Officers, Stewards, and Staff
By Your Side, On Your Side, Because We Care
Deb Snell, President
MICU, R.N.
23 years at UVMMC
Email: debs@vfnhp.org
“VFNHP has provided it’s members with a very important voice. We can safely challenge our institution and hold them accountable to our contract. However, we can always do better and will continue to fight for better working conditions and the work/life balance our members deserve.”
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.”
Nicole DiVita, Vice President Technical Professionals
Ophthalmology, COT
4 years at UVMMC
Email: nicoled@vfnhp.org
Chief Steward for: Ophthalmology
“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.”
Sharon Shroeder, Vice President of Communications/Treasurer
Mother-Baby (B7), R.N. IV
Email: sharons@vfnhp.org
Kelly Borch, Grievance Chair
Mother Baby (B7), R.N.
16 years at UVMMC
Email: kellyb@vfnhp.org
“Union members have the right to bring a Union Steward into meetings with Management that could lead to discipline. We always encourage our members to exercise this right. Having someone at your side in meetings with Management helps maintain your rights under the contract. Our presence often changes the tone for the better.”
Sarah Girome, Grievance Chair
Neurosurgery, R.N.
8 years at UVMMC
Email: sarahf@vfnhp.org
“We work in an environment that is impacted by uncertainty and constant change. There is no shortage of success stories that nurses have in meeting those challenges head-on and using our union’s collective strength to make a positive impact on the outcome. You could continue to hope that our Administration does the right thing, or you can join us at the decision-making table to make sure they do. We hope you will join us!”
Alex Dees, Vice President of Organizing
thatED Tech
5 years at UVMMC
Email: alexd@vfnhp.org
“Being a healthcare worker is a great job, and comes with many rewards. One of the best rewards I’ve found are the connections and friendships we develop in this profession. By banding together and organizing with our co-workers, we have the power to build the work environment that we need to excel and provide the best care we can for our community.”
Phil Corriveau
Miller 5, R.N.
11 years at UVMMC
Email: philipc@vfnhp.org
Chief Steward for: Miller 5 & Miller 6
Bea Disogra
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/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.”
Marybeth Early
OR-Main Campus, R.N.
10 years at UVMMC
Email: marybethe@vfnhp.org
Chief Steward for:
“I support our union because I believe in what it represents. We are workers formed to protect and advocate for its members’ interests.”
Tracy Fornasier
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.”
Rachel Foxx
Mother Baby (B7), R.N. & IBCLC
16 years at UVMMC, 15 of which working on the Mother-Baby Unit.
Email: rachelf@vfnhp.org
Chief Steward for:
“I support our union because together we are stronger, together we look out for and support each other, and together we provide safer patient care. It’s about a healthy work environment for our members, and a healthy and safe healing environment for our patients.”
Alex Gambero
Respritory Therapy, Respiratory Therapist II
4 years at UVMMC
Email: AlexG@vfnhp.org
Chief Steward for:
Pain Managment, Renal Services, Endocrine, Vascular, Admin.
“I support VFNHP because it’s important for individual members of an organization to have a direct impact on the ploicies that they follow. I hope to serve as an amplipher of issues and ideas that come up throughout our union”
Pat Girome
OR, R.N. II
years at UVMMC
Email: patriciag@vfnhp.org
Chief Steward for:
Chris Gonyeau
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.”
Stephanie Griffin
Ultrasonography, Sonographer Senior
15 years at UVMMC
Email: stephanieg@vfnhp.org
Chief Steward for: Mammography, Ultrasonography, Women’s Health
Sharon Griggs
MRI, MRI Technologist Senior
9 years at UVMMC
Email: sharong@vfnhp.org
Chief Steward for: Card Non-Invasive, MRI, Nuclear Medicine
Ann-Elise Johnson
Mother-Baby (B7), R.N. III
7 years at UVMMC
Email: ann-elisej@vfnhp.org
Chief Steward for:
“I’m active in the union because I believe that together we can make this a healthy workplace for us and our patients.”
Craig Jones
Miller 3, R.N. II
6.5 years at UVMMC between Shep 3/Miller 3
Email: craigj@vfnhp.org
Chief Steward for:
Miller 3, Miller 4
“I support VFNHP because it gives me another avenue to advocate for my patients, my coworkers, my friends, and my family.”
Jenn Long
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!”
Amy Lovett
CT Scan,
R-CT
Email: amyl@vfnhp.org
Chief Steward for:
CT, ED, Breast imaging, Ultrasound
Howie Otten
Central Sterile Repro, CSR Tech III
14 years at UVMMC
Email: howieo@vfnhp.org
Chief Steward for: CSR, Clinical Neurophysio, Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery, Specialty Care Transport, VT Sleep Center
Mike Popovitch
IP Radiology, Radiology OR Specialty Technologist
years at UVMMC
Email: mikep@vfnhp.org
Chief Steward for: IP Radiology, Interventional Radiology
Benton Taylor
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!”
Amanda Young
Emergency Department, R.N. IV
Email: amanday@vfnhp.org
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