Caring for Your Family, Like Family
The Island Health Project team, from left: Di Shillo, RN; Chris Ingram, MD; Jamie Doucette, Becky Walters, and Molly Cypherd. Not pictured: Kapri Thomas, RN
Our close-knit community on Fishers Island often feels like family, and when you walk into the Doctor’s Office, you will be treated as such. We wanted to take this opportunity to introduce some of our team members on a more personal level. We hope you will appreciate their stories like we do!
Dianna “Di” Shillo, RN, Office Manager
If you’ve been to Island Health Project or anywhere around Fishers Island, chances are you know Di. As IHP’s Office Manager, school nurse, ferry commissioner, and all-around go-to person, Di wears more hats than most people can count—and somehow, she makes it look easy.
Di first came to Fishers Island in 1996 after working as a nurse in Pennsylvania. She’d met a friend, Jeanine Edwards, whose family had long ties to the island, and it didn’t take long for Di to fall in love with the community. She started out working at Race Rock and bartending at the Legion and Pequot while getting her nursing paperwork in order for Connecticut. Once that was complete, she jumped into night shifts at Lawrence & Memorial Hospital in New London, working in Labor & Delivery, and then transitioning part-time as an Ob/Gyn nurse.
For nearly a decade, Di balanced both jobs with energy and dedication. Eventually, she joined the IHP team, where she now helps keep the office running smoothly, day in and day out. Her work behind the scenes is just as impactful. She previously served for several years on the Walsh Park board and currently serves on the IHP Board. She is a current F.I. Ferry Commissioner and school nurse for the last ten years. Aside from her duties at the Doctor’s Office, she works alongside her husband at Z&S Contracting and Z&S Fuel and Service.
Di met her husband, Tom, at the Legion in 1997. They were married in 2001 at St. John’s Church, with a reception at the former “Windshield” property. Their son, David, now 23, grew up on the island graduating from the Fishers Island School in 2020. He attended the United States Military Academy at West Point, graduating in 2024 and is now 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Army, stationed at Fort Campbell, KY. His dream of serving was supported by many on the island. “We were lucky to have the support of the community. It takes a village,” Di says. Di is also a loving stepmom to her son, Sean and daughter in law, Cristina, and recently welcomed their beautiful first granddaughter in November.
Beyond her professional roles, Di is a fierce supporter of her family and community. In 2012, her twin sister, Dee, moved to the island so the two could be close. They lived together for many of those years, sharing life side by side, including working at the Doctor’s Office where Dee practiced as a Registered Nurse as well. Dee passed away in October 2024 after a long and courageous battle with cancer. Dee was a beloved part of island life — and is deeply missed by Di and the many people who knew and loved her.
Whether she’s running the IHP office, caring for students, helping to keep the ferry running, or pitching in wherever needed, Di brings grit, warmth, and a deep love for Fishers Island to everything she does. She’s more than a team member—she’s part of the island’s heartbeat.
Jamie Doucette, Healthcare Administrative Coordinator
If you’ve been to the Doctor’s Office, chances are you were welcomed by Jamie. With her calm presence and warm smile, Jamie brings a sense of ease and comfort to both patients and coworkers. Around here, we lovingly call her Wonder Woman. She splits her time between IHP and the Beach Plum office in what we jokingly refer to as a shared custody agreement, and we’re always glad when it’s “our time.”
Jamie first came to Fishers Island at the age of 16 and has been a devoted part of the community ever since. Sixteen years ago, she was hired by Sara McLean to join the IHP office. In addition to her front facing role in the office, Jamie provides administrative support to the IHP Board, and helps ensure our bookkeeping and records stay on track.
What Jamie loves most about her work is the unpredictability. “You never know what’s coming in or what the day will be like,” she says. “One moment I’m handling admin work, and the next I’m offering emotional support to a patient. Every day is different. I love our community.”
Need a same-day referral to a specialist? Jamie somehow pulls it off. She seems to know exactly the right words to say to the insurance carrier or scheduler on the other end of the phone. It’s part experience, part determination, and maybe a little bit of magic.
Her dedication to the community extends beyond the clinic. Jamie has served on the Fishers Island school board for 12 years — 9 of those as President — helping shape and support local education with the same care she brings to her work.
Outside of the office, Jamie holds another cherished title: Mimzee, the name her two grandsons lovingly call her (and yes, it’s proudly on her license plate!). She loves to unwind by puttering in her garden, reading a good book, and soaking up the fresh spring air.
A huge thanks to both Di and Jamie for sharing their stories with us! We are lucky to have you.
