On Friday, July 11th, 2025, in Kennedy Park, we hosted our 2nd annual Clinic in the Community in partnership with Healthy Androscoggin and the Maine Family Planning mobile van. It was a great opportunity to make an impact on our friends and neighbors.

Photos from 2024’s Clinic in the Community

Ruby Singh, MD

• Hometown: Marlboro, New Jersey
• Medical School: Aureus University School of Medicine
• Undergraduate: Rutgers University, New Jersey
• Tell us about yourself:
  Forged in the dynamic healthcare landscape of the New York City metro area, my interest in medicine has always been closely tied to advocating for marginalized communities and advancing global health. The opportunities I’ve had in medical missions abroad have crystallized my commitment to closing healthcare gaps, especially in areas plagued by limited resources and health literacy. Further enhancing this journey were my summers in India, where I collaborated with my physician uncle to integrate Ayurvedic principles and lifestyle medicine into community healthcare models.
  
  My medical school path was a series of carefully chosen missions focused on women’s health and maternal care in resource-strapped settings. It was here that my fervor for reproductive health took root, particularly against the backdrop of glaring healthcare inequalities. My dedication extends to nuanced areas such as 4th trimester care and addresses the complexities faced by minority populations, including immigrants and refugees.
  
  Family medicine serves as the ideal platform for my multifaceted interests, allowing me to foster strong, patient-centric relationships while specializing in women’s health, reproductive rights, lifestyle medicine, and Ayurvedic practices. My commitment doesn’t stop here; I’m invested in global medicine initiatives and a staunch advocate for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging.
  
  Joining CMMC was akin to finding a professional home that aligns seamlessly with my values and goals. The hospital’s broad spectrum of specialties, framed within the warmth of a community setting, drew me in. The unique 2×2 clinic schedule and individualized education plans not only allow for comprehensive training but also offer the latitude to delve deep into my areas of interest during my residency.
  
  I’m also keenly interested in medical writing and literature, and the presence of a faculty director actively involved in medical publishing was a major draw for me. I intend to collaborate with her closely with the goal of contributing to notable publications such as the Family Medicine Physician Journal.
  
  As I transition from the vibrant streets of New York to the close-knit community of Lewiston, Maine, I’m energized to bring my enthusiasm to the table. My mission is unequivocal: to enhance healthcare access and outcomes, with an emphasis on those in marginalized and underserved communities. I regard this as critical to disease prevention and reducing morbidity rates.
• What are your professional interests?
  The Psychosocial Determinants of Health, Systemic Biases in Healthcare, Global and Reproductive Health, Women’s Health & Ayurvedic Medicine, Minority, Refugee, and Immigrant Healthcare Advocacy, Medical Literature and Resident Advocacy
• What are your personal interests?
  Nutrition and Culinary Arts, Yoga and Mindfulness, Global Travel and Cultural Exploration

Travis Frazier, MD

• Hometown: Blanding, Utah
• Medical School: University of New Mexico School of Medicine
• Undergraduate: Brigham Young University
• Major: French
• Tell us about yourself: I am of the Navajo tribe, hailing from the Utah/New Mexico area. Beginning at a young age, my parents stressed the importance of education and giving back to your community. I have been blessed with the opportunity to further my education and be put in a position to serve others. I come from a small town in rural Utah and have always loved the tight-knit community setting. Throughout my lifetime there, I admired the local physicians, whose skills and availability extends beyond regular business hours. I hope to provide similar care and integrate myself into a community on a deeper level.
• Interests: Hiking, rock climbing, sports (mostly football), working out, and spending time with my wife and our dog Coco

Mankaran Gill, MD

• Hometown: Brampton, Ontario, Canada
• Medical School: Medical University of The Americas (MUA)
• Undergraduate: University of Toronto
• Major: University of Toronto
• Tell us about yourself: I decided to choose the path of medicine after I attended a volunteer medical trip to Costa Rica through the completion of my undergraduate degree at the University of Toronto. During the trip, we provided care to patients in underserved communities that did not have access to healthcare. This experience was life changing and made me realize the importance of doctors inspiring me to pursue a career in medicine. Shortly thereafter, I applied and was accepted for medical school at MUA and it turned out to be one of the best decisions I have made thus far. Although my experience there was challenging, it was also rewarding, as I had to transition living in the Caribbean and then moving to different states in America during my clinical rotations. Despite some hardships, I persevered, learned a lot, and realized my own potential during the process. Now I am excited to build on that foundation through the training I will receive at CMMC in my journey to become a more well-rounded physician! Through the residency interview process, CMMC stood out to me as the strongest choice. The interview process was seamless and the discussions I had with the faculty and residents demonstrated their efforts in creating a comfortable and amazing learning environment. Additionally, with it being close to home and not far from family I have in Montreal, Quebec it made for a perfect fit. With my main goal of becoming a primary care provider, I am confident CMMC will provide me with the tools and training to do so. Overall, I am excited to make the move to Maine and see what the state has to offer!
• Interests: Watching and playing sports, mainly basketball and soccer. Playing video games, watching movies, going for long car drives as well as site seeing or just hanging out with friends and family while trying new vegetarian foods!

Kelsey Hickey, DOCO

• Hometown: Norridgewock, ME
• Medical School: University of New England
• Undergraduate: University of Maine, Orono
• Major: Psychology
• Tell us about yourself: Growing up in small town Maine was my favorite part of childhood – being able to roam through the woods and explore was one of my favorite pastimes. My love for Maine never diminished as I grew up and experienced more of the world; I love to travel but will always consider Maine home. After undergraduate I worked in Boston for a while in research and loved being in the city, but eventually I knew I would be coming home to study medicine at UNE. This experience also taught me that large universities and hospitals weren’t for me; I’m much happier in smaller communities focused on holistic and patient-centered medicine. I’m so grateful for my osteopathic education, and to be able to continue my medical education in Lewiston.
• Why did you choose CMMC FMR? The people! Doing residency interviews over ZOOM was tough this season, but when I interviewed with Lewiston it felt more like a conversation with friends. I knew this would be a welcoming place to learn and grow as a physician. Lewiston is a strong program and importantly a beacon of holistic and welcoming healthcare in the surrounding community. I love the diversity of staff and patients in this area, and I am so excited to be part of this wonderful team and legacy going forward.
• Interests: Anything outdoors in Maine! My favorites are hiking the Bigelows, kayaking along the Kennebec River, and running through the innumerable trails. I love exploring new places and especially new foods.

Celeste Hutton, MD

• Hometown: Lindsay, Ontario, Canada
• Medical School: National University of Ireland – Galway
• Undergraduate: McGill University
• Major: Psychology
• Tell us about yourself: Ever since I was young, I wanted to be a doctor. I was always captivated by medicine. I can remember begging my mother to take me to the hospital where she worked as a nurse so I could watch different procedures they were performing, even as a child. I originally grew up in a small town a couple of hours north of Toronto, Canada but my journey to become a doctor has given me the opportunity to experience places including Montreal, Canada and Galway, Ireland. Research at the Center for Addiction and Mental Health in Toronto really fueled my passion for mental health, which reinforced my desire to pursue medicine and to be able to provide patient-centered, holistic care to patients. Attending medical school across the Atlantic Ocean has deepened my understanding of the different healthcare needs and has given me exposure to many different cultures that have shaped and will continue to shape me into the physician that I will become. I am excited to explore what Maine has to offer and start this journey at CMMC! From the moment I interviewed at CMMC, I knew it was the perfect fit for me. Everyone was so friendly and it truly felt like a family. They offer endless support and I knew that this would make my residency experience very positive. I was attracted to the many unique learning opportunities that CMMC has to offer and that they tailor your learning toward your own career goals which will allow me to become a full spectrum family physician. Coming from a small town myself and hoping to work in underserviced regions, I knew that I wanted a program that could make me the best possible physician for that environment and CMMC was that program!
• My professional interests include: mental health, women’s health and preventive medicine. I also have many interests outside of medicine. As a Canadian, it’s no surprise that I enjoy playing hockey. I also enjoy hiking, running and spending time with my dog, Milo!

Jaclyn Israel, DO

• Hometown: Huntington Woods, MI
• Medical School: Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine
• Undergraduate: University of Michigan
• Major: Biomolecular Science B.S. & Musicology B.A.
• Tell us about yourself: Two mantras have heavily influenced my life and its trajectory.
• “Before life gets in the way, start living.” When I have the time, you will find me with a plane ticket in hand, jet-setting off to fully explore and immerse myself in the world. More realistically, you can find me hiking/climbing up a mountain, skiing down it, or kayaking the lake at the bottom, so I’m excited to see what Maine has to explore! A more low-key day is often filled with taking care of my giant plant family and garden, capturing my surroundings with my camera, or exploring life in other ways – like eating/cooking different foods, appreciating art, or listening to new music. “H.A.P.” or “Have A Purpose.” Healthcare presented itself to me as a field of interest in high school, but my passion for medicine did not manifest until much later. I entertained the possibility of almost every other scientific career, hoping that something less daunting than medicine would pique my interest. Alas, my potential career took control of the decision-making process as I signed up for four more years of school and a residency. Now, here I am and I could not be happier with the choices I’ve made. Medicine has filled my life with so much meaning, has allowed me to meet wonderful people from all walks of life, and has helped me grow so much as an individual. My interests and passions in healthcare include integrative medicine, global health, OMM, street medicine/outreach, medical education, full-spectrum primary care, addiction medicine, chronic disease management, and above all, building a positive healing relationship with my patients.
• Which brings me to “Why CMMC?” This program provides me with the opportunity to further explore every interest I have, and will probably introduce me to many more that I didn’t even know I needed in my life. Our interview season was a bit unconventional, but even through Zoom this community of people made me feel at home. A challenging yet positive learning environment and a strong sense of familial bonds within the program are exactly what I was looking for, and I truly believe I found it at CMMC. I chose to pursue the Rural Training Track in Rumford because I wanted to get the most out of a full-spectrum primary care training program. My clerkship/clinical years of medical school were based at a rural community hospital in northern Michigan, and it opened my eyes up to the expansive possibilities of rural medicine, which I am eager to continue pursuing as a part of this program.

Luke Ollila, DO

• Hometown: Concord, New Hampshire
• Medical School: University of New England
• Undergraduate: Boston College
• Major: Biology
• Tell us about yourself: Growing up in New Hampshire, I’ve always been in love with the beautiful New England landscape and community. While in high school, I played all kinds of sports including football, baseball, basketball, and alpine ski racing. Eventually, I found my way to Boston College where I studied on a premedical track to achieve my degree in Biology, helping to research HIV/AIDS along the way. After graduating in 2014, I decided to work in another field which required me to move to the Chicago area. While working in this capacity, I always felt called back to medicine, and I eventually found my way back home with the support of my family and friends. In 2017, I came to Maine for medical school, and my fiancé and I quick realized we loved the area and wanted to make it our permanent home! Luckily, we got our wish and we’re excited for everything that the future holds! When I had the privilege to complete many of my clinical rotations during my final year of medical school at CMMC, I realized how much I enjoyed the program due to the amazing people who work here. Every individual was so incredibly welcoming and ready to help in any way they could. Combined with the fact that I’ve always wanted to practice medicine close to home, the Lewiston program proved a perfect match! I could not have been more excited to be welcomed into the program and I am so thrilled to be able to give back to the community and make long-lasting relationships with my patients! In my free time, I love spending time with my family, friends, and animals. I’m always up for new adventures or activities, including traveling to new places. I’m a sports fanatic and love to play any and all games, though football and baseball are my favorites. When I’m watching, I’m a diehard Patriots, Red Sox, Celtics, and Bruins fan! I also love to cook or barbecue although I’m a lousy baker. Additionally, my fiancé and I keep a vegetable garden together (some years are more successful than others). Finally, I enjoy reading when I have time and harbor a lifelong ambition to read all of the works of my favorite author, John Steinbeck.

Shariam Casiano Vega, MD

• Hometown: San Germán, Puerto Rico
• Medical School: University of Medicine and Health Sciences, St. Kitts
• Undergraduate: Universidad de Puerto Rico en Mayagüez 
• Major: Microbiology
• Tell us about yourself:
  I lived in Puerto Rico until I left to start med school and got to live and experience Maine during my school’s clinical semester in Portland, ME. I enjoyed my time there and experienced my first snowfall and now I’m into snowboarding and winter hikes.
• Why did You Choose CMMC FMR
  The resident’s culture and seeing opportunities to learn skills from the different specialty clinics, integrative medicine, WIMP, ORT, and others that I could use in my future practice.
• What are your interests?
  Get together with friends, boardgame nights, videogames, snowboarding, arts/crafting, Formula 1, cooking with my husband. In medicine: preventative health, outpatient procedures, integrative medicine.

Emily Hill, DO

• Hometown: Hermon, ME but coming from Brooklyn, NY
• Medical School: University of New England COM
• Undergraduate: Clark University, Worcester, MA
• Major: Economics, Politcal Science
• Tell us about yourself:
  I live with my husband and two young kids in Portland, ME. Growing up in Maine I always knew I wanted to return, but needed to learn more about the world first. I lived in Germany for a year abroad in HS, and then moved to NYC after college. I initially intended to go to law school and work in global public health and policy, however I realized I wanted to spend more time with people rather than paper. I completed a post-bacc at Hunter College – CUNY, but wanted to come back to Maine to complete medical school while raising my kids. I feel incredibly privileged to be a physician — I take it very seriously the power we have to make change both personally in peoples’ lives but also on a greater system level. I feel lucky to be able to tangibly help people every single day.
• Why did you choose CMMC FMR?
  I chose CMMC because of the amazing 2×2 week block schedule, which allows me to enjoy my life at home, as well as the kind and passionate faculty, attendings, and residents. The patient population is incredibly varied, intensely sick and also forces us to grapple with both rural and urban health disparities on both macro and micro levels. It’s been an incredibly supportive, interesting place to complete my training. I intend to pursue a palliative care fellowship and work in in-patient palliative care.
• What are your interests?
  I enjoy having a very good work-life balance, biking around Portland, swimming in lakes and the ocean any chance I get, cooking at home, and traveling both up the coast of Maine and abroad with my family.

Saraja Pandit, MD

• Hometown: Bharatpur, Nepal; moving from Boston
• Medical School: Medical University of the Americas
• Undergraduate: University of Iowa
• Major: Human Physiology
• Tell us about yourself:
  Growing up in Nepal, I have always loved being in nature. When I moved to Boston a year ago, I fell in love with the rich nature that New England had to offer. It didn’t take too long for me and my husband to desire to make New England our home. We both love being outdoors including hiking, trekking, and biking. When I first interviewed with CMMC, I remember feeling seen, respected and heard. The active effort to maintain and cultivate a positive environment was evident on my interview day. This residency is training me to be able to see from different perspectives in life as our patients come in from different walks of life. I feel very privileged and honored to be a physician providing care for our vulnerable and complex patients.
• What are your interests?
  Spending time with family, and exploring different landscapes (hiking, biking, kayaking). Road trips. Watching international tv shows to learn new languages and tv cultures.

Bethany Picker, M.D. (She/Hers)
Program Director
Women’s Health
Faculty
PickerBe@cmhc.org

Medical School: University of Cincinnati College of Medicine
Residency: University of Colorado Rose Family Medicine
Fellowship: Duke University Faculty Development

What I like most about working with medical learners is the privilege and honor of watching learners develop their competence, their style, and their identities as physicians.  It is an amazing journey that residents take and to be part of it feels like such a gift.  Residents consistently question both “how” and “why” we do things (both clinical care and curriculum) which drives reflection and innovation.  I cannot imagine a more dynamic aspect of medicine.

My husband and I have raised our two daughters in Maine and continue to enjoy the woods, the water, and the wonder.  We have two dogs who bring their own brand of crazy to our family.  In addition to the typical outdoor Maine adventures, I play French Horn in a community band.

Clinical Areas of Interest: I always find it difficult to state my clinical area of interest.  I started as a rural family physician doing inpatient, outpatient, OB and house calls and even though I have been teaching for a long time, that breadth of care has influenced my clinical identity.

Scholarly Work: Presentations at Residency Leadership Summit:
Sprint to Improvement (2022)

Leadership
Council on Academic Family Medicine, AFMRD Representative CAFM
Physician Leadership Accelerator Program
Starfield Summit Representative for Rural Residencies 

National Innovation/Research Projects
Length of Training Study
Clinic First/FM Innovation in Continuity Clinical Experience

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Annie Derthick, Ph.D. (She/Her)
Associate Academic Program Director
Director, Behavioral Science
Faculty
derthian@cmhc.org

Graduate School: University of Alaska
Area of Study: Clinical Community Psychology with a Rural and Indigenous emphasis

I fell in love with resident education when I completed my own clinical training in a residency clinic. There is no better place to do the work I want to do, which is to be engaged with the community to solve the problems that matter most. Primary care is the hub of community health and wellbeing in so many underserved communities, and residency clinics are perfectly situated to partner with patients, families, and communities to create innovative, lasting change. I consider it a privilege to educate family medicine residents. I love being a part of the journey of residents consolidating their identity as a family physician and agent of change in their community. My favorite moment is somewhere in the middle of third year when the picture finally comes into focus, and this learner, who I’ve been watching grow over the last couple of years, takes shape as the physician they were meant to be. They are confident, grounded, and ready to make a difference.

Outside of work, my absolute favorite thing in the entire world is my 7-year-old goldendoodle, Moxie. I have a 1-year-old poodle, Cricket, who is worming her way into my heart as well. I like to spend time with them, and my partner, Kris, outside in our backyard, especially in the fall. I love to read. And I love to laugh. Feel free to stop by any time if you have a good story to tell or want to hear one.

Clinical Areas of Interest:  Integrated Behavioral Health, Supervision and Mentorship. Psychological Assessment, Motivational Interviewing, Health Behavior Change, and Structural Racism as a Social Determinant of Health.

Scholarly Work:
DISSERTATION
Derthick. A. O. The Sexist MESS: Development and initial validation of the Sexist Microaggressions Experiences and Stress Scale and the relationship of sexist microaggressions and women’s mental health (Doctoral dissertation). ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Global (No. 3470179).

BOOKS
David, E. J. R., & Derthick, A. O. (2017). The psychology of oppression. New York, NY: Sage.

PEER-REVIEWED JOURNAL ARTICLES
Brown, S. R., Friedman, R., McDermott, S., Oliveri, M., Derthick, A. O., & Picker, B. (2021). Highlights of the innovation showcase. Annals of Family Medicine, 19(4), 375-376. PMID#34264849

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Genesis Juat, MD, Medical Director 
Faculty
Juatge@cmhc.org

I have a deep-seated belief that everyone should have access to healthcare—it’s a right, not a privilege. And having primary care as the heart of it all is vital for keeping our communities healthy and thriving.

My own curiosity has taken me on a journey through a variety of healthcare settings, from Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) as far west as Seattle to rural clinics in Maine, and eventually into leadership roles in hospital systems. These experiences have given me a broad perspective and allowed me to keep my practice diverse and dynamic. Moving into resident education felt like a natural step, sharing my experiences, and learning together as we adapt to the ever-changing world of medicine.

My interests include dermatology within primary care, behavioral health integration, international medicine, substance use disorder treatment, and the exciting ways technology enhances our practice. Yet, despite all the tech advancements, I still have a soft spot for my trusty old stethoscope from med school—it’s been with me through thick and thin.

My spouse is a local Mainer, and together we have 2 strong-willed kids and 2 Seattleite golden retrievers who have made an impressive transition from the urban sidewalks of Seattle to enjoying the open fields and cold Atlantic waters of Maine.

Medical School:  A.U.A. College of Medicine

Residency:  Central Maine Medical Center Family Medicine Residency

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Patricia (Patty) Collins, D.O., OMM (She/Her/Hers)
Faculty
collinpa1@cmhc.org

Medical School: University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine

Residency: Central Maine Medical Center Family Medicine Residency

After completing my residency and serving as chief resident at CMMC, I was excited to be staying on as faculty. The culture at the residency was one that strives towards growth and commitment to quality education and patient care. Being a faculty member has allowed me to continue to practice medicine across both the outpatient and inpatient settings while incorporating my passion for medical education and teaching. I love working alongside residents and medical students, I find myself not only teaching but learning from our learners. It is a privilege to be a part of their individual growth as physicians.

Outside of work, I enjoy spending time outdoors. My husband and I love to take our daughter and dog hiking. I also enjoy biking, cooking, and attempting to garden.

Clinical Areas of Interest: 
Inpatient Medicine
Family Planning
Breastfeeding Medicine

Scholarly Work:
Optimizing Graduate Medical Education during Early Residency
Society of Teachers of Family Medicine Residency Faculty Fundamentals Certificate

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Chris Decker, D.O., OMM, DAAMA, DABOIM (He/Him)
Director of Integrative Medicine

Faculty
deckerch1@cmhc.org

Medical School: Touro University California

Residency: Central Maine Medical Center Family Medicine Residency

Fellowship: Integrative Medicine University of Arizona/ Maine Medical Center

I love being in an environment of active learners as it keeps me engaged, up to date, and provides unique perspectives that I don’t think I would be as exposed to otherwise.

There is an excitement and zest that I find energizing and motivating.

As faculty, I like to stress both the technical side of being a doctor but more importantly the healer/ humanistic side to build therapeutic relationships and individually tailored plans based on a person’s cultural background and personal values.

Outside of medicine, I enjoy being active whether it being playing soccer, frisbee or going on a hike and spending time with my wife, son, and dog.

Clinical Areas of Interest:  Addiction, Integrative, Acupuncture, Homeless Youth

Scholarly Work:
Review of Effectiveness of Psilocybin for Depression. Integrative Medicine. 2022
Integrative Approach to Long Covid Seminar at Family Medicine Education Consortium. 2022
Creator and instructor for Intro to Integrative Medicine Course at Maine College of Healthcare Professionals 2021

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Thomas Hattan, M.D.
Board Certified Palliative Care Medicine
Faculty
hattanth@cmhc.org

Medical School: Saint Louis University School of Medicine
Residency: Madigan Army Medical Center, Internal Medicine
Fellowship: Geriatrics, VA Madigan Army Medical Center

At the age of twelve I decided that I would be a Doctor and not a history teacher; thankfully my career has allowed me to create a medical practice but also share the joys of teaching. I have worked with the community of Lewiston/Auburn and the family medicine residency to provide care for in area Nursing Homes and Assisted Livings. Sharing that work living space with teammates, medical students, residents, nurse practitioners, and colleagues: I am proud of the home-based collaborative care we provide. In my work with medical learners, I strive to provide a community-based perspective that stresses the natural processes of the life, aging, and dying; how medicine can interfere and aid in these processes.

Teaching, learning, growing, the open exchange of ideas and practice: working with a Geriatric Team to provide as safe and comfortable place as we can is a rich challenge.

I live with my wife Robin and three dogs in Yarmouth, Maine. Three adult children enrich our world with adventures and growth. Seasons, travel, walks, gardening, sitting by the fire with a novel, I am proud and blessed with Yarmouth’s warm comfort.

Clinical Areas of Interest: Geriatrics and Palliative Care medicine and teaching. Helping medical learners understand the necessity of self, their individual perspective and voice as it impacts their practice of medicine. Understand and improve my own practice and team skill set. Build a Geriatric Team at the Family Medicine Residency.

Scholarly Work: My practice is that of a clinical provider. I am proud that five medical learners that I have shared my practice with have furthered their Geriatric and Palliative Care practice and education and of all the students and graduates that enrich our community.

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Hannah Kazal MD, ScM

Faculty

Fellowship: Addiction Medicine Fellowship, Maine Medical Center
Residency: Sutter Santa Rosa–UCSF Family Medicine Residency
Medical School: Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University
Dual degree: M.D., Sc.M. (Master of Science in Population Medicine)

She graduated from Brown University Medical School with dual MD and Master of Science in Population Medicine degrees. Residency pulled her to the West Coast, where she graduated from Sutter Santa Rosa-UCSF Family Medicine Residency as an HIV specialist and CREATE (Continuing Reproductive Education for Advanced Training Efficacy) trainee with advanced reproductive health skills. Through residency as a third-year running the inpatient medicine, obstetrical, and outpatient services, she discovered her enthusiasm for medical education and decided to pursue an academic fellowship in Addiction Medicine.

Clinical Areas of Interest: She is passionate about dismantling health inequities and expanding access for marginalized populations such as those living with SUDs, HIV, unhoused communities, and carceral histories. She is an advocate for the integration of harm reduction into clinical care and enjoys providing education on this evidence-based practice to colleagues, medical trainees, and patients. As a Family Physician, Dr. Kazal maintains a broad practice in comprehensive reproductive health, HIV/HCV prevention/treatment, and procedures with general primary care of patients and families through peripartum, childhood, and aging, from the acute hospital to community settings.

Lauren Nadkarni, M.D., CAQSM (She/Her/Hers)
Assistant Regional Dean, UNECOM, Family Medicine Residency
Sports Medicine
Faculty
nadkarla@cmhc.org

Medical School: Tufts University School of Medicine
Residency: Maine Medical Center, Portland, ME
Fellowship: Sports Medicine, Maine Medical Center, Portland, ME

I believe in promoting health and supporting preventative care efforts through physical activity based on the belief that ‘exercise is medicine.’ I work with patients using shared decision-making to provide creative solutions to their unique healthcare needs.

I enjoy working with underrepresented populations, and when the opportunity to create a new sports medicine program within the residency appeared, I was excited to step into the role. I enjoy combining my interests in sports medicine, point of care ultrasound (POCUS), and public health in a teaching environment, and look forward to continuing to learn from and teach residents and medical students for years to come.

When I’m not working, I enjoy traveling and being active outdoors, hiking, playing sports, tending my vegetable garden, and spending time with my family and my dogs.

Clinical Areas of Interest:  Sports medicine, adolescent medicine, collegiate health, pediatrics, preventive care

I organize and teach a bi-annual CMHC Point of Care Ultrasound (POCUS) course for the system.

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Nadkarni L, Haskins A, Holt C, Dexter W. Reduction of High School Ice Hockey
Injuries With Implementation of New Checking/Boarding Rules. Clin J Sport Med.
2021;31(6):e420-e424. doi:10.1097/JSM.0000000000000846

Book Chapters/Invited Reviews
Nadkarni, L, Gillespie, HM, & Dexter, WW. (2019). Anterior Shoulder Instability in
M.D. Miller, et. al (Eds.), Essential Orthopaedics, Second Edition.

Case Reports
Nadkarni, L, Quinn, K, & Gillespie, H. (May, 2019). Knee Pain – Swimming in
Dangerous Waters. Presented at: American College of Sports Medicine
(ACSM) Annual Meeting; Orlando, FL, USA

Published Abstracts:
Nadkarni, L, Dexter, W, Holt, C, & Haskins, A. (April 2019). High School Ice
Hockey Concussion Rates Reduced with Implementation of New
Checking/Boarding Rule.  Presented at: American Medical Society for Sports
Medicine (AMSSM) Annual Meeting; Houston, TX, USA

Non-print Scholarship:
Conte, J, Nadkarni, L, Derthick, A, Lucas, J, & Corbett, I. (October 2020). It’s Not
All In Your Head. Family Medicine Education Consortium (FMEC) Annual
Meeting; virtual.

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Paige Picard, D.O. (She/Her)
Adolescent and Collegiate Health, Lifestyle Medicine
Medical Director, Health Services at Bates College
picardpa1@cmhc.org

Medical School: Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM), Erie PA

Residency: Maine Medical Center Portland, ME

One of the reasons I went to medical school was to “stay in school” which I later realized was a passion for the pursuit of knowledge and lifelong learning. I love that through academic medicine I can learn and teach individuals with varying skill levels from medical students to seasoned colleagues. One of my primary clinical interests is in lifestyle medicine, with a focus on preventing and reversing chronic disease through holistic approaches. Through my clinical work at Bates College, I now have the opportunity to grow, learn, share, and teach with college students and college administration. When not immersed in academia, I live just 30 minutes from Lewiston on a small tree farm with my husband and 4 children. We spend our time managing a wood lot, tending to a small garden, keeping bees, and cooking from scratch.

Scholarly Work: I am focused on lectures and presentations which have included both National and State annual conferences at Family Medicine Education Consortium (FMEC), Maine Osteopathic Association (MOA). I also serve on the Raising Readers Committee, a group dedicated to providing books free of charge at every well child visit from age birth to 5.

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Jerry Pomeranz M.D. (Him/His)
Faculty
Jerome.Pomeranz@cmhc.org

Medical School: Frank H. Netter School of Medicine at Quinnipiac University
Residency: Memorial Hospital of South Bend

I chose to work in resident education because teaching the next generation of family medicine doctors is incredibly meaningful to me and multiplies my impact as a physician. What I like most about working with medical learners is the different perspectives they bring to the table, and the joy they experience when they learn a new skill. What excites me about the clinical learning environment is there is always new ideas to discuss. There are also so much flexibility in how to practice medicine in that setting. When I’m not at work you can find me at the disc golf course, playing my harmonica, listening to country music, and spending time with my family near Boston.

Clinical Areas of Interest: Wilderness/International Medicine, Obstetrics, Point-of-Care Ultrasound, Mental Health, and Procedures.

Scholarly Work: Baliunas, A.J., Pomeranz, J.E., & Zimmer, D.F. (2021, December).  Vasculitis after COVID-19 Vaccination.  Emergency Physician Monthly.  Retrieved January 31, 2022, from https://epmonthly.com/article/vasculitis-after-covid-19-vaccination/.

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Heidi Walls, M.D. (She/Her/Hers)
Sports Medicine
Faculty
wallshe1@cmhc.org

Medical School: Tufts University School of Medicine

Residency: Maine Medical Center

Fellowship: Sports Medicine, Maine Medical Center

A career in medicine is inevitably a commitment to lifelong learning, which totally excites me. The academic environment and the opportunity to educate the next generation of doctors truly fosters that growth. It’s a privilege to share my knowledge with our residents, and I get to learn from them as well. Working at the Central Maine Family Medicine Residency is just the best.

When I’m not working, I find joy in movement and the outdoors. If I didn’t choose a career in medicine, I would have become a carpenter or a coach.

Clinical areas of interest: Sports medicine, ultrasound, metabolic health, and conditions of the female athlete

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CMMC Family Medicine Residency
76 High Street
Lewiston, ME 04240
Tel. 207-795-2184
Fax. 207-795-2190

CMMC FMR can support residents in most any area of interest, but based on our faculty areas of expertise, current clinical services, and community partnerships, there are some specific strengths of the program that include:

Academic Medicine

For residents interested in a career in teaching or doing scholarly work, they work on developing those skills and portfolio during residency. Several residents have completed an Academic Medicine elective rotation in the past, which has included partnering with faculty on a research project, spending additional time in our med student clinic, junior precepting, didactic teaching, completing peer-reviews, and presenting at conferences.

Addiction Medicine

We provide a robust MOUD program for patients, and residents participate in all aspects of care including our low barrier bridge clinic and weekly support group as well as managing their own panel of patients on MOUD. For residents who would like additional training in Addiction Medicine, there are opportunities to spend additional time in these clinics, as well as work one-on-one with our Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor, who conducts Addiction Assessments of patients in early stages of recovery, and rotate with a community partner for inpatient experience.

Advocacy

Many of our residents have a passion for being agents of change in the community. Advocacy is a powerful way to use your voice as a physician to shape the landscape of health care, particularly at a local level, and residency is a great place to learn those skills. Several residents have completed an advocacy elective that has included speaking at the state legislatures, writing op-eds for the local newspaper, interviewing local and state representatives, researching health policy, and completing advocacy training.

Geriatrics/Palliative Care

The goal of the Selective is to provide a more compact and comprehensive exposure to the many venues which provide care for the frail elderly: the home, the clinic, assisted living communities, long term care, hospital-based palliative care, and community-based and inpatient Hospice Care. The frail elderly is a fast growing and underserved population which requires a unique set of clinical skills. The goal of this Selective is to help you to be confident and competent caring for elders in your practice after residency.

Hospitalist in Family Medicine

The Hospitalist in Family Medicine is designed to give residents a concentrated exposure to Hospital Medicine as it evolves into an exclusive area of practice. The resident will work directly with a hospital-based provider group and will participate in the care of patients in that environment. The resident is encouraged to explore all areas in which Hospitalists function which could also include opportunities to rotate in Bridgton or Rumford Hospitals. There may be opportunities to work on the Palliative Care Service as well as serve as a medicine consultant for patients admitted by other providers in the system. This experience may prepare the resident to apply for our or another Hospitalist fellowship.

Integrative Medicine

The goal of the selective is to introduce residents to offering health care through an integrative medicine model. Integrative Medicine combines evidenced-based traditional western or allopathic and osteopathic medicine with other healing traditions, to create an individualized approach for the patient and to support the wellness of the health care provider and team. The resident will gain exposure to a variety of alternative health care providers via an experiential approach and learn to design a holistic method of practice for you and your patients.

Each resident completing the Integrative Medicine selective will also have the opportunity to participate with residents around the nation in the web-based Integrative Medicine in Residency (IMR) program designed by the University of Arizona. IMR is an in-depth competency-based curriculum in integrative medicine to be completed during the second two years of your residency. The IMR incorporates program and topic-specific exercises that residents can incorporate into their day-to-day family medicine experience. Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine

Sports Medicine

The resident in a sports medicine will have additional training in sports medicine, including opportunities for sideline game coverage, sports medicine research, and increased time in the sports medicine clinic, which allows for increased training in diagnosis and management of musculoskeletal issues. Residents have the opportunity to improve their skills with various procedures including musculoskeletal ultrasound, casting and splinting, joint injections and aspirations, and musculoskeletal x-ray interpretation. After completing this time in sports medicine, the resident should have increased competence at triaging and managing non-operative fractures, tendinopathies and other traumatic injuries, and be comfortable managing non-traumatic musculoskeletal complaints as well.

Osteopathic Recognition Track

We are an ACGME Osteopathic Recognized Program!

osteopathicrecognitioninformationbrochure.pdf

Program Goals: Through a variety of innovative curricular experiences integrated throughout the three years of residency (see below), Designated Osteopathic residents in our Family Medicine Program will have a unique and specific set of knowledge and skills with distinct behavioral, philosophical and procedural aspects related to the four tenets of Osteopathic medicine:

• The person is a unit of body, mind and spirit
• The body is capable of self -regulation and self-healing
• Structure and function are interrelated
• Rational treatment is based upon an understanding of body unity, self-regulation and interrelationship of structure and function.

This will make you a highly skilled primary care physician capable of approaching patients with in-depth knowledge of Osteopathic Principles and strong skills-based approaches to acute and chronic medical conditions.

Logistics: Prior to entering as a designated Osteopathic resident, applicants should have sufficient exposure to osteopathic philosophy and the techniques of Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT). Educational background should include, but is not limited to: osteopathic philosophy, history, terminology, and code of ethics; anatomy and physiology related to osteopathic medicine; indications, contraindications, and safety issues associated with the use of OMT; palpatory diagnosis, osteopathic structural examination, and OMT. This could be satisfied by graduating from an Osteopathic Medical School.

If an allopathically trained resident expresses interest in Osteopathic Recognition (OR) they will have access to an equivalent of 200 training hours in Osteopathic Principles and Practice during their three years with us. Acceptance of residents into the ORT will be at the Director of Osteopathic Education’s discretion.

OMM Clinic: Designated Osteopathic Residents will be assigned to OMM clinic every month. Patients will be scheduled for 40 minutes. Initial visit will include history, osteopathic structural exam and appropriate focused physical exam, discussion of treatment plan with the attending physician and treatment with OMT (Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment). Residents are encouraged to treat their patients in continuity clinic. ACGME has requirements on attaining patient encounter numbers we will discuss with you.

Didactic Presentations: Designated Osteopathic Residents will be expected to complete the following:

1. Present a topic from the Osteopathic Principles and Practice Core Curriculum each year (PGY2/PGY3)
2. Resident led didactic with integration of OPP with a core Osteopathic faculty for DO/MD Grand Rounds (PGY2/PGY3)
3. Resident- led Journal Club with Osteopathic content (PGY2 or PGY3)

Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine Educational Experiences Include

• Family Medicine and Internal Medicine Teaching Service
• Inpatient Pediatric Service
• Subspecialty Rotations, including Maternity Care and Child Health, Geriatrics and Surgery

While on inpatient and subspecialty services, designated Osteopathic residents may be asked to present one or more patients with a complete Osteopathic assessment and treatment plan.  

FAQs

Q. How does the Osteopathic Recognition complement the other required residency rotations? Does this training take the place of other rotations? 
A. This is a longitudinal curriculum. Residents learn the additional educational material gradually over all 3 years and the information is integrated into a variety of the core family medicine rotations. Designated Osteopathic residents are given time during selected rotations to learn about additional Osteopathic approaches relevant to primary care. Monthly OMM didactics and semi-annual conferences allow residents to dedicate time to learning hands-on skills from OMM specialists. Designated Osteopathic residents still complete all the same residency rotations as their peers.  The goal, first and foremost, is to produce well-trained and highly skilled family physicians; Osteopathic recognition offers the opportunity to apply additional knowledge in OPP and Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine to the benefit of all patients.

Q. What are the educational requirements of Designated Osteopathic Residents?
A. Participate in assigned activities including didactic sessions, noon and quarterly conferences, assigned OMT clinics, didactic presentation assignments, subspecialty clinics and inpatient assignments.

1. Completion of Osteopathically focused scholarly activity.
2. Completion of Osteopathically focused Journal Club
3. Completion of 4-week OMM elective PGY2/PGY3 year if the resident did not graduate from a COM
4. Attend 4 of 6 OMT updates offered through NEOMEN. Attendance at a local AOA conference is encouraged. There are several opportunities free to residents.
5. Complete and pass the AOBFP certification exam recommended

Q. How much time will the program take to complete?  
A. The curriculum is longitudinal over 3 years of your family medicine residency. MD residents may need to set aside one of the available PGY2/PGY3 elective months for additional training activities.

Q. How do I apply? Is there a separate match application?  
A. There is not a separate match application for this track.  Residents interested in pursuing this track follow all the usual residency applications procedures and when you arrange your interview, indicate that you have an interest in hearing more about the Osteopathic Recognition.  You will have the opportunity to ask more questions about the track during your interview and can tell us at that time if you’d like to be considered for the track.

Q. Who are the CMMC FMR faculty with training in Osteopathic Medicine? 
A. Patricia Collins, D.O.
Paige Picard, D.O.
Christopher Decker, D.O.
Margo Goodman, D.O.