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 Spruce House Student Leaders!
Spruce House Learning Collaboratives Clinical Mentors
Thomas Broderick, DO, MPH
I’m mostly retired but continue to see adult outpatients for general medicine one day a week.
Some of my personal interests are reading (I read an hour of fiction every night... mostly mystery and spy novels), and for exercise I hike several days/week, ski, paddle board, and care for my two young grandsons.
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Rowland Hazard, MD
I served as medical director for the spine centers at the University of Vermont (1986-2000) and Dartmouth (2002-2018).
Some of my personal interests are skiing, golf (USGA rules official), professional jazz guitar and vocals.
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Alison Kapadia, MD, FACEP
I am a community emergency medicine physician working in the Emergency Departments at Alice Peck Day Hospital and the VA, and also at the DHMC TeleED, part of the Connected Care Center.
Some of my personal interests are spending time with my kids, husband, and dog, Nordic skiing, hiking, cooking, attending live theater and concerts.
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Lisa Pastel, MD, MPH
I am actively practicing Internal Medicine at a DHMC outpatient clinic in Lebanon. I precept medical students and volunteer monthly at the Good Neighbor Clinic.
Some of my personal interests are gravel biking, hiking, running, gardening, reading, and being with family.
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Valerie Rooney, MD
I was a rural pediatrician in southeastern Vermont for 30 years, providing well care and sick care, hospitalization for children aged 0-21, in addition to covering the Emergency and Delivery rooms. I also precepted on doctoring students and third-year pediatric students in our office.
Some of my personal interests are working in my garden, where I grow flowers, as well as fruits and vegetables. I have two granddaughters and spend lots of time with them when our schedules work out.
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David Soybel, MD
I trained as a general surgeon, had an academic practice focused on Gastrointestinal and Abdominal Surgery, including research, teaching, and program leadership. From March 2020 until June 2025, I served as Chief of Surgical Services at the VA Medical Center in WRJ, Vermont. I am currently a Professor of Surgery at Geisel with continuing academic activities in research and teaching.
Some of my personal interests are my grandchildren, my wife's garden, and my fly-rod. I am an avid reader, especially (but not solely) of history of New England and the experiences of our country's veterans. I am also fascinated by dinosaurs.
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