CMH News

Team members working vaccination clinics recognized for work during pandemic

The work of Central Maine Healthcare team members who have been staffing COVID-19 vaccination clinics is being recognized with a generous gesture by Lee Auto Malls.

Team members at all three of the healthcare system’s hospitals – Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston, Bridgton Hospital and Rumford Hospital – were treated to lunch by Lee Auto Malls.

Chief Medical Officer John Alexander, MD, MHCM, FACEP, said hospital workers appreciate the recognition of their hard work.

“For the last 11 months of the pandemic, our healthcare workers have been coming in every day to work to help our communities and ensure people have the care they need,” Alexander said. “This show of support from Lee Auto Malls has really been special and we thank them for their kind generosity.”

Central Maine Healthcare team members from across the organization have leaned in to help at vaccination clinics. Alexander said after many long, difficult months, the vaccination work has been a source of hope in the pandemic for team members.
“Frontline hospital workers have been put under incredible stress by the pandemic,” said Lee Auto Malls Chairman Adam Lee. “We’re trying to let them know they haven’t been forgotten and how much their work is appreciated.”

Lee Auto Malls provided lunch for Central Maine Healthcare team members on two days this month. Bridgton Hospital team members had lunch from Beth’s Kitchen Café while Central Maine Medical Center and Rumford Hospital team members had lunch from Sam’s Italian Foods.

 

Chair Deborah Dunlap Avasthi passes torch to Devore S. Culver

The Central Maine Healthcare Board of Directors will have a new chair, Devore S. Culver, and five new members in 2021 to advance the organization’s mission of providing exceptional healthcare services in a safe and trustful environment through the expertise, commitment and compassion of its team of caregivers.

Culver, the current Board vice chair, takes over the role from Chair Deborah Dunlap Avasthi as she comes to the end of her term on Jan, 1, 2021. Joining the Board are: Marney Chalmers; Ann Connelly; David Salko, MD; Louis Silverman; and Hector Tarraza, MD.

“We are grateful for Deb’s dedication to the Central Maine Healthcare mission. Her vision and leadership over the past 18 years have been instrumental in making convenient, accessible high-quality healthcare a reality for more Maine people,” said CMH President and CEO Jeffrey L. Brickman, FACHE. “We look forward to building upon that foundation with Dev as our next Board chair and with our incoming members. Together, they bring dynamic leadership skills, deep expertise in their fields and tremendous business acumen that will help us change the face of healthcare in Maine.”

The Board on Wednesday approved the election and appointment of Culver as chair and of the five new board members. The changes take effect in January 2021.

Devore S. Culver: Culver is a healthcare consultant and the former CEO of the nonprofit information services organization HealthInfoNet, based in New Gloucester. In his roles as vice chair of the CMH Board and interim chair of its Quality, Value and Community Health Committee, he guides the organization in its pursuit of providing high-quality, low-cost and accessible healthcare to Mainers. He brings to the role statewide knowledge of health care delivery and experience accomplishing strategic and operational goals through automated information systems. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Brown University and his master’s degree from Northwestern University.

Marney Chalmers: Chalmers is vice president of sales and marketing at Bridgton-based NAHGA Claims Services, a third-party medical claims administrator, where she has increased revenue and productivity and worked to engage and inform employees. She previously worked in sourcing, as a buyer and in merchandising for West Elm. She earned her bachelor’s degree from the Parsons School of Design.

Ann Connelly: Connelly is a legal and compliance leader who served as general counsel and chief compliance officer for Martin’s Point Health Care. She was previously associate general counsel for IDEXX Laboratories and an associate attorney with the employment law practice group of Pierce Atwood. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Bucknell University and her JD from the University of Maine School of Law.

David Salko, MD: Salko has served as the primary care medical director for the Midcoast Region of Central Maine Medical Center since 2009. He has participated in the Handley Physician Leadership Academy and leads one of the patient-centered medical homes at Central Maine Healthcare. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Franklin and Marshall College and his doctor of medicine from Jefferson Medical College. His received his residency training at Maine Medical Center and is board certified in family medicine.

Louis E. Silverman: A native Mainer, Silverman is chairman and CEO of Advanced ICU Care, Inc. He leads, professionalizes and grows the technology-enabled healthcare services company, which provides remote ICU, cardiac telemetry and post-acute monitoring services. Originally from Lewiston-Auburn, he has led businesses including those in healthcare revenue cycle management, practice management software and managed care technology and services. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Amherst College and his MBA from the Harvard Graduate School of Business Administration.

Hector M. Tarraza, MD: Tarraza is a renowned healthcare leader, surgical chief of the Central Maine Healthcare Oncology Institute and associate chief of surgery at CMH. A graduate of Harvard College and Harvard Medical School, he received his residency and fellowship training at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital. He is board certified in gynecologic oncology and OB/GYN.