Recovery Day 2026 to Center Lived Experience, Connect Systems, and Celebrate Leaders Advancing Recovery Across Vermont
Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Association for Mental Health and Addiction Recovery (VAMHAR), in collaboration with Recovery Partners of Vermont (RPV), is proud to announce that Recovery Day will take place on February 11, 2026 in Montpelier. This year’s event will bring together people with lived experience, policymakers, providers, advocates, and community members from across the state to advance a shared vision for recovery and the continuum of care in Vermont.
The theme of Recovery Day 2026 — Centering People, Connecting Systems — reflects a growing recognition that meaningful recovery-oriented change happens when systems are built around people, not silos. The day will focus on cross-sector collaboration, lived experience leadership, and the policies and practices that help individuals, families, and communities thrive.
Keynote Speaker
Recovery Day 2026 will feature keynote speaker Patty McCarthy, a nationally respected recovery leader and CEO of Faces & Voices of Recovery. McCarthy brings decades of experience advocating for recovery-oriented systems of care, federal policy change, and stigma reduction. Her leadership has helped shape recovery policy in Vermont and across the country, always grounded in the belief that people deserve support that honors their humanity.
Honoring Recovery Leadership
Recovery Day 2026 will also recognize outstanding individuals who have strengthened recovery efforts across Vermont:
-
Lifetime Achievement Awards:
Dr. Kimberly Blake, OB-GYN and addiction medicine physician, honored for her leadership in harm reduction, low-barrier treatment, and compassionate care informed by lived experience.
Dr. Nels Kloster, addiction psychiatrist, recognized for decades of work expanding access to treatment and advancing coordinated, person-centered systems of care. -
Tammy Bushell Recovery-Friendly Workplace Award:
Sara Byers, CEO, speaker, and business leader, honored for fostering workplace cultures rooted in compassion, authenticity, and recovery-friendly values. -
Peter Mallary Legislative Champion Award:
Isaac Dayno, recognized for his leadership advancing recovery supports within Vermont’s correctional system, including statewide peer coaching and expanded access to recovery services. -
Dr. Mark Depman Trailblazer Award:
Katy Leffel, nurse and lactation consultant with the Vermont Department of Health, honored for her leadership in perinatal health, overdose prevention, and cross-sector collaboration supporting pregnant and postpartum individuals. -
Jack Barry Communications Award:
Benjamin Lerner, Vermont-based musician and recovery advocate, recognized for using storytelling and music to reduce stigma, elevate lived experience, and inspire connection and hope.
Community Invitation
Recovery Day 2026 is open to the public and welcomes people from all sectors - including health care, social services, education, legal, government, business, community advocacy - as well as individuals and families directly impacted by substance use and mental health challenges.
In alignment with its commitment to creating inclusive spaces, Recovery Day 2026 will provide ASL interpretation throughout the event. VAMHAR welcomes inquiries about additional access needs to help ensure full participation.
Registration details and more information are available at: https://vamhar.org/RD2026
Thank You to Our Sponsors
VAMHAR and RPV extend deep gratitude to the sponsors whose partnership makes Recovery Day 2026 possible:
-
Vermont Department of Health Division of Substance Use Programs (VDH–DSU)
-
Central Vermont Prevention Coalition & Central Vermont Medical Center (CVPC–CVMC
-
802 Scoops Podcast
Their support reflects a shared commitment to recovery, community well-being, and systems that work better for everyone.
VAMHAR is a statewide nonprofit advancing recovery-oriented policies, practices, and partnerships across Vermont, with a focus on centering and amplifying the voices of people impacted by mental health and substance use challenges.
About Recovery Partners of Vermont
RPV is a statewide network strengthening recovery-oriented systems of care by fostering collaboration and ensuring people with lived experience are centered in policy, practice, and systems change.
Montpelier, VT — 01/28/2026, VAMHAR vamhar.org
To support vital journalism, access our archives and get unique features like our award-winning profiles, Book of Lists & Business-to-Business Directory, subscribe HERE!
