South End Health Center
789 Pine Street
Burlington, Vermont
This site offers medical, dental and counseling services, conveniently located in Burlington’s South End district.
Medical, Psychiatry & Behavioral Health
Appointments: 802-864-0693
Hours: Monday – Friday8am – 5pm
(Additional hours are also available at our Riverside Health Center Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday 5pm – 8pm and Saturday 7:45am – 11:45am.)
Medical Providers at South End
Psychiatry Providers at South End
Behavioral Health Clinicians at South End
Dental Center
Appointments: 802-652-1050
Hours: Monday – Friday7:30am – 3:45pm*
*Closed for lunch 11:30am – 12pm
Dental Providers at South End
Medical Providers at South End Health Center
Stephanie Bellomo, MD was raised in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont, in a town small enough to feel that all the residents were like extended family. A UVM grad with a BA in Zoology and MS in Animal Sciences, she worked as a research lab technician at UVM for several years before realizing it was more fun to expand experiences beyond doing experiments with lab rats and viral cultures. She entered medical school followed by Family Practice residency training at UVM. In 1988 she joined the Burlington Community Health Plan medical office on Pine Street, and has been enjoying providing continuous medical care to patients and their families, some of whom she has followed since residency training, although the practice name has been evolving through the years. She loves seeing and managing the wide variety of problems that family medicine entails, and finds much satisfaction in helping those with psychiatric issues. She is excited to now become part of the Community Health Centers of Burlington team. When not working, she enjoys finding time for creativity and relaxation when painting in oils, gardening, cooking, and knitting, keeping active with her dog, as well as helping her husband care for their four horses. Not accepting new patients.
Vivian Esparza, MD came to Vermont from El Paso, Texas. She worked as an oncology nurse for five years before going to medical school in San Antonio and went on to complete her family medicine residency at the Greater Lawrence Family Health Center in Lawrence, MA. Upon moving to Vermont in 1998, she began working with the diverse patient population at Winooski Family Health. She then devoted ten years to specializing in substance abuse treatment through Howard Center and the Department of Corrections. She has extensive experience in medical exams for immigration purposes. Vivian joined the South End Health Center in November, 2018. Outside of work, Vivian stays busy with her three daughters, chickens, honey bees, alpacas, and enjoys playing the violin. Accepting new patients.
Mary Anne Kohn, AGNP recently returned to Vermont from Portland Oregon. She holds a BA from Loyola University, an MSW from the Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter College, and received her MS in Nursing from UVM’s College of Nursing and Health Sciences. Throughout her professional career, Mary Anne’s focus was primarily on issues of homelessness, mental health issues, and substance use. As a Nurse Practitioner she works closely with her patients to respond to acute and ongoing health care needs, provides accessible health education, and encourages patient engagement in their care and wellness plans. In her personal time, she enjoys spending time with friends and family, trying new recipes and is always interested in a good podcast. Accepting new patients.
Robert Penney, MD graduated from Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio, with a B.A. in Biology. He received his M.D. at the University of Vermont College of Medicine in Burlington and went on to complete his family practice residency at the State University of New York at Buffalo. He returned to Burlington in 1986 to help begin the practice here at 789 Pine Street. Not accepting new patients.
Alexis Purdy, PA-C was born and raised in Vermont. She graduated from Endicott College with a BS in Athletic Training. She received her master’s in Physician Assistant Studies from the University of New England. Prior to PA school, Alexis worked as a Medical Assistant at UVM Medical Center and as an EMT at Essex Rescue. She worked as a PA at an urgent care clinic in New Hampshire before relocating to Vermont. Her professional interests include adult medicine, health education and prevention and cardiac health. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, hiking, skiing and exploring the great outdoors. Accepting new patients.
Margaret Russell, PA graduated from Colorado College and received her Physician Assistant and Pediatric Intensive Program certification from the University of Colorado. Before she joined the Health Center in 1997, Margaret worked for Helios Health Center in Boulder, Colorado. Her professional interests include pediatrics, developmental and holistic medicine. Outside of her work, Margaret enjoys all outdoors activities, including gardening, hiking and biking. Accepting new patients.
Heather Stein, MD is a native of West Virginia and grew up in Morgantown where her father still practices Family Medicine. Dr. Stein graduated from Virginia Tech with a B.S. in biochemistry and a B.A. in classical studies. She returned to West Virginia University for medical school and moved to Vermont for her Family Medicine residency at Fletcher Allen where she was introduced to the CHCB community. Dr. Stein’s professional interests include adolescent/young adult medicine and care of the underserved, as well as comprehensive care for the whole family. She has a wonderful husband whom she met in medical school and who is also a family doctor in the area. She enjoys cooking, gardening and spending time with her family. Not accepting new patients.
Courtney Walker, APRN FNP-BC IBCLC graduated from the University of Vermont in 2008 with her B.S. in Nursing and then in 2014 with her M.S. in Nursing as a Family Nurse Practitioner. Her nursing background was focused on maternal newborn health and has maintained an IBCLC certification since 2011. Her professional interests include adolescent and women’s health, with a focus on health education and promotion. You may find her doing something fun with her family, hitting up a local yoga class or trying a new recipe at home. Not accepting new patients.
Wayne Warnken, MD graduated from Western State College and from the University of Colorado Health Sciences Medical School. He completed his residency at the University of Washington Family Medicine Residency-Valley Medical Center. Before medical school Dr. Warnken worked at Samaritan House-Homeless Shelter, in Denver Colorado; for the United States Park Service; and as a research assistant at the Salk Institute. Dr. Warnken’s professional interests are in Spanish, addiction medicine, pediatrics and adolescent medicine, nutrition, and sports medicine. When Dr. Warnken is not at work he is active in H.O. Wheeler PTO, City Market and the YMCA. Not accepting new patients.
Psychiatry Providers at South End Health Center
Anna Leavey, PMHNP received her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Guelph in Ontario where she majored in English. She completed a Master of Arts degree in Education at the University of Toronto. After teaching high school for several years, she attended the University of Vermont’s post baccalaureate pre-medical program. She continued on to pursue her Master’s of Science in Nursing from the University of Vermont with a specialty in Family Psychiatric and Mental Health Advanced Practice Nursing with a particular focus on child and adolescent behavioral health. In her spare time, Anna enjoys being outdoors with her family and her dog, Fred.
Behavioral Health Clinicians at South End Health Center
Doug Bugbee, LICSW, LADC received a B.A. from Hamilton College and an M.S.W from the University of Maryland at Baltimore. Doug has worked at CHCB since 2002. He currently facilitates the Recovery Group for Patients struggling with co-occurring addiction and depression or anxiety as well as a Pain Management Group for those struggling with chronic pain and depression/anxiety. As a clinical social worker with over 20 years of experience, Doug uses a biopsychosocial approach with a perspective that draws on the mind-body connection and the importance of the client’s story. He provides Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction and Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy with a focus on solutions and possibilities for change, and is an Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) trained clinician. He is competent in addressing depression, anxiety, substance abuse, chronic pain, relationship issues, grief and loss, trauma, anger, and compulsive behaviors. He enjoys collaborating with the primary care providers, nurses, and other personnel at CHCB.
Tamara O’Rear, LICSW, AAP received a B.S. from the University of Oregon and an M.S.W. from Springfield College. Since graduation she has provided counseling to patients diagnosed with a life threatening and/or chronic illness. She works with individuals to increase their health by learning new coping skills, and to develop and maintain daily routines that include health care, and self-care activities. Tamara is competent in motivational interviewing, cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), stress reduction, and Eye Motions Desensitization and Reprocessing, (EMDR) to treat depression, anxiety, substance use and low self-esteem. She has 16 years of experience facilitating psychoeducational and support groups that have focused on learning DBT skills, stress management, and on distress related to body image. Tamara believes in the basic goodness and potential of each person to change, and ability to create a life that has meaning, joy, and purpose. In her free time she enjoys water exercise and an exploration of all things Spiritual.
Stephanie Parent, LICSW, LADC received a B.S. from Lyndon State College and an MSW from University of New Hampshire. Stephanie’s work at CHCB has focused on SBIRT, universal screening and referral to treatment with patients suffering with addiction issues. Stephanie has worked in the field of substance use for 16 years. She draws from many different modalities, including DBT, CBT and Seeking Safety for those affected by trauma and substance use issues. She has been licensed in four different states and has recently returned to VT, her birthplace. Stephanie is an advocate of client-centered work, using Motivational Enhancement to help patients draw from their own internal resources to make change. She became interested in gender specific work out of the Jean Baker Miller Training Institute in Wellesley, MA, early in her career and continues to work from their premise that connection fosters health. Out of mutually authentic connection we can all learn to heal. Most recently, Stephanie has participated in a 6 month training program in Boulder, CO, where she is focusing on ways to increase authenticity in therapeutic relationships. Stephanie is an Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) trained clinician.
Dental Providers at South End Health Center
David Jette, DDS grew up in St. Albans and attended Bellows Free Academy High School. He graduated from Clarkson University in Potsdam, New York with a Bachelors degree in Biomolecular Science. He received his Dental degree at the University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine in Buffalo, NY. In the summer of 2012, he moved back to Vermont and served two years as a general dentist in Richford and Swanton for the Northern Tier Center for Health (NOTCH).
Dr. Jette believes in pain-free dentistry, so that all patients are confident in their dental treatment and comfortable with their experience. When not practicing dentistry, he enjoys spending time with his wife, Sarah, and their two pugs, Rolo and Gus.
Mose Snyder, DMD received his undergraduate degree in philosophy from the University of Connecticut. He graduated from the UConn School of Dental Medicine in 2014, and went on to complete a general practice residency at UVM Medical Center. After residency, he practiced general dentistry at the Northern Tier Center for Health (NOTCH) in Swanton, VT. In his spare time, he enjoys hiking, skiing, and running.
Elicia Thompson, DDS grew up in Sacramento, California. She attended the University of Washington School of Dentistry in Seattle, Washington. Upon graduating in 2006, she completed their General Practice Residency program. After finishing her training, she helped develop and practiced for the dental clinic of the St. Charles Community Health Center in Luling, Louisiana. Dr. Thompson relocated to Vermont with her husband in 2009. Before joining the CHCB team, she worked in private practice in Franklin County, Vermont. When not at work, she and her husband enjoy hiking, kayaking, and generally taking advantage of all the natural resources Vermont has to offer!
Gopichand Vallabhaneni, DMD moved to Vermont from Portland, Maine, where he worked in a private office for five years. Dr. Val graduated from Boston’s Tuft’s School of Dental Medicine in 1998. He performs urgent care with a focus on emergency dental treatment and enjoys playing golf in his free time.
Rachel Joecks, RDH graduated from Vermont Technical College in 2006 with an associate’s degree in Dental Hygiene. She grew up in Weybridge Vermont and practiced in Middlebury before coming to CHCB. Some of her interests outside of work include snowboarding, horseback riding, traveling, hiking, golfing, and spending time with her family and friends.
Marijke Kopecky, RDH is a native Vermonter and graduated from Vermont Technical College in 2011. Currently, she is also planning to complete a Bachelor’s Degree in Dental Hygiene in 2013. She is a member of ADHA and VDHA. In her free time she enjoys spending time hiking, biking, skiing, traveling, and spending time with her family and friends.