Dr. Vanessa Pomarico-Denino is a senior lecturer for Fitzgerald Health Education Associates (FHEA) and is employed by Northeast Medical Group (NEMG) in Hamden, CT. An author, educator, volunteer and nursing leader, she is lead clinician for the diversity and inclusion committee and is the system-wide trainer for NEMG on LGBTQIA+ healthcare. Vanessa is a member of several committees within NEMG including the Advanced Practice Provider (APP) Council. She is the former Director/Lead faculty of the FNP track in the Department of Nursing at Southern Connecticut State University and under her tenure as director, students scored above the national average on the certification exam for 5 years. She is a co-author and contributing author of several nursing textbooks and has published several articles in the FHEA newsletters.  She has served on the advisory board for The Jim Collins Foundation, a non-profit organization community-based initiative promoting the self-determination and empowerment of all transgender people. Vanessa has served as the Co-Chair of Health Policy and is a Past President of the Connecticut Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Society (CTAPRNS). During her Presidency, full practice authority for APRNS in CT was achieved through the combined efforts of a group of dedicated nursing leaders. She currently serves as Co-Chair of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) Health Equity, Diversion and Inclusion Specialty Interest Group that offers unique networking opportunities with NP colleagues with shared interests to help create an inclusive culture, education about racial biases, advocacy for changes that reduce health disparities and promote equity. Additionally, she serves on the FAANP Mentorship Committee as well as the FANNP Selection Committee.

Vanessa is a Fellow in AANP (FAANP) and is the recipient of numerous awards including the Nightingale award, AANP Nurse Practitioner Excellence Award, the Northeast Medical Group/YNHH Advanced Practice Provider Leadership Award and the “All-in Award” for her efforts in educating providers on the appropriate healthcare for the LGBTQIA+ patient. She is a national expert on a variety of topics and has presented at numerous state and national conferences but most notably for LGBTQIA+ healthcare.