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Our workshops are led by knowledgeable and compassionate facilitators dedicated to helping you take control of your health. With diverse backgrounds in healthcare and wellness, they are here to support and empower you every step of the way.
Amy Rainville has been facilitating workshops since 2013 and you can meet her in any of the six workshops offered by MHVT. Amy says she enjoys facilitating workshops because of the connections that form within the group. People come together to support one another and give each other hope. “If you’re thinking about joining a workshop, go for it! Even if you are feeling a bit apprehensive about joining, it’s ok, you’ll be glad you did!”
Amy is a Certified Diabetes Educator and a pharmacist who has been facilitating diabetes prevention workshops since 2022. She decided to become a facilitator because she has benefited herself from group health classes and enjoys bringing people together to work on their goals. She wants participants to know that making habit changes one small step at a time and celebrating little wins along the way is important for success. Plus, showing up, learning from one another, and supporting one another is really the “special sauce” in these workshops.
Chasidy Benjamin facilitates Quit Smoking workshops. She says that she facilitates these workshops because she is passionate about health and wellness and enjoys connecting with people that have a goal in mind. Chasidy would like people to know that lifestyle changes are hard. She says she is willing to meet participants where they are at in their quit journey and provides them with tailored support as needed. She enjoys helping people celebrate their accomplishments along the way.
Over the past seven years Cynthia has been facilitating Diabetes Prevention, Diabetes Self-Management, and High Blood Pressure workshops. Cynthia says she became interested in facilitating workshops after she finished participating in the Diabetes Prevention Workshop. She says “The information presented is basic; a lot of it is common sense or things we already know. The sessions and group discussions help us think about aspects of good health that we may have put on the back burner while life got in the way.”
Jane Paronto facilitates Diabetes Prevention workshops. Jane enjoys working with individuals who want to make changes to their life. “I started as a participant in the program. I love that the program does not expect you to make huge changes overnight.” Jane says. The program encourages small steps to wellness. Each person chooses what steps they will take with the information provided.
Jeanne facilitates the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) because “I believe in the power of the group to provide support, encouragement, and accountability for each other as they strive to reach their health and wellness goals. The DPP curriculum is designed to provide evidence-based information and resources around topics such as nutrition, physical activity, stress management, and sleep. These topics are presented and then reinforced throughout the course of the program in a format that is interactive during sessions as well as actionable between sessions.”
Jen facilitates High Blood Pressure Management, and Quit Smoking workshops. She lives in the scenic Northeast Kingdom, with her husband, James, and two boys, Jude and Ezra. Jen has a passion for chronic disease prevention, especially relating to healthy eating and physical activity. She holds a Master’s in Public Health from George Washington University. Jen enjoys watching workshop participants find support and encouragement from each other. Group workshops not only offer resources and education but participants connect with other Vermonters working to overcome similar challenges.
Jo Lemay facilitates diabetes prevention, diabetes management, chronic pain self-management, high blood pressure, and quit smoking workshops. Jo says “I have always liked supporting people in their health journeys. Being a facilitator allows me to connect with people who are invested in their health and willing to learn new ideas. I believe we all can make small changes to replace habits we have created over the years, and with a supportive group of peers it can make all the difference in success. I enjoy watching friendships develop, even over Zoom!”
Kelsey facilitates Diabetes Prevention and Chronic pain self-management. She is a wife and mother of two. She enjoys facilitating these workshops because of the supportive groups that form and the improvements to people’s health. Kelsey says “With the right tools and support you can make a big difference in your health and life.”
Melissa manages the MyHealthyVt Program and leads several workshops. She was drawn to this work after participating in the yearlong Diabetes Prevention Program, where she was impressed by the power of the group. Working with others on the same journey can be both motivating and engaging. As a facilitator, Melissa likes fostering a welcoming and inclusive group atmosphere where everyone can share to their comfort level and learn from each other.
Michele Witherbee facilitates Chronic Pain Self-Management workshops. She says she started facilitating workshops because she loves to teach and help people find their voice, making sure their needs are met. Michele says “I remember my first chronic pain self-management course. I learned that there was so much I could do to help myself that once I started really focusing on doing that my life and the pain changed for the better.”
Pam facilitates and is a Master Trainer for Diabetes Self-Management and Chronic Disease Self-Management workshops. Pam says “I like to facilitate because I often see people make lifelong small changes that improve their well-being. The workshops allow people to meet others managing similar conditions and we all learn from each other.”
Stacy facilitates the High Blood Pressure Management workshop. Stacy says “I got started with facilitating after having great success with the pre-diabetes program. I want to help people succeed at their healthy lifestyle goals. Getting started is the hardest step. Sign up today!”
Stephanie facilitates the Diabetes Prevention and Diabetes Self-Management workshops. Stephanie loves to help people improve their health and wellness through nutrition and lifestyle habits. She teaches simple ways to make it easy and fun one small step at a time. The workshops aren’t just about learning, they are a way to connect with other people with similar health challenges. It’s the community and connection that keep everyone coming back.
Viki facilitates workshops on Diabetes Self-Management, Chronic Pain Self-Management, Chronic Disease Self-Management, High Blood Pressure Management and Quitting Smoking. She enjoys helping people become more involved in managing their conditions to live life to the fullest. Viki is inspired by a quote from C.S. Lewis: “You can’t go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending.”
Over the last seven years Walter has been facilitating Diabetes Prevention, Diabetes Self-Management, and High Blood Pressure workshops.
Walter says he enjoys facilitating workshops because he gets to see people improve their health, reduce their risk of developing chronic illnesses, or learn tools on how to better manage them. He says “You CAN make a positive difference in your health. Don’t feel stuck. Change is possible.”
Find a workshop that you would like to attend. You can contact us if you have questions or can’t find a workshop on a date or time that works.
Start the workshop registration process online or connect with your local coordinator.