Advertise on podcast: University of Vermont Medical Center - Nursing Podcast

SPECIAL GUEST HOSTS! On this episode, we welcome two guest hosts: Sue Tschorn RN and Leilani Schnoor RN, both Medical Group Nursing Professional Development Practitioners. Sue and Leilani interview Patient and Family Advisors about how Joint Commission requirements affect their personal experiences in healthcare.   

Welcome 2025! We have two great interviews this month. First, we welcome NPG chairs Kelsey Pasteris, RN and Bridget Corriveau, RN to review NPG highlights from the last few years and what’s new in 2025. In our second interview, we talk to members of the Vascular Access Team and learn some great information about the device types, selection, and common complications of vascular access. We discover that size DOES matter.  

In this episode, we welcome Dr. Stephen Leffler back to the podcast. We talk big picture, state of the union, and we take a deep dive into the Green Mountain Care Board’s influence at the hospital and the Vermont healthcare system.  

In this episode, we welcome Dr. Marissa Coleman, Vice President of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion & Patient Experience. She gives us an update on all of the exciting projects that the DEI team has put together including the Health Equity Summit on October 7-8. This event kicks off Diversity Celebration Week which is October 7-11.  

In this episode, we welcome nurses: Cynthia Peterson, Heidi Pecott-Grimm, Leilani Schnoor, Ashlee Brigham, and Genevieve Chandler to teach us about the Changing Minds, Changing Lives program (CMCL). CMCL is a ten week nurse-led, strengths-based resiliency development program offered at UVMMC.  

In this episode, we welcome Erin Phelan, RN and Rachel Preston to the podcast in celebration of Donate Life Month. Erin and Rachel work with the UVMMC    Transplant Program, which anticipates their 1,000th kidney donation this year!   Tune in to learn more about what it means to be a living kidney donor!  

In this episode, we welcome Rebecca Turner, RN to the podcast to discuss the PRAISE project, developed by the Nursing Professional Governance Practice Council. The Peer Recognition And Inspiring Stories of Excellence (PRAISE) program, allows for colleagues to nominate each other for the amazing work we do every day.  

In this episode we welcome Vanessa Rose and Alicia Hill to the podcast to discuss the Hair Equity project at UVMMC. This innovative grant-funded initiative brings exciting new hair products to UVMMC patients. Their thoughtful, well-executed project will help to meet the needs of our larger community. It is a great project with long lasting impacts.    

As 2023 comes to a close, we share some of the great work that nurses and staff are doing to support one         another. We welcome Amanda Young, RN and Andrew Gregg, Interfaith Chaplain, who talk about the Code Assist Program they created which will provide extra support to staff in difficult and challenging situations. In the second part of the episode, Kelsey Pasteris, RN discusses the incredible work of the Experience and Wellness NPG committee, including a new Wellness website.  

In this episode we talk to three RNs, Cynthia Peterson, Anna Marie Carlson and Jean Freeman from UVMMC who participated in the April 2023 MEDLIFE global health volunteer program to Ecuador. They share their experience with the program and how this inspiring trip impacted their lives.

We welcome two exciting guests to the podcast.  Mindy Pariser-Schmidt, RN discusses the Pathways to Excellence program, what it is, and how this nursing led initiative is creating a positive impact for all nurses at UVMMC. In the second part of our interview, Mike Kenney, RN discusses the Clinical Nurse Supervisor Role and how this role supports our nurses at night.  

Workplace violence in healthcare is on the rise nationally. In this episode we welcome Matt Looft, an RN IV in the UVMMC Emergency Department, to talk to us about the state of workplace violence at UVMMC and the actions being taken at the institutional and legislative levels.

Happy New Year! Please join us as we talk to the dynamic Bridget Corriveau, RN, the new UVMMC Nursing Professional Governance (NPG) chair. We had a wonderful discussion about the changes happening with NPG this year, her goals and visions for nursing and UVMMC's journey towards Pathways to Excellence.  

Phew, the last few years have been super challenging for healthcare workers. In this episode we welcome Debra Niemasz, a counselor from the Employee Family and Assistance Program (EFAP) at UVMMC, to talk to us about some of these challenges, the many services EFAP has to offer us, and how we as employees can most easily access this valuable resource .

Join us as we highlight the Forensic Nursing Team at UVMMC. On the podcast, we interview Charissa Rettew, RN, Abigail Garrett, RN,  Raenetta Liberty, RN and Louisa Smith, RN about their role as Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANE), how they got involved with this program and why they do this challenging work. Its an episode you don’t want to miss!