12.28.2016

RiseVT Hires Denise Smith as New Project Manager

RiseVT, the exciting community campaign to embrace healthy lifestyles, has announced the hiring of Denise Smith as its new Project Manager for the Franklin and Grand Isle County region.

 “We are very excited to have a strong local leader like Denise join the RiseVT team as we work to help engage everyone in northwestern Vermont in being more active, eating better, and adopting other healthy habits,” said Jill Berry Bowen, NMC’s Chief Executive Officer and the co-chair of the Franklin & Grand Isle Community Committee on Healthy Lifestyles.

Smith is the former Executive Director of the Friends of Northern Lake Champlain and previously served as the Resource Development Coordinator at the Franklin Grand Isle United Way. She is currently pursuing her Masters in Leadership for Sustainability from the University of Vermont, where she also earned her undergraduate degree. She has recently served on the Community Committee for Healthy Lifestyles which provides local insight and advice for RiseVT.

“Denise’s history of active involvement in our community will serve her well as RiseVT Project Manager,” said Judy Ashley, District Director of the Vermont Health Department and co-chair of the Community Committee on Healthy Lifestyles. “This movement is built on local energy and excitement around a healthier future for all and Denise’s familiarity with RiseVT and with our community will make for a smooth transition.”

“RiseVT is an example of a creative population health initiative whose mission strongly aligns with my vision to help sustain a healthy, vibrant, and connected community,” said Smith. “I am beyond thrilled to be joining such an incredible team of dedicated professionals at RiseVT!”

Smith is currently transitioning out of her role with the Friends of Northern Lake Champlain and will begin work with RiseVT on January 16. She will lead the RiseVT team of wellness specialists, wellness advocates, and health coaches as they work to help members of the community embrace healthy lifestyles while improving their quality of life and reducing their healthcare costs where the live, work, learn, and play.

“The response to RiseVT in its first year and a half has been amazing,” said Elisabeth Fontaine, MD, the Medical Director of NMC Lifestyle Medicine and RiseVT. “To have 9 communities and 46 businesses and 15 schools and more than 16,000 people getting involved puts us on a path to being a healthier community. Having someone with Denise’s energy and experience leading the team means that positive progress will continue and we will all rise together.”

Visit RiseVT, for more information.