Dr. Jeffrey and Carol Rubman never sought the spotlight. 

For decades, their work in Burlington’s New North End has been defined not by grand gestures, but by quiet, steadfast dedication to their community. From the moment Jeff opened his primary care practice in an area that others dismissed as not fruitful, to their most recent act of creative generosity - donating the very building that houses the 50+ year old practice - the Rubmans’ commitment has been unwavering. 

Their story is one of service, vision, and a deep belief in the power of education and accessible healthcare.

"My commitment was to bring medical care out here [to the North End of Burlington], and my commitment was to bring other people with me," Jeff recalled. "And I got to know probably 80% of the community as I took care of the vast majority of them."

The Roots of Their Passion for Medicine

Jeff’s path to medicine seemed inevitable. “Having a Jewish mother, there was no choice,” he jokes. 

But the deeper truth is that from the age of seven, he knew he wanted to be a doctor. He chose UVM’s College of Medicine because of its reputation for fostering outstanding clinicians and its culture of collaboration over competition. 

His education prepared him for the realities of practicing medicine, but it was his love of people and problem-solving that ultimately shaped his career.

As he was finishing school, there were two viable paths to pursue: Cardiologist or General Internist. Cardiology would have provided a more immediate payoff in terms of salary and prestige within the medical field. Yet, Jeff couldn’t shake the feeling that he wanted to be embedded in a community of people. 

When deciding, Jeff recalled thinking about the choice this way: 

“Being a general internist was very attractive because you had to deal with everything. Versus cardiology, which they do very good things, but it's very limited. When you as a patient walk into a cardiology office; you have a heart problem. You walk into my office; it could be anything. I liked that it was the most challenging approach to medicine.”

Carol was by his side through it all. The couple married while Jeff was in medical school, navigating the challenges of training, raising a family, and eventually building a life in Burlington. 

Together, they made the decision to stay in Vermont, drawn to its strong sense of community and the opportunities to make a tangible impact.

"At the end of the day, I wanted to feel good about who I am as a person," Jeff shared. "And that comes from doing good things for other people."

Building a Primary Care Hub in the New North End

When Jeff decided to establish his practice in Burlington’s New North End, many warned him against it. 

The area had seen several physicians come and go, unable to sustain a practice. But Jeff saw something others didn’t: a community in desperate need of consistent, high-quality primary care. 

He built his practice from the ground up, gaining the trust of his patients one visit at a time. Over the years, he became more than just a physician. He was a mentor, a trusted advisor, and a fixture in the neighborhood. 

His relationships extended beyond the walls of his office; whether coaching soccer, volunteering, or simply running errands, he was a part of the fabric of the community. His practice flourished not because of marketing strategies or business plans, but because he cared. And in return, the community embraced him.

"If you build it, they will come," Jeff said, reflecting on his decision to set up practice in the North End. "People will bypass you when they’re really sick and go to the university, but I believed if we created a welcoming space, they would stay."

The Next Chapter: A Partnership for the Future of Primary Care

As Jeff approached retirement in the early-2010s, he faced a difficult question: how to ensure the continuity of care for his patients and the community he had served for so long. 

Rather than selling the practice, he sought out partners who shared his vision. That search led him to Dr. Rosemary Dale and UVM’s Nurse Practitioner Program.

"He was in a situation where he was running a practice out there and had been for years," recalled Dale. "His daughter had joined him but later moved to Texas, and he was going to be all by himself, which wasn’t sustainable. So, he started looking for a way forward."

It wasn’t until Jeff met with Rosemary that a viable path emerged. 

"John Brumsted, who was President and CEO of the UVM Health Network at the time, told Jeff, ‘Go talk to Rosemary. She has some crazy ideas.’ And that’s how we started working together," Dale said with a laugh.

What emerged from those conversations was a solution that worked for everyone. 

Jeff’s practice and UVM’s Nurse Practitioner Program merged into a unique partnership. UVM employed Jeff for several years while gradually integrating their students and staff into the practice. 

This collaboration ensured that the community continued to receive high-quality care while also providing vital hands-on training for future healthcare providers. 

The practice provides 24-hour care to more than 3,000 enrolled patients (about 50% of whom have Medicare as their insurance). More than 100 nurse practitioner students have completed clinical rotations at the practice – and many more undergraduate nursing students have gained direct experience with patients as well. 

"Absolutely, this was the right decision - for the university, for the practice, and for the people in Burlington," said Dale. "They have primary care in the North End of Burlington that they would never have had otherwise. No one else was going to go out there and do this."

Investing in Students: Scholarships for Future Generations

The Rubmans’ commitment to others didn’t stop there. 

Recognizing the financial challenges that aspiring medical professionals face, they established two scholarships - one in UVM’s Larner College of Medicine and another in the College of Nursing and Health Sciences.

For Carol, meeting scholarship recipients has been one of the most rewarding aspects of their giving. Each year, they hear firsthand how their support has helped students pursue careers in medicine and nursing. The impact of these scholarships extends beyond individual recipients; they are an investment in the future of healthcare in Vermont.

"We wanted to see where our money was going while we could still see it, rather than leave it for after we’re gone," Carol said. "It’s very rewarding to meet the students we’re helping."

Cementing a Legacy: Donating the Building

Jeff's latest act of generosity, donating the building that housed his practice, was a natural extension of his lifelong commitment to accessible healthcare. 

“Initially, it wasn’t a sure bet. UVM wasn’t sure about taking on a 100-year-old building," Dale explained. 

But thanks to the persistence of UVM leadership, including Provost Patty Prelock and Chief Financial Officer Richard Cate ‘71, the university accepted the gift because it meant there would still be a primary care practice in the North End of Burlington and the perfect long-term training ground for students. 

The impact on the practice has been seamless and they have never been stronger, since the partnership started more than a dozen years ago. 

Their Philosophy of Giving

For Jeff and Carol, philanthropy isn’t about recognition; it’s about doing good while they are still here to witness its impact. 

In addition to their contributions to UVM, they have supported local religious organizations and the Curtis Fund, which provides scholarships for technical education. Their giving is guided by a simple yet powerful principle: helping others helps build a stronger community.

"The biggest reward is doing good things for other people," Jeff reflected. "It’s what makes life meaningful."

What They Hope Endures

When asked about their legacy, Jeff’s answer is simple: “I just want to be remembered as a good person.” 

His definition of success is not measured in accolades or financial wealth, but in the strength of his family and the impact he has had on others.

Through their philanthropy, the Rubmans have ensured that their values - compassion, service, and community - will endure for generations. Whether through a student receiving a scholarship, a patient receiving care in the North End, or a nurse practitioner gaining hands-on training, their impact is woven into the very fabric of Vermont’s healthcare system.

And though they may prefer to stay out of the spotlight, their generosity ensures that the work they started will continue long after they have stepped away. 

For the Rubmans, that is the true measure of success.