Her professional interests include Women's Health, Complimentary Healthcare (incorporating traditional medicine with modern science), Gay and Lesbian health issues, sex education, and universal access to health care. Her community activities include being a Board Member and volunteer at the Addison County Open Door Clinic, membership in the Champlain Valley Unitarian Universalist Society, and volunteering as a parent at the Weybridge Elementary School.
Dr. Barnard writes, "I was born and raised on a dairy farm in Vermont. Being a Vermonter has always been a central part of my being and I am happy and content to be living here. Going to McGill University in Montreal was a great way for a country girl to be exposed to the diversity and wonder of the world at large. I came back to Vermont for medical school with the idea of applying my world vision to life in a country town.
"I moved to Middlebury in 1994 to practice Family Medicine in a small group practice. I love the variety in the people I see - variety in age, in types of illness, in occupation, in types of wealth, and in lots of other ways. I see myself as a healing consultant on the road to wellness.
"My particular interests include alternative/complimentary medicine, end of life care, and women's health. Being a Family Practice doctor, however, means you have the opportunity to "see it all" which I wholeheartedly embrace. I am a volunteer and board member of the Open Door Clinic of Addison County; this organization provides health care services to those who do not have other access. I also serve on the Ethics, Palliative Care, and Physician Health committees at Porter Hospital.
"I am married to Bill Mayers and have two girls, Ruby (age 7) and Zaidie (age 5), who bring great joy to my life. Raising them has proven to be as challenging as it is rewarding. I have worked hard to balance the demands of a full time career with being a full time mommy. As my children are now of school age, I am looking for ways to fulfill some of my other dreams and desires. I am very excited to be involved with the Virtual Foundation as a way to reconnect to the world and its many needs."
Christina L. Pease, MD is a pediatric resident at University of Washington Affiliated Hospitals in Seattle. While earning her medical degree from Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas (2001), she served as Children's Group Facilitator at the Grief Center of Texas, and volunteered at HOMES, a student-run free clinic for the homeless in Houston. 
Her previous volunteer work includes being an assistant and interpreter at the Hospital for People with Hansen's Disease in Guayaquil, Ecuador (1994) and community public health work with Amigos de las Americas in Oaxaca, Mexico (1991-1992).
Dr. Pease holds a BA cum laude in Biology from Middlebury College (1996). Her activities include US Masters swimming, running, biking, ultimate frisbee, roller hockey, backpacking, camping and skiing. She has been a member of the Virtual Foundation Health Proposal Review Committee since 1998.
Scott D. Smith, MD is a physician at Cedar Ledge Family Practice, and an active member of the Porter Hospital Medical Staff in Middlebury Vermont. Dr. Smith did his undergraduate work at Ursinus College, Pennsylvania (BA in Biology and Secondary Education, 1986). His medical degree is from Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia (1990). After a residency in family practice in York Pennsylvania, he worked at Navajo Health Foundation, Sage Memorial Hospital in Ganado, Arizona (1993-1999). During his time on the reservation, he served as Director of the Outpatient Department, as Infection Control Chairman, and as Associate Medical Director.
Dr. Smith now volunteers at the Open Door Clinic in Middlebury, and is also the Medical Advisor to the Middlebury Fire Department. His interests include skiing, backpacking, rural and cross-cultural medicine, woodworking, cycling and camping.