Advisory Board
Zail S. Berry, MD, MPH
Zail Berry is a retired internist, geriatrician, and palliative care physician who practiced in Vermont for 26 years, including 10 years in private practice as a housecall physician. She was the founding medical director of the Palliative Care Program at the UVM Medical Center and has served as a hospice medical director both in Washington, DC (Hospice of Washington), and in Chittenden County (VNA, now UVM Home Health & Hospice). She received the Madison-Deane Initiative (MDI) Award for Excellence in End-of-Life Care in 2017. Alongside her medical practice she was an Associate Professor of Medicine at the UVM Larner College of Medicine and was active in teaching palliative medicine, pain management, and end-of-life decision-making.
Brigid Guttmacher, M.A.
Brigid Guttmacher has spent decades helping individuals and families cope with illness, life transitions, and grief and loss issues. Her professional roles have included a licensed private clinical practice focusing on these issues and working as Bereavement Care Coordinator and Community Outreach and Palliative Care Counselor for Capital Hospice in Washington, DC. Brigid has over 20 years’ experience with hospice in DC and Vermont, as both a volunteer and clinician. While working with hospice, she has provided support to family members and friends of hospice patients and member of the community after the death of a loved one.
Renée A. Harvey, Esq.
Renée Harvey is a graduate of Vermont Law School and is licensed to practice law in the state and federal courts of Vermont and New Hampshire. Her practice focuses on estate planning and settlement, assisting clients with making informed decisions. She is a Respecting Choices® Advance Care Planning Certified Facilitator and she is a certified mediator. Renée also serves on the New Hampshire Bar Association's Dispute Resolution Committee, and is a lecturer at various local institutions. She is the managing partner of Caldwell Law.
Madeleine Kunin
Madeleine Kunin served as Governor of Vermont (1985-1991) and she later served as U.S. Ambassador to Switzerland. Governor Kunin was instrumental in the passage of Act 39. During the campaign for the law, she stated that “Vermonters will benefit from the passage of this law because it will give them the option of making dying a gentler and more humane experience. The knowledge that it is available will provide comfort to many.”
Jean Mallary, RN, BSN
Jean Mallary was founding director of the Vermont Ethics Network until her retirement in 1994. As a former nurse and educator, she and her late husband, Dick Mallary advocated for the establishment of advance directives as standard practice. Jean and Dick advocated for Act 39 through videos and statements, all leading up to adoption in 2013. Sadly, passage of the law was not in time for Dick, who died in 2011. Jean continued to testify on his behalf and on behalf of all who wish for a peaceful and dignified end to their lives.
Neil H. Mickenberg, Esq., Former Board Chair and Director
Neil Mickenberg is a retired lawyer with a long and varied career. The focus of Neil’s recent work has been representation of non-profit organizations, including drafting legislation and lobbying. In 1976 Neil became the Managing Attorney of the Vermont Legal Aid’s Developmental Disabilities Advocacy Project. He drafted and successfully advocated for the passage of a number of pieces of legislation, including bills dealing with zoning for group homes, special education, and community mental health agencies, and much of the State’s guardianship law. Following his role as Managing Attorney for the DD Advocacy Project, Neil became the Deputy Director of Vermont Legal Aid. Neil is a graduate of Cornell University, Fordham Law School and prior to his retirement was admitted to the State and Federal Courts in Vermont and to the United States Supreme Court. He has published a number of law review notes and articles and co-edited the book, Native Rights in Canada. Neil served as Vice Chair of PCV from 2015 to 2021.
Gretchen B. Morse
Gretchen Morse spent 35 years in public service initiating and implementing policies that improve the health and well being of Vermonters. She was Executive Director of the United Way of Chittenden County from 1991-2011. She was Secretary of Vermont Agency of Human Services for Governor Madeleine Kunin from 1985-1991. Morse served in the Vermont House of Representatives from 1977-1985 and chaired both Education and Health & Welfare Committees. Morse is a former member of the Board of Trustees of the University of Vermont Medical Center and UVM Health Networks. She is an Emeritus Member of the Board of Directors of Wake Robin Corporation. Morse graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Vermont. She received an Honorary Doctorate of Laws from UVM in 2009 and an Honorary Doctorate of Humanities from St. Michael’s College in 2011. Morse lives in Charlotte with her husband, Jim. They have two daughters and five grandchildren.
Herbert Ogden, Esq.
Herbert Ogden lives in Mt. Tabor and has chaired the nine town Taconic and Green Regional School District Board since its formation in 2017. He retired recently after 35 years as a trial lawyer representing mostly plaintiffs in legal (not medical) malpractice, employment, civil rights, and consumer fraud cases, among others. Before that, he taught high school German for ten years. He says, “When I switched from teaching German to practicing law, I just changed the foreign language I operated in. I hope patient choices can be kept in something as close to normal English as possible."
Wilda Pelton
Wilda Pelton is former President and Secretary of the Board of the Vermont Free and Referral Clinics and served for eight years on the Board of Trustees of Springfield Medical Care Systems in Springfield, VT. She has served on the board of the New England Rural Health Roundtable and is the Chair of the Ascutney Mountain Audubon Society’s Scholarship Committee. She served sixteen years as executive director of the Precision Valley Free Clinic, DBA Valley Health Connections, where she still works part-time as an eligibility assistance coordinator and navigator to assist people enrolling in Vermont Health Connect. Wilda is a graduate of Vermont College and Eastman Dental Dispensary in Rochester, NY. She has worked in health care for most of her career. Beginning as a dental hygienist, she worked for the Vermont Department of Health Oral Health Division and in private practice. After her graduation from Vermont College, she built a career in health advocacy working in outreach and education for both the Vermont and New Hampshire Breast and Cervical Cancer programs.
Theodore Shattuck, M.D.
...practices otolaryngology in Rutland.
Samantha Stevens
Samantha Stevens is educated and experienced in the field of advocacy, focusing in particular on children and families, education, and issues of equity. She currently serves as Equity and Community Outreach Coordinator/Homeless Liaison for North Country Supervisory Union School District. A native of the Northeast Kingdom, Samantha is in love with rural landscapes and the people who make their lives there. She believes in the power of town meetings, "radical hospitality", and shared meals to build and maintain thriving communities. She hopes to see a revitalization of Vermont's rural towns in her lifetime, and works every day to contribute to that potential. In 2016, Samantha's beloved dad, Eric Stevens, chose medical aid in dying after experiencing the terminal symptoms of Multiple Systems Atrophy (see the Eric Stevens videos). This experience launched her commitment to the rights of patients to determine their own end-of-life transitions. She hopes to help ensure that all people have access to the education and resources needed to make these very personal choices in their own lives.
David Zuckerman
In 1998, David Zuckerman was the first legislator to introduce a medical aid in dying bill in Vermont. He has served Vermonters for more than two decades as a legislator and most recently as Lieutenant Governor. David was deeply influenced by his father’s work as a doctor and recalls many conversations about end of life care, medical ethics and options for patient control, comfort and agency. David’s work on the issues facing our state have always focused on kindness and compassion while searching for practical solutions.
Zail Berry is a retired internist, geriatrician, and palliative care physician who practiced in Vermont for 26 years, including 10 years in private practice as a housecall physician. She was the founding medical director of the Palliative Care Program at the UVM Medical Center and has served as a hospice medical director both in Washington, DC (Hospice of Washington), and in Chittenden County (VNA, now UVM Home Health & Hospice). She received the Madison-Deane Initiative (MDI) Award for Excellence in End-of-Life Care in 2017. Alongside her medical practice she was an Associate Professor of Medicine at the UVM Larner College of Medicine and was active in teaching palliative medicine, pain management, and end-of-life decision-making.
Brigid Guttmacher, M.A.
Brigid Guttmacher has spent decades helping individuals and families cope with illness, life transitions, and grief and loss issues. Her professional roles have included a licensed private clinical practice focusing on these issues and working as Bereavement Care Coordinator and Community Outreach and Palliative Care Counselor for Capital Hospice in Washington, DC. Brigid has over 20 years’ experience with hospice in DC and Vermont, as both a volunteer and clinician. While working with hospice, she has provided support to family members and friends of hospice patients and member of the community after the death of a loved one.
Renée A. Harvey, Esq.
Renée Harvey is a graduate of Vermont Law School and is licensed to practice law in the state and federal courts of Vermont and New Hampshire. Her practice focuses on estate planning and settlement, assisting clients with making informed decisions. She is a Respecting Choices® Advance Care Planning Certified Facilitator and she is a certified mediator. Renée also serves on the New Hampshire Bar Association's Dispute Resolution Committee, and is a lecturer at various local institutions. She is the managing partner of Caldwell Law.
Madeleine Kunin
Madeleine Kunin served as Governor of Vermont (1985-1991) and she later served as U.S. Ambassador to Switzerland. Governor Kunin was instrumental in the passage of Act 39. During the campaign for the law, she stated that “Vermonters will benefit from the passage of this law because it will give them the option of making dying a gentler and more humane experience. The knowledge that it is available will provide comfort to many.”
Jean Mallary, RN, BSN
Jean Mallary was founding director of the Vermont Ethics Network until her retirement in 1994. As a former nurse and educator, she and her late husband, Dick Mallary advocated for the establishment of advance directives as standard practice. Jean and Dick advocated for Act 39 through videos and statements, all leading up to adoption in 2013. Sadly, passage of the law was not in time for Dick, who died in 2011. Jean continued to testify on his behalf and on behalf of all who wish for a peaceful and dignified end to their lives.
Neil H. Mickenberg, Esq., Former Board Chair and Director
Neil Mickenberg is a retired lawyer with a long and varied career. The focus of Neil’s recent work has been representation of non-profit organizations, including drafting legislation and lobbying. In 1976 Neil became the Managing Attorney of the Vermont Legal Aid’s Developmental Disabilities Advocacy Project. He drafted and successfully advocated for the passage of a number of pieces of legislation, including bills dealing with zoning for group homes, special education, and community mental health agencies, and much of the State’s guardianship law. Following his role as Managing Attorney for the DD Advocacy Project, Neil became the Deputy Director of Vermont Legal Aid. Neil is a graduate of Cornell University, Fordham Law School and prior to his retirement was admitted to the State and Federal Courts in Vermont and to the United States Supreme Court. He has published a number of law review notes and articles and co-edited the book, Native Rights in Canada. Neil served as Vice Chair of PCV from 2015 to 2021.
Gretchen B. Morse
Gretchen Morse spent 35 years in public service initiating and implementing policies that improve the health and well being of Vermonters. She was Executive Director of the United Way of Chittenden County from 1991-2011. She was Secretary of Vermont Agency of Human Services for Governor Madeleine Kunin from 1985-1991. Morse served in the Vermont House of Representatives from 1977-1985 and chaired both Education and Health & Welfare Committees. Morse is a former member of the Board of Trustees of the University of Vermont Medical Center and UVM Health Networks. She is an Emeritus Member of the Board of Directors of Wake Robin Corporation. Morse graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Vermont. She received an Honorary Doctorate of Laws from UVM in 2009 and an Honorary Doctorate of Humanities from St. Michael’s College in 2011. Morse lives in Charlotte with her husband, Jim. They have two daughters and five grandchildren.
Herbert Ogden, Esq.
Herbert Ogden lives in Mt. Tabor and has chaired the nine town Taconic and Green Regional School District Board since its formation in 2017. He retired recently after 35 years as a trial lawyer representing mostly plaintiffs in legal (not medical) malpractice, employment, civil rights, and consumer fraud cases, among others. Before that, he taught high school German for ten years. He says, “When I switched from teaching German to practicing law, I just changed the foreign language I operated in. I hope patient choices can be kept in something as close to normal English as possible."
Wilda Pelton
Wilda Pelton is former President and Secretary of the Board of the Vermont Free and Referral Clinics and served for eight years on the Board of Trustees of Springfield Medical Care Systems in Springfield, VT. She has served on the board of the New England Rural Health Roundtable and is the Chair of the Ascutney Mountain Audubon Society’s Scholarship Committee. She served sixteen years as executive director of the Precision Valley Free Clinic, DBA Valley Health Connections, where she still works part-time as an eligibility assistance coordinator and navigator to assist people enrolling in Vermont Health Connect. Wilda is a graduate of Vermont College and Eastman Dental Dispensary in Rochester, NY. She has worked in health care for most of her career. Beginning as a dental hygienist, she worked for the Vermont Department of Health Oral Health Division and in private practice. After her graduation from Vermont College, she built a career in health advocacy working in outreach and education for both the Vermont and New Hampshire Breast and Cervical Cancer programs.
Theodore Shattuck, M.D.
...practices otolaryngology in Rutland.
Samantha Stevens
Samantha Stevens is educated and experienced in the field of advocacy, focusing in particular on children and families, education, and issues of equity. She currently serves as Equity and Community Outreach Coordinator/Homeless Liaison for North Country Supervisory Union School District. A native of the Northeast Kingdom, Samantha is in love with rural landscapes and the people who make their lives there. She believes in the power of town meetings, "radical hospitality", and shared meals to build and maintain thriving communities. She hopes to see a revitalization of Vermont's rural towns in her lifetime, and works every day to contribute to that potential. In 2016, Samantha's beloved dad, Eric Stevens, chose medical aid in dying after experiencing the terminal symptoms of Multiple Systems Atrophy (see the Eric Stevens videos). This experience launched her commitment to the rights of patients to determine their own end-of-life transitions. She hopes to help ensure that all people have access to the education and resources needed to make these very personal choices in their own lives.
David Zuckerman
In 1998, David Zuckerman was the first legislator to introduce a medical aid in dying bill in Vermont. He has served Vermonters for more than two decades as a legislator and most recently as Lieutenant Governor. David was deeply influenced by his father’s work as a doctor and recalls many conversations about end of life care, medical ethics and options for patient control, comfort and agency. David’s work on the issues facing our state have always focused on kindness and compassion while searching for practical solutions.
Advisors
Stephen Kastner
...serves as PCV's Digital Media Specialist. Stephen's firm, DesignWise Studios is a creative media developer employing digital photography, videography, graphic design and social media. Stephen draws on a lifetime of experience in journalism, photography, business and non-profit work to support PCV's communications work.
Legal: The Necrason Group advises Patient Choices Vermont on legal and legislative matters. The team there has a long history working on the adoption of Act 39 and its early implementation.
...serves as PCV's Digital Media Specialist. Stephen's firm, DesignWise Studios is a creative media developer employing digital photography, videography, graphic design and social media. Stephen draws on a lifetime of experience in journalism, photography, business and non-profit work to support PCV's communications work.
Legal: The Necrason Group advises Patient Choices Vermont on legal and legislative matters. The team there has a long history working on the adoption of Act 39 and its early implementation.
Key Volunteers
PCV is grateful for the work of the following people who bring both personal and professional experience to their outreach work with our organization:
Jonathan Crocker: Jonathan Crocker helps fine-tune Patient Choices Vermont communications, providing editing services and expertise in story-telling for PCV videos. He also tracks donations and keeps the supporter database accurate and up to date. Jonathan says, “I am humbled and inspired by the people whose stories I have encountered in this work; by both their courage and their generosity in sharing such deeply emotional journeys. Like them, I hope these stories help spread awareness of the value of medical-aid-in-dying, and can help others through the experience.”
Nancy Hawley: Nancy Hawley (www.NHawley.com) configured and supports PCV’s supporter database. Her expertise in business data systems helps provide PCV with intelligent information for planning fund-raising campaigns and communicating effectively with donors.
Ann Crocker and Barbara Deal: Ann Crocker handles the important job of making sure that every donor to PCV is properly thanked. As she says, “It’s an honor for me to be able to contribute to Patient Choice Vermont by thanking our donors. Each donation supports the very important work of ensuring that every terminally ill Vermonter is aware of Act 39 and the choice that it offers.” Ann assumed the job in 2021 from Barbara Deal, who handled this responsibility for two years. Barbara commented, "As Director of Addison County Hospice in the mid 90’s, I have had a long standing belief in encouraging people to say what they want the end of their lives to be like. It has been an honor to serve PCV in this limited but sincere way. I have had two dear friends who chose to use Act 39 and I am full of gratitude to PCV who made their choice possible."
Rob Mermin: Rob Mermin has vividly recounted the story of his friend Bill who used Act 39 after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
Peggy Stevens: Having personal experience with her husband Eric's choice to use medical aid in dying, Peggy is a warm and articulate speaker whose story illustrates the importance of end-of-life choice.
Jonathan Crocker: Jonathan Crocker helps fine-tune Patient Choices Vermont communications, providing editing services and expertise in story-telling for PCV videos. He also tracks donations and keeps the supporter database accurate and up to date. Jonathan says, “I am humbled and inspired by the people whose stories I have encountered in this work; by both their courage and their generosity in sharing such deeply emotional journeys. Like them, I hope these stories help spread awareness of the value of medical-aid-in-dying, and can help others through the experience.”
Nancy Hawley: Nancy Hawley (www.NHawley.com) configured and supports PCV’s supporter database. Her expertise in business data systems helps provide PCV with intelligent information for planning fund-raising campaigns and communicating effectively with donors.
Ann Crocker and Barbara Deal: Ann Crocker handles the important job of making sure that every donor to PCV is properly thanked. As she says, “It’s an honor for me to be able to contribute to Patient Choice Vermont by thanking our donors. Each donation supports the very important work of ensuring that every terminally ill Vermonter is aware of Act 39 and the choice that it offers.” Ann assumed the job in 2021 from Barbara Deal, who handled this responsibility for two years. Barbara commented, "As Director of Addison County Hospice in the mid 90’s, I have had a long standing belief in encouraging people to say what they want the end of their lives to be like. It has been an honor to serve PCV in this limited but sincere way. I have had two dear friends who chose to use Act 39 and I am full of gratitude to PCV who made their choice possible."
Rob Mermin: Rob Mermin has vividly recounted the story of his friend Bill who used Act 39 after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
Peggy Stevens: Having personal experience with her husband Eric's choice to use medical aid in dying, Peggy is a warm and articulate speaker whose story illustrates the importance of end-of-life choice.