Meet Emily Alves, a dedicated nurse who has been working in the healthcare industry since 2017. Previously, Emily worked in home care and med-surg at a level I trauma hospital in Rhode Island. In May 2021, she moved back to Connecticut and transitioned into primary care.

In February 2023, Emily joined the Uncas Health District team as a Public Health Nurse, which she considers her nursing dream job. Her nursing passion lies in harm reduction and reaching out to people in need. She enjoys educating individuals about health issues and helping them lead their best, healthiest lives.

Outside of work, Emily has a variety of interests. She loves live music, especially Grateful Dead tribute bands, spending time at the beach with lots of sunscreen, and taking her dog, Oscar, on adventures. Summer is her favorite season, and she often spends it kayaking, hiking in the woods, or napping in a hammock. She also enjoys spending summer nights relaxing by the campfire with friends, music, and ice cream (chocolate fudge brownie is her favorite flavor!). When Emily is not outside, you can find her painting, cooking, or singing a Patsy Cline song at karaoke.

Mary joined the Uncas Health District team in 2021 during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic to help with vaccine clinics and contact tracing. She had been previously employed by Norwich Public Schools as a COVID-19 Liaison to the Superintendent, and her experience in managing COVID-19 data and interaction with the community proved valuable to her role at UHD.

Her nursing career began 30 years ago when she graduated from Georgetown University with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. She worked on a med-surg unit for many years in Washington, DC, and then took time off from nursing to raise her family. She continued to use her nursing skills during those years by volunteering at Backus Hospital, teaching CPR and First Aid, and volunteering in the Nurse's Office at her sons' school. That experience and her love of children led Mary to accept a position at Norwich Public Schools as a school nurse, a job that she truly enjoyed. Mary worked at many public and parochial schools in Norwich over the next 17 years but primarily worked as the school nurse at John Moriarty Elementary School, where she was lovingly referred to as "Mrs. Tram." In addition to her work, Mary participated in and chaired many committees for Norwich Public Schools, Norwich Little League, Otis Library, NFA, and Backus Hospital. She is also a certified American Heart Association CPR/First Aid instructor and a member of the Medical Reserve Corp.

Although born and raised in New Jersey, she has called Norwich her home for the past 33 years. She is happily married and has three grown sons and one new granddaughter. Be prepared to see the latest picture of "Grammie Trammie's" granddaughter if you ask about her! In her free time, Mary loves to travel. When not exploring the world, you can usually find Mary walking her two dogs, digging in her flower garden, or attending New England's many fairs and festivals.

Sue has been a registered nurse since 1988. She was born in Canada and did her nursing training in Saint John, New Brunswick. Sue has worked in critical care, med-surg, home care, long-term care, and in a group home setting. She began her career in Public Health in 2005 as the Public Health Emergency Preparedness Manager. She started with Uncas Health District in August 2014. Sue lives with her husband, Scott, in Colchester and loves their rescue dog, Mr. Bentley. Sue also volunteered as an EMT in Colchester for 15 years. She is also part of a statewide Critical Incident Stress Management Team – a volunteer organization to support first responders when they experience a bad call. Sue currently serves as the CT Association of Public Health Nurses' President.

Outside of work, Sue enjoys being in her garden, listening to music (all genres), playing the piano, and searching for sea glass. She loves having her children and grandchildren around. Her favorite movie is "The Green Mile." She also loves to travel. She gifted herself with a 3-week trip to Australia as a graduation present from Nursing school. While in Australia, she won a karaoke contest by singing an Anne Murray song, "Can I Have This Dance?". Before deciding on nursing as a career, she served as an auxiliary member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. She served as part of a narcotics undercover team during her time with the auxiliary, as well as highway patrol and criminal investigations. She was offered a spot to become a full-time member of the RCMP but chose nursing instead. It's now 33 years later, and she is still happy she decided to nurse!

Her proudest nursing accomplishment has been being able to help our communities through 2 pandemics. It was a very difficult time for so many people, but knowing she had a skillset to help was very gratifying.