UHP Officers and Staff

Chris joined the executive committee in 2016 after years of growing involvement in the union. He became a rep in 2009 and was named Union Rep of the Year in 2012. Chris chairs the communications committee and serves on the steward committee, negotiating team, and finance committee, and became an AFT Connecticut legislative liaison. UHP recognized him with the Steward of the Year Award in 2017 and the President's Award in 2018.

In 2017 he brought a resolution to the floor of the Connecticut AFL-CIO convention to do away with the term "nonessential state employees." That resolution would become the basis of an executive order Gov. Malloy issued the following spring. In 2021 he received AFT CT’s Joseph H. Soifer Award in recognition of his contributions to UHP and the labor movement in general. Chris has been with the UConn Health communications team since 2007.

cdefrancesco@uhp3837.com

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Robin is a familiar UHP face, back now in the role VP for Community Outreach after stints as VP Tier I and VP for Political Activities. Robin has been a UHP member since 1998, a rep since 2001, and a steward since 2003. In 2008 she was named Steward of the Year. Robin also serves on the negotiating team, finance committee, and health and safety committee, and as an AFT Connecticut legislative liaison. She previously has served on the communications and scholarship committees. Robin works in the UConn Center on Aging.

raddison@uhp3837.com

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Michelle has served eight terms as UHP Treasurer. As such, she chairs the finance committee and the investment subcommittee. Michelle also serves on the negotiating team, elections committee, scholarship committee, social committee and attends the Union Representative Assembly. Her UHP activism over the years also includes participation in the steward committee and LPAC.  Michelle joined UConn Health in 2001. She is the Business Services Manager in the Dental Dean’s Finance office.

mdproper@uhp3837.com

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A longtime UHP member and UConn Health nurse since 1995, Bill is back on the executive committee on which he previously held the position of VP for Communication. Bill stepped back from serving as an elected officer as his daughter was growing up, but remained active as a rep, steward, and member of committees including negotiating team, nursing staffing, and finance. This is the fourth contract Bill has helped negotiate.

bgarrity@uhp3837.com

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Peter Zarabozo joined the UHP executive committee October 2021 following a special election for the VP Tier II (hourly) employees position. He is a nurse in the rheumatology clinic who joined UConn Health March 2020.

“In my position, I hope to increase membership engagement and get more members involved in the operations of our union,” Peter says. “We must have an engaged membership to defend and advance our contract and mutual interests.”

vptier2@uhp3837.com

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Summer Lambert joined the UHP executive committee April 1, 2022, following a special election for the recording secretary position.  MORE