Dr. Reiss was the original physician at the practice in 1990.  He is Board Certified in Family Medicine and received a certificate of added qualification in Sports Medicine.  Additional practice interests include: pediatrics, procedures and medical quality improvement.

Dr. Reiss holds a BS from Fordham University, completed his MD at the University of Rochester, and then a Family Medicine residency at the University of Vermont.  He is the board chair of Healthfirst, a statewide independent practice association; and the medical director of the Accountable Care Coalition of the Green Mountains.  He is a former board member of VITL, and former president of the Vermont Academy of Family Medicine.

Dr. Reiss is also the board chair for the Julian Reiss Foundation, sponsoring summer camps for New York City youth in Lake Placid, New York for over 50 years. Dr. Reiss has lived in Williston since 2006, has five children, and enjoys hiking, traveling, tennis and skiing.

Office Hours

• Tues: 8:30 am - 4:10 pm
• @ Evergreen

• Thurs: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
• @ Evergreen

• Fri: 9:30 am - 5:00 pm
• @ Evergreen

Dr. Graham is Board Certified in Family Medicine and has broad skills in all areas of primary care, with special interests in preventive care, pediatrics, family planning and procedures.

He completed his MD at Tufts University School of Medicine/Maine Medical Center and completed residency in Family Medicine at the University of Vermont. He holds a BA from Harvard University.

Prior to his life in medicine he first worked as a partner at a technology startup, and then had a career in education, running a travel-based school for youth with emotional and behavioral disabilities and a non-profit focused on service-learning and rural development in Latin America, both based in Burlington.

Dr. Graham feels lucky to have grown up in Vermont, and true to his heritage he enjoys any activities that involve water, dirt, snow, pedaling, climbing, furry friends and music.

Office Hours

• Mon: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
• @ Evergreen

• Wed: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
• @ Evergreen

• Thurs: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
• @ Evergreen

Alexis Purdy joined Alderbrook Family Health in July 2024 after working in family medicine at the South End Community Health Center for 7 years. She received her undergraduate degree in Athletic Training at Endicott College in Massachusetts. Prior to PA school, she worked as an EMT at Essex Rescue and a Medical Assistant at UVMMC Orthopedics. She completed her Physician Assistant training at the University of New England.
Clinical interests include preventive care and wellness, contraceptive management and cardiovascular health.
Alexis is a Vermont native. When not at work, she can be found exploring the outdoors with her fiancé and their dog. She enjoys hiking, biking, skiing, running, and camping.

Office Hours

• Mon: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
• @ Alder Brook

• Tues: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
• @ Alder Brook

• Thurs: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
• @ Alder Brook

• Fri: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
• @ Alder Brook

Annegret Schmitt-Johnson is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner and joined Alder Brook Family Health in 2014. Annegret grew up in Germany and completed a degree in medical lab sciences.  After moving to Vermont in 2002 she completed a Master of Arts in literature as well as a Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Vermont. Annegret’s passion is caring for the full family including children, adults and elderly. She provides care for acute and chronic medical conditions. She also believes strongly in active preventative care.

She resides with her husband and 3 daughters in Colchester and enjoys an active outdoor lifestyle.

Office Hours

• Mon: 8:30 am - 12:30 pm
• @ Alder Brook

• Tues: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
• @ Alder Brook

• Wed: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
• @ Alder Brook

• Thurs: 8:30 am - 12:30 pm
• @ Alder Brook

Carissa joined Evergreen as a PA in May 2021 but worked as a Medical Assistant and Scribe for Dr. Paul Reiss prior to leaving for PA school. She graduated from Franklin Pierce’s Master of Physician Assistant Studies in March of 2021. Her training includes rotations in Orthopedics, and Addiction Medicine. Carissa focuses on effectively treating all patients from all backgrounds with the same care and attention and believes that all providers have a responsibility to reduce disparity in care.

Born in Colorado and raised in Saratoga Springs, she and her husband have been living in Vermont since 2012 with their two rescue mutts. She enjoys all things outdoors including backcountry skiing, hiking, biking, gardening, and trail running.

 

Office Hours

• Tues: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
• @ Evergreen

• Wed: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
• @ Evergreen

• Thurs: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
• @ Evergreen

• Fri: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
• @ Evergreen

Casey O’Brien has been a board-certified Physician Assistant since 2020.  He grew up in Charlotte, VT, then attended St. Lawrence University in upstate New York before moving to Bellingham, Washington for a number of years.  While out West he worked as a mountaineering guide, timber framer, and volunteered as a member of the regional mountain/wilderness rescue squad.  
He moved back East to be closer to family while attending Northeastern University’s PA program in Boston, graduating in 2020.  He and his fiancé moved back to Vermont after graduation, and he started his career in orthopedics at CVPH in Plattsburgh before transitioning to join the team at Evergreen Sports Medicine in 2024.  

When not in clinic, he and his fiancé (and their dog) enjoy climbing, pedaling, paddling, trail running and backcountry skiing their way around the northeast

Office Hours

• Mon: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
• @ Sports Medicine

• Wed: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
• @ Sports Medicine

• Thurs: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
• @ Sports Medicine

• Fri: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
• @ Sports Medicine

Cheryl Underwood is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner who joined Evergreen Family Health in 2020.  She has been a nurse since 1994, receiving her training at Fanny Allen Memorial School of Practical Nursing and Southern Vermont College.  She moved to Connecticut in 2005 where she worked as a nurse in the Emergency Department for thirteen years.  During this time, she furthered her nursing career, receiving her Master of Science degree in Nursing and completed her Nurse Practitioner training before returning home to beautiful Vermont in 2018 to be closer to family. She has a special interest in women’s and adolescent health, although brings experience in geriatric primary care with additional interest in health prevention and promotion of all ages.

She enjoys spending time with her family, photography, collecting Vermont art and listening to live music.  Cheryl is a native of Vermont, currently living in Georgia with her husband and two youngest children.

Cheryl joined Evergreen Family Health on November 16th 2020.

Office Hours

• Mon: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
• @ Evergreen

• Tues: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
• @ Evergreen

• Wed: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
• @ Evergreen

• Thurs: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
• @ Evergreen

Dr. Soderquist is a Board Certified Family Physician who cares for patients of all ages with special interests in caring for young families, wellness promotion, contraception management, and sports medicine.
He holds a BA from Warren Wilson College and an MD from Larner College of Medicine at the University of Vermont. He completed his residency at UMass Worcester Family Medicine Residency Program.
His passion for food as medicine inspired his early career where he farmed in the Mad River Valley and coordinated a farm share program for patients at UVM. His medical training began at Evergreen where he worked as a medical assistant before medical school. Now a Family Physician and an Assistant Professor at Larner College of Medicine, he is delighted to partner with patients to help them achieve their health goals and inspire the next generation of physicians.

When not at work he can be found with his spouse and two young sons exploring Vermont’s trails, swimming holes, and creemee stands.

Office Hours

• Mon: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
• @ Evergreen

• Wed: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
• @ Evergreen

• Thurs: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
• @ Evergreen

• Fri: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
• @ Evergreen

Dr. James Dougherty is Board Certified in Family Medicine and has special interests in sports medicine and preventive care.  He was a Chief Resident at the University of Vermont’s Family Practice Residency Program until joining Evergreen Family Health in 1998. Originally from Illinois, he resides in Underhill with his wife and two daughters.  He oversees Evergreen’s laboratory services. As of January 1, 2019, Dr. Dougherty is seeing patients at Alder Brook Family Health in Essex Town on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

Office Hours

• Mon: 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
• @ Alder Brook

• Wed: 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
• @ Alder Brook

• Thurs: 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
• @ Alder Brook

• Fri: 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
• @ Alder Brook

Dr. Ferris is Board Certified in Family Medicine and has special interests in preventative care and women’s health.  After graduating from Philadelphia School of Osteopathic Medicine she completed her residency training in the Hudson Valley in New York.  Dr. Ferris has three adult sons and lives in Essex Junction with her husband.

Office Hours

• Mon: 8:50 am - 5:00 pm
• @ Evergreen

• Wed: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
• @ Evergreen

• Thurs: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
• @ Evergreen

Danielle joined Evergreen in April of 2018. She graduated from Franklin Pierce University in February 2018 and has particular interests in women’s health and pediatrics.

A native of Milton, Vermont, Danielle lives in Milton with her husband Dillon and two sons. They enjoy cross country skiing and snowshoeing in the winter and spend much of their summer boating on Lake Champlain.

Office Hours

• Mon: 7:30 am - 4:00 pm
• @ Evergreen

• Tues: 7:30 am - 11:00 am
• @ Evergreen

• Wed: 7:30 am - 4:00 pm
• @ Evergreen

• Thurs: 7:30 am - 3:50 pm
• @ Evergreen

Dr. Johnson completed the Family Medicine Residency program at UVM / FAHC in 2005, serving as Chief Resident, and is Board Certified in Family Medicine. After practicing in Colchester for a few years, he joined Evergreen Family Health in February 2008.  Dr. Johnson is proficient in German, having studied several years in Germany. He has training and experience caring for all ages in the office and hospital. He lives in Colchester with his wife and three daughters.

Office Hours

• Mon: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
• @ Evergreen

• Tues: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
• @ Evergreen

• Fri: 7:30 am - 4:00 pm
• @ Evergreen

Dr. Joyce is a Board Certified Family Medicine physician and has special interests in women’s health and pediatric care.  She is a native Vermonter who attended Middlebury College and then worked as an AmeriCorps volunteer in Washington, DC. After graduating from the College of Medicine at UVM, she completed specialty training in Family Medicine at Scott & White in Temple, Texas. Dr. Joyce relocated from Temple, Texas to Vermont with her husband and three children.

Office Hours

• Mon: 8:00 am - 4:10 pm
• @ Evergreen

• Tues: 8:00 am - 4:10 pm
• @ Evergreen

• Thurs: 8:00 am - 3:50 pm
• @ Evergreen

• Fri: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
• @ Evergreen

Patrick C. Kearney, MS,PA-C Patrick is an experienced provider of primary care for adults and older children. He was born and raised in Ireland and completed his pre-med training at University College in Dublin. He went on to study at the British School of Osteopathy in London, England, during which time he became a Clinical Services Provider at Saint Martins in the Field. After obtaining his BS, Patrick moved to the U.S. and received a Masters degree of Health Science from Drexel University in 2005.

He met his wife while in Philadelphia and moved to Vermont in 2006 so his two children would be near their grandparents. Mr. Kearney has worked at Evergreen Family Health since 2011.

Office Hours

• Mon: 7:00 am - 3:30 pm
• @ Evergreen

• Tues: 7:00 am - 3:30 pm
• @ Evergreen

• Thurs: 7:00 am - 3:30 pm
• @ Evergreen

• Fri: 7:00 am - 3:30 pm
• @ Evergreen

Dr Sikule is a Primary Care Sports Medicine specialist with primary training in Family Medicine. She grew up in Westerlo, NY and then attended St Lawrence University for college where she helped lead both her basketball and golf teams to NCAA tournaments. She completed her medical school training at Ross University and Family Medicine residency and fellowship in Sports Medicine at University of Massachusetts school of medicine.
Dr. Sikule is an Associate Professor and has practiced primary care sports medicine at The University of Vermont Medical Center for 7 years. She taught within the family medicine residency and was named teacher of the year twice by the residents. Dr. Sikule practices comprehensive sports medicine and enjoys helping patients stay active and reach both their health and performance goals. Dr. Sikule has training in ultrasound musculoskeletal evaluation and procedures and utilizes this tool to help optimize patient understanding of an injury and discuss non-operative treatment options.
In her free time, Dr. Sikule can be found with her wife, daughter and dog, hiking, biking or back country skiing around Mt. Mansfield.
Picture coming soon!

Office Hours

• Tues: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
• @ Sports Medicine

• Wed: 8:20 am - 2:20 pm
• @ Sports Medicine

Dr Adams joined Evergreen Family Health in October 2024.
Bio coming soon!

Office Hours

• Tues: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
• @ Evergreen

• Wed: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
• @ Evergreen

• Thurs: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
• @ Evergreen

• Fri: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
• @ Evergreen

Melisa Gibson joined Alder Brook Family Health in October 2021 after working at Milton Family Practice for 14 years. She grew up in Minnesota and went to college in Michigan. She went to Rochester School of Medicine, and completed her Family Medicine Residency at UVM. During her residency, she fell in love with Vermont, and a Vermonter – her husband, Justin. She has done all things in Family Medicine – from working in the hospital to low risk obstetrics. She was also part of the Family Medicine Residency Administration for six years. She delights in getting to know and care for whole families. She lives in Essex with her husband and two children. She enjoys hiking, camping and reading.

Office Hours

• Mon: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
• @ Alder Brook

• Tues: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
• @ Alder Brook

• Wed: 8:30 am - 3:30 pm
• @ Alder Brook

• Fri: 8:30 am - 12:30 pm
• @ Alder Brook

Michelle joined Evergreen Family Health after graduating from Franklin Pierce’s Master of Physician Assistant Studies in March 2024.
Prior to heading off to PA school, Michelle spent many years in EMS. While she loved her time working on the ambulance, she desired more continuity of care with patients of all ages and is excited to find that in primary care at Evergreen.

When not working, Michelle can be found enjoying all the nature that Vermont has to offer. She loves trail running, hiking, camping, mountain biking, back country skiing, and building rock walls around her property. She enjoys passing this love of the outdoors on to her two daughters.

Office Hours

• Tues: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
• @ Evergreen

• Wed: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
• @ Evergreen

• Thurs: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
• @ Evergreen

• Fri: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
• @ Evergreen

We are excited to welcome Nate Wigton Bell, PA-C to our Williston primary care practitioner team.
Nate comes to Evergreen from UVMMC working as an emergency medicine Physician Assistant in the ER. Prior to working in emergency medicine, he was an EMT and first responder, ski patroller and a boarding schoolteacher/dorm parent in Switzerland.
Nate enjoys outdoor activities such as skiing, hiking, and more. He is excited for his transition into primary care as he longs for continuity which is difficult to find working in emergency medicine

Office Hours

• Mon: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
• @ Evergreen

• Tues: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
• @ Evergreen

• Wed: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
• @ Evergreen

• Fri: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
• @ Evergreen

Matthew Salter has been a board certified Physician Assistant since 2007. After growing up in the Hudson Valley Region of NY, he attended St. Michael’s College in Colchester, VT, then graduated from Albany Medical College in 2007. Over the coarse of nine years, Matt gained extensive experience in both Orthopedic Surgery and Sports Medicine working for Associates in Orthopedics as well as Mansfield Orthopedics.  He also spent over four years working in the Emergency Department at University of Vermont Medical Center. He enjoys an active lifestyle in Essex Junction with his two sons.

Office Hours

• Mon: 8:20 am - 4:20 pm
• @ Sports Medicine

• Tues: 8:20 am - 2:20 pm
• @ Sports Medicine

• Thurs: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
• @ Sports Medicine

• Fri: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
• @ Sports Medicine

Dr. Scott Paluska is a board-certified sports medicine physician with primary training in family medicine. He grew up in Michigan and attended Amherst College in Massachusetts. He completed medical school and a residency in family medicine at the University of Michigan before pursuing a fellowship in sports medicine at the University of Pittsburgh.

Dr. Paluska has practiced sports medicine for over 20 years in Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Washington and Illinois. He has been a team physician for high school, collegiate and professional teams. In addition to caring for athletes, he also conducts musculoskeletal research and has published many peer-reviewed abstracts, articles and book chapters. He also currently serves on the Board of Trustees for the American College of Sports Medicine and has presented on sports medicine topics nationally and internationally.

Dr Paluska practices comprehensive sports medicine, providing care to individuals of all ages and abilities. He treats a wide variety acute and chronic conditions related to activity, including non-surgical fracture care. He utilizes musculoskeletal ultrasound for the diagnosis and treatment of joint disorders and performs joint injections using anti-inflammatory medications, viscosupplements and platelet rich plasma (PRP) preparations. He allows time to listen to his patients’ stories and actively involve them in collaborative dialogues regarding the evaluation and treatment of their conditions. As a patient advocate, he helps patients understand the pros and cons of surgical and non-surgical approaches to musculoskeletal disorders. His goal is to assist his patients toward quick recoveries so they can resume their active, healthy lifestyles.

When not at work, Dr. Paluska is a competitive runner, cyclist and triathlete, after having been a collegiate rower and downhill skier. He lives in Williston with his wife and daughters – all of whom enjoy the rich variety of outdoor pursuits in the Green Mountains.

Office Hours

• Mon: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
• @ Sports Medicine

• Tues: 9:30 am - 4:30 pm
• @ Sports Medicine

• Wed: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
• @ Sports Medicine

• Fri: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
• @ Sports Medicine

Dr. D’Amato is Board Certified in Family Medicine and has special interests and expertise in herbal and complimentary medicine, women’s health (thyroid/hormone imbalance), traumatic brain injuries, sports medicine and LGBTQ health.  She received her undergraduate degree from Johns Hopkins University in the History of Science, Medicine & Culture and graduated from University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine with a D.O. (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine) degree.

In her practice Dr. D’Amato offers primary care medicine and osteopathic manipulation with a focus on health and wellness.  She has earned certificates in Naturopathic, Homeopathic, Herbal and Nutritional Healing and incorporates her knowledge of traditional medical treatments along with her expertise in complementary modalities to create a patient-centered treatment plan.

In her spare time Dr. D’Amato is an avid New England sports fan.  She loves to eat vegetarian/vegan food cooked by her husband and to spend time with her dogs Fenway, a Boston Terrier, and Picholine, a Pug. She is fascinated with ancient Egypt and dreams of seeing the pyramids one day.

Office Hours

• Mon: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
• @ Evergreen

• Tues: 8:10 am - 4:30 pm
• @ Evergreen

• Thurs: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
• @ Evergreen

• Fri: 8:00 am - 4:40 pm
• @ Evergreen