Our volunteers – Brattleboro Walk-In Clinic

On this page, we’ll introduce you to many of our wonderful volunteers, who donate their time, energy, and expertise to make our work possible.

We’ve asked each of them to answer a few questions so you can learn a little more about them.

ROBERT TORTOLANI, MD

What is your role at the clinic, and what do you do on a typical shift?
“I am a Clinician. I see about 2-4 patients each Tuesday evening, make 1-2 follow-up calls, and keep my charts up to date.”
What made you decide to volunteer at the Brattleboro Walk-In Clinic?
“I enjoy providing care at no charge to those with challenging financial situations. I have done similar work for over fifty years.”
What do you find most rewarding about your time here?
“The appreciation of the patients and working with the other volunteers.”
Is there a memorable moment or story you’d like to share from your time volunteering?
“I recall a gentleman who had a serious health issue and had not seen a clinician in decades. He was eventually able to relax and receive the care he needed.”
How has volunteering changed your perspective on healthcare or the community?
“It has reinforced my feeling that everyone deserves good care.”

ANDY MILLER

What is your role at the clinic?
“I am the President of the Board of Directors, and have been involved with the Brattleboro Walk-In Clinic since its inception in 1993.”
What made you decide to volunteer at the Brattleboro Walk-In Clinic?
“I was asked to become involved with the Brattleboro Walk-In Clinic by the founders of the Clinic, Dr. Thomas and Barbara Evans. I spent most of my career as a community pharmacist in Brattleboro and brought my healthcare experience to the Clinic. As a community pharmacist, I was aware of the struggles and barriers some patients experience in the healthcare system and wanted to be part of an organization that wasn’t solving healthcare problems but helping patients receive the care they need.”
What do you find most rewarding about your time here?
“The most rewarding aspects of being involved at the Brattleboro Walk-In Clinic are staying true to its mission, which has evolved since 1993, and working with a dedicated pool of volunteers and Board members, ensuring that the Clinic remains open for patients who need care and rely on it for services. That the Clinic has provided over 20,000 patient visits since 1993 is something I am very proud of; it couldn’t be done without volunteers.”
Is there a memorable moment or story you’d like to share from your time volunteering?
“As a Board member, I am amazed every year with the generosity of the community in supporting our mission, especially during our annual fundraising events.”
How has volunteering changed your perspective on healthcare or the community?
“The Clinic has been a perfect fit for my belief in volunteering and giving back to a community that I lived and worked in. Hopefully, the Brattleboro Walk-In Clinic can continue to help patients who may have a financial barrier to healthcare access obtain primary medical care.”

TOM EVANS, MD

What is your role at the clinic?
“I am a Doctor.”
What made you decide to volunteer at the Brattleboro Walk-In Clinic?
“Providing for those in need.”
What do you find most rewarding about your time here?
“Not worrying about $$.”

JEFF BUDDINGTON, RN

What is your role at the clinic, and what do you do on a typical shift?
“I am an RN – I assess patients and prepare them to be seen by the physician.”
What made you decide to volunteer at the Brattleboro Walk-In Clinic?
“I am retired and wanted to use my skill to give back to the community.”
What do you find most rewarding about your time here?
“Being able to help those less fortunate and experience their gratitude.”
How has volunteering changed your perspective on healthcare or the community?
“It has made me more aware of the unmet needs in our current healthcare system.”

JENNIFER STEVENS, RN

What is your role at the clinic, and what do you do on a typical shift?
“I am an RN. I screen patients and take vital signs before they see a doctor.”
What made you decide to volunteer at the Brattleboro Walk-In Clinic?
“I want to provide community healthcare as part of ‘giving back’. A bonus is being able to spend time with Jeanne!”
What do you find most rewarding about your time here?
“I love the camaraderie with staff, and the collaboration with and learning from providers. Our patients are respectful and grateful. I appreciate face-to-face time without the burden of computer documentation.”
Is there a memorable moment or story you’d like to share from your time volunteering?
“An Asian man employed by one of the local restaurants was so grateful for our care that he put his hands in prayer and bowed to me. This level of gratitude and respect is not often experienced in the hospital.”
How has volunteering changed your perspective on healthcare or the community?
“I naively thought the Affordable Care Act would negate the need for this clinic. I was very wrong. Our healthcare system is mired in dysfunction, and all suffer for it.”

RENEE BREWER-DURKIN, RN

What is your role at the clinic?
“I am an RN.”
What made you decide to volunteer at the Brattleboro Walk-In Clinic?
“I appreciate the mission of the clinic.”
What do you find most rewarding about your time here?
“(Hopefully) helping others!”
Is there a memorable moment or story you’d like to share from your time volunteering?
“I enjoy the camaraderie: Jeanne and the Doctors are great!”
How has volunteering changed your perspective on healthcare or the community?
“I am impressed with the community commitment to making sure that all individuals have access to healthcare services. The clinic is a lovely space where everyone is welcome.”

ADRIAN SEGAR

What is your role at the clinic?
“I joined the Brattleboro Walk-In Clinic board in 2017 and currently serve as vice president. My responsibilities include running board meetings, liaising with the property manager of our clinic building, and maintaining our website and Facebook page.”
What made you decide to volunteer at the Brattleboro Walk-In Clinic?
“I have worked with nonprofits, both personally and professionally, for decades. When Celia and I were asked to join the board, it was an easy decision because we were already familiar with the important work the Clinic does. Healthcare in our region is under strain, as it is throughout the United States, and I feel good about doing what I can to support the Clinic’s work and impact.”
What do you find most rewarding about your time here?
“I have served on many nonprofit boards since moving to Vermont from England in the 1970s. I especially love the monthly meetings of the Brattleboro Walk-In Clinic board. Serving on this hardworking, friendly, and convivial board is both satisfying and a joy.”
Is there a memorable moment or story you’d like to share from your time volunteering?
“Purchasing our current Clinic building in 2021 was a huge undertaking. We had much to consider and little time to respond to the opportunity. Our board worked exceptionally well together to make the purchase possible, and our splendid clinic office is the result.”
How has volunteering changed your perspective on healthcare or the community?
“I have learned firsthand how the Brattleboro Walk-In Clinic helps fill a critical gap in primary healthcare services in our region. The number of visits to our clinic reflects the demand for primary care that, for various reasons, is not always met by our current healthcare system. I remain amazed by the number of medical professionals and support staff who volunteer, often after their paid workday is over, to make the Clinic’s work possible.”

DEBBIE LEMNAH

What is your role at the clinic, and what do you do on a typical shift?
“I am a Board Member and the Treasurer of the Clinic, responsible for all aspects of the financials, including accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, and working with outside vendors such as our payroll vendor and accountant to file our 990 and other tax forms. I am also a clerical volunteer on Tuesday evenings, which started my relationship with the Walk-In Clinic many years ago.”
What made you decide to volunteer at the Brattleboro Walk-In Clinic?
“Our wonderful administrator, Jeanne Seymour, and I collaborated on some Clinic laboratory needs when I was employed at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital. One day she asked me if I would like to volunteer on Tuesday evenings, and the rest is history! 20+ years later, I am still at the Clinic, helping when I can. Volunteering is a great way to support an agency that works with a very tight budget and has the same mindset: ‘taking care of others.'”
What do you find most rewarding about your time here?
“I love that we all bring our skills and knowledge to help give the patients the best experience and provide the medical services they need. It is always a pleasure to work with other volunteers working for the same mission.
Everyone at the Clinic truly cares about the patients we serve, and the patients appreciate the service we provide them. It is very rewarding when we can help a patient leave feeling better than when they arrived.
Important P.S.: If you would like to help support the Brattleboro Walk-In Clinic and our mission, please visit our website, mail a check, or stop by the Clinic on a Tuesday night and make a donation. We are only funded by the generosity of our community supporters: organizations and individuals who believe in what we do.”

CAROL BLACKWOOD, MD

What is your role at the clinic?
“I am an MD.”
What made you decide to volunteer at the Brattleboro Walk-In Clinic?
“I’m retired, and now have time to help.”
What do you find most rewarding about your time here?
“Helping people.”
Is there a memorable moment or story you’d like to share from your time volunteering?
“Facilitating a patient to see a specialist for a critical issue.”
How has volunteering changed your perspective on healthcare or the community?
“It has reinforced my belief that there is a need for universal healthcare in the USA.”

BILL MONAHAN, RN

What is your role at the clinic, and what do you do on a typical shift?
“I’m an RN doing nursing duties.”
What made you decide to volunteer at the Brattleboro Walk-In Clinic?
“Covered a shift and never left!”
What do you find most rewarding about your time here?
“The more you give, the more you get in return from the universe.”
Is there a memorable moment or story you’d like to share from your time volunteering?
“Too many to list, I’ve been volunteering here for more than 20 years.”
How has volunteering changed your perspective on healthcare or the community?
“It is a democratic principle based on personal philosophy.”

CHRIS MEYER, MD

What is your role at the clinic, and what do you do on a typical shift?
“I’m a physician who sees several patients on Tuesday evenings.”
What made you decide to volunteer at the Brattleboro Walk-In Clinic?
“To try and ease the financial burden of illness in our community.”
What do you find most rewarding about your time here?
“I like the staff camaraderie!”
How has volunteering changed your perspective on healthcare or the community?
“I’m conscious of the challenges of primary care and the financial challenges of illness (or just staying healthy) prior to coming here.”

AMY O. MOORE, RN

What is your role at the clinic, and what do you do on a typical shift?
“I’m a nurse: I take and record patients’ vitals and determine the reasons they have come to the clinic.”
What made you decide to volunteer at the Brattleboro Walk-In Clinic?
“Healthcare is important to everyone! I utilized a free clinic at one point in my life when I did not have healthcare.”
What do you find most rewarding about your time here?
“People appreciate the services the clinic provides, and I enjoy visiting with the other volunteers.”
Is there a memorable moment or story you’d like to share from your time volunteering?
“Meeting a patient who was a student at SIT and was from the country I volunteered in for the Peace Corps many years ago in West Africa. We were able to speak a few phrases of her local language together. It was a special connection.”

PAUL STANCHFIELD, PA-C

What is your role at the clinic, and what do you do on a typical shift?
“I’m a certified physician assistant: I evaluate and treat our patients’ medical conditions.”
What made you decide to volunteer at the Brattleboro Walk-In Clinic?
“I am compelled by the need in this community.”
What do you find most rewarding about your time here?
“The appreciation of our patients.”

SHARON SNIDER, RN

What is your role at the clinic, and what do you do on a typical shift?
“I’m an RN and I take vital signs, do patient intake…and listen!”
What made you decide to volunteer at the Brattleboro Walk-In Clinic?
“Re-entering the profession 18 years ago, I wanted to get to know and be a part of my community.”
What do you find most rewarding about your time here?
“Hearing patients’ stories. Being a small part of healthcare for ALL!”
How has volunteering changed your perspective on healthcare or the community?
“Getting away from the business model of healthcare in order to give people the kind of attention they need and deserve. It’s very inspiring and motivating.”

TONY BLOFSON, MD

What is your role at the clinic, and what do you do on a typical shift?
“I’m a doctor, and I see patients!”
What made you decide to volunteer at the Brattleboro Walk-In Clinic?
“I started 25 years ago because it seemed right to help people without healthcare.”
What do you find most rewarding about your time here?
“The occasional patient who is really helped.”
How has volunteering changed your perspective on healthcare or the community?
“The biggest shift while working was going from two doctors every 12-15 patients down to 3-4 patients and one doctor (later changed back to two, with Dr. Tortolani assuming a weekly role).”

PATTI DANDREA

What is your role at the clinic, and what do you do on a typical shift?
“I work in reception, checking patients in, and preparing charts.”
What made you decide to volunteer at the Brattleboro Walk-In Clinic?
“I knew there was a need in the community.”
What do you find most rewarding about your time here?
“Seeing people realize that there is a healthcare option available to them.”
How has volunteering changed your perspective on healthcare or the community?
“I work in healthcare full time, but this experience has allowed me to revisit a world where clinicians are allowed the freedom to practice as they were taught, without the insurance company restrictions.”