Northern Counties Health Care (NCHC) recognized Dr. Sharon Fine with the first ever Nancy and David Reynolds Service Award at the organization’s annual meeting held virtually on October 27, 2021. The Reynolds Award is intended to honor a lifetime of service by the Reynolds family to Northern Counties Health Care, and it will be given to recognize people with exceptional and longstanding service to the organization and its mission to provide compassionate care.
Dr. Sharon Fine holding the Nancy and David Reynolds Service Award (middle) with her father, Arthur Fine, and Nancy Reynolds.
NCHC’s CEO Michael Costa stated, “The story of Northern Counties Health and the Reynolds family is inextricably linked. David Reynolds founded this organization nearly 50 years ago and led the organization for over thirty years. Nancy provided all kinds of in-kind support as David’s spouse and served for many years as a physical therapist for Caledonia Home Health Care & Hospice. She has recently served as a board member and as Board President during the pandemic, providing steady leadership and support to the organization.”
Nancy stepped down as Board President at the annual meeting, as her daughter Brynn Evans has been hired by NCHC to be the Director of Development, Marketing & Communications – the next generation of the Reynolds family to serve the organization.
The Board of Directors were pleased to honor Sharon Fine, MD with the award for her many years of clinical care, steady leadership, and willingness to help under difficult circumstances. Dr. Fine is a family physician who joined the team at Northern Counties’ Danville Health Center in 1997. She also served as NCHC’s Medical Director. She received her BS in Biology from the University of Illinois, her Medical Degree from Rush Medical College in Chicago, IL, and served her Family Medicine Residency at the University of Vermont (where she served part of her time at Danville Health Center). Sharon is a Member of the American Association for Physician Leadership, and Item Writer for the American Board of Family Medicine. Dr. Fine has strong interest in clinical quality and believes that health care should be of the highest quality and lowest cost, and accessible to all. She led Northern Counties’ transformation to the Patient-Centered Medical Home model and the integration with Community Health Teams. Dr. Fine has been recognized by her peers throughout Vermont as an advocate for patients and providers, as well as an expert on Clinical Quality metrics and reporting.
Costa said, “I lack the words to properly thank Sharon Fine for the job she has done at Northern Counties. What makes this organization special, in primary care, dental, and Home Health & Hospice, is that we have people like Sharon: smart, brave, committed, resilient, willing to sacrifice, determined, and gracious with their wisdom in helping patients, colleagues, and future clinicians. Our organization is indebted to Sharon for her service.” Sharon was presented with an award made by Vermont’s own Simon Pearce.
Also, as part of the annual meeting, NCHC thanked outgoing board member, Cynthia Stuart. Cynthia strengthened the organization for the present and future by transforming the way the Board of Directors recruits and on-boards new members.
NCHC also welcomed four new board members who bring a variety of experience to the organization, along with deep connections to the community. New members are Patricia Aubin, Daniel Haycook, Adrianne Hutchin, and Steven Winkler.
A new slate of officers was elected and include Justin “Tin” Barton-Caplin as President, Maryellen Griffin as Vice President, Sarah Rebecca “Becky” Galloway as Treasurer, and Laura Newell as Secretary.
The annual meeting was a celebration of the past, present, and future leadership of Northern Counties Health Care and the team that serves the communities with high-quality, accessible, and patient-centered health care.