Jesse Leeds, MD, is joining the team at Swift River Family Medicine in Rumford.
Lauren Mason, NP, is a pediatric nurse practitioner who is joining the Elsemore Dixfield Family Medicine practice.
Originally from Long Island, New York, Dr. Leeds graduated medical school from SUNY Downstate and completed his residency at Maine-Dartmouth Family Medicine Residency.
His journey to become a family physician started when he was a boy, helping his mother, a pediatrician, at her office. He didn’t have any immediate plans to follow in her footsteps and also spent time helping his father, who owned a flooring business.
He says the experience working with his father enables him to empathize with many different types of people, especially those who have the aches and pains that go along with tough work. He also said he realized early on in his medical training that he wanted to be a family physician. “It became clear to me that I didn’t want to specialize in one area,” Dr. Leeds said. “I am interested in treating the ‘whole person’ when I meet with patients. I very much enjoy the interaction with them and trying to get to the root of whatever medical issues they may be experiencing.”
Lauren was born at Rumford Hospital and started her career there as a CNA.
Lauren graduated from Maryville University and said she chose pediatrics for a simple reason: “I have always loved caring for children and teaching them how to be the healthiest people they can be. I have a background in labor and delivery, and have a national certification for breastfeeding support. I am here to build healthy lifestyles with the children of my beloved local community.
