Theresa Vezina, former executive director at Vermont CARES, has been appointed as special assistant on overdose prevention center implementation for the city of Burlington. In this role, she will work with community providers, public health officials and Burlington residents to ensure the successful opening of the prevention center, which is expected within the next year.
Vezina brings to her new position more than 23 years of experience in public health, harm reduction, community care and operations. A dedicated harm reductionist with lived and living experience, she combines her deep understanding of the challenges faced by marginalized communities with a strong commitment to improving access to life-saving resources.
“I am confident Burlington will advance critically needed public health and harm reduction strategies with Theresa assuming this role,” said Mayor Emma Mulvaney-Stanak. “Her decades of experience in public health and community care will be invaluable to the city as we work to bring this crucial intervention online.”