VDHA EXECUTIVE BOARD:
President – Tammy Valadakis, RDH, M.Ed., CDHC, IAOM Trained
Tammy graduated from Middlesex County College, NJ in 1992. Continued at Wagner College in Staten Island, NY for BS in Elementary Education and Psychology in 1995. Proceeded in obtaining a MS in Reading and Learning Disabilities in 1998. In 2019 she received a CDHC. Since 2019 is working on obtaining her COM. Currently working full time in private practice and with 802 Smiles. Outside of working, I love spending time with my family, reading and traveling.
Vice President – Nicole Fortune, MBA, RDH
As a dental hygienist in a busy Vermont periodontal office, Nicole continuously enhances her knowledge in non- surgical and preventative care. In order to stay abreast of the latest periodontal technologies, Nicole continues to advance her education and holds certification in CO2, Diode and ND:Yag laser certification. She is also one of few hygienists to be certified in periodontal endoscopy. Nicole’s dedication to patient care excellence, industry knowledge, and technological acumen earned her the title of Vermont’s Dental Hygienist of the Year for 2017.
Immediate Past President – Ryan Pepper, BTDH, RDH
Ryan graduated with his Associates degree in Dental Hygiene from Hudson Valley Community College in 2009. He returned to Plattsburgh, New York and worked for a few years before returning to college. In 2017, he graduated from SUNY Canton with his Bachelor’s in Dental Hygiene. During his final semester, he interned at Vermont Technical College’s Dental Hygiene Program and was offered a part-time clinical instructor position for the fall of 2017. He currently works full time as an Associate Professor at Vermont State University. In his spare time he enjoys spending time with friends and his dog, as well as variety of outdoor activities like hiking, kayaking and camping.
Acting-Past President – Carmen I. Negron-Dupee, BS, RDH
Carmen has a Bachelor’s degree in Family and Consumer Sciences (1994) and an Associate’s Degree in Dental Hygiene (1998), both from the University of Puerto Rico. She worked at a Periodontal practice for 5 years before moving to the Boston, MA area in 2002, where she worked at Boston University School of Dental Medicine and in two general private practices. In 2007, she moved to Vermont and continued practicing clinical dental hygiene. Currently, she works at the Community Health Center of Burlington. Carmen has a great passion for dental hygiene, she really enjoys educating and helping patients change their attitudes towards oral health and in that way improving their smiles and quality of life.
Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family and pets. She loves to read, learn, travel, garden, and quilt.
Treasurer – Rita Veve, RDH (she/her)
Rita Veve is a registered dental hygienist residing in Jericho, Vermont. Originally from Atlanta, Georgia, she spent over a decade in New York City before moving to Vermont, where she has lived for the past ten years. After beginning her professional career in another field, Rita transitioned into dental hygiene, graduating from Vermont State University in 2024, and now practices in a family-based private office in South Burlington.
During her final year in the associate’s degree program at Vermont State University, Rita served as both Co-Vice President and Treasurer of the Student Members of the American Dental Hygienists’ Association (SMADHA). She was also selected as the 2024 Student Delegate for District 1 of the ADHA, where she participated in the House of Delegates and gained firsthand experience with professional governance. In addition, she has volunteered with MEDLIFE in Costa Rica, providing dental education in underserved communities.
As a member of the Vermont Dental Hygienists’ Association, Rita looks forward to continuing her involvement by contributing to community service initiatives, supporting outreach to underserved populations, and pursuing her BSDH while balancing clinical practice and family life. She is honored to serve as treasurer of the VDHA for this term and looks forward to future roles and responsibilities within her professional association.
Secretary – Nannette Kelly, RDH, CH-OSE, CH-ONC, FADHA
Nannette graduated from the Forsyth School for Dental Hygienists and Northeastern University with an Associate Degree in Dental Hygiene in 1991. She is a Fellow of ADHA, certificate holder in Oral Systemic Education and Oncology, and an Associate Fellow of the World Clinical Laser Institute for diode laser.
She also serves on the board of the National Network of Healthcare Hygienists and is dedicated to advancing patient-centered care, strengthening the oral-systemic health connection, and leading community initiatives such as oral cancer screenings and diabetes education.
President Elect
Position currently vacant.