 
			Rachel Foxx, Grievance Chair
Mother Baby (B7), R.N. & IBCLC
16 years at UVMMC, 15 of which working on the Mother-Baby Unit.
Email: rachelf@vfnhp.org
 
			Eisha Lichtenstein, Grievance Chair
RN, ED
Email: eishal@vfnhp.org
Chief Steward for: ED
Charlie Gilroy - Core Lab
Email: charliec@vfnhp.org
Chief Steward for: Laboratory Cost Centers
 
			Bea Disogra - Williston
Outpatient Neurological Surgery, R.N. IV
Bea has been an RN 34 years, 14 of which have been at UVMMC. Prior experience includes ED, Cardiac and Primary Care.
Email: beatriced@vfnhp.org
Chief Steward for:
“Before working here at UVMMC, I was a union nurse at CVPH. Unions are democratic organizations, and by design, they reflect what the members are willing to do to make positive changes. One experience with one union shouldn’t be the reason for not supporting another. Our union is only as strong as our members make it, and here at our hospital, we’ve been putting in the work for years to raise standards of patient care, maintain a bench of talented caregivers, and build a transparent and effective union.”
 
			Clare Doyle - SICU
SICU/PICU, R.N.
28 years at UVMMC
Email: clared@vfnhp.org
Chief Steward for:
“I support our union because we need to take matters into our own hands and demand equality and justice for all. We can’t depend on management to do the right thing. Even when you have a good manager, it can change overnight. By being a part of a union, we are able to take matters into our own hands because we actually have a seat at the table.”
 
			Amy Lovett - CT Tech
 
			Tracy Fornasier - Williston
Adult Primary Care at APC Williston, R.N.
I have been a nurse for 23 years. Over the years, I have worked inpatient on McClure 6, and outpatient in the Neurosurgery Clinic and most recently in Adult Primary Care at APC Williston.
Email: tracyf@vfnhp.org
Chief Steward for:
“Our union, and specifically my involvement as a Chief Steward, has shown no evidence of a fractured or contentious relationship with my direct Management. I think our contract improves the relationship. There are clear parameters that everyone is aware of and a process to hold Management accountable if the terms do not get followed. That level of transparency only leads to a healthier work environment for all of us.”
Glenn Miga
Caitlin Cherry
Labor and Delivery
Email: caitlinc@vfnhp.org
Chief Steward for: Labor and Delivery, Mother Baby
Maya Cohen
Labor and Delivery
years at UVMMC
Email: mayac@vfnhp.org
Chief Steward for: Labor and Delivery, NICU
 
			Chris Gonyeau - Respiratory Therapist
Respiratory Therapy, Respiratory Therapist II
25 years at UVMMC
Email: chrisg@vfnhp.org
Chief Steward for: HIM Coders, PRD Coders, Respiratory Therapy, Pulmonary (ACC)
“I support VFNHP to better the care of our patients. Being part of this community, I want to know that we can provide the best care possible and our union provides the power to make that happen.”
Evan Ellenburger
Rapid Response RN
Email: evane@vfnhp.org
Chief Steward for: Baird 6, Resource
 
			Rosa Cirelli - MHT
MHT Shep 3/6 (They/Them)
Email: rosamariac@vfnhp.org
Chief Steward for: MHT, Specialty Pharmacy, Lab Specimen Accesion, Endoscopy Techs
 
			Ann-Elise Johnson - Mother Baby
Mother-Baby (B7), R.N. II
Email: ann-elisej@vfnhp.org
Chief Steward for:
Shep 3&6 Psych Nursing, Mother Baby
Maria Wiles - ED RN
Emergency Department RN
Email: mariaw@vfnhp.org
Chief Steward for: ED
 
			Jenn Long - UHC
Adult Primary Care-UHC, R.N. IV
9 years at UVMMC
Email: jenniferl@vfnhp.org
Chief Steward for:
“I support our union because I believe in the collective power of nurses and health professionals. Our individual commitments to the service of others are amplified by the strength of our membership!”
 
			Benton Taylor - VAT
McClure 5/Vascular Access, R.N. II
5 years at UVMMC in McClure 5, Neurology/Neurosurgery, & Vascular Access
Email: bentont@vfnhp.org
Chief Steward for:
“I support our union because I believe in the collective power of nurses and health professionals. Our individual commitments to the service of others are amplified by the strength of our membership!”
 
			Jason Kirchick - Miller 5
Email: jasonk@vfnhp.org
Chief Steward for: Miller 5, Miller 6
Kacey Walsh - ED
Email: kaceyw@vfnhp.org
Chief Steward for: Emergency Department
Alysha Clifford - Baird 3
Email: alyshac@vfnhp.org
Chief Steward for: Baird 3, Shep 3-North
Nat Cartier - Inpatient Pharmacy
Email: natc@vfnhp.org
Chief Steward for: Inpatient and Outpatient Pharmacy
Conor Mahoney - OR Specialty Tech
Email: conorm@vfnhp.org
Chief Steward for: IP Xray, MRI, IR, CNL,  Scrub and Anesthesia Techs
Elissa Jonsen - Miller 4
Email: elissaj@vfnhp.org
Chief Steward for: Miller 3, Miller 4
FAQs
We are a strong union of health care professionals organized to ensure access to high-quality health care for everyone in the communities we serve.
