White River Junction VA Medical Center, Vermont

White River Junction VAMC Leadership

Robert M. Walton, Director

Prior to this appointment, Mr. Walton served as Associate Medical Center Director at the James J. Peters VA Medical Center, Bronx, New York since May 2004. Most recently, Mr. Walton was detailed to serve as Acting Director at VA Hudson Valley Healthcare System from February-September 2008. Mr. Walton served as Chief, Engineering Service at the Bronx VAMC from 1993-2004. He also served as Assistant Chief, Engineering Service at VA medical centers in Marlin, Texas, Montrose, New York, and Bronx, New York. Mr. Walton began his VA career in 1986 at the Audie L. Murphy VA Hospital in San Antonio, Texas.

Mr. Walton has a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from The University of Texas at Austin and a Master of Public Administration degree in Health Administration from Long Island University. He is a graduate of the VHA Executive Career Field Program and participated in the VA Senior Executive Service Candidate Development Program. Mr. Walton is a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives, the American Society for Healthcare Engineering, the National Society of Professional Engineers, and the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers. The New York Federal Executive Board selected Mr. Walton as the recipient of the 2001 Distinguished Executive of the Year Award.

Thomas Parrino, MD, Chief of Staff

 Dr. Parrino holds a B.S. from John Carroll (1967), MD from Georgetown (1971), MBA from University of St. Thomas, MN (2003), and an honorary MA from Brown University (1992). He completed his medicine internship and residency at Boston City Hospital on the V&VI Medical Service (1971-1973), and Medicine Chief Residency and Infectious Diseases Fellowship at University Hospital, Boston (1973-1976). For the past six years Dr. Parrino has served as the Chief of Staff at West Palm Beach VA Medical Center. Prior to that, he was Chief Medical Officer for the VA New England Health Care System from 1996-1999. He was also the Assistant & then Acting Chief of Staff at the Providence VA Medical Center from 1991-1996. Dr. Parrino developed a nationally-recognized primary care program, and earned the rank of Professor of Medicine at Brown University. He received the Student Citation for teaching excellence in 1996, & gave the invited faculty commencement address in 1997. Dr. Parrino is a Fellow of the American College of Physicians and the American College of Physician Executives, and is a member of the Infectious Diseases Society of America. He has served on a number of national VA councils and committees, and was recently invited to serve on the Board of Directors of the Palm Beach County Medical Society. He has senior academic appointments at the University of Miami, University of Florida, and Nova Southeastern College of Osteopathic Medicine.

Danielle Ocker, BSN, Associate Director

Ms. Ocker received her Associates Degree in Nursing in 1986 from the NH Technical College. She earned her Bachelors Degree in Nursing in 2001 from the University of Phoenix where she graduated with high honors, and is currently pursuing a dual Masters degree. She is a member of Sigma Theta Tau International, Omicron Delta Chapter, and a member of the Health Financial Management Association. 

Ms. Ocker joined the WRJ staff in 1985 as a student nurse, and progressed through several capacities during her tenure including: staff nurse, Nurse Manager of the Intensive Care Unit and Emergency Department, and Service Line Manger for Sensory and Physical Rehabilitation. Other accomplishments include: Polytrauma/TBI Program Director where she facilitated the implementation of the WRJ program, Fellow Level Mentor, and Robert W. Carey Organizational Excellence Award Examiner. Ms. Ocker has collaborated with VT National Guard to expand services for rural care to Polytrauma/TBI patients, and has worked with academic affiliates to provide quality educational experiences for students in a various programs of study.

Laura Fisher Miraldi, RN, MSN, Associate Director for Nursing and Patient Care Services
 
Laura Fisher Miraldi began her duties as the Associate Director for Nursing and Patient Care Services, White River Junction VAMC in June of 2010.  Ms. Miraldi obtained her Master of Science degree in nursing from the University of Vermont and her undergraduate degree from City University of New York-Hunter College. She served as the Administrative Officer for Research & Development and the Executive Director of the Collaborative Medical Research Corporation (a VA research & education not-for-profit foundation) from 1997 to 2008. Her previous professional roles have included Research Nurse Coordinator, ICU Nurse Manager and extensive experience at the NY Regional Burn Center of Cornell Medical Center, New York.  Ms. Miraldi successfully completed VA’s Healthcare Leadership Institute and graduated from the Executive Career Field development program in 2009.  She is a member of the Vermont Organization of Nurse Leaders, the Nurses’ Organization of VA (NOVA), the American Nurses Association, Sigma Theta Tau, and a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives.