Board of Directors

Robin came to Punta Gorda and Charlotte County in 2000 from Atlanta, Georgia.  She now calls Punta Gorda home.

Robin has her undergraduate degree from Hollins University in Roanoke, Virginia and a Masters in Health Administration from Georgia State University.  She is a former McKesson executive, with more than 35 years of healthcare industry experience ranging from managing company acquisitions, software product development, client services and consulting.  She decided to translate those executive skills into an entrepreneurial enterprise, founding a successful healthcare information systems technology consulting firm in 2000.  Innovative Healthcare Solutions, Inc. employed 25 – 35 consultants from all areas of the country and served over 50 healthcare clients nationwide for 17 years.  The company won numerous industry awards for excellence and was rated one of the top 100 places to work by Modern Healthcare Magazine.

She is now retired and enjoys volunteering in the Charlotte County promoting philanthropy and community service through our non-profit organizations.  She served on the Board of the Charlotte Community Foundation for nine years and continues to work with the Foundation in various capacities as needed.  Being on the Board of the Virginia B. Andes Clinic is a cause that is near and dear to her heart.  Her father was an orthopedic surgeon who gave one day a week to charitable services.  Serving on the board is her way of carrying forward his legacy of providing medical services to those in need in Charlotte County.

Robin now calls Punta Gorda home.  She enjoys cooking with friends, book clubs, traveling, biking, kayaking and golf.

He was the President of the Baptist Free Clinic of Galax, Virginia, & Secretary of the Board of the FQHC in MedLink, Georgia. He was a member of the Boys & Girls Club and Kiwanis, he is no stranger to working with non-profits, so VBA was a natural fit for him.

Bill graduated with a Master’s Degree in both Health Services Administration & Business Administration from Xavier University in Cincinnati Ohio. His wife and two children, Will and Jacky, are enjoying the new Florida environment too.

With a demonstrated history of working in the hospital and health care industry, Dr. Ruggerio is a strong healthcare services professional with an executive MBA focused in Business Administration and Management, from Northwestern University, Kellogg School of Management.

Shaune is fourth generation native Floridian who was born and raised in Sarasota.  In 2003 she moved to Punta Gorda, where she has resided with her family for several years.  After working for the family business as an owner and manager together with earning several insurance licenses, running a very successful medical practice she decided with her wealth of skills that the world of real estate was a perfect fit for her.  She obtained her Real Estate license in 2002.  She has been a licensed Realtor for 20+ years.  Shaune is also a strong believer in and adores her family and treasures their company as well as her two dogs.

Shaune believes in giving back to her community and has been very active with numerous organizations.  Additionally, she is an ordained minister and wedding officiant, a member of Women Who Care, board member of the Economic Development Partnership, Charlotte County Imagination Library (CCIL), and Virginia B. Andes Volunteer Community Clinic.

Her prior 38-year career span included 21 years at Federated Department Stores (Burdines, Macy’s) and six years as General Manager locally. She was employed by Simon Property Group for 17 years in Mall Property Management including the General Manager at Port Charlotte Town Center and Coral Square in Coral Springs.

Many also know Janet as the business co-owner of Berry Best Blueberries, a u-pick of delicious blueberries on Riverside drive, the co-owner of Jack’s on Marion, a favorite downtown Punta Gorda restaurant, and King’s RV & Boat Storage. As a realtor now, working with REMAX HARBOR Realty, Janet continues to use her skills and experience to help Southwest Florida home buyers and sellers.

Janet has always been passionate about her faith, family, friends. Her family lives locally; her daughter and grandchildren reside on Florida’s east coast.

Giving back to the community and helping others has remained a priority as she has supported numerous local organizations throughout the years, served on the C.A.R.E. board, and participated in various 1st United Methodist Church committees. It will be an honor to serve with Janet on the VBA Board!

Patti had barely settled into her new position at Fishermen’s Village when Hurricane Charley arrived in August of 2004. Patti’s trial-by-fire involved getting the iconic property up and running in an astoundingly short seven weeks, a feat that is difficult to appreciate by those who weren’t here during that extremely challenging time.

It’s evident that Patti loves both Fishermen’s Village and her community. Over the years she has volunteered and served on many community boards in Punta Gorda. She was Chairman of the Punta Gorda Chamber, C.A.R.E. Board, Economic Development, and Business Advisory for the Punta Gorda Police Department just to name a few.

Over the last 20 years Patti and her team have made Fishermen’s Village a premier dining/shopping/playing destination for locals and tourists.

“I am thrilled, honored and humbled to be a Board Member of the Virginia B. Andes organization”.

Having graduated from The Florida State University with a BS in Finance, Laura has helped clients manage and maintain wealth for over 20 years. She is also a Certified Financial Planner™ professional (CFP®), having completed the requirements for certification in 1999. Born and raised in our local area, Laura believes in community spirit and enjoys volunteering. She has served as a board member with many non-profit organizations in Charlotte County, including the United Way and Big Brothers & Big Sisters. Currently, in addition to the Virginia B. Andes Volunteer Community Clinic, she serves on the board of the Charlotte Community Foundation and is treasurer for the Harbour Oaks Homeowner’s Association.

Laura resides in Punta Gorda with her husband Jimmy, son Tyler, and lizard-chasing miniature dachshund, Lizzy. Everyday pursuits include cooking with friends, spending time with her book clubs, and getting in her 10,000 steps per day.

Kristin is a Florida native who resides in Charlotte County with her husband Dan and two small children.  She has worked in healthcare for over 10 years in various roles and has a true passion for caring for others, and positively impacting the lives of people around her.

Kristin has a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the University of Florida and a Master’s Degree in Health Services Administration from the University of Central Florida.  While pursuing these degrees Kristin had an opportunity to work and volunteer with non-profits and healthcare organizations, cementing the path for her future.  She is currently working with Edward Jones as a Financial Adviser Intern.

Kristin has a true desire to make a positive impact on our community.  She serves as a board member for the United Way of Charlotte County and chairs the community impact process.  She is a graduate of the 2019 Charlotte Leadership program and has been involved with other boards such as the American Heart Association.

Dr. Chupka joined the Charlotte County community in 2016, having moved from Virginia with his family. It was not long after being here that he heard of amazing real-life stories of care the Virginia B Andes Volunteer Community Clinic provided. The care ranged from high blood pressure management and diabetic management to diagnosing cancer. The no cost medical care, hospital follow-up, and pharmaceutical services the clinic provides to the more than 30,000 uninsured residence in Charlotte County is something he feels benefits everyone.

As part of the medical community and realizing the multitude of patients that had no insurance in this area, he knew he and his wife Janice needed to be part of the team. Dr. Chupka is a board-certified Internal Medicine physician, Hospitalist, and Chief Medical Officer at HCA Florida Englewood Hospital.

Kim Devine, originally from Michigan, moved to Florida in 1987.  She started Partners in Development, Inc. in 1991, a healthcare consulting company specializing in strategic planning, organizational development, marketing, and financial planning for the healthcare industry. She developed and implemented cardiac services for physicians and hospitals throughout the United States including Hawaii and the Bahamas. She is co-owner of The Bank of America building in Punta Gorda and owns other downtown commercial properties.  She developed, along with two partners, Central Park, an eleven acre 80,000 sq ft medical park in Port Charlotte.

Kim served on Punta Gorda City Council for 4 years, two years as Vice-Mayor.

Kim has been involved with not-for-profits, YMCA, The American Heart Association, Community Sailing Center, The BackPackKidz, C.A.R.E, Archway Institute, Drug Free Punta Gorda, Women who Care, and Expressions from Beautiful Minds, an arts and humanities program for people suffering with memory loss.

Robin Estess, RN is currently working in an assignment for Merck Research Laboratories in the Global Medical Scientific Affairs Patient Innovation and Engagement team. In this role, Robin participates in activities to support the voice of patients for various therapeutic areas.

Robin began her healthcare career at Bon Secours St. Joseph Healthcare System in Port Charlotte in 1998 as a physician liaison to the local C Suite.  She joined Merck in 2002 with promotional responsibilities for cardiovascular and pulmonary therapies.  Robin left Merck in 2004 to gain experience in medical practice administration and education; rejoining Merck in 2018 on the Human Health team. In addition to her current role, Robin has earned her Florida Registered Nursing license in 2022 and joined the Merck Nurse Network where she participates in many activities that support the Enterprise, such as Merck’s Health Literacy Glossary and organization initiatives for Diversity Equity & Inclusion.

Robin holds a bachelor’s degree in Biology (Cellular focus), a minor in Art History, and is a licensed Registered Nurse in the state of Florida.  In her community, she sits on the Executive Board for the Virginia B. Andes Community Clinic, a facility and mobile bus that provides qualified Florida Charlotte County residents with no-cost, on-site exams, primary and semi-urgent wellness services, medical care, minor procedures, and access to limited surgical and laboratory services.  She also sits on the Executive Board for Scholarship Awards for a local non-profit that grants funds for educational opportunities for high school graduates, university attendees, and career and technical educational program attendees.

Robin enjoys spending time with her family and loves the challenge of gathering her daughter and son, as well as many friends and family from all over, for get-togethers at her home or at a travel destination “we all agree on.”  “Our family has had large reunions for decades, with people coming from places as far as New Zealand.  We all get together, take over homes or hotels, act silly, eat ridiculously and celebrate each other.”  When away from work, she enjoys yoga, YMCA exercise classes, camping, saltwater and freshwater boating/fishing and never misses a scalloping season off of Florida’s Nature Coast in Homosassa, Florida.

He received his M.B.A. from Nova Southeastern University in 1995, and completed his bachelor’s degrees in Industrial Engineering (1984) and Computer Technology (1988) from the University of South Florida in Tampa, Florida.

He is active in community organizations including the American Heart Association, Florida Gulf Coast University and the Virginia B. Andes Clinic. Geurt resides in Punta Gorda with his wife Mayte and has three children in college.

Julie is a Territory Manager with Boston Scientific in Southwest Florida. She has had a long career in medical device sales, specializing in spinal treatments. She has a Doctorate of Physical Therapy degree from the University of Miami and a Master of Business Administration degree from St. Leo University in Tampa.

In addition, as a Board Member for Virginia B. Andes Volunteer Community Clinic, she is also on the boards for United Way of Charlotte County and the Punta Gorda History Center. She is Vice President of the Peace River Federated Woman’s Forum and a member of the Historic Punta Gorda Civic Association. Julie previously served on the Historic Preservation Advisory Board for the City of Punta Gorda, the Boys and Girls Club of Charlotte County Board, as well as the Florida State Pharmaceutical and Therapeutics Committee.

Julie lives in Downtown Punta Gorda with her daughter Reagan and their puppy, Rosie Belle.  They enjoy walks around the neighborhood, gathering with friends, pickleball, and just about anything sports related.

Clay is very involved in the community and is a member of the New Day Christian Church in Port Charlotte.  He is the Past President of both the Rotary Club of Harbor Heights-Peace River and the Florida Funeral Directors Association and a current board member of the Florida, Cemetery, Funeral, and Cremation Association and member of Selected Independent Funeral Homes.

Clay has coached, sponsored, and volunteered for youth and high school sports and arts in Charlotte County for over 31 years.  He is a member of the 2010-2011 Leadership Charlotte Class of the Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce.  In Clay’s free time he enjoys boating and tennis with his family.  He also enjoys part time acting, he has worked on shows and movies such as Burn Notice, Six Feet Under, Graceland, Nat Geo the Right Stuff, ID Disappeared and many others.

He and his wife Toni, have two daughters, Hannah (Richard) Jones, and Haylana, and a son Hayden.  They also have 3 golden retrievers, Marley, Buddy, and Bailey and a bichon poodle Tinkerbell,  He enjoys time with his family and dogs and going to church.

Clay and his family remain committed to providing the highest standards of professional care and service to the community.

Dr. Vance Wright-Browne joined the VBA Family because she felt she “could contribute to the understanding of the pathway to patient care which would enhance the organization’s effective utilization of their recourses.”

A native of Kingston, Jamaica, she completed her medical training at University of the West Indies. Dr. Wright-Browne completed her residency at University of Connecticut, and her Hematology/Oncology Fellowship at Baylor College of Medicine and University of Texas, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center.

She is a Board-Certified Internist, Hematologist and Oncologist. She was the first member of what is now the Port Charlotte Group of Florida Cancer Specialists.

Dr. Wright-Browne and her husband, Edward, moved to Port Charlotte in 1996. They have 3 daughters. She enjoys growing orchids, running, music and preserving the Natural Environment.

She brings a wealth of knowledge to VBA as our Volunteer Medical Director.

Donna has been a resident of Charlotte County since 1979, moving here as a teenager and graduating from Charlotte High. She attended the University of Florida and graduated in 1987 with a Bachelor’s degree in Liberal Arts and Science, (majored in psychology). After Graduation, Donna moved back to Port Charlotte and worked for her father at Port Charlotte Florist.  After being involved with the florist shop for 22 years, she and her brother, Dennis, purchased the florist shop from their parents and have owned it for the past 9 years.

She & her husband, Steve, have 5 children and 4 grandchildren. Their oldest son is in Seminary in St. Petersburg, the other two sons are in college, and the youngest son is attending the firefighter academy in Englewood. Their daughter lives in Georgia with her 3 children.  

Donna has been involved with many organizations in the community, she worked with the March of Dimes Chef’s Auction and eventually became their chairperson for that event. For 12 years Donna has served as President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer of the Southwest Florida Florists Association. She has served and chaired the committee for the Homeless Coalition’s Mistletoe Ball, and worked with Kiwanis for the “Night for Kids”. Donna said she also enjoyed her past 15 years working with the Fred Lang Association on their Summer Ball.

Donna works regularly with local businesses and vendors for weddings and events.  Having lived here for so long she says, “I have been fortunate enough to meet so many amazing people to partner with not just for business but also for organizations and groups that do so much for our community.”

State Representative Michael Grant is a native of Quincy, Massachusetts. He is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, with a degree in Political Science and a Master’s in Business Administration from Suffolk University, Boston, Massachusetts.

In 1988 Michael and his wife, Lorraine, moved to Charlotte County and purchased a small wheelchair transportation company. That company, Ambitrans, has grown and currently employs over 200 people. Ambitrans has offices in Sarasota, Lee, Collier and Charlotte counties where it operates Advanced Life Support and Critical Care Ambulances.

In 1998 Mike was appointed by Governor Jeb Bush to fill a vacancy on the Charlotte County Airport Board. In 2004 he was elected to the Florida House of Representatives where he served for four years. In 2016, he was re-elected and currently represents the 71st District.

Mike and his wife of thirty-nine years, Lorraine, have three grown children: Vanessa Oliver, Nick and Chris Grant, and two grandchildren, Catherine and James Oliver. Mike and Lorraine are thrilled that their three children have chosen to return to Charlotte County to live and work.

Ex-Officio Board Member

Phyllis was born and raised in Los Angeles, California. She obtained her Bachelor’s Degree from UCLA and her Law Degree from Southwestern Law School. Phyllis is an attorney with the McCrory Law Firm in Punta Gorda, and her practice emphasis is Family Law and Probate and Trust Administration. Prior to moving to Charlotte County in 2006, Phyllis practiced primarily Family Law in Los Angeles for a small boutique family law firm and also spent three years in Moscow, Russia, where she worked as in-house counsel for Ernst & Young (CIS) Ltd.

Phyllis became a board member with Virginia B. Andes Volunteer Community Clinic in 2016 and is honored to be a part of an organization that is so vital to this community.

Phyllis is a member of the Charlotte County Bar Association, past Present and past Board Member of Lifelong Learning Institute and is an alumnus of Leadership Charlotte, class of 2014.

Phyllis enjoys traveling the world, home design and all that Southwest Florida has to offer.