Irene Chamberlain, PA-C earned her Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies at Franklin Pierce University. She also earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a Minor in Women and Gender Studies at the University of Vermont.

Four rotations in the ED, psych and peds affirmed for Irene that CVMC and Vermont are just the places for her. After studies at Franklin Pierce and service work in Peru, she joyfully returns to enjoy “the whole Vermont experience – hiking, fishing, being outdoors.” With family at her childhood home in Ferrisburgh and sisters in Montpelier and Warren, she looks forward to the wide variety of patients and conditions she’ll treat close to home at ExpressCare.

Irene believes patient education is the key to effective healthcare as it allows the patient to have more control of their health and lifestyle choices. "As a provider I am a leader and I feel it is important to ‘practice what you preach’ in the community and in the clinic," said Irene. "If I educate patients on finding more time to exercise I too will wake up an extra hour early to get my exercise time in."

Irene also has an interest in women's health and mentoring adolescents. While completing her physician assistant training she completed a community project aimed at strengthening a mentoring program at the high school she attended. The program focused on educating adolescents about the detrimental effects that media standards can have on young individuals.

Irene hopes to one day resume mentoring and educating young women on the topic of body image in the media. As for returning to Vermont? “I’m a lifer,” Irene said, laughing. “I can’t leave.”