Connections: February 2023 - 7

treatment, long-term care supports-all addressing social, behavioral
and environmental factors that influence health in a community.
A transition of leadership
Perras says the extensive portfolio
of MAHHC's Community Health
program is the result in large part to
the leadership of Jill Lord, RN, MSN,
who served as director of Community
Health until her retirement in January
of this year. " It's a lot for a small critical
access hospital in rural New England, "
Perras says. " People are blown away
when they learn about all we do. "
With Lord's retirement, much of the work will be carried on by
Melanie Sheehan, MPH, who has worked at MAHHC since 2000,
first as a tobacco treatment specialist and then as chronic disease
self-management program coordinator. In 2010, she assumed the role
of regional prevention program manager, focusing on substance use
prevention and health promotion.
In 2019, Sheehan was selected by Vermont Gov. Phil Scott to serve
Melanie Sheehan, MPH
as vice chair of the state's Substance Misuse Prevention Oversight and
Advisory Council. She's also led community initiatives on overdose
prevention and helped develop the " We Are Worthwhile " stories
campaign, a series of testimonials by individuals in recovery, designed
to reduce stigma associated with seeking and receiving help.
As the newly appointed director of Community Health, Sheehan,
with the help of a staff of nine, will oversee all of the grant initiatives
except those of the Community Health Team, the nurses and social
workers that are embedded in the hospital's primary care and
pediatrics clinics to help with the complex care management needs
of those patients. She'll also facilitate the ongoing work of the ACH,
with Mt. Ascutney as the " backbone " working with the 125-plus partner
organizations.
Her top priorities? " I would like the work of the Community Health
Department to be strategic, scalable and measurable, " Sheehan says.
" I also want to prioritize the health and well-being of staff by ensuring
our commitments don't extend beyond our workforce capacity. Staff
retention is key and current workforce shortages are untenable.
Living in a post-pandemic world is challenging, people are being more
intentional about what they can or cannot take on. "
Despite the challenges, the work gets done. " There is a deep
commitment in our staff and many partner organizations to take care
of each other and our community, " Sheehan says.
On the cover -standing, left to right: Carrie Thornton, Service Coordinator
Windsor Connection Resource Center; Suzanne Enser, Program Assistant
Volunteers in Action; Anna Urrea, CDC Public Health Associate; Kelli Rapp,
Windsor Community Health Clinic Coordinator; Amanda Jordan Smith,
Program Lead Volunteers in Action; Alice Stewart, Grant Implementation
Team Lead. Seated, left to right: Melanie Sheehan, Director of Community
Health; Courtney McKaig, Family Wellness Coach
http://www.weareworthwhile.org
Connections: February 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Connections: February 2023
