Claudia K. Geyer, M.D., SFHM, Director
Undergraduate: B.A., University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
Medical School: M.D., University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh
Residencies: Family Medicine, Maine-Dartmouth Family Medicine Residency; Internal Medicine, Maine Medical Center, Portland, Maine; Chief Resident, Internal Medicine, Maine Medical Center, Portland, Maine
Dr. Geyer is residency trained and board-certified in both family medicine and internal medicine and has practiced as a hospitalist since completing her chief resident year in 2001.
Dr. Geyer was one of the original members of Central Maine Hospitalists and now serves as the System Chief of Hospital Medicine. She is engaged in numerous quality, safety and process improvement efforts at Central Maine Healthcare, and is a member of the Graduate Medical Education Committee. Dr. Geyer has served as chair and continues on the executive team for the National Society of Hospital Medicine (SHM), Hospitalists Trained in Family Medicine (HTFM) Special Interest Group where she has been recognized as a Distinguished HTFM. Claudia developed and leads the Maine state SHM Research, Innovation and Clinical Vignette poster competition for trainees, has earned recognition of Focused Practice in Hospital Medicine and is a Senior Fellow of Hospital Medicine.
Bethany Picker, Residency Program Director
Undergraduate: Bryn Mawr College
Medical School: University of Cincinnati
Residency: University of Colorado, Rose Family Medicine
Fellowship: Faculty Development, Duke University
I am from rural Connecticut which, despite what you may think, is not an oxymoron. As my brother likes to say, “The town’s population only broke 1000 when the New Yorkers came in the summer.” I loved it there and when I had to decide where to practice, I wanted a similar area. So, after residency I came east to Maine and practiced full scope family medicine in a rural area.
Then, I began teaching. It started with a student here and there—my practice was an AHEC site for students from the University of New England. Then I had a Nurse Practitioner from the University of Maine in Orono for a whole semester. I was bitten by the bug and wanted to make teaching a bigger part of my life.
Even though I had only been with my patients less than three years, it was hard to leave. I told them the adage I tell myself -“ If you want to feed someone for a day, catch a fish, if you want to feed someone forever, teach them how to fish.” I feel I am helping underserved patients everywhere by teaching residents and medical students. Now, being here with my husband and children, I love where we live and what I’m doing. What could be better?
CMMC Family Medicine Residency is simply a great place to work. I have colleagues that are smart, thoughtful, nice and fun. The residents are an energetic, inquisitive group that keep me on my toes. As Program Director, I have had the opportunity to work with the staff in new ways and have been equally impressed by their initiative and drive.
Lewiston itself is a nice mix of small city and small town. It is easy to get to the outdoor activities we love as well as a night out in Portland.
My medical interests have changed and grown recently. I am currently the program director and now have more interest in developing systems of care that treat patients effectively and efficiently. This includes patient safety, developing lasting effective patient relationships and ensuring high quality care. I enjoy thinking about and trying to influence healthcare policy on a national level. I continue to maintain my interest in women’s health including maternity care. I love caring for young families.
