Aaron French, MSN, RN
Trustee
Aaron French has been a Registered Nurse for 28 years. He earned his initial associate degree in 1997, followed by a baccalaureate in nursing in 2005, and a master's degree in nursing in 2011 with a focus in Healthcare Administration.
For the first 12 years of his career, Aaron worked in the acute care setting of hospitals, practicing as a clinician in various specialty areas and eventually advancing into leadership roles. Years later, he developed an interest in Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) while implementing the Blueprint pilot site in Saint Johnsbury. His experience working with local FQHCs in Saint Johnsbury and Morrisville was transformative, highlighting the critical importance of primary care and medical homes with an emphasis on prevention and early intervention.
In the past dozen years, Aaron has worked in governmental roles, where he has learned to promote and navigate public payer systems, such as Medicaid, and influence policy at the local government level. Currently, he serves as the Public Health Director for the Morrisville District at the Vermont Department of Health. In this role, he focuses on disease prevention, women’s and children’s health, immunizations, chronic disease management, school health, and emergency preparedness, collaborating with local and statewide health and human service professionals to enhance public health in Lamoille County and parts of Caledonia, Orleans, and Washington Counties. Additionally, Aaron continues to work per diem at an urgent care center, where he enjoys bedside nursing and caring for those in need.
Aaron is committed to ensuring equitable access to health and human services, regardless of individuals' ability to pay. He prioritizes equity for marginalized communities in his work, believing that everyone deserves quality healthcare that is accessible, timely, and high-quality. Research shows that individuals from marginalized populations face higher risks of adverse health outcomes due to factors like inadequate housing, food insecurity, lack of quality jobs and education, unsafe environments, and limited access to healthcare. This creates a culture of powerlessness that can stem from poverty and discrimination. Through collaboration with local health and human services, Aaron and community members in the Morrisville District aim to reduce these disparities and create a more just, equitable, and caring community.
Outside of his professional life, Aaron enjoys nature with his spouse of 37 years and their dogs. They engage in activities such as gardening, walking, hiking, cooking, and traveling. Aaron believes they are fortunate to live in such a beautiful state, surrounded by nature and a community that cares for its neighbors. This close-knit environment fosters personal connections and enables health and human service professionals to accomplish meaningful work in partnership with dedicated community members.
Aaron has served on several boards aimed at improving health and human service outcomes, including the Vermont Children’s Health Insurance Program (VCHIP) from 2013 to 2017, the Vermont Program in Quality Health Care (VPQHC) from 2013 to 2018, and Healthy Lamoille Valley from 2021 to the present.