Nurse Appreciation: 2026

Intro from Nonotuck CEO/President George H. Fleischner

As we celebrate Nurses Month, it is fitting that we pause to recognize not only the extraordinary nurses who serve Nonotuck today, but also the person who laid the foundation for the Nursing Department they proudly represent.

A little more than twenty years ago, Nonotuck hired its first salaried nurse, Kitty Kelly Curtin. Prior to Kitty’s arrival, our nursing support consisted of a consultant who worked only a few hours each week. Kitty was initially hired on a part-time basis, but it quickly became clear that her vision, dedication, and energy would require much more. What followed was one of the most remarkable chapters in Nonotuck’s history.

Kitty single-handedly launched our Adult Family Care program in 2006 and then with hands-on leadership grew the program from a single member to more than 900 members by the time of her passing in July of 2023.

Today, Nonotuck’s Nursing Department has grown from one nurse to thirty-eight. Yet the principles that guide our work remain the same principles Kitty championed every day.

I remember Kitty once telling me that a great nurse blends clinical expertise with deep human empathy. She believed that exceptional nurses are defined not only by what they know, but by how they care. They provide compassionate support, advocate fiercely for those they serve, communicate effectively, and never lose sight of the dignity and humanity of the person before them.

That was Kitty. And those are the values she expected from every nurse who joined our organization.

The stories that follow, shared by staff from across Nonotuck, are tributes to our nurses today. But they are also a testament to Kitty’s enduring legacy. In the compassion shown to a family during a difficult moment, in the advocacy provided to a vulnerable individual, and in the countless acts of kindness that occur every day, we see the continuation of the standards she established more than two decades ago.

As we honor our nurses during this Nurses Month, we celebrate not only their skill and dedication, but also a tradition of care that began with one remarkable nurse whose influence continues to shape Nonotuck every day.

Auburn Office

Survy Bortman

“I want to take a moment to acknowledge Survy Bortman for the care and support she brings to Nonotuck each day. Survy joined Nonotuck in 2016 as a Program Nurse, was promoted to Assistant Program Director in 2017, and moved into her current role as RN Quality Coordinator in 2020. She brings extensive medical and nursing experience to her work, along with a true belief that living an authentic life is essential to overall wellness and health. Over the years, Survy has helped shape DDS nurse consultation practices, nursing education and training, and quality clinical oversight for nurses across the state. She now also works alongside two Assistant RN Quality Coordinators who also support the work of Nonotuck nurses statewide. What stands out most about Survy is her genuine kindness.  She leads with her heart, and that is inspiring.” 

-Debra Matta (Schnare), VP of Operations

Ashley Dumont

“Ashley Dumont is not just a phenomenal Assistant Program Director (APD), but her skills and knowledge as an RN have been an asset not just to our own program.  She has made herself available to any RN who needs assistance, whether answering a quick question or reviewing the entire PA process.  Ashley makes herself available at all times, and staff are so comfortable going to her with questions.  She can really recognize when someone learns in different manners and has helped people to find organizational methods and learning styles that work best for them.  She is incredibly smart, an excellent problem solver, loves spreadsheets a bit too much to my taste…but it works.  She goes above and beyond to help staff and families.  She’s so much more than just a fantastic RN, but there is no doubt that she is and should be recognized for it.”

— Kerrie Paradis, Program Director

Joseph Mitchell

“I want to share this appreciation note for Joseph Mitchell, RN. Joe joined the Nonotuck family on December 6, 2021, as a dual-role nurse. In the beginning, he worked closely with the Auburn AFC team as one of the primary AFC nurses and also the DDS intake Nurse. Not long after he joined the Nonotuck team, Kitty Curtin and I noticed right away his commitment, integrity, and the detailed care and support he provided through nursing home visits, assessments, documentation, and a plan of care/support for each member under his care and their Caregivers.

He has the quality we look for in a nurse who puts his heart and mind into each of his nursing support for the members. I also learned from Joe some wisdom in nursing. Here and there, Joe will share some statements that are so true. One of them is ( I paraphrase ) ‘What we do as a nurse is not just completing the tasks to follow the regulation, but we do it for a whole person to ensure they are safe and supported. There is something that we cannot control, but there are many things still that we can do to make a difference in a person’s /member’s life.’

Joe puts his heart and mind into his roles and responsibilities. Within a couple of years of his hire date, Joe was promoted to Assistant RN Quality Coordinator. He continues to share his expertise and knowledge with his team and colleagues. From his approach in caring, supporting, and assessing, you can see his strong commitment and love for what he does for others/Nonotuck community, and family.”

—Survy Bortman, RN Quality Coordinaotr

Brockton Office

Tyler Kingsbury

“Tyler Kingsbury from the Brockton office was promoted into the APD role and is learning and shining. You can clearly see her enthusiasm, and she genuinely wants to learn and grow with us.”

— Janet Munro, Program Director, and Jaimie Doucette, Vice President of Residential Services

Harvard Office

“For Nurse Appreciation Month, we would like to recognize Leanne McCarthy for the outstanding work she has done since transferring to the Harvard team.

Although she has only been with us for a short time, Leanne has integrated seamlessly with our team, providers, and the people we support. She embraced the challenge of learning new systems, forms, and processes with a positive attitude and remarkable determination. Her willingness to jump in, ask questions, and continuously learn has been impressive, and she has quickly become a valued member of our team.

Leanne consistently demonstrates professionalism, compassion, and dedication in her work. Her ability to build strong relationships while managing the many responsibilities of her role has made a positive impact on those around her. We appreciate her flexibility, strong work ethic, and commitment to providing quality support to our members and providers.

Thank you, Leanne, for all that you do. We are grateful to have you as part of the Harvard team and look forward to your continued success at Nonotuck.

Thank you.”

— Darlyn Nieves, Program Director

Lee Office

Nicole Elser

“Nicole has always embodied strong values that closely align with those of Nonotuck. She has a remarkable ability to meet people where they are, whether she has known them for years or only moments, allowing those on her caseload to feel safe, supported, and genuinely cared for.

Nicole is also a natural teacher who brings years of experience and knowledge from her diverse nursing roles and eagerly shares that expertise with her teams. Having Nicole as both a team member and a trusted resource has only strengthened the supports the Berkshire office is able to provide to our members.”

— Jessica Schram, Program Director

“I just want to give a BIG shout out to the Lee Nurse, Nicole Elser. She is a rock star Nurse who not only pays close attention to her work and details but is a strong supporter for the people we serve. We at the Lee office struck gold having her on our team!”

—Mark Patenaude, Integration Specialist

Lowell Office

Bridget Arciero

“Bridget consistently goes above and beyond in caring for her members. She does not simply complete home visits as a routine task; she takes the time to thoroughly assess both the physical health and mental well-being of each member. She demonstrates great respect for the cultures, preferences, and values of both members and caregivers, which helps build strong trust and rapport.

Bridget is highly committed to ensuring her members receive the highest quality of care. She diligently follows up on concerns and maintains effective communication with members’ PCPs, management team, and caregivers. She does not hesitate to contact members’ PCPs to report urgent issues, even after regular working hours.

Whenever Bridget consults with me regarding a member’s care, she provides detailed and comprehensive reports that reflect the thorough assessments she conducts during home visits. Her strong relationships with members and their families are evident in the quality of care and advocacy she provides.

In addition, Bridget consistently and proactively seeks ways to improve not only the care of her own members but also the overall quality of care provided throughout the organization. She has also volunteered her time to participate in our nursing team initiatives focused on enhancing clinical care quality across the agency.”

— Sochanviphea Loch, Assistant to the Vice President of Nursing and AFC Services, Lowell

Sarina Sory

“Sarina Sory, our Intake Nurse, has done a phenomenal job coordinating and completing intakes for all new members. Her dedication, efficiency, and consistent follow-up with PCPs have significantly contributed to a smoother and faster admission process for new members entering our program.

Sarina consistently demonstrates professionalism, attention to detail, and a strong commitment to ensuring that all necessary documentation and communication are completed in a timely manner.”

— Sochanviphea Loch, Assistant to the Vice President of Nursing and AFC Services, Lowell

Lynn Office

Raquel Allah

“Raquel has demonstrated exceptional leadership in stepping into the role of Program Director. During periods of nursing staff shortages, she willingly stepped in to cover nursing visits and complete necessary nursing assessments to ensure continuity of care for members.

Raquel consistently displays patience, professionalism, excellent communication, and strong leadership skills while working with staff and onboarding new nurses. She has gone above and beyond to ensure her program operates smoothly and efficiently while addressing issues involving members and caregivers in a timely and appropriate manner.

Additionally, Raquel has shown great skill in managing conflicts and supporting both staff and members with professionalism and compassion. Her dedication, adaptability, and leadership have made a significant positive impact on both her team and the members we serve.”

— Sochanviphea Loch, Assistant to the Vice President of Nursing and AFC Services, Lowell

Plymouth Office

Mimi McCarthy

“Mimi has done an outstanding job managing her program. She consistently ensures that all required documentation is completed accurately and in compliance with AFC regulations. Mimi is especially diligent in managing time-sensitive documentation, including prior authorizations, and always stays ahead of deadlines.

In addition, Mimi takes the initiative to conduct detailed ongoing audits to ensure that paperwork is completed properly and on time. Her strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and commitment to regulatory compliance have greatly contributed to the efficiency and quality of the program.”

— Sochanviphea Loch, Assistant to the Vice President of Nursing and AFC Services, Lowell

Christine Crowell, Caroline Adley, and Chrissy Keenan

“During Nonotuck’s recent licensure, the Plymouth nurses — Christine Crowell, Caroline Adley, and Chrissy Keenan — came together to support their teammates during licensure. They jumped in at short notice and demonstrated the kind of teamwork we value throughout the organization.

For many of them, this was their first licensure process, and they stepped in to help support the Brockton office as well.”

— Janet Munro, Program Director, and Jaimie Doucette, Vice President of Residential Services

Jess Weeks

“I want to share this appreciation note for Jessica Weeks, RN. I got to know Jessica through Kitty Curtin. Jessica was hired on May 10, 2016, and at that time, our paths had not yet really crossed, for I was hired in November 2016 and we work at different offices. By the time she was promoted to RN Coordinator for the Brockton Office and then to Assistant RN Quality Coordinator, our teamwork had grown stronger, and I could see the compassion and genuine nursing support that she brings in caring for and supporting members through her work with the broader team. Jessica is eager to assist and learns something new to ensure that each member receives the care and support they need. Jess puts her heart and mind into her work as a nurse.

I always appreciate her knowledge and insight that she shares with Joe and me at our weekly review meeting and with her broader team as well.”

—Survy Bortman, RN Quality Coordinator

“Jess Weeks also assisted with home visit preparation during licensure and consistently approached the process with a willingness to help wherever needed.”

— Janet Munro, Program Director, and Jaimie Doucette, Vice President of Residential Services

If there’s a Nonotuck nurse you’d like to recognize, email Joshua Murray at murray@nonotuck.com.