Maine Medicine Weekly Update - January 7, 2020
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129th Maine Legislature Reconvenes: Sen. Geoffrey Gratwick, M.D. Continues Efforts on Prior Authorization Reform

Maine legislators returned to the State House today for the opening day of their Second Regular Session. Senator Geoffrey Gratwick, M.D. has been a tireless advocate of prior authorization reform on behalf of Maine physicians and patients, and he will continue that work with a bill now known as LR 2690 this session.  

Maine legislators returned to the State House today for the opening day of their Second Regular Session. Senator Geoffrey Gratwick, M.D. has been a tireless advocate of prior authorization reform on behalf of Maine physicians and patients, and he will continue that work with a bill now known as LR 2690 this session. 

Senator Geoffrey Gratwick, M.D. is a retired rheumatologist from Bangor serving his fourth term in the Maine Senate. He has pursued with the MMA and other advocates, various bills addressing administrative burdens in the practice of medicine, including last session’s L.D. 705, An Act Regarding the Process for Obtaining Prior Authorization for Health Insurance Purposes (P.L. 2019, Chapter 273), a successful conclusion to nearly five years of work. Senator Gratwick will continue his campaign with LR 2690 during the legislative session opening today.  Please see his inquiry of the MMA membership below:

What would it be worth to you if Prior Authorizations were less inane, arbitrary and wasteful of your time? Is it worth the time for you to write a letter?

There is now a bill before the legislature and your input will help its passage. There is something specific you can do!

There is hope. During  the past year, Maine has made progress on PAs. The legislature has passed laws so that: (1) providers can now appeal an insurer’s denial of a claim to a clinical peer, not just any random person with a medical degree; (2) decisions as to whether a PA is needed will be made within 2 business days; and (3) Rx for opioid abuse disorder will no longer need a PA.

LR 2690 is now before the Maine Legislature. It carries the process further. It requires that information on pharmacy benefits/RX be available in real time, i.e. while your patient is sitting in front of you. You will be able to access information via a single portal, find out the cost of Rx with insurance, the cash cost of Rx, whether the Rx requires a PA, whether the PA will be granted or refused; and if it is refused you can talk to the clinical peer as soon as possible. Before the patient leaves your office, you will know whether he/she will be able to fill your prescription. No more endless phone trees and interminable calls.

The structure for this new system is already in place. For example, for the last two years the pharmacies at Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center and the Maine Medical Center have been handling prescriptions and PAs using commercial vendors such as Covermymeds or Sure Scripts. The process is supported by insurers, pharmaceutical manufacturers, and pharmacy benefit managers.

Ironically, the same system is not available to doctors working in the clinics of these same hospitals. Change will require a moderately competent IT person – and political pressure. You can supply that political pressure.

Will LD 2690 answer all our PA problems? Alas, no. It will benefit the +/- 80% of PAs that relate to pharmaceuticals but not the +/- 20% that relate to medical treatment, interventions, devices, and ancillary services. These are more complex; the multiple systems used in clinical medicine have not yet learned to talk to each other. Insurers relate that they have been studying ‘interoperability' for the last 20 years and that they are getting ‘closer’ to a solution. Don’t hold your breath . . .  but keep pushing!

A Maine law passed in 2018 currently requires insurance companies to handle prescriptions electronically. The new bill will work only for those with electronic access. Doctors can still use paper, but it will be time consuming, as it is now.

A caveat - it is worth noting that not all PAs are bad. At their best, with transparent criteria, they can be an excellent educational tool, furnishing references to best-practices and evidence-based medicine. We all can afford to learn.

Maine doctors can tell members of the Health Coverage, Insurance & Financial Services (HCIFS) Committee that reform of PAs is long overdue. Reform will improve patient care and its solutions are time tested. The financially motivated, stone cold molasses pace of change by insurers and PBMS is unacceptable.

When you write, tell a personal story. It will be remembered. Stories make an impact. Most legislators say that if they get 1 or 2 communications on a bill ‘the public has spoken,’ 5 or more is an ‘avalanche,’ and that more than 10 is unheard of. Emails are fine, a handwritten letter with a request for a reply is better, and phone calls are best. The Maine Medical Association has been working on this with me for the last three years; it is my personal passion in the Legislature. Write now- your voice will make a difference!

To email legislators, use the following template: firstname.lastname@legislature.maine.gov 

Influenza Becomes Widespread in Maine

Influenza has been confirmed in all 16 Maine counties and is now classified as widespread across the state. The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC) reminds residents and visitors to get vaccinated and take proper precautions to stay healthy.

[from Maine.gov, 01/08/2020]

Influenza Becomes Widespread in Maine

Vaccination and simple precautions prevent spread of disease

Influenza has been confirmed in all 16 Maine counties and is now classified as widespread across the state. The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC) reminds residents and visitors to get vaccinated and take proper precautions to stay healthy.

So far during this influenza season, which began in the fall of 2019 and will continue into the spring, 90 people in Maine have been hospitalized with influenza and 1,287 positive influenza tests have been reported. This is likely an underrepresentation of the true number of those infected with influenza, or flu, throughout the state. Nationally, it is estimated that more than 6.4 million people have been infected since late September 2019.

Flu viruses spread when people with flu cough, sneeze, or talk. Seasonal influenza symptoms include a fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle aches, and fatigue. In some cases, influenza can result in more severe symptoms. So far this season, Maine has recorded six flu-related deaths.

"Influenza is unpredictable and, in some cases, deadly," said Nirav D. Shah, Director of the Maine CDC. "The most effective way to prevent the spread of influenza is to get vaccinated, and it's not too late to get a flu shot."

Influenza vaccination is recommended each year for anyone 6 months of age and older. Vaccination can reduce a person's risk of contracting the illness, and subsequent doctors' visits, and missed work and school due to influenza. The influenza vaccine can also reduce the severity of the illness, should a vaccinated person contract influenza. Studies show the influenza vaccine saves children's lives, prevents serious events associated with chronic lung disease, diabetes, and heart disease, and prevents influenza-related hospitalization among working-age and older adults.

Maine CDC suggests four simple steps to reduce the spread of the illness:

• Wash your hands.
• Cover your cough.
• Stay home when you're sick.
• Get vaccinated.

For more information on influenza, please visit: www.maineflu.gov

To find the nearest influenza vaccination options , please visit: www.vaccinefinder.org/

Maine DHHS Wins $5.3M Federal Award to Help Mothers and Babies Affected by the Opioid Crisis

Maine will receive $5.3 million in federal funds as one of 10 states selected by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to participate in the Maternal Opioid Misuse (MOM) model, which aims to improve care for pregnant and postpartum women with Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) and their infants.

[from Maine.gov, 01/07/2020]

AUGUSTA – Maine will receive $5.3 million in federal funds as one of 10 states selected by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to participate in the Maternal Opioid Misuse (MOM) model, which aims to improve care for pregnant and postpartum women with Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) and their infants.

Under the model, Maine will take steps to create a statewide system of evidence-based and comprehensive care for women with substance use disorders through MaineCare, the state's Medicaid health coverage program for low-income residents. The goal is to increase access to high-quality treatment and reduce costs while better coordinating and integrating care.

The Maine Department of Health and Human Services' (DHHS) Office of MaineCare Services will collaborate with six care delivery partners to pursue this model statewide: MaineGeneral Medical Center, MaineHealth, Mid Coast-Parkview Hospital, Northern Light Health, Penobscot Community Health Care, and Pines Health Services.

The grant period is for five years, and DHHS anticipates expanding to additional sites over that time.

"This award will bolster our aggressive response to the opioid crisis under the leadership of Governor Mills," said Maine DHHS Commissioner Jeanne Lambrew. "Ensuring the health and wellbeing of mothers, children and families affected by opioid use disorder is key to our success. Under this model we can target compassionate, effective support from before birth all the way through infants' crucial first year of life. We're proud to work with our care partners throughout the state on this initiative."

"This represents another important part of our strategy in the Mills Administration's coordinated work to combat the opioid crisis," said Maine Opioid Response Director Gordon Smith. "Focusing additional attention and resources toward mothers and children affected by opioid use disorder will benefit our response and the state as a whole."

The award addresses a critical need for Maine families, communities, and providers. In state fiscal year 2018, the DHHS Office of Child and Family Services received 904 reports regarding infants born exposed to substances, including opioids, which accounts for about 7 percent of live births in Maine. While this represents an ongoing decrease since 2014 and includes babies born to mothers who are on recommended medication-assisted treatment, infants exposed to opioids before birth are at a higher risk of being born early and with lower birth weights.

Critical components of the MOM model include creating a "no wrong door" system to screening, welcoming and engaging women in care; supporting the treatment and recovery of mothers with group-based medication-assisted treatment; increasing the capacity of integrated care teams to deliver evidence-based care, including through telehealth; coordinating delivery, hospital, and post-partum care for mothers and infants; enhancing home visiting and community supports; and conducting a public outreach campaign.

By the third year of this initiative, DHHS plans to have established a sustainable way to fund through MaineCare the services necessary to support this care model moving forward.

During the first year of the Mills Administration, Maine DHHS has taken action to improve the health of children and families in Maine, including launching a statewide public education campaign called Safe Sleep for ME, extending the eligibility for Public Health Nursing home visits to all newborns, promoting access to a coordinated system of perinatal care, and hiring a Chief Child Health Officer to ensure kids get the full range of health and human services.

Governor Mills' first executive order expanded MaineCare, which as of October 31, provided nearly 4,800 members with treatment for opioid use disorder. The Governor's second executive order directed a wide range of actions to stem the opioid crisis, including: eliminating Medicaid limits on medication-assisted treatment; distributing 12,000 doses of naloxone, training 200 additional recovery coaches, and expanding treatment in emergency rooms and jails and prisons. DHHS also secured a $2 million SUPPORT Act grant to expand substance use disorder treatment capacity.

More information about the Maternal Opioid Misuse model, including a fact sheet and list of participants, can be found at: innovation.cms.gov/initiatives/maternal-opioid-misuse-model/.

Human Genome Editing is Here. How Should It Be Governed?

If used responsibly, genome editing can foster dramatic innovation in patient care, including eradicating many diseases. But ethical and legal questions persist.

[from the AMA Morning Rounds]

Gene editing is inexpensive, simple and becoming more widely used in clinical applications. One example is clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) genome editing, which is an efficient tool to introduce changes in DNA. Germline editing promises efficiency in eradicating many diseases, but ethical and legal questions persist about unknown, transgenerational and global consequences.

The December issue of the AMA Journal of Ethics® (@JournalofEthics) features numerous perspectives on governing human genome editing and gives you an opportunity to earn CME credit. 

Articles include: 

“How Should Physicians Respond When They Learn Patients Are Using Unapproved Gene Editing Interventions?” Responding to patients violating U.S. health commerce regulations can be critical when they buy and use unproven interventions. 

“Using the 4-S Framework to Guide Conversations With Patients About CRISPR.” Empathic communication skills help motivate understanding of safety, significance of harms, impact on succeeding generations, and social consequences. 

“What Should Clinicians Do to Engage the Public About Gene Editing?” Clinicians should have a working understanding of gene editing, controversy surrounding its use, and its far-reaching clinical and ethical implications. 

“How Should ‘CRISPRed’ Babies Be Monitored Over Their Life Course to Promote Health Equity?” Transnational monitoring efforts should focus on safety, defining standard of care, and promoting just access to innovation.

Opioid Related Webinars Offer CME Credit

MaineHealth has developed two learning modules for providers.

MaineHealth has developed two learning modules for providers.

• Difficult Conversations around Opioids

• Naloxone Education and Toolkit

Visit the MaineHealth Opioid Education web page to access the modules. There is no cost to participate in either of the modules and they can be taken at any time. Upon completion, 0.50 CME hours are available (AMA PRA Category 1 CME credits).

Resources From The Alzheimer's Association

The Alzheimer's Association, Maine Chapter is a source of resources and Information on caring for people living with dementia, tools to assist with cognitive assessment, diagnosis and care planning.

Diagnostic and Management Tools for Health Systems and Clinicians   The Alzheimer's Association has partnered with government and professional organizations to develop several physician guidelines and recommendations that can help you care for your patients with dementia.  Resources include detection of cognitive impairment in primary care, recommendations for defining preclinical Alzheimer's disease, appropriate use criteria for amyloid PET imaging, and more.   https://www.alz.org/professionals/health-systems-clinicians/guidelines_index_(1)

Tools to Assist with Cognitive Assessment during the Medicare Annual Wellness Visit  The Alzheimer's Association convened a group of practicing expert clinicians to make consensus recommendations for an effective, practical and easy process for detecting cognitive impairment in the primary care setting.
https://www.alz.org/professionals/health-systems-clinicians/cognitive-assessment

Diagnosing Patients With Dementia  The Alzheimer's Association and the National Institute on Aging (NIA) jointly issued four criteria and guidelines to diagnose Alzheimer's disease, including recommendations for clinical office settings.  https://www.alz.org/professionals/health-systems-clinicians/dementia-diagnosis

How does one optimally manage a patient living with Dementia?  Both nonpharmacologic and pharmacologic interventions are needed to optimally treat the cognitive, behavioral and psychological symptoms of Alzheimer's disease.  Explore resources and tools to enhance and inform the treatment and management of patients living with dementia at https://www.alz.org/professionals/health-systems-clinicians/management.

Making a Plan of Care for Patients with Cognitive Decline and Dementia   Cognitive decline, including Alzheimer's disease and other dementias, can be difficult and time consuming to discuss with patients. Although in-depth care planning is beneficial for all, this type of service has not been covered under Medicare - until recently.  CPT® code 99483 provides reimbursement for a clinical visit that results in a comprehensive care plan, allowing you to deliver services that can contribute to a higher quality of life for your patients.  Clinicians who can be reimbursed under the code include physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists and certified nurse midwives.  Care planning for individuals with dementia is an ongoing process and a formal update to a care plan should occur at least once per year or when indicated by disease progression.
https://www.alz.org/professionals/health-systems-clinicians/care-planning

Diagnosis, Treatment and Management of Dementia https://www.alzmassnh.org/hospital/physician-cme-course/

For more information, contact:
Peter Baker, LCSW, Program Director
Alzheimer's Association, Maine Chapter
207-772-0115 x9691  1-800-272-3900  
pbaker@alz.org

MMA Legislative Calls Will Begin Tuesday, January 14th

MMA Legislative Committee Chairs Jay Mullen, M.D. and Lindsey Tweed, M.D. welcome you to participate in the weekly conference calls of the MMA Legislative Committee. The first MMA Legislative Committee weekly conference call for the Second Regular Session of the 129th Maine Legislature will take place Tuesday, January 14th, at 8:00 p.m.

MMA Legislative Committee Chairs Jay Mullen, M.D. and Lindsey Tweed, M.D. welcome you to participate in the weekly conference calls of the MMA Legislative Committee.

The purpose of the weekly conference calls is to discuss the MMA's position on bills printed the previous week, to hear the views of specialty societies on the new bills or their concerns about any current health policy issues, and to discuss the highlights of legislative action of the week. The calls rarely last longer than an hour.

Legislative Committee members and specialty society legislative liaisons are strongly encouraged to participate. Any physician, practice manager, or other staff member who is interested in the MMA's legislative advocacy also is welcome to participate. It is not necessary to RSVP for the calls. 

The first MMA Legislative Committee weekly conference call for the Second Regular Session of the 129th Maine Legislature will take place Tuesday, January 14th, at 8:00 p.m. via Zoom.

Please use the following Zoom meeting information. This will remain the same for every weekly call during the session.

State House Highlights of the Week

The Maine Legislature returned to the Capitol this Wednesday. Over 400 bills were carried over from the first session to the second session, and another 150 news bills have been introduced for the second session.

The Maine Legislature returned to the Capitol this Wednesday. And while the federal political landscape will certainly be consumed by aggressive political campaigns and endless speculation about which party will rule Washington, D.C., the same can’t be said at the state level. Sure, there will be some aggressive state legislative campaigns this fall, and associated policy battles in Augusta, but Governor Mills enters her second year in office and isn’t up for re-election until 2022.

Commissioner of Health & Human Services, Jeanne Lambrew appeared before the Committee on Health and Human Services on day one of the session to provide a short overview and update on DHHS operations and initiatives.  Issues discussed included the reopening of a Calais DHHS office, public health nursing staffing and improving coverage and affordability of care for your patients. While MaineCare expansion is a major focus of the office, Commissioner Lambrew stressed coverage goes beyond MaineCare while pointing Committee members to CoverMe.gov for private insurance coverage

A major focus from Commissioner Lambrew’s presentation was a high-level overview of the Governor’s new proposal, which was hot off the presses. The Made for Maine Health Coverage Act was introduced the first day of session and quickly referred to the Committee on Health Coverage, Insurance and Financial Services (no scheduled hearing as of print). The bill targets out-of-pocket costs, small business insurance and a state-based marketplace exchange, among other things. She also touched on the work of Gordon Smith and the Governor’s Opioid Response Strategic Action Plan framework and its focus on, prevention, overdose rescue, treatment and recovery.

Over 400 bills were carried over from the first session to the second session, and another 150 news bills have been introduced for the second session. Although nowhere near the 1,500+ introduced during the first session, the legislators certainly will be busy poring through 550+ in 2020. The pace of work will naturally pick up. Committees have become to meet, hear bills and will continue to receive briefings from relevant stakeholders and agencies.

Despite the MMA leadership transition and shift of government affairs responsibilities, the presence, philosophy and advocacy of the MMA remains a constant. We will continue to promote protecting the physician-patient relationship and fight to ensure that all Mainers have access to high quality care. We engage in the legislative arena and monitor regulatory proposals so that you can continue to do what you do best – take care of patients with excellence.

MMA Legislative Committee Chairs Jay Mullen, M.D. and Lindsey Tweed, M.D. welcome you to participate in the weekly conference calls of the MMA Legislative Committee. The first MMA Legislative Committee weekly conference call for the Second Regular Session of the 129th Maine Legislature will take place next Tuesday, January 14th, at 8:00 p.m.

Upcoming Specialty Society Meetings

Below you will find an on-going list of Upcoming Specialty Society Meetings.  Any questions should be referred to the contact person listed for each specialty.

Below you will find an on-going list of Upcoming Specialty Society Meetings.  Any questions should be referred to the contact person listed for each specialty.

UPCOMING SPECIALTY SOCIETY MEETINGS

February 1-2, 2020
Maine Society of Anesthesiologists Annual Meeting
Sugarloaf Mountain Hotel & Conference Center – Carrabassett Valley, ME
Contact: Lisa Montagna at 207-620-4015 or mesahq@gmail.com

February 7-9, 2020
Maine Urological Association & Rhode Island Urological Society’s 2020 Winter Program
Sugarloaf Mountain Hotel & Conference Center – Carrabassett Valley, ME
Contact: Dianna Poulin at 207-480-4194 or dpoulin@mainemed.com

March 25, 2020
Richard Engel, MD, FACP 2^nd Annual Primary Care Symposium
Maine Chapter, American College of Physicians and MMC Department of Medicine
Maine Medical Center – Portland, ME – 8:00am – 12:00pm
Contact: Warene Eldridge at 207-215-7118 or mainechapteracp@gmail.com

April 1-4, 2020
28th Annual MAFP Family Medicine Update & Annual Meeting
DoubleTree by Hilton Portland, Portland, ME
Full brochure and registration available after January 15, 2020 at www.maineafp.org
Contact Deborah Halbach at 207-938-5005 or maineafp@tdstelme.net

April 16-17, 2020
Maine Association of Psychiatric Physicians, 14^th Annual Spring Program
Hilton Garden Inn, Freeport, ME
Contact Dianna Poulin at 207-480-4194 or dpoulin@mainemed.com

May 1, 2020
Maine Society of Eye Physicians and Surgeons Spring Meeting
Harraseeket Inn – Freeport, ME 11:30am - 5:00pm
Contact:  Shirley Goggin 207-445-2260 or sgoggin@mainemed.com

May 1-3, 2020
American Academy of Pediatrics, Maine Chapter Annual Meeting and Spring Conference
Hilton Garden Inn and Conference Center – Freeport, ME
Contact:  Dee Kerry 207-480-4185 or dakerry@aapnet

8-Hour Free Live Course for Buprenorphine Waiver Training @MMC - January 27th

The IMAT Team is offering training for those interested in seeking their waiver to prescribe buprenorphine in the treatment of opioid use disorder. To obtain the waiver to prescribe, physicians are required to take 8 hours of training.  NPs and PAs can also take this course and receive credit for 8 hours.  This will then apply to their 24 hour training requirement.

8 Hour Live Course for Buprenorphine Waiver Training

Monday, January 27th, 7:30 AM-5:00 PM

MMC Dana 9

The IMAT Team is offering training for those interested in seeking their waiver to prescribe buprenorphine in the treatment of opioid use disorder. To obtain the waiver to prescribe, physicians are required to take 8 hours of training.  NPs and PAs can also take this course and receive credit for 8 hours.  This will then apply to their 24 hour training requirement.

The free course is open to attending physicians, residents, fellows and APPs.  The training does not expire, so residents can wait to submit an application for a buprenorphine waiver once they have an active DEA license.

To register, please contact:  Cheryl Harris @ charris@mainehealth.org.  Any questions regarding course content or waiver application, please contact Kristen Silvia MD @ silvik@mmc.org.

CME

Maine Medical Center designates this educational activity for a maximum of 8.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Participants should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.  These hours apply to the State of Maine biannual opioid education requirements.

Funding for this initiative was made possible (in part) by grant no. 1H79TI081968 from SAMHSA. The views expressed in written conference materials or publications and by speakers and moderators do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the Department of Health and Human Services; nor does mention of trade names, commercial practices, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.

MMA partners with the Maine Suicide Prevention Program and the Maine CDC/Sweetser to offer training for clinicians.

MMA continues to partner with the Maine Suicide Prevention Program to offer training for clinicians.

The Maine Suicide Prevention Program, administered by NAMI-Maine, is excited to announce their Fall schedule.   The following suicide prevention, assessment and management trainings are open for registration.  MMA works closely with NAMI-Maine to provide educational opportunities for Maine physicians and other clinical providers. CMEs and contact hours for licensure are offered as appropriate. 

Suicide Prevention Gatekeeper Training

Suicide Prevention Training of the Trainers

Suicide Assessment for Clinicians Training

Non-Suicidal Self Injury Training

Suicide Prevention Protocol Development Training

Suicide Prevention Curriculum Training

If you have needs not identified in the above list, please contact Nicole, Suicide Prevention Coordinator, to discuss the possibility of a customized training program. 

The Maine CDC and Sweetser are offering free online Suicide Prevention Training Modules!

Enrolling is easy. There are 12+ courses available at no charge. Download the flyer with enrollment info here.

Sample modules:

· Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS)

· Depressive Disorders in Children and Adolescents

· Counseling on Access to Lethal Means (CALM)

· Collaborative Assessment & Management of Suicidality (CAMS)

· Safety Planning Intervention for Suicide Prevention

· Suicide Risk Factors, Screening and Assessment

Understanding Social Security - Webinar on Thursday, February 13 at 6pm

You are invited to attend a free Financial Well-Being Education Program on February 13th at 6pm, presented by Baystate Financial.

Understanding Social Security

The decisions you make regarding your Social Security retirement benefits should not be based on a one-size-fits-all assumption.  This webinar session will help you:

• Understand your retirement benefit eligibility
• Identify when best to file for benefits
• Consider your options regarding spousal benefits

Please RSVP to 207-770-2028 or vmichaud@baystatefinancial.com by February 12, 2020.

For more information, contact:
Christopher Perry
Baystate Financial
75 Leighton Road #3
Falmouth, ME 04105
cperry@baystatefinancial.com
www.baystatefinancialmaine.com

There is nothing you have to do to prepare for this session.  This session is simply to provide you with knowledge and insight so you can make informed decisions about your finances.  We hope you'll join us.

10th Annual Maine Patient Safety Academy - March 30, 2020

This all-day conference will focus on the interprofessional nature of patient safety, with the theme:  Vision 2020 - Looking at the Future of Patient Safety

This all-day conference will focus on the interprofessional nature of patient safety, with the theme:  Vision 2020—Looking at the Future of Patient Safety    

What:  10th annual Maine Patient Safety Academy

When: Monday, March 30, 2020

Where: University of Southern Maine, Abromson Center

Cost:  $60 general | $25 students and faculty

Website FMI and to register: http://mainepatientsafetyacademy.org/

Orthopedic Surgeon Opportunity in Beautiful New England

Our Northern Light Inland Hospital and Northern Light Sebasticook Valley Hospital Network seeks a BC/BE General or Hand Orthopedic Surgeon to join our Orthopedic Specialist team. 

Our Northern Light Inland Hospital and Northern Light Sebasticook Valley Hospital Network seeks a BC/BE General or Hand Orthopedic Surgeon to join our Orthopedic Specialist team.  This position will be split between the two hospitals and the scope of practice will primarily focus on hand and upper extremity surgery, while also including a component of general orthopedics.  Extensive hand surgery experience is a must!  The ideal candidate will have a desire for community outreach and promoting collaborative relationships with other physicians in the community.  The preferred candidate will also have the interest to live within the hospital service area.

For confidential consideration, please contact:
Nick Huff, DASPR, CST
Provider Recruiter
Email: providerjobs@northernlight.org
Phone:207-973-5358
Or apply directly to: https://northernlighthealth.org/Careers/Position/60311/Orthopedic%20Surgeon

3/16/20

Northern Light Sebasticook Valley Hospital seeks a BC/BE General Surgeon

Bread and butter surgery, with high volume elective surgery and low volume emergency surgery. Upper and lower endoscopy ability required. Breast surgery preferred, but not required.

Northern Light Sebasticook Valley Hospital seeks a BC/BE General Surgeon. Bread and butter surgery, with high volume elective surgery and low volume emergency surgery. Upper and lower endoscopy ability required. Breast surgery preferred, but not required.

Northern Light Sebasticook Valley Hospital is a progressive, Joint Commission accredited, 25-bed Critical Access Hospital in Pittsfield, Maine that serves an area encompassing 40,000 people throughout the central region. Northern Light Sebasticook Valley Hospital is a member of Northern Light Health, an integrated statewide health delivery system that is raising the bar with no-nonsense solutions that are leading the way to a healthier future for our state.

Why Northern Light Health?

• Robust compensation and benefits package  

• Student Loan Reimbursement Programs 

• Relocation Bonus  

• Sign on Bonus  

• Flexible schedules and exceptional work/life balance  

• Generous PTO benefits   

For confidential consideration, please submit CV to: Providerjobs@northernlight.org

01/13/20

Family Medicine Physician

Northern Light Sebasticook Valley Hospital is seeking a full time Family Medicine physician to join Sebasticook Valley Family Care, a modern practice located just off I-95 in Pittsfield. 

Northern Light Sebasticook Valley Hospital is seeking a full time Family Medicine physician to join Sebasticook Valley Family Care, a modern practice located just off I-95 in Pittsfield.  This is an excellent opportunity to come join a team of well-established, quality-driven providers serving the greater Pittsfield community.  Our team of advanced practitioners are committed to providing excellent medical care, exceptional service and a satisfying relationship between patient and provider.  We do this by blending the latest technology with oldfashioned care and customer service.  Our skilled office staff and providers work as integrated care teams to provide our patients with a full spectrum of family care.  Work schedule is 4 days per week, with limited telephone call from home. This position comes with competitive compensation, fringe benefits, assistance with medical education debt, signing/relocation bonus negotiable.
 

Sebasticook Valley Hospital (SVH) is a 25-bed, regional Critical Access Hospital for the more than 30,000 residents living in our footprint.  Our neighbors count on us as a resource for healthcare and health information.  SVH is part of Northern Light Health, an integrated health system serving the great state of Maine.     For confidential consideration, please contact: Sherry Tardy, physician recruiter: Northern Light Health-Provider Recruitment at PRoviderjobs@northernlight.org or 207.973.5358 (office).

1/27/20

Family Medicine Opportunity in Beautiful Western Maine

Western Maine Primary Care, a department of Stephens Memorial Hospital, is currently seeking a BC/BE family medicine physician to join our exceptional team of providers.

Western Maine Primary Care, a department of Stephens Memorial Hospital, is currently seeking a BC/BE family medicine physician to join our exceptional team of providers. Western Maine Primary Care is committed to providing high quality care. Now is a great time to join our team as we recently relocated our practice to our brand new, state-of-the-art medical office building.

Stephens Memorial Hospital, a 25-bed critical access hospital, is a part of the MaineHealth family, the premier healthcare system in Maine, and is nationally renowned for its innovative programs in rural healthcare. This position offers teaching opportunities of medical students, as Stephens Memorial Hospital is one of the teaching sites for the Maine Medical Center – Tufts University Medical School program. Come be a part of our dynamic team of providers and exceptional support staff and experience the warmth of a small town combined with a medical community working closely with colleagues throughout the MaineHealth system.

Competitive salary and benefits, including student loan repayment and relocation assistance. FMI please contact Abbie Graiver, Director of Physician Recruitment at (207) 744-6049 or graiverab@wmhcc.org.

BC/BE Family Medicine or Internal Medicine Physician

Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center has an exciting leadership opportunity for a BC/BE Family Medicine or Internal Medicine Physician to lead our primary care network of five well-established, quality-driven, outpatient practices serving the greater Bangor community.

Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center has an exciting leadership opportunity for a BC/BE Family Medicine or Internal Medicine Physician to lead our primary care network of five well-established, quality-driven, outpatient practices serving the greater Bangor community.

The Physician Director, Primary Care will collaborate with the Practice Director, Primary Care to form a dyad partnership in leading our primary care team, as well as provide peripheral oversight for our Walk In Care and university health center locations. The Physician Director of Primary Care will have clinical, operational, financial and strategic duties. This role is 80% administrative and 20% clinical practice.

Why Northern Light Health? We offer a robust compensation and benefits package, generous PTO benefits, loan repayment program, and an exceptional work/life balance.

For confidential consideration, please contact:
Amanda Klausing, FASPR, Physician Recruiter
ProviderJobs@NorthernLight.org
207.973.5358

1/6/19

Opportunities at the VA for Volunteer Physicians

Take advantage of this opportunity with the Veterans' Administration to thank our veterans in a concrete way for their service and their sacrifices.

The Physician Ambassador Program was created by the Department of Veterans Affairs as a best practice recruitment and placement initiative seeking fully licensed physicians and clinicians to enhance health care services for Veterans.

The Physician Ambassador Program is a without compensation program that provides civilian physicians and clinicians an opportunity to give back to the Veteran community by serving in a volunteer role to deliver health care services to Veterans. 

If you are interested in participating in this program at VA Maine Healthcare System, please contact Jonathan Barczyk at (207) 621-4886.

Volunteer Opportunity with Partners for World Health - Portland, ME

Partners for World Health has a great need for advice from certain medical professionals on how to sort and package the vast amount of supplies received, for shipping and use in destination countries.

Partners for World Health (PWH) is a non-profit 501(c)3 based in Portland, Maine committed to reducing medical waste, improving the quality of healthcare in underserved countries, and educating our local community about global healthcare issues.

Our mission is to collect unused/discarded medical supplies from local medical facilities and to distribute those medical supplies to international communities in need. This work limits the negative impact we have on the environment and provides much-needed resources to the developing world. To support our work in improving health conditions around the world, we send local medical personnel on medical missions to developing countries, and we educate our local Maine community about global health issues. 

PWH has a great need for advice from certain medical professionals on how to sort and package the vast amount of supplies received, for shipping and use in destination countries, specifically, in the areas of:

• Surgery: all aspects of OR medical supplies and equipment
• Respiratory: any and all aspects
• Anesthesia
• Laparoscopic surgery: advice on the proper components of a “tower”
• Cardiology

Please note: this request is not for ongoing time commitment but rather for a few hours of a professional’s time to help organize certain supplies appropriately.

While PWH receives tens of thousands of pounds of equipment/supplies from hospitals and clinics, there are certain critical items always in short supply.

For more information, contact volunteer Rita Zanichkowsky at rznct@maine.rr.com or 207-232-3264, or contact Partners directly at 774-5555.  Thank you! 

https://www.partnersforworldhealth.org/