Meet the Team

Suzanne Rapoza joined Spring Village at Dover in 2020 as the Executive Director. Suzanne graduated from the University of New Hampshire in 2002 with her bachelor’s degree in nursing. She knew when she graduated that she loved caring for the elderly, especially those with dementia and began her career as a charge nurse at Wentworth Senior Living. Suzanne spent the next eighteen years there growing her career and after earning her master’s in healthcare administration at Southern New Hampshire University in 2015, became the Vice President of Health Resources and Administrator.

Sue brings with her to Spring Village at Dover many years of experience in caring for residents with dementia, strong skills in leadership, advocating for residents and families and the skills to ensure compliance with state and federal regulations.

When Suzanne is not at work, she is either spending hours with her daughter at the dance studio or watching her son play baseball. Suzanne, her husband, two children and corgi Mazie live in Dover.

As Spring Village at Dover’s Business Office Manager, Donna brings 30 years of experience working in healthcare settings and a diverse background in customer service. Donna, a native of Dover, had used her extensive knowledge of the area and love of Dover as the Dover Chamber of Commerce Events Planner, including the planning of Dover’s famous Apple Harvest Day and the Cochecho Arts Festival.

Donna has a true serving heart which she has shared through her work for Community Partners as their Community Education and Special Events Manager. Throughout her work experience, Donna has developed significant skills organizing and making contacts with the greater Dover area. Whether you come to Spring Village at Dover as a resident, a family member, or an employee, Donna is sure to provide you with a smooth transition into our community family. Donna is a Certified Dementia Practitioner and is committed to providing the best possible experience to every person she encounters at Spring Village at Dover.

When Donna is out and about, she is enjoying all the seacoast area has to offer with her husband of 32 years, their three children, and her adorable grandson.

Samantha Springer joined Spring Village at Dover in 2021 as the Director of Community Relations. Samantha graduated from Saint Joseph’s College in 2020 with her bachelor’s degree in health studies and plans on continuing her education in the near future. She has known from a young age that she loved caring for the elderly and wanted to continue to give back to that community. Samantha has spent the last seven years caring for seniors as a nurse’s aide and resident services coordinator. She has a wide range of experience in long term care and assisted living.

Samantha brings with her to Spring Village at Dover years of experience with the elderly and dementia, a warm and bubbly personality, and the skills to make the transition for new residents and their families as smooth as possible. 
    
When Samantha is not at work, she is either spending time with her family or hiking with her dog and fiancé. Samantha, her fiancé, and her Norwegian elkhound Oakley live in Eliot.

Teri Putnam joined Spring Village at Dover as the Director of Nursing in 2021. Teri graduated from the University of New Hampshire in 2005 with her bachelor’s in biology. She then went back to school in 2009 at Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences and got her bachelor’s in Nursing. She has worked her entire career, the last twelve years specializing in geriatrics and memory care. 
    
Teri brings with her to Spring Village at Dover many years of Nursing experience, strong leadership skills, out of the box thinking, and the ability to meet state regulations effectively. 

When Teri is not at work, she is a busy mom of three girls and loves to relax and spend time with her children. Teri and her three children live in Eliot.

Deborah Eastman joined Spring Village at Dover is the spring of 2021 as the Memory Care Director.
 
As a child Deborah knew that she wanted to help people at the age of 12. She volunteered summers at a camp for handicap children and could not wait until she became the age to do so. When she was old enough to work there, she became an employee, after graduating high school went right into working with the elderly at the community nursing home. She has worked in long term care and assisted living throughout her career with her passion of Memory Care.
 
An activity department is all about making a difference in people’s lives. Rekindling spirits is the true meaning of an activity department and what she strives to accomplish day to day.
 
Deborah studied Human services at Nashua Community College and New Hampshire Technical Institute. She is a Certified Activity Professional and Certified Montessori Dementia Care Professional.
 
She and her husband share the love of the white mountains, both being motorcycle enthusiasts. They have been residents of NH for 27 years, owning property in Chocorua and Seabrook NH. When not working she enjoys spending time with her two children, her husband, and three grandchildren, and riding motorcycles. Enjoys the past time of education and calls herself a terminal student. She is an undergraduate in several other fields, enjoys spending time with her dogs as well and loves that her rescue chihuahua shares the love of the road riding in the sidecar.

Rob's gift is feeding people. As Dining Services Director at Spring Village at Dover, Rob keeps our residents happy by providing them with special treats and meals that remind them of the comforts of home.

Rob grew up in Somersworth, NH, in a family with nine children, and he has always enjoyed cooking. He began working in restaurants and kitchens while still in his teens. Over the years he has worked in a variety of kitchens as well as spending many years catering for weddings, birthdays, and other functions. He spent a few years in construction and remodeling, however, after a major accident, returned to his first passion, cooking and helping people. Rob spent eight happy years at the Gafney Home in Rochester before arriving at Spring Village at Dover. He is also a Certified Dementia Practitioner.

When not in the kitchen, Rob enjoys riding his Harley with his wife, and sharing in family gatherings with their two daughters and their first granddaughter.

Tom Smith joined Spring Village at Dover in 2021 as the Maintenance Director. He has forty years of experience as the Maintenance Director in various communities and universities. Tom has been a New Hampshire and Maine master plumber for the past forty-two years and hold his New Hampshire master gas license. He is also a NFPA certified fire Marshall and holds his New Hampshire CDLA driver’s license. 
    
Tom brings with him to Spring Village at Dover many years of experience in maintenance, a can do and positive attitude. 
Tom had retired one year ago but decided to come back out into the work force to keep himself busy. Tom and his wife MaryJo live in Barrington New Hampshire. His wife retired last year after teaching in the Dover school system and now is a successful published author. They have three daughters and six grandchildren. When Tom is not at work, he enjoys spending time with his grandchildren, fishing, and going to the beach. He enjoys working in his large outside garden and his Hydroponic indoor garden. He plans on building a barn to grow his Hydroponic Garden. He also taps trees for maple syrup, has a beehive for honey and to pollinate his outside garden. Tom’s goal is to make his barn and house self-sustainable in the near future.