Courtnay Wilson
36 | Neuropsychologist, The Memory Clinic
Residence: Bennington
Career highlight you are most proud of:
The career highlight I'm most proud of is obtaining my license to practice as a Psychologist in the State of Vermont. It is a long process going through graduate school, internship, post-doc, and the licensing exam, so to receive the confirmation that I was being granted my license was a huge accomplishment and culmination of all of the hard work put in to reach that goal. 
I have now been practicing for 6 years, and I will never take that for granted.
Community Involvement:
I have always had an interest in volunteering since high school when I volunteered at a dialysis clinic, comforting patients who were there for treatment. To me, volunteerism is a vital part of helping our community thrive. 
I joined the board of the Shires Young Professionals (SYP) in the Fall of 2022 with the goal of incorporating more volunteer events into our programming. In 2023, SYP participated in 3 volunteer events with Green Up Day, Habitat for Humanity, and Second Chance Animal Shelter. In 2024, I was nominated as the Vice Chair of SYP. My goal this year was to double the amount of volunteer events, and so far, we have volunteered with the Alliance for Community Transformations (ACT), Habitat for Humanity, Bennington Pride, the Remote Area Medical Clinic (RAM) and Second Chance Animal Center. We plan to volunteer with Window Dressers and Empty Bowls to round out our volunteer program for the year.
While volunteering is a true passion, I also enjoy organizing events in the community that help bring visibility to local businesses. I have executed several mixers at local restaurants as well as a local art museum in order to bring young professionals into potentially new environments. I am in the process of helping to plan an Elder Care event at The Memory Clinic, where I will be speaking, as well as a climate change event, slotted for early next year. Additionally, I have volunteered as a captain for Bennington’s Garlic Town for the last two years, and serve on the board for Lake Paran. I think it is important to engage with the community as well as each other, and I enjoy bringing people together in that way.
What motivated you to live and work in Vermont?
I came to Vermont for my internship at The Memory Clinic, stayed for my post-doc, and loved it so much that after I was licensed and offered a position, I stayed on as a full-time Neuropsychologist. I love the small-town community feel of Vermont as well as the beautiful landscapes that make you feel lucky to live in such a place.
Favorite part of your job:
My favorite part of my job working with patients who have Alzheimer’s and their caregivers is being able to help patients feel like they are still them and are more than a disease. I have several patients who are very much involved in their favorite hobbies, and still create beautiful art, music, written articles - the list goes on. I love getting to know these people and be able to remind other patients that they can still be themselves and do what they love, even with a diagnosis.
Most inspiring mentor and why:
My dad has always been a big inspiration to me. He did not come from much, but always had big dreams and worked his way up, doing what he had to do to provide for our family. He taught me that no dream is too big, but if you really want something, you have to put in the work to get there.
What is the best career advice you have received?
You only have one life, so don’t spend it all working. Work is important of course, but so is quality of life because life can be taken from you in an instant, and work life balance is important.
Tell us something fun about yourself that few people know:
Few people know that I have lived in 6 different states, but Vermont is by far my favorite, and the state I have lived in the longest outside of where I grew up.
What three words best describe you:
Compassionate, hard-working and flexible.
Favorite Vermont escape:
In Bennington County, I love to go for a walk with my husband and our dogs at the Mile Around Woods in North Bennington. Outside of Bennington, Killington will always be near and dear to me, as I spent many summers there throughout my life and got engaged at the bridge by the Grand Hotel!
Favorite Vermont season:
As cliché as it is, nothing beats Fall in Vermont – there’s a reason why so many Hallmark movies are set in this state! You can’t beat the beautiful foliage, crisp temperatures, fresh cider, and of course the cider donuts (shout out to Propagation Piece in Shaftsbury for making the best cider donuts around!)
Favorite downtime activity:
I really enjoy spending time with my husband and my dogs and just relaxing together after a busy day at work. Those moments are when I feel truly at peace.
Favorite Social Media and why:
I would have to go with Facebook. I like how easy it is to find local events in my area through Facebook events, and that it is a place where I can keep many of my photos throughout the years in one place.
What is your favorite smell?
I love all of the smells of Fall – from the crunching leaves that remind me of making homemade scarecrows as a kid to the warming spices of cinnamon and nutmeg that I use in my fall baked goods – I love it all!
Person you would most like to share a Vermont beverage with:
My husband. We bonded early on in our relationship over our love of cider, so I would love to share a Shacksbury Vermonter cider with him any day!
If you had unlimited access to funds, which cause(s) would you support:
There are so many good causes that I would support, but I would definitely fund local organizations that I have worked with, such as Alliance for Community Transformations, Habitat for Humanity, Second Chance Animal Shelter, as well as GBCS. I would support organizations that focus on helping those in the community that need it, youth and adults, as well as all of our furry friends who are looking for their forever homes!
What one song is on your playlist that are you embarrassed to tell your best friend:
I like a wide range of music and would not be embarrassed to tell my best friend about anything on my playlists. It’s no secret that I am a major Swiftie (and proud)!
Where do you see yourself professionally in the next 5-10 years?
I would like to continue my career in Vermont as a neuropsychologist working with patients who have Alzheimer’s disease, but would love to expand my expertise to other disorders as well, such as depression and anxiety. I could also see myself engaging in some consulting work and helping to spread awareness about early detection of Alzheimer’s disease.
What career goal(s) would you like to accomplish in the next 5-10 years?
I would like to become a principal investigator for a clinical trial. I would also like to continue being involved in community leadership and taking on roles on various local boards.
