Carol Montiel, RN, MS
Gourmet Queen

Born in Brooklyn, New York and went to Syracuse University for BS and MS degrees in Nursing and Maternal Child Health. Lived in Maracaibo, Venezuela for eight years and taught Natural Childbirth Classes and worked for an organization called Christo Rey which provided pharmaceuticals and clothing to families who could not afford to purchase them. I have always had a love of children and a desire to make their lives better.

As a nurse, I have worked most of my career in Neonatology, Pediatric Intensive Care and in Home Care where I developed Kids Medical Club a school and day care center for medically fragile children. I have been associated with the SKIP Camp, which latter became the VACC Camp for ventilator dependent children and their families.

Dr. Moises Simpser, Barbara Donaghey, 2 parents and myself had a vision to develop an environment, which was geared to the ventilator dependent child. Thus the camp was conceived and developed. During the eighties, new developments of home care equipment became available to support the care of the ventilator child in the home environment. However there was no facility like VACC camp where the child, family and caregivers could come and converse, share ideas, live like a “normal” family and enjoy the benefits of camp life. Thus it all began.

I have been associated with the camp since its inception except for one year that the camp went on a hiatus to Boggy Creek and one year that it was not possible due to family obligations. In addition, I have helped to develop the Oncology Camp, and I am a Wish Grantor for the Make A Wish Foundation of Southern Florida.

I personally have been blessed with wonderful, healthy children. My career has been spent working with some of the sickest children and saddest of families. I have always felt the need to give back to the community and thus I feel proud and honored to have been a member of this fantastic team of people who participate each year with vim and vigor in making the lives of these very special children so extraordinary for this one week every April.

VIVA VACC CAMP!!!!!