Meet the Health Service Team

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Margot Schinella, FNP-C ’06

Director of Health Service
(she/her)
mschinella@vassar.edu

Languages spoken other than English: German

Clinical Experience/Specialty: College Health, Primary Care, Emergency Medicine, Emergency Medical Services, Oncology Nursing, Disordered Eating, Infusion nursing, and home healthcare

Education/Training/Board Certifications

• BA performance music/German Studies: Vassar College
• BS Nursing: Pace University
• MS Nursing/Family Nurse Practitioner Certification: Mount Saint Mary College
• Board Certification by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners
• American College Health Association’s Leadership Institute Program: College Health and Wellness Professional Certification

Awards/Recognitions/Publications

• Nurse Practitioners Caring for Their Communities and Providing Education about Their Profession through Public Outreach using the Automatic External Defibrillator+ Strategy. SSRN, 1-16. 21 May 2025.
• Dutchess County Government Office of the County Executive Proclamation 2024
• Proclamation from Senator Rob Rolison 2024
• The Invisible Wave Podcast.  Episode 4: "Higher Ed. Pt. 1-Model This".  October 16, 2024.  https://invisiblewave.org/podcast
• NYSCHA 2024 Vincent J. Lamparella Award for Perseverance & Leadership in College Health
• Poster Presentation on Nurse Practitioners Caring for their Communities and Providing Education about their Practice and Profession through Public Outreach using the Automatic External Defibrillator+ Strategy, 2024 NPA Conference, fall 2024, Saratoga Springs, NY.
• Reducing the Likelihood of Opioid Overdose Fatalities on College and University Campuses: An Action Plan and Model. Journal of Community Health, 49(3): 568-574. 24 January 2024. DOI:10.1007/s10(900) 023-01322-5
• 40 Under 40 Mover and Shaker Award 2021, Dutchess County Chamber of Commerce, Poughkeepsie, NY
• Inductee of Sigma Theta Tau Honor Society
• Dean’s List at Pace University

Professional Affiliations

• American College Health Association
• Dutchess County Chamber of Commerce Women's Leadership Alliance
• Dutchess County Chamber of Commerce Health and Wellbeing Committee
• Dutchess County Department of Health Suicide and Overdose Prevention Committee
• Dutchess County Department of Health Sexual Health Coalition Member
• American Academy of Nurse Practitioners

What inspired you to pursue a career in healthcare?
As a child, I could never see an ambulance drive by and not think “I wonder what is going on in the back of that ambulance"” I was awed that one emergency responder could have the ability to make such a drastic difference in the outcome of their patient. I knew from early on that I wanted to be a change-maker. That I wanted to positively impact my patient's outcome through sound clinical decision-making and high-quality clinical skills.

What do you enjoy most about your profession?
As a Family Nurse Practitioner, we are trained in the nursing model which stresses the importance of patient education and holistic patient care. Having the ability to interact with the college-age population and teach life skills at such a momentous developmental turning point is what I love most about my work. My goal is to help our students learn about their bodies and their health in a manner that will benefit them well past their college years. Being a Vassar alum myself, I feel especially connected to our student boy and understand the challenges of balancing health and Vassar academic rigor.

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
I enjoy running, mostly 5k and 10k distances with the occasional half marathon. I enjoy kayaking, hiking and boating. I love spending time with my family and my pets, including the most recent addition of a semi-aquatic turtle. In my spare time I help my husband with construction projects and it is not uncommon to see me wearing a pink tool belt and operating heavy equipment. I spend much of my summer “glamping” and have recently engaged in geocaching with my teenage son.

If you could provide one piece of advice to your patients what would it be?
“Don’t settle for mediocre healthcare. Find providers who listen to you and work with you in the body that you have. Your care should be holistic and customized to you as a unique person.”

Kimberly Szwartz, MPH, PA-C

Physician Assistant
kszwartz@vassar.edu

Clinical Experience/Specialty: Internal Medicine, Family Medicine, Pediatrics, Occupational Health

Education/Training/Board Certifications

• Bachelor of Science Sociology
• Bachelor of Science Physician Assistant Studies
• Master Public Health
• National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants

What inspired you to pursue a career in healthcare?
Being exposed to friends and family at a young age with chronic medical conditions inspired me to work in the medical field.

What do you enjoy most about your profession?
I love making a positive impact on patients and improving their quality of life.

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
I really enjoy spending time with family, traveling, gardening and shopping.

If you could provide one piece of advice to your patients what would it be?
Do your best to live a healthy lifestyle to avoid chronic medical conditions later in life.

Kimberly Pelish, ANP-C

Adult Nurse Practitioner
(she/her)
kpelish@vassar.edu

Languages spoken other than English: Spanish

Clinical Experience/Specialty: Primary care, mental health, gender affirming care

Education/Training/Board Certifications

• BA
• MSN
• Board Certified by the American Nurses Credentialing Center

What inspired you to pursue a career in healthcare?
I genuinely wanted to help others and still do 20+ years later. I had some challenges to overcome in my life and felt that I was made of the stuff to help other people when they were faced with challenges. I liked the idea of mixing concrete science with something less concrete like love for fellow humans.

What do you enjoy most about your profession?
I love learning about people and their lives. I am continually amazed by the strength, resilience, and humanity of the people I treat. I also love the flexibility and variety of work that I can do.

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
I like cooking and eating, spending time with close friends, hiking, biking, gardening, traveling, reading...not that I have time to do all these things as much as I would like.

If you could provide one piece of advice to your patients what would it be?
“Don't give up”.

Simona Cohen, FNP, Clinical Facilitator of Gynecological and Gender-Affirming Services

Family Nurse Practitioner
(she/her)
scohen@vassar.edu

Clinical Experience/Specialty: Family Health, Pediatrics

Education/Training/Board Certifications

• BS Nursing from New York University
• MS Nursing/Family Nurse Practitioner Certification from Columbia University

What inspired you to pursue a career in healthcare?
I was inspired to pursue a career as a nurse practitioner by a desire to work with young people and hopefully make a positive impact on their lives.

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
I enjoy spending time with my husband and four daughters.

If you could provide one piece of advice to your patients what would it be?
“Use good judgment”!

Dr. Mark Adam Papish

Supervising Physician

Languages spoken other than English: Spanish

Clinical experience/Specialty: Emergency Medicine, Emergency Medical Services, Urgent Care

Education/Training/Board Certifications

• MD
• Primary ABEM-Emergency Medicine
• Secondary ABEM-EMS

Professional Affiliations

• Envision Physician Services
• WMCHealth

What inspired you to pursue a career in healthcare?
I have always found the opportunity to help people in need to be intrinsically rewarding.

Paulina Taylor (Nunez), FNP-C

Family Nurse Practitioner, Per Diem
(she/her)
pnunez@vassar.edu

Languages spoken other than English: Spanish

Clinical Experience/Specialty: Adult health, Pediatrics, Women’s Health, Acute care inpatient nursing, Internal medicine nursing

Education/Training/Board Certifications

• BSN
• MSN
• Board Certification by the American Nurses Credentialing Center

Awards/Recognitions/Publications

• Magna cum laude
• Distinguished Nursing Scholar Award at Dominican University

Professional Affiliations

• Nurse Practitioner Association
• American Nurses Association

What inspired you to pursue a career in healthcare?
Having the ability to help others, whether it is to heal from illness or to stay healthy and teaching them to lead a healthy lifestyle, as well as caring for patients in a holistic way.

Ilona Snyder, FNP-C

Family Nurse Practitioner, Per Diem
ilonasnyder@vassar.edu

Shannon Smiley, PA

Physician Assistant, Per Diem
ssmiley@vassar.edu

Kaitlin Wilcove, PA

Physician Assistant, Per Diem
kwilcove@vassar.edu

Bridget Romani, RN

Nursing Coordinator
(she/her)
brromani@vassar.edu

Clinical Experience/Specialty: Emergency Nursing, Critical Care Nursing, Interventional Radiology, Camp Nurse Director

Education/Training/Board Certifications:

• BS Nursing
• Certified Emergency Nurse

Awards/Recognitions/Publications:

• Nursing Excellence Award

Professional Affiliations:

• Emergency Nurses Association

What inspired you to pursue a career in healthcare?
My mother is a nurse and growing up I had the opportunity to see her and her nursing friends positively impact so many people’s lives. Nursing is not just a job to me, it is a vocation. I have a strong desire to take care of everyone the same way I would want to be treated with dignity, compassion, and respect.

What do you enjoy most about your profession?
I feel honored that my patients trust me to take good care of them in their times of need when they are the most vulnerable. I love that they have shaped me into who I am today. My profession and my faith have taught me to not take things for granted because life changes very quickly.

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
I enjoy spending time with my family and friends especially with my spouse of 25 years. I am an avid reader. I love getting away to Ogunquit Maine walking on the Marginal Way and riding my bike along the coast. I also like to go on cruises and go to the city to see musicals.

If you could provide one piece of advice to your patients what would it be?
“Take it one day at a time”.

Shay Otis, RN

Registered Nurse
(she/her)

Clinical Experience/Specialty: Emergency Medical Services (EMT-B), Cardiac Care Inpatient nursing, Medical-Surgical Nursing

Education/Training/Board Certifications:

• Bachelors of Science in Nursing (BSN) from the University at Buffalo
• Bachelors of Arts from SUNY New Paltz
• Associate degree in Nursing (RN) from SUNY Ulster,

What inspired you to pursue a career in healthcare?
Working in healthcare presents many challenges, and I enjoy figuring things out and working through difficult situations. There is always something more to learn, and you never know everything! I enjoy working in a field that challenges me to constantly be adapting to new situations.

Janice Fracchiolla, MA

Medical Assistant
(she/her)

Clinical Experience/Specialty: Pediatrics, Pain Management

Education/Training/Board Certifications

• Medical Assistant Certification

What inspired you to pursue a career in healthcare?
I’ve always had a passion for helping others. In healthcare, what you do and how you do it matters.

If you could provide one piece of advice to your patients what would it be?
“Before you can take care of others, you have to take care of yourself first”.

Felicia Cruz, MA

Medical Assistant
(she/her)

Languages spoken other than English: Spanish

Clinical Experience/Specialty: Pain Management

Education/Training/Board Certifications

• Medical Assistant Certification

What inspired you to pursue a career in healthcare?
I love helping others and making a positive impact on their lives.

Jennifer Ortiz, MA

Medical Assistant
(she/her)

Languages spoken other than English: Spanish

Clinical Experience/Specialty: Phlebotomy and Gastroenterology

Education/Training/Board Certifications

• Associates Degree

Professional Affiliations

• Dutchess County Medical Reserve Corps

What do you enjoy most about your profession?
I enjoy meeting new people everyday and knowing I made a big impact on someone’s day just by listening. I love what I do and can not see myself doing anything else.

If you could provide one piece of advice to your patients what would it be?
“Whatever life may send your way, be sure to make the best of it”.

Jenn Vargas, MA

Medical Assistant

Languages spoken other than English: Spanish

Clinical Experience/Specialty: Emergency Medicine, Cardiovascular Medicine

Education/Training/Board Certifications

• Associates Degree

What do you enjoy most about your profession?
Being in healthcare is genuinely the most rewarding career.

Carolanne Blabac

Administrative Assistant

Clinical Experience/Specialty: Administrative support

Education/Training/Board Certifications

• St. John’s University
• Queens College

Awards/Recognitions/Publications

• Volunteer of the year with Arlington School District for 3 years

Professional Affiliations
Vassar College CWA Union Steward

What do you enjoy most about your profession?
I love interacting with students as well as my peers day to day.

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
I love to volunteer in my community , spending time with my family, and helping in my children's schools.

If you could provide one piece of advice to your patients what would it be?
“Never be afraid to ask for help or someone to talk to.”

Ursula Illardi

Administrative Assistant
(she/her)

Clinical Experience/Specialty: College Health, Pre-Surgical Services

Education/Training/Board Certifications

• Associate’s Degree from Orange County Community College

Awards/Recognitions/Publications

• Safety Award
• Peer Recognition awards

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
I really enjoy arts and crafts, visiting friends and family, and playing board games.

Andy McCaffrey, EMT

EMS Supervisor
amccaffrey@vassar.edu

Clinical Experience/Specialty: 28 years as a Paramedic and 20 years as a Firefighter/Paramedic for the Arlington Fire District

Education/Training

• NYS Paramedic Certification
• BS Fire Science Arson Investigation from the University of New Haven

What do you enjoy most about your profession?
The ability to help people in need. To be there for someone in a vulnerable time or when they are scared. The knowledge that my actions and knowledge directly contribute to the survival or well being of those I come into contact with is extremely fulfilling.

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
I enjoy spend time with my family, my wife, my two sons and my daughter. I love to read, although I am finding it harder and harder to find the time to read these days, I play golf (not very well), and as a family we have a goal of seeing a Major League Baseball game in every ballpark in the league. In 2025 we went to San Francisco and saw a Giants game at Oracle Park, it was a great family trip.