Gifford Health Care Welcomes Tayo S. Kirchhof as Senior Director of Development and Community Engagement and Heather Impey as Executive Director of Menig Nursing Home

Randolph, VT – Gifford Health Care is pleased to announce the appointment of two new senior leaders: Tayo S. Kirchhof as the organization’s Senior Director of Development and Community Engagement and Heather Impey as the new Executive Director of Menig Nursing Home.

In her new role, Kirchhof will lead philanthropic strategy, oversee the Gifford Auxiliary and Volunteer Services, and guide community engagement initiatives to advance Gifford’s mission of providing high-quality, local, patient-centered care.

Kirchhof brings more than 17 years of nonprofit leadership and fundraising experience to Gifford, with a career that reflects both deep regional roots and a record of delivering results for healthcare organizations. Most recently, she served as Director of Development for both Mt. Ascutney Hospital and Health Center in Windsor, VT, and Valley Regional Hospital in Claremont, NH — both members of the Dartmouth Health system — where she spearheaded capital campaigns, cultivated major gifts, and advanced community-based health initiatives. Kirchhof succeeds longtime Vice President of Development and Public Relations, Ashley Lincoln, who will transition to a new executive role at Gifford this fall.

Raised in Randolph and now living in Braintree, Kirchhof has longstanding ties to the Gifford community. Her familiarity with local needs, combined with her proven ability to connect donors, patients, and the leaders around shared goals, makes her uniquely positioned to help Gifford expand its impact.

“We are thrilled to welcome Tayo as Gifford’s new Senior Director of Development and Community Engagement,” said Michael Costa, CEO of Gifford Health Care. “With an impressive track record of building strong community partnerships and leading successful fundraising initiatives, Tayo brings a wealth of experience, vision, and passion for our mission. We are confident that she will help us further our impact across the communities we serve.”

“I am honored to join Gifford Health Care and work more closely with the community where I grew up,” said Kirchhof. “This role brings together my passion for healthcare access, my belief in the power of philanthropy, and my commitment to strengthening the bonds between our hospital and the people we serve. I look forward to working with the entire Gifford team to support programs and services that improve the lives of our friends, neighbors, and communities.”

Joining Kirchhof in Gifford’s leadership ranks, Heather Impey will serve as Executive Director of Menig Nursing Home, bringing over 20 years of experience in skilled nursing and long-term care leadership. Impey’s career includes progressive roles in clinical care, admissions and marketing, and senior administration, most recently serving as Administrator of Hanover Terrace Health & Rehabilitation Center in Hanover, NH. Under her leadership, Hanover Terrace achieved a deficiency-free CMS health and life safety survey in October 2024.

Licensed as a Nursing Home Administrator and LPN in both NH and VT, Impey is recognized for her expertise in regulatory compliance, operational oversight, and fostering a culture of compassion and excellence in elder care. Her leadership will focus on supporting Menig’s mission of enhancing the quality of life for its residents while ensuring the highest standards of care.

“We are delighted to welcome Heather to the Gifford family,” said Costa. “Her depth of experience in skilled nursing care, her proven ability to lead high-performing teams, and her dedication to serving older adults make her the ideal leader for Menig Nursing Home. We look forward to the positive impact she will have on our residents and staff.”

“I am excited to be offered the opportunity to support and enhance the quality of life for the elder population in my local community,” said Impey. “I believe in the importance of not just meeting care standards, but truly creating an environment where residents feel valued, respected, and at home. I look forward to working with the exceptional team at Menig to continue building on its tradition of excellence.”

Kirchhof and Impey both joined Gifford Health Care in August 2025. Together, their leadership reflects Gifford’s continued investment in people, programs, and partnerships that ensure high-quality care and vibrant, healthy communities across the region.

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Gifford is a community hospital in Randolph, Vt., with family health centers in Berlin, Bethel, Chelsea, Randolph, and Rochester; and specialty services throughout central Vermont. A Federally Qualified Health Center and a Top 100 Critical Access Hospital in the country, Gifford is a full-service hospital with a 24-hour emergency department and inpatient unit; many surgical services; daycare; an adult day programs; and a 30-bed nursing home. The Birthing Center, established in 1977, was the first in Vermont to offer an alternative to traditional hospital-based deliveries and continues to be a leader in midwifery and family-centered care. As a community health center and medical home, Gifford’s mission is to improve and manage the health of the people we serve by providing and assuring access to affordable, high-quality health care, and by promoting the health and well-being of everyone in our service area.