Bethany Picker M.D., Program Director
Women’s Health
Faculty
pickerbe@cmhc.org
Hometown: Colebrook, CT
Medical School: University of Cincinnati
Undergraduate: Bryn Mawr College
Major: Psychology
Residency: University of Colorado, Rose Family Medicine
Fellowship: Faculty Development, Duke University
Board Certification: American Board of Family Medicine
I grew up in rural New England and after trying out different parts of the country, I came back to my New England roots and am so glad to be here. During my first job out of residency at a Critical Access Hospital on the coast of Maine, I began teaching medical and nurse practitioner students. As much as I loved caring for patients in all phases of life and death, I also discovered a deep passion for teaching.
I have now been teaching for 20 years and still have the same passion for it that I did when I started. Working with medical students and residents, watching them develop knowledge and skills and coaching them to develop their own styles is such a privilege. Every June I am afforded the opportunity to reflect on the work that 7 resident physicians have done, and appreciate the influence of countless patients, multiple specialists and our own family of faculty.
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. We have made changes to our curriculum designed to improve residents’ continuity with their patients, patient experience and safety. We have a proactive, progressive group of people always looking at ways to make positive changes in the work we are doing and the way we are doing it to improve the experience of our learners, our community and our clinic.
Annie Derthick, Ph.D,
Associate Academic Program Director and Director Behavioral Science
Faculty
derthian@cmhc.org
Hometown: Bowdon, GA
Graduate School: University of Alaska Anchorage
Program: Clinical-Community Psychology with a Rural and Indigenous emphasis
Undergraduate: University of West Georgia
Major: History
I am one of the newer arrivals on the CMMC FMR faculty, and Im thrilled to be here. I arrived in August, 2018 from Anchorage, AK, where I lived for 11 years. I was a Behavioral Science faculty member at the Alaska FMR, and I developed the curricula related to underserved populations (e.g., LGBTQ and refugee/asylee health), health disparities, implicit bias, and transcultural medicine. I was also very involved with our integrated primary care clinic and conducted group medical visits with residents. I loved my work in Alaska, but I longed to be closer to family. I am originally from a small farming community in rural West Georgia, but I married a Bostonian, so we get to spend quality time with family here, and I look forward to seeing what unfolds in my future as part of the CMHC family. I have been enjoying exploring Maine, which has involved lots of visits to the beach, apple picking, and scouting out the best restaurants (recommendations always welcome!).
I chose to come to CMHC because I knew I wanted to work closely with residents who are excited about providing care to rural and other underserved populations. There is also a great deal of support at CMHC to follow your passions. For me, that means finding ways to partner with the Lewiston/Auburn and Rumford communities and decrease barriers for our most vulnerable members. My vision for the future of Behavioral Science at CMHC is to help residents connect to the community in whatever ways fuel their passions and to create learning opportunities that get residents excited about medicine that makes a difference in the lives of all people. As the Director of Research, I also look forward to challenging residents to think critically about knowledge and sparking an interest in scholarly activity.
I am most interested in finding creative ways to provide quality care to historically marginalized and disenfranchised community members. To do this well necessitates a willingness to explore the values and systems that privilege some over others, including our own biases. I am particularly interested in implicit biases, cross-cultural communication, and health disparities. I also believe that patients have the best outcomes when we take the time to understand the context of their lives, so you might often hear me talking about patient-centered communication and Motivational Interviewing, and we will spend time practicing specific skills. Clinically, I enjoy working with LGBTQ and refugee/asylee patients, as well as bringing patients together to learn from one another in group medical visits.
Evan Barnathan, MD, MPH, Medical Director
Faculty
barnatev@cmhc.org
Hometown: Havertown, Pennsylvania
Fellowship: Preventive Medicine, Maine Medical Center
Residency: Family Medicine, Maine Medical Center
Medical School: Tufts University School of Medicine
MPH: University of New England
Undergraduate: Tufts University
Majors: Biochemistry, Music
Board Certifications: American Board of Family Medicine, American Board of Preventive Medicine
Coming into medicine, I initially thought I’d pursue pediatrics hoping to focus my energies on keeping children and families well. As I progressed through medical school, I came to enjoy the puzzle of medicine, incorporating the biopsychosocial issues among adult medicine. With a keen interest also in healthcare systems, primary care transformation and team-based case, I came to see that family medicine was a beautiful intersection of all of these.
At the CMMC Family Medicine Residency and in my current role as Faculty and Medical Director, I have the great opportunity to lead a clinic committed to training well-rounded, patient-centered family physicians. We wholly value team-based care and are committed to quality improvement and practice transformation. We promote interdisciplinary care helping address the social determinants of health and upstream drivers of patients care.
Having completed a fellowship in preventive medicine and a master’s in public health, my background is steeped in population health. I’ve previously lead system-wide quality improvement efforts in colorectal cancer screening in Maine and helped pass legislation to expand access and coverage for colorectal cancer screening. I have helped build HER health maintenance platforms to improve delivery of preventive services for children and adults as well as worked on system wide initiatives to reduce unnecessary emergency department utility. At this time where healthcare has become increasingly complex, my focus remains on building relationships, identifying upstream drivers of care and patient centeredness.
Outside of medicine, I love playing piano, being a foodie, photography, going to the beach, enjoying time with my wife & daughters and golfing. Between my wife and 3 young daughters, you’ll find us deep into Disney plus these days and singing along with Daniel Tiger and Hamilton!
Nicole Boutaugh, DO, Director Rumford Community Home
Geriatric and Palliative Care
Faculty
boutauni@cmhc.org
Hometown: Millinocket, ME
Medical School: University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine
Fellowship: CMMC Hospital Medicine Fellowship
Residency: CMMC Family Medicine Residency
MBA: Southern New Hampshire University
Undergraduate: Bates College
Major: Biochemistry
Board Certification: American Osteopathic Board of Family Medicine
I love the energy of family medicine, and this positive pull toward a common goal of supporting health is what drives me each day in my professional career. My hopes, and ultimately most experiences, have been that health can be found in nearly all humanity, even when the body becomes frail and has a different look and function with each day. I have been humbled to be a part of helping patients and families find their best health even in times of severe illness or terminal disease, and my passion for geriatric medicine grows daily with the privilege of often helping others navigate transitional processes.
I grew up in rural Northern Maine connected with family, and experience with my grandfather’s end of life process instilled in me a desire to help others during this time. My family has been very grounding and supportive throughout my journey in medicine. I find that for patients as well, facilitating connections with family is often one of the most valuable supports that I can help provide as a physician.
CMMC, particularly the family medicine residency team, in many ways feels like a family and shares the vision of providing the best, most compassionate care possible to all in the community. Here I feel inspired by others when challenges arise, and joy in teaching is multiplied by the drive I feel in turn to always grow in my own practice at the art of medicine.
Outside of medicine, in conjunction with friends and family, I enjoy outdoor recreation, sporting events and cooking. Of course, on a rainy day relaxing with a good book is timeless!
Kara Callahan, M.D., Assistant Regional Dean, UNECOM, Lewiston Campus
Hospital Medicine/Women’s Health
Faculty
callahka1@cmhc.org
Hometown: Bradford, Massachusetts
Medical School: American University of Antigua College of Medicine, Coolidge, Antigua
Residency: CMMC Family Medicine Residency, Lewiston, ME
Fellowship: CMMC Hospital Medicine Fellowship, Lewiston, ME
Undergraduate: Sacred Heart University, Fairfield CT
Degree: MD
I was born and raised in Massachusetts and am the oldest of 6 children. I think it was this environment that helped to cultivate the necessary skills for a career in family medicine from early on. I travelled out of state for college and out of the country for medical school, and also studied abroad. Ultimately, when it came time for residency I knew I was done with traveling and wanted to plant my roots back in New England. I knew I wanted to be a part of a dynamic and supportive program and found a perfect match at Central Maine Medical Center. I went on to complete my residency and served as chief resident at CMMC. I additionally completed my Hospitalist Fellowship at CMMC. I have enjoyed my work immensely in this community and value the importance of residency education.
In my spare time I enjoy spending time with friends and family as well as cooking and working in my garden.
My special interests in medicine include women’s health, hospital medicine and palliative care.
Patricia Collins, DO, OMM
Junior Faculty
Hometown: Andover, MA
Medical School: University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine
Residency: CMMC Family Medicine Residency
Undergraduate: University of Connecticut
Major: Psychology
I grew up in Massachusetts and moved to Maine to study medicine as the University of New England and have not wanted to leave since. I was drawn to family medicine because of the unique opportunity to help care for individuals throughout their lives and across multiple settings. My interests include reproductive health and inpatient medicine.
After completing my residency and serving as chief resident at CMMC, I am excited to be staying on as faculty. I have enjoyed working in this community and appreciate the commitment to education and care at the residency. The culture is one that strives towards growth and I am thrilled to continue to be part of the team. 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.
Margo Goodman, D.O., C-NMM/OMM
Director of Osteopathic Education
Faculty
goodmama@cmhc.org
Hometown: Portland Maine
Medical School: University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine
Undergraduate: University of Southern Maine
Major: Philosophy
I grew up traveling as part of a military family and eventually settled in Maine. I have many interests that related to health and wellness including indigenous wellness and consciousness studies, dance, and martial arts. I love Osteopathy and after my Family Medicine Residency here at CMMC I completed a 1 year OMM plus one. I practice osteopathic family medicine and strive to integrate my osteopathic skills and thinking into my family medicine encounters.
CMMC Family Medicine Residency’s strong commitment to family medicine, osteopathic medicine and integrative medicine make it an ideal place for me to teach and practice.
Christopher Decker, D.O., OMM
Junior Faculty
Deckerch1@cmhc.org
Hometown: St. Louis Park, Minnesota
Medical School: Touro University California
Undergraduate: University of Minnesota
Major: Biochemistry and Chinese (minor)
Growing up, I was always interested in health and wellness. My parents are both pharmacists and my father does acupuncture. Because of them, I became interested in health and wellbeing from a holistic and evidence-based approach. In college, at the University of Minnesota, I studied biochemistry but also had the opportunity to study abroad in China to learn Chinese for a year. After graduating, I spent some time traveling, coaching high school soccer and volunteering. After some reflection, I decided that I wanted to pursue a career in Osteopathy due to its holistic philosophy and hands on approach. Not long after I was off to California for medical school where, in addition to obtaining a medical education, I gained a man bun and met my wife through our school’s frisbee club.
For residency, I knew CMMC was the right fit for me. As my wife has family in Maine and the Northeast, she could attest to its beautiful and diverse landscapes and being from Minnesota I missed the seasons. In addition, I was very attracted to the diverse experiences and opportunities that a rural residency afforded. The residency’s strong commitment to OMM and integrative medicine was one of the main features that attracted me. More importantly, I liked the family and down-to-earth atmosphere I experienced when I came here that is still present to this day.
After graduating, given my interest, I decided to further pursue my passions in integrative medicine and acupuncture. I completed a two-year fellowship through Maine Medical Center and the University of Arizona. During that time, I also became certified in acupuncture through an intensive course for physicians.
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.
Thomas Hattan M.D.
Geriatric & Palliative Care
Faculty
hattanth@cmhc.org
Hometown: Princeton NJ
Medical School: St. Louis University
Residency: Internal Medicine, Madigan Army Medical Center
Fellowship: Geriatrics, Puget Sound VA and Madigan Army Medical Center
Boards: IM, Geriatrics, Palliative Care Medicine
Undergraduate: UNH
Major: History
I enjoy living in Yarmouth, a small town in Maine. I am one of eight sons and four daughters of Dr. Richard and Mary Hattan of Salisbury NH and enjoy sports, concerts, books, chores, and gardening.
My journey to Geriatric medicine began at the age of twelve when our demented grandmother had to move to a nursing home. I visited her and was terrified. Not visiting her again for months, she awakened from her stupor to berate me; I was more terrified. I grew. I partially overcame my fears and learned to love the long term care environment.
I hope to continually improve upon the care of the frail elderly. I hope to evolve and focus my skills, to teach, to lead, to follow and be a team member that provides a dignified and appropriate system of care for the frail elderly. My position as a faculty member at the Family Medicine Residency allows me the flexibility to practice, grow and teach Geriatric medicine. I am thankful for it and will work to maintain this energy.
Christopher Kitchens D.O.
Integrative Medicine
Faculty
kitchech@cmhc.org
Hometown: Yarmouth, Maine
Residency: Central Maine Medical Center, Integrative Medicine in Residency Program AzCIM
Medical School: University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine
Undergraduate: College of the Atlantic, Bar Harbor, ME
Major: Human Ecology
I am an Osteopathic Family Medicine physician specializing in patient centered care using Integrative Medicine and Osteopathic Principals and Practice including OMT. In addition to my role as faculty I maintain a busy practice within Central Maine Medical Group.
“My mission is to help residents develop skills for culturing patient autonomy through Osteopathic and Integrative Medicine. It is exceedingly rewarding for both patient and provider to develop an integrated healthcare plan collaboratively, putting patients in the driver’s seat of their own health and wellbeing.”
Outside of work, I spend time with my lovely wife and daughters. I enjoys composing electronic music, cooking, camping, hiking, and surfing with my family.
Lauren Nadkarni, MD
Sports Medicine
Faculty
nadkarla@cmhc.org
Hometown: Media, PA
Medical School: Tufts University School of Medicine
Undergraduate: Tufts University
Major: Biomedical Engineering
Board Certification: American Board of Family Medicine, CAQ in Primary Care Sports Medicine
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 underserved 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, ultrasound, and public health in a teaching environment, and look forward to continuing to learn from and teach residents for years to come.
Clinical interests: sports medicine, pediatrics, and preventive care
Outside of work, I enjoy traveling and being active outdoors hiking, playing sports, and spending time with my family.
Paige Picard D.O.Collegiate Health, Lifestyle MedicineClinical Faculty
picardpa1@cmhc.org
Hometown: Manchester, NJ
Medical School: Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
Residency: Maine Medical Center, Portland ME
Undergraduate: The Ohio State University, BS in Human Development and BA in Psychology
My passions for family, learning, and sharing knowledge led me to medical school and ultimately a career in Family Medicine. After training, I sought out a job in teaching medical students and residents so that I could continue to learn and share with like-minded people. A desire to continue to care for the whole person through physical touch, lifestyle intervention, and integrative approaches led me to attend osteopathic medical school, complete the integrative medicine in residency program, and become board certified in Lifestyle Medicine in 2019. Currently practicing as clinical faculty and medical director of Bates College Health Clinic I am privileged to live out all my professional aspirations. These passions have also led to lifestyle changes for me personally including following a plant-based diet, creating a plant-based homestead here in Maine, gardening, beekeeping, cooking, and baking healthy treats. I currently live in Winthrop with my husband, children, dogs, and chickens!
Heidi Walls, MD
Sports Medicine
Faculty
wallshe1@cmhc.org
Hometown: Bar Harbor, ME
Fellowship: Maine Medical Center, Sports Medicine
Residency: Maine Medical Center, Family Medicine
Medical School: Tufts University School of Medicine
Undergraduate: Connecticut College
“I care deeply about empowering people with the knowledge and tools they need to optimize their health.”
Michelle M Tower
Recruiting Coordinator
towermic@cmhc.org
Notary Public
CMMC Family Medicine Residency
76 High Street
Lewiston, ME 04240
Tel. 207-795-2184
Fax. 207-795-2190
