Welcome! Your House is here to help you grow—personally, professionally, and as part of a connected community.
You can expect to flourish in a small, supportive community where you’ll build lasting connections with peers and mentors. Each House includes faculty mentors who support you throughout all four years, a mix of students from different class years for shared learning and peer mentorship, and dedicated time to develop your skills, reflect on your growth, and explore your personal and professional goals.
Meet the Oak House Student Leaders!
Oak House Learning Collaboratives Clinical Mentors
Maureen Boardman, MSN
I am the Director of Clinical Quality and Research at Little Rivers Health Care and the Clinical Research Director of the NNE CO-OP PCBRN in the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Department of Community and Family Medicine.
Some of my personal interests are hiking, reading, ice skating and watching my sons baseball games.
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Christopher LaRocca, MD
I am the Designated Institutional Official at Cheshire Medical Center in Keene, NH, overseeing graduate medical education and faculty for the Family Medicine residency. Prior to my GME work, I had a rural family practice for 33 years and precepted medical students. I have taught in OnDoc, offered Medical Humanities enrichment, and was chair of Geisel’s Admissions Committee for three years.
Some of my personal interests are me and my wife’s mini farm that includes dogs and cats, a huge garden, fruit trees, chickens and goats (and over the years pigs, sheep, horses, ducks), maple sugaring, etc.
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Scott Pompa, MD
I am a rheumatologist and the interim program director of the Rheumatology Fellowship at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center. I teach the rheumatology portion of the Rheumatology–Dermatology–Orthopedic course at the Geisel School of Medicine and am involved in problem-based learning (PBL) and the On Doctoring program.
Some of my personal interests alongside my new role as interim program director, are spending most of my time parenting, staying active with weightlifting, and focusing on healthy eating. I played football in high school and baseball in college, and I’m now tackling the challenge of learning to ski. I also enjoy reading—most recently the Rising series—plus anime and dancing.
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Mark Smith, MD
I am an academic pediatric otolaryngologist at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, specializing in medical and surgical care for infants and children with upper aerodigestive tract conditions. I manage otologic and airway care in the Cleft and Craniofacial Anomalies Clinic and enjoy teaching otolaryngology residents and medical students in both clinic and operating room settings.
Some of my personal interests are trail running, road and gravel cycling, swimming, Nordic skiing, and reading. I also enjoy spending time with my wife Julie (first grade teacher at the Ray Elementary School in Hanover), running the trails with our dog Charlie, and hearing from our two adult daughters Andi and Katelyn as they enjoy their lives out and about in the world.
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Heather Vestal, MD, MHS
I am a psychiatrist passionate about medical education. I supervise psychiatry residents in outpatient clinics, serve as a collaborative care psychiatrist for DHMC internal medicine, and teach medical students in the psychiatry clerkship and On Doctoring course.
Some of my personal interests include spending time with my family (husband, 2-year-old and 8-month-old), including exploring local toddler-friendly activities (most recently blueberry picking!). Am also a foodie, an escape room enthusiast, and a lover of wine, craft beer, and disc golf.
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Kimberly Youngren, MD
I am an anesthesiologist with fellowship training in regional anesthesia and chronic pain medicine. I have been the program director of the chronic pain fellowship at Dartmouth for the last four years.
I love to be outdoors! From growing my own food to hiking, kayaking, and skiing. I played collegiate rugby and enjoy watching many of the Dartmouth sports teams! I love any good book but mostly read historical fiction, sci-fi, and mystery novels.
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