Nina Smith, MD – Camp Physician
We are thrilled that Dr. Nina Smith will serve as our Camp Physician again this summer! Nina first came to CMS as a counselor in the summer of 1971 when she was the Head of the Waterfront, teaching campers to swim in the Cowpasture River. She loved her time at CMS, but life pulled her in other directions after that summer and she was never able to return as a counselor. Fast forward to the summer of 2017 when Nina returned to CMS in her role as Camp Physician.
Nina is a board certified OBGYN who is currently the Medical Director of First Choice Hospice and Wound Care in Harrisonburg, Virginia. She is an integral member of the CMS healthcare team, working closely with our on-site nurses, consulting by phone and video, and visiting Camp often throughout the summer to check in with our campers and staff. Nina is a gifted physician, caring for our girls when they are sick and a comforting friend to campers who may need to talk through a bout of homesickness or anything else that is on their minds. Parents will have the opportunity to meet Nina and consult with her about any healthcare concerns they may have when they check their daughters in on the opening day of each session. You can rest assured that CMS girls are in good hands and well cared for by Nina and the rest of our CMS healthcare team.
Harriet Taylor Vincent, MSN, NP-C, RN – Health Care Manager
Harriet is returning to the Pill Box for her third year this summer in a new role as the Health Care Manager. Harriet worked as a registered nurse in emergency departments in Virginia and West Virginia for over a decade before graduating from the University of Virginia’s Family Nurse Practitioner program. She spent her first year as a nurse practitioner working in ERs and an urgent care center, before accepting a position at the Longwood University Health Center in 2018. Harriet spent six summers at CMS as a camper. She loves the outdoors and is a former competitive whitewater kayaker. She resides in Farmville, Virginia with her husband Brian, the town’s mayor, and their daughters Martha Lucy (11) and Eliza (9).
Jennifer McAdoo, RN, NP
Jennifer came on board as our Healthcare Manager from 2020-2022. When not at camp she lives in Richmond, VA with her family and works as a nurse practitioner in Sleep Medicine. Prior to becoming a nurse practitioner Jennifer worked in pediatric urgent care nursing and taught pediatric nursing skills. She grew up outside of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and has many fond memories from years of overnight riding camp in the Brandywine Valley. James Madison University brought Jennifer to Virginia and the people and beautiful landscapes have kept her here. After 20 years in the financial technology industry she followed her passion to Virginia Commonwealth University where she earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in nursing.
Jennifer shares that “both of our daughters have attended CMS and beginning with that first summer in 2011, I have enjoyed being at camp and seeing the spirit and virtues at work in the girls. In 2019, I joined camp as one of the Pill Box nurses and realized how much I missed camp and loved being part of this community of friendship, learning, integrity, and respect. I am honored to be a part of the healthcare team in the Pill Box. The beauty of Camp Mont Shenandoah and the positive energy of the campers and staff are a uniquely wonderful experience.”
Pamela Minkler, MD
Pamela grew up in Richmond, Virginia, and spent fifteen summers at Camp Mont Shenandoah. She graduated from Washington and Lee University and Georgetown University School of Medicine and then completed her residency in Family Practice in Lynchburg, Virginia. She now lives in Lynchburg with her husband, two sons (both of whom attend Camp Maxwelton), dog, and bearded dragon, and she owns and operates Blue Ridge Aesthetics Center, which she started right after residency. She has maintained board certification with the American Board of Family Medicine since 2006. In her free time, Pamela enjoys reading, daily walks, and watching her sons’ marching band and indoor drumline performances.
Mary-Gordon Brown, RN, NP
Mary-Gordon Brown returns to camp again this summer. She was a camper, counselor and camp nurse in the 1990s and 2000s. Mary-Gordon has two daughters who have attended camp in the past and one of them will be there this summer. After working as a nurse practitioner in cardiology in Fredericksburg, Virginia for 15 years, Mary-Gordon and her family moved to Ireland for the first six months of 2023. She has been a licensed family nurse practitioner since 2006. Mary-Gordon is excited to return to the Blue Ridge Mountains this summer.
Beth Jewell, RN
Beth is returning for her 14th summer in the Pillbox. To prepare for camp, she is walking on the Appalachian Trail daily since it is just across the street. She and husband Steve transformed their home at “Beech Hill” into a Hostel/B&B with their ever expanding family helping to staff it. As a Registered Nurse, Beth has over 20 years of experience in school health with additional experience in orthopedics, general surgery, outpatient services and physical therapy. When asked if she had considered a job as a camp nurse, she replied before a room full of school nurses, “Best. Job. Ever!” Beth is thrilled to be returning to CMS and can’t wait to see the girls this summer!
Tia Campbell, RN
Tia was a CMS nurse in the early 2000’s and can’t wait to be on staff again this summer! She has a Master of Science in Nursing and 25 years experience in school nursing and school health administration. Tia retired in 2019 and enjoys camping, reading, and spending time with her family. She especially enjoys spending time with her three grandchildren Allison (5), Rowan (3), and Parker (2 months).
Julie Moon, RN
Julie “Roots & Shoots” is coming back to camp for her 11th season. She is teaching water aerobics at her local Richmond Ymca. She has started a “hipcamp” (BNB FOR CAMPERS) on their family farm outside of Charlottesville.
Connie Richardson – Licensed Professional Counselor
Connie Richardson was born in Virginia and grew up in Nevada. She returned to the Commonwealth in the 1980’s where she eventually began her pursuit of a career in mental healthcare. She lives in Harrisonburg, Virginia and runs the private practice she opened in 2002. She is also a Behavioral Health Provider with the Bath Community Physicians Group’s Covington Clinic. Her therapeutic approach is primarily Cognitive/Behavioral and Reality Based. She specializes in treating Anxiety and Mood Disorders, Grief and Trauma Disorders along with Relationships and Communication. Connie works with people of all ages but finds working with young people especially rewarding. Connie was a wonderful addition to our healthcare team in 2019, and we are pleased to have her working with us once again this summer. We look forward to seeing the positive impact her work has on the camp community.
“Dear Ann, I just want you to know that you were an amazing camp parent to me. Ever since my first year at Roots & Shoots, you have made me feel so secure and welcome. Manners, trust and most importantly friendship are the three main things you have taught me over the years, and you have been a huge part of my life.”
©2023 Camp Mont Shenandoah