NICOLE Moran
Company: VNA & Hospice of the Southwest Region
Title: Director of Hospice & Palliative Care
Age: 37
Favorite Part of Job: There are many parts of my role that I enjoy, but the most rewarding is working with patients and families during such a precious and vulnerable time. Satisfaction emanates from 
providing comfort and support to allow for peace, dignity and healing.
Most Inspiring Mentor: My late grandmother, Veda was and is the most influential person in my life. She taught me that every person is deserving of kindness and respect. Her optimism and true generosity are something that I strive for daily.
Tell us something fun about yourself that few people know: I am obsessed with dogs. If I won the lottery (I would have to play first), I would build a sanctuary for dogs in need.
What three words best describe you: Driven. Organized. Perfectionist.
Favorite Vermont Escape: My husband’s family has a home on Lake Bomoseen where we are lucky enough to spend summer days swimming and rock jumping and skating and snow shoeing on the frozen lake in the winter.
Favorite Downtime Activity: Spending time with my family to just enjoy each other. With our busy schedules this does not happen very often, so I cherish every second with them I get!
If you had unlimited access to funds, which causes would you support: See above answer regarding dog obsession.
In all seriousness, I would construct a hospice home in Rutland county to provide an option for hospice patients who are unable to stay in their own home.
What is the best career advice you have received: Take care of your team, they are the most important assets of your organization.
Employee satisfaction = customer satisfaction!
What motivated you to live and work in Vermont: My husband, TJ, and I built our lives here because we wanted our children, Brogan (9) and Rory (7), to grow up close to their grandparents. We also wanted them to have the experience of living in the small, supportive community that we both had.
Career Highlights: I graduated from Castleton University and started my nursing career at Rutland Regional Medical Center in 2004 as a staff nurse on the cardiac unit. During my ten years at RRMC I transitioned into a leadership role and continued my education, eventually receiving my Masters degree in Nursing in 2014. From there, I continued my professional growth at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in the Medical ICU. In 2015, I took the opportunity to return to Rutland in my current role leading the end of life programs at the VNA & Hospice.
Community Involvement: Since my return to Rutland I have been able to begin giving back to our great community.
I am a member of Rutland City Rotary Club and am a campaign team member for the United Way of Rutland County. I volunteer on the Board of Directors for Girls on the Run Vermont and I am a volunteer Four Winds teacher at Rutland Town School where my children attend.
In my spare time, I teach fitness classes at The Gymnasium. As a certified fitness instructor I love motivating others to get fit and be the healthiest version of themselves.
