VIM Berkshires is grateful for all of the talented clinicians who donate their time and skills to care for our patients. We appreciate their support and their generosity.
For a complete listing of all 2018 clinical volunteers please click here.
Meet Our Clinicians
Linda Baxter, CNM (Certified Nurse Midwife), MSN
Linda began volunteering at VIM in 2016 after retiring from her 27-year career as a Certified Nurse Midwife in Great Barrington. Regarding VIM patients, Linda comments, “I have seen women from many backgrounds: several local women who had not seen a doctor in 20 years, a new immigrant who needed a French sign language interpreter (and VIM arranged it!), a woman newly here from another state seeking safety from violence, and a woman in premature labor who needed immediate hospitalization. All of these were eager to express their gratitude for the respectful and thorough care they received from VIM staff, and to acknowledge the reassurance they received after their health concerns were addressed.”
Jeffrey W. Blake, MD
Dr. Blake has been a volunteer at VIM Berkshires since it opened its doors in 2004. “I firmly believe that everyone in our county, our state, and our country should have access to decent health care,” he says. “VIM’s mission is to do just that — provide access to health care to people who otherwise cannot get it. So being a part of that mission as a volunteer and actually using my training as a physician to provide care in the VIM clinic setting is very rewarding.”
Donald Cook, LICSC
Donald has worked for 25 years in community mental health and in the private sector. About his time volunteering at VIM, he notes, “There’s a moral imperative involved in supporting an agency like VIM…this is quality healthcare for those who need it. In the time I have been volunteering at VIM I can appreciate the dedicated leadership and the bright, competent, energetic staff…with just the right amount of chaos. It’s always good to earn your keep and try to give a little back.”
Priscilla Cote, RN
Priscilla, who has worked in nursing throughout her entire career, is enthusiastic about her volunteer work for VIM. “VIM reaches people with a wide variety of healthcare needs and fills a major gap in our community. I find clinic leadership and staff cooperation make VIM a great place to volunteer.”
Robert C. Davenport, MD
Dr. Davenport is a retired family physician. He practiced with the National Health Service Corp in Hamilton, NY from 1979-1981, following residency at Bayfront Medical Center in St. Petersburg, FL. He then practiced in Valatie, NY from 1981-2010. From 2010 until his retirement at the end of 2014, he was a PCP with Berkshire Faculty Services, associated with Berkshire Medical Center.
In addition to volunteering at VIM Berkshires he serves as VIM’s part-time medical director. He also continues to volunteer as a preceptor for the Berkshire Medical Center internal medicine residency out-patient clinic. About his work at VIM, he notes, “I find that volunteering at VIM has been extremely fulfilling, as it has allowed me to continue utilizing the nearly 40 years of knowledge and skills that I acquired over the years to a group of individuals who are in need of care and appreciative of the services VIM provides for them.”
Robert Edwards, DDS
Dr. Edwards is a dentist who has been with VIM since its inception, helping to plan the original dental program, and continuing on as one of the providers of dental services. Says Dr. Edwards, “VIM enhances the quality of life in our community both for those who receive and those who give. Volunteerism is an essential part of community life. I believe one’s personal blessings should be passed on to those less blessed.”
Steven M. Gallant, DDS
Dr. Gallant, who has been a dentist for over 35 years, has been volunteering at VIM one morning a week whenever he’s in town since 2011. He comments, “VIM makes a critical difference in the delivery of medical, dental, physical and mental healthcare in this community. The staff are incredible, dedicated, motivated, wonderful people…the best I’ve ever been associated with in my years as a dentist. I really enjoy helping people who can’t afford good dental care.”
Sarah Hatch
Since returning to the Berkshires in 2016, Sarah has served as a nurse’s assistant at VIM. Having been with the American Red Cross for 20 years, she knows how important volunteers are in delivering meaningful, compassionate services. Says Sarah, “Volunteering also gives me a chance to serve patients, which I loved during the last 15 years as a Physician’s Assistant at the National Naval Medical Center, and to practice my very limited Spanish. VIM is a great place to give back to the community.”
Doug Hyde, MD
Dr. Hyde is a retired gastroenterologist. Having worked in Springfield for 35 years, he now lives full-time in New Marlborough, and he has been volunteering at VIM since 2015. About VIM, he notes that it “…supplies a vital need for a large number of patients who would otherwise have little or no access to healthcare. VIM’s compassion for each patient and the desire to go the extra mile to meet all their needs is outstanding.”
Gary Igleburger, DDS, MS
Dental Director
Dr. Igleburger attended Ohio State University’s College of Dentistry, earning the degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery. He was first employed by the U.S. Air Force Dental Corp., then in a private practice. After earning an MS in orthodontics, he worked in a private orthodontics practice in Dayton, Ohio for 36 years.
Following his retirement Dr. Igleburger and his wife relocated to Austerlitz, New York in 2010. After settling in he sought out a volunteer opportunity that would utilize his professional knowledge and experience. In 2015 he met a retired dentist who was volunteered at VIM Berkshires and encouraged Dr. Igleburger to contact the organization. Initially, he reviewed dental charts, and later joined the Quality Assurance Committee. In March of 2018 he accepted the position of Dental Director.
Amy Jenter, LICSW
Retiring from social work after more than 35 years, Amy found she had lots of spare time and wanted to “give back.” She had practiced in a community clinic and in a hospital in Dorchester, MA, but most of her career was at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. Though primarily on the cardiac unit, she also worked with trauma, surgical and emergency room patients. At Harvard Medical School Amy taught a course which trained medical students how to have a relationship with patients. “I am so pleased to know that VIM gives uninsured people the health care they need,” Amy notes. “The appreciation patients show confirms that quality care is being offered.”
Sara Kleiner-Goudey, OD
Dr. Kleiner-Goudey is an optometrist who practices at Pittsfield Vision Associates. At VIM, she provides free eye health exams. “I want to give back to this amazing community that we live in,” she says. “The people we see are without insurance or the means to pay for their healthcare. They are very appreciative of the services they receive — and this makes the work very gratifying. The staff and volunteers are so giving of their talents and expertise — they will go above and beyond to help anyone who walks through those doors.”
Roselyn Kolodny, MD
Dr. Kolodny is a fully retired pediatrician. Thus, she brings not only her extensive experience, but also her knowledge of medicine and patient care to her work at VIM. “VIM takes care of all comers — the most needy are not turned away. VIM is my chance to give back,” Dr. Kolodny says. “I admire the breadth of services they bring to a group that would otherwise fall through the cracks: besides medical services, they provide dental and eye care, nutritional and psychological counseling, acupuncture and massage.”
Michelle Manto, Acupuncturist
Michelle began volunteering at VIM in 2008, noting that it is one of the few places in the Berkshires that welcomes the partnership of traditional Chinese and Western medicines. “VIM believes in the coordination of healthcare systems into one treatment plan. This way everyone wins and healing expands to include more people. The small part I play makes a difference and that makes me happy. I am grateful to be able to contribute to this special community of special people.”
Nancy Fernandez Mills, CHC, RYT
I am a Certified Health Coach and Kripalu yoga instructor with a passion for health care education. I believe that everyone can prevent and even heal many chronic illnesses and conditions by learning to live and eat in a healthy and mindful way. I enjoy working with my patients, the staff and other volunteers and I’m proud of the integrated care VIM offers – we truly treat the whole person.
Pat Pyle, RN
In 2015, Pat retired from Miami corporate managed health care and began coming regularly to the Berkshires. When she saw the Volunteers in Medicine building, she knew immediately that she wanted to begin volunteering, and VIM was the place where she wanted to be. She comments, “I have always believed in integrative health care — body, mind, spirit and energy — and I am proud to be part of a place that actively supports and provides such care for our patients.”
Ellen B. Rowntree, MD
“I’ve been a psychoanalyst most of my life. I find it a privilege to work with people in such a personal way, learning from patients and growing with them. The excellent work being done at VIM is impressive.”
Thomas J. Sakshaug, DDS
Pittsfield dentist Thomas J. Sakshaug, DDS, joined the VIM Berkshires Board of Trustees after serving for ten years as a clinical volunteer. Tom serves as a liaison to the dental clinic, offering guidance in updating the digital X-ray system and software. “There is nothing like the feeling I get when I fix a bad aesthetic situation on a young patient or if I can relieve someone’s pain. The ability to help folks get back to work is something I’ll never take for granted. By helping our hardworking patients, we help not just them but the community,” says Dr. Sakshaug.
Christine Scott, RD, MS
Christine is a registered dietitian and an exercise physiologist. Her work as a nutrition consultant over many years in different venues prepared her well for working in an environment like VIM. “I enjoy this work as a way to give back to the community, and it helps to keep my professionals skills up to date. VIM provides quality healthcare to those who most need it in our community,” she says.
Barbara Shickmanter, Medical Interpreter
Since retiring as a social worker, Barbara wanted to make use of her experience in another setting. She couldn’t think of a better place than VIM to put her knowledge to work, so in 2017 she began volunteering with the Patient Services Coordinator, Natalia DeRuzzio. While VIM’s mission is to provide medical care to people who would not otherwise have it, Barbara found herself able to help patients take advantage of the many social services in the community. “When people have their basic needs met and receive support in other aspects of their lives, they are more apt to pursue opportunities available to them,” Barbara explains. “This benefits them and the community, and being involved in that process is something that I enjoy.”
Joanne Simpson
Joanne has been a volunteer dental hygienist at VIM since 2006. “It is a place so dear to my heart and so difficult to describe,” Joanne notes. “It has been so rewarding over the years to see patients coming in with poor oral health, in pain and anxious to now having received treatment, taking care of themselves, leaving with a smile and a heartfelt thank you! The need is even stronger now in light of our government pulling back from providing this essential care.”
Whitney Smith, Dental Hygienist
I volunteer to give back to the community. I am a clinically active dental hygienist and feel that it is very important to help others in need, especially with oral health because of its effects on overall health. VIM offers a service to anyone who needs medical/dental help and doesn’t have any other means of receiving healthcare. I have been a volunteer for almost a year and it is great to be part of a caring organization that gives back.
Barbara Snyder, Board Certified Pediatrician & Adolescent Medicine Specialist
After a long academic career at Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in New Brunswick, NJ, Dr. Snyder retired in July 2015 and moved to Stockbridge shortly thereafter. She then “unretired,” and she has worked at VIM since 2016, caring for young adults aged 18-30 and rarely, a child on an emergency basis. She also works with older children, teens and young adults at CHP Great Barrington. “I love that VIM has so many needed services under one roof and cares deeply that uninsured folks are entitled to all these services.”
Stephen A. Tournas, LICSW, MSW, MTS, EdM, PhD(ABD)
Mr. Tournas moved to the Berkshires from Boston for a position in a residential community for adults with mental illness, after which he worked in several local psychiatric hospitals and community mental health clinics. He now works with children, individuals, and families, including Spanish-language clients, in his private practice in Stockbridge. In a prior career in international development, he managed projects in Latin America. “Because my clinical training included the integration of spirituality into psychotherapy, I am comfortable using other tools such as meditation and mindfulness approaches to psychological well-being,” he comments.
Sharon True
Sharon is a certified Pilates and Pelvic Floor Fitness Instructor. She has been teaching at her own Pilates studio in Great Barrington and elsewhere in the region for over 20 years. At VIM, Sharon offers workshops and private consultations to help with pelvic floor issues such as incontinence, prolapse and pelvic pain.
Maureen A. Wellspeak, RN
Having worked for the American Red Cross Blood Services for 21 years, Maureen has volunteered at VIM since 2008. Says Maureen, “This is a complete change of nursing care. I enjoy meeting the clients and hopefully helping them to live a healthy lifestyle.”
James P. Whitman, DMD
A retired dentist, Dr. Whitman has been volunteering at VIM since 2005. “I love sharing my skills and good fortune by volunteering. In the dental clinic infections are healed, pain relieved, and smiles restored every day.”
Stephen M. Wittenberg, MD
Dr. Wittenberg began volunteering as a physician at VIM in 2011, after he retired from his full-time cardiology practice. “I find it very gratifying to the able to offer care to people who need it and have no place to turn. In addition, VIM is an amazing organization with a kind and caring staff, a wonderful comprehensive approach and an outstanding director, Ilana Steinhauer,” he notes.
Claudia Zapata
After almost ten years of experience working as a medical assistant and certified nursing assistant, Claudia began volunteering for VIM in 2014 as a medical assistant. In 2015-16, she was an intern at VIM as part of her Bachelor’s program in social work. Since earning her degree in 2016, she has once again volunteered here as a medical assistant. Helping people at VIM is, she says, “one of the most rewarding experiences in life.”
