Hector Tarraza, M.D., to Lead Central Maine Cancer Center
LEWISTON, Maine —Dr. Hector Tarraza, M.D., a celebrated cancer surgeon specializing in women’s health, has joined Central Maine Healthcare as its new Chief of the Oncology Institute.
Until recently chief of obstetrics and gynecology at Maine Medical Center in Portland, Tarraza has had a distinguished career serving thousands of patients in the state since 1988. He joins CMH as the system launches its new Central Maine Cancer Center.
“Dr. Tarraza is renowned in the state of Maine and beyond for his leadership in the ob/gyn field and in healthcare generally,” said Dr. Jason Krupp, M.D., president of Central Maine Medical Group. “Beyond his unquestioned talent, he has a deep commitment to providing care to all communities.”
Tarraza has led or participated in more than 100 medical mission trips to provide needed surgical care to communities around the world.
A graduate of Harvard Medical School, he is double board-certified in gynecologic oncology and ob/gyn and held fellowships at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital.
“Good health care is a basic right, and providing that access to care is critical,” Tarazza said. “Patients should not have to travel long distances for the services they need. That’s the beauty of the Cancer Center—we will be providing a whole array of care right here.”
He will continue to operate and take cases while leading the Oncology Institute and serving as associate chief of surgery for CMH. “It’s what I do,” he said. “It’s important to me to see and care for patients.”
Joining a new system during a pandemic offers a timely perspective on the challenges of healthcare in the age of COVID-19, Tarraza said.
“When I was a young doctor in Boston, we were seeing the first cases of AIDS—another horrible virus—in the hospital. I’ll never forget having to deliver by C-section a baby whose mom had full-blown AIDS. It was terrifying—there was a lot we didn’t know about it—and there wasn’t the focus on supplies of PPE and other protection that we’ve seen in the coronavirus.
“But, looking back on that time, you realize that medicine advanced with multiple treatments—what was a scary, always fatal virus is now a chronic but manageable condition. We will get there and prevail again. It just shows you how far we’ve come.”
Tarraza began his new role on April 27.
About Central Maine Medical Center
Central Maine Medical Center located in Lewiston, is a Level II Trauma Center serving Androscoggin County and the surrounding region. CMMC’s “Centers of Excellence” include the Central Maine Heart and Vascular Institute, the Central Maine Comprehensive Cancer Center, the Neonatal Intermediate Care Unit, and a Trauma Services Program. CMMC is also the southern Maine base for LifeFlight of Maine, the state’s only medical helicopter service. Supported by the latest technologies, CMMC’s skilled professionals provide outstanding care delivered with compassion, kindness, and understanding. Learn more at: www.cmmc.org.
About Central Maine Healthcare
Central Maine Healthcare (CMH) is an integrated healthcare delivery system serving 400,000 people living in central, western, and mid-coast Maine. CMH’s hospital facilities include Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston, Bridgton Hospital, and Rumford Hospital. CMH also supports Central Maine Medical Group, a primary and specialty care practice organization. Other system services include the Central Maine Heart and Vascular Institute, a regional trauma program, LifeFlight of Maine’s southern Maine base, the Central Maine Comprehensive Cancer Center, and other high-quality clinical services.
Contact: Kate Carlisle | carliska@cmhc.org |703-589-8605 (m) | 207-786-1810 (o)