Maine Medicine Weekly Update - February 26, 2020
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Tuesday, March 3rd Vote No on 1

On Tuesday, March 3rd Mainers will decide the fate of the new vaccine law. 

On Tuesday, March 3rd, Mainers will decide the fate of the new vaccine law.

To win this vote, we need to get the word out to our colleagues and communities about the importance of voting NO on Question 1.

What can you do?

Donate: We need to get our message out to protect Maine's kids. Your donation is critical and there's still time. 

Educate: Send letters to the editor to share your experience, post info on social media, engage your professional organizations or other social groups.  Even something as simple as sharing MMA Facebook posts and/or retweeting MMA Twitter posts on your respective feeds. There is an excellent education guide at www.protectmainechildren.com/the-facts.  

Get the word out: Signs, buttons, and social media tags are available from www.protectmainechildren.com. Click the "get involved" link.

Vote: Get to the polls on March 3rd if you can. If you're not sure you'll be able to make it, you can vote by absentee ballot https://www.maine.gov/cgi-bin/online/AbsenteeBallot/index.pl The deadline to request an absentee ballot is February 27. 

Please act now. It's too important to wait.

Letter to the Editor: Childhood Diseases Can Make Kids Very Sick – Vote ‘No’ on 1

 Vaccines are arguably the most important intervention protecting public health, but they are a victim of their own success. It is easily assumed that whooping cough and chickenpox are mild. However, all children, even healthy children, are at risk of severe complications from vaccine-preventable diseases.

[From Portland Press Herald 02/26/20]

Letter to the editor: Childhood diseases can make kids very sick – vote ‘no’ on 1

Letter to the Editor: Seek Accurate Vaccine Information

 Proponents of the referendum question are harnessing voters’ fears and worries to cast doubt upon one of the greatest public health advances of modern times.

[From Fiddlehead Focus 02/24/20]

MAFP Advocacy Day at the State Capitol

Thank you to Maine family medicine physicians for attending the Maine Academy of Family Physicians Advocacy Day yesterday at the Maine State Capitol.

 Thank you to Maine family medicine physicians for attending the Maine Academy of Family Physicians Advocacy Day yesterday at the Maine State Capitol. There are few things more important than making time from your extremely busy schedules to see how laws are made. We celebrate each of you for participating in the process toward a better regulatory environment for patient care and more physician autonomy to enhance the trust of your patient relationships. Thank you!

Maine's Weekly Influenza Report

Maine's weekly influenza surveillance report ending February 22, 2020. 

At a Glance:

• Geographic Spread: Widespread
• # Hospitalizations: 46
• # Outbreaks: 4

• MaineILIweek2008.pdf

These reports are posted online at https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc/infectious-disease/epi/influenza/influenza-surveillance-weekly-updates.shtml

If you have any questions or suggestions please contact influenza.dhhs@maine.gov. 

CDC Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Situation Summary

Imported cases of COVID-19 in travelers have been detected in the U.S. Person-to-person spread of COVID-19 also has been seen among close contacts of returned travelers from Wuhan, but at this time, this virus is NOT currently spreading in the community in the United States.

[From CDC 02/25/20]

Situation in U.S.

Imported cases of COVID-19 in travelers have been detected in the U.S. Person-to-person spread of COVID-19 also has been seen among close contacts of returned travelers from Wuhan, but at this time, this virus is NOT currently spreading in the community in the United States.

Illness Severity

Both MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV have been known to cause severe illness in people. The complete clinical picture with regard to COVID-19 is not fully understood. Reported illnesses have ranged from mild to severe, including illness resulting in death. Learn more about the symptoms associated with COVID-19.

There are ongoing investigations to learn more. This is a rapidly evolving situation and information will be updated as it becomes available.

Risk Assessment

Outbreaks of novel virus infections among people are always of public health concern. The risk from these outbreaks depends on characteristics of the virus, including how well it spreads between people, the severity of resulting illness, and the medical or other measures available to control the impact of the virus (for example, vaccine or treatment medications). The fact that this disease has caused illness, including illness resulting in death, and sustained person-to-person spread is concerning. These factors meet two of the criteria of a pandemic. As community spread is detected in more and more countries, the world moves closer toward meeting the third criteria, worldwide spread of the new virus.

The potential public health threat posed by COVID-19 is high, both globally and to the United States.

But individual risk is dependent on exposure.

• For the general American public, who are unlikely to be exposed to this virus at this time, the immediate health risk from COVID-19 is considered low.
• Under current circumstances, certain people will have an increased risk of infection, for example healthcare workers caring for patients with COVID-19 and other close contacts of persons with COVID-19. CDC has developed guidance to help in the risk assessment and management of people with potential exposures to COVID-19.

However, it’s important to note that current global circumstances suggest it is likely that this virus will cause a pandemic. In that case, the risk assessment would be different.

What May Happen

More cases are likely to be identified in the coming days, including more cases in the United States. It’s also likely that person-to-person spread will continue to occur, including in the United States. Widespread transmission of COVID-19 in the United States would translate into large numbers of people needing medical care at the same time. Schools, childcare centers, workplaces, and other places for mass gatherings may experience more absenteeism. Public health and healthcare systems may become overloaded, with elevated rates of hospitalizations and deaths. Other critical infrastructure, such as law enforcement, emergency medical services, and transportation industry may also be affected. Health care providers and hospitals may be overwhelmed. At this time, there is no vaccine to protect against COVID-19 and no medications approved to treat it. Nonpharmaceutical interventions would be the most important response strategy.

CDC Response

Global efforts at this time are focused concurrently on containing spread of this virus and mitigating the impact of this virus. The federal government is working closely with state, local, tribal, and territorial partners, as well as public health partners, to respond to this public health threat. The public health response is multi-layered, with the goal of detecting and minimizing introductions of this virus in the United States so as to reduce the spread and the impact of this virus. CDC is operationalizing all of its pandemic preparedness and response plans, working on multiple fronts to meet these goals, including specific measures to prepare communities to respond local transmission of the virus that causes COVID-19. There is an abundance of pandemic guidance developed in anticipation of an influenza pandemic that is being repurposed and adapted for a COVID-19 pandemic.

Highlights of CDC’s Response

• CDC established a COVID-19 Incident Management System on January 7, 2020. On January 21, CDC activated its Emergency Operations Center to better provide ongoing support to the COVID-19 response.
• The U.S. government has taken unprecedented steps with respect to travel in response to the growing public health threat posed by this new coronavirus:
  • Effective February 2, at 5pm, the U.S. government suspended entry of foreign nationals who have been in China within the past 14 days.
  • U.S. citizens, residents, and their immediate family members who have been in Hubei province and other parts of mainland China are allowed to enter the United States, but they are subject to health monitoring and possible quarantine for up to 14 days.
  • CDC has issued the following travel guidance related to COVID-19:
    • China — Level 3, Avoid Nonessential Travel — updated February 22;
    • South Korea — Level 3, Avoid Nonessential Travel — updated February 24;
    • Japan — Level 2, Practice Enhanced Precautions — updated February 22;
    • Iran — Level 2, Practice Enhanced Precautions — issued February 23;
    • Italy — Level 2, Practice Enhanced Precautions — issued February 23;
    • Hong Kong — Level 1, Practice Usual Precautions — issued February 19.
  • CDC also recommends that all travelers reconsider cruise ship voyages into or within Asia at this time.
• CDC is issuing clinical guidance, including:
  • An interim Health Alert Network (HAN) Update to inform state and local health departments and healthcare professionals about this outbreak on February 1.
  • On January 30, CDC published guidance for healthcare professionals on the clinical care of  COVID-19 patients.
  • On February 3, CDC posted guidance for assessing the potential risk for various exposures to COVID-19 and managing those people appropriately.
• CDC has deployed multidisciplinary teams to support state health departments with clinical management, contact tracing, and communications.

CDC has worked with the Department of State, supporting the safe return of Americans who have been stranded as a result of the ongoing outbreaks of COVID-19 and related travel restrictions. CDC has worked to assess the health of passengers as they return to the United States and provided continued daily monitoring of people who are quarantined.

• CDC laboratories have supported the COVID-19 response, including:
  • CDC has developed a real time Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (rRT-PCR) test that can diagnose COVID-19 in respiratory samples from clinical specimens. On January 24, CDC publicly posted the assay protocol for this test.
  • CDC has been uploading the entire genome of the viruses from reported cases in the United States to GenBank as sequencing was completed.
  • CDC has grown the COVID-19 virus in cell culture, which is necessary for further studies, including for additional genetic characterization. The cell-grown virus was sent to NIH’s BEI Resources Repositoryexternal icon for use by the broad scientific community.

CDC Recommends

• While the immediate risk of this new virus to the American public is believed to be low at this time, everyone can do their part to help us respond to this emerging public health threat:
  • It’s currently flu and respiratory disease season and CDC recommends getting a flu vaccine, taking everyday preventive actions to help stop the spread of germs, and taking flu antivirals if prescribed.
  • If you are a healthcare provider, be on the look-out for people who recently traveled from China and have fever and respiratory symptoms.
  • If you are a healthcare provider caring for a COVID-19 patient or a public health responder, please take care of yourself and follow recommended infection control procedures.
  • If you have been in China or have been exposed to someone sick with COVID-19 in the last 14 days, you will face some limitations on your movement and activity. Please follow instructions during this time. Your cooperation is integral to the ongoing public health response to try to slow spread of this virus. If you develop COVID-19 symptoms, contact your healthcare provider, and tell them about your symptoms and your travel or exposure to a COVID-19 patient.
  • For people who are ill with COVID-19, please follow CDC guidance on how to reduce the risk of spreading your illness to others.

Other Available Resources

The following resources are available with information on COVID-19

• U.S. Department of State China Travel Advisoryexternal icon
• World Health Organization, Coronavirusexternal icon

2020 Census

The census is a count of every person who lives in the US and its territories, and it happens every 10 years. In early 2020 every household in America will receive a notice to complete the census.

 2020 Census

The census is a count of every person who lives in the US and its territories, and it happens every 10 years. In 2020 every household in America will receive a notice to complete the census online, by phone, or by mail to count everyone who lives in your home as of April 1, 2020.

All responses will inform where funding is distributed each year to communities nationwide for clinics, schools, roads and more.  In 2016 $4.1 billion of federal funding was allocated to Maine based on census data.  Each person not counted is a loss of $15,000-$20,000 of federal funds lost to Maine over the course of 10 years.  Children under the age of 5 are the group most commonly undercounted.

Health care providers have a unique opportunity to remind their patients about the importance of the census.

Responses to the 2020 Census are safe, secure, protected by federal law, and answers can only be used to produce statistics.  For more information, visit 2020CENSUS.GOV.

Next MMA Legislative Call Will Be Tuesday, March 3rd

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 next MMA Legislative Committee weekly conference call for the Second Regular Session of the 129th Maine Legislature will take place Tuesday, March 3rd 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 next MMA Legislative Committee weekly conference call for the Second Regular Session of the 129th Maine Legislature will take place Tuesday, March 3rd, at 8:00 p.m. via Zoom. You may now join the meeting with your computer, or continue to connect by phone only. Please use the following Zoom meeting information. This will remain the same for every weekly call during the session.

 Time: Mar 3, 2020 08:00 PM Eastern Time 

State House Highlights of the Week

A slate of health care reform bills went before the Maine Legislature’s Committee on Health Coverage, Insurance and Financial Affairs this week for public hearing.

A slate of health care reform bills went before the Maine Legislature’s Committee on Health Coverage, Insurance and Financial Affairs this week for public hearing. The MMA supported two of the four bills and would support a third with appropriate amendments from Patients First health care reform package sponsored by Democratic Legislative Leadership. Unfortunately, not all the bills included physicians, hospitals or health systems during the development or drafting phase. In fact, the MMA and Maine Hospital Association knew nothing about the operational concepts from two of the bills (LD 2110 and LD 2111) until they were released to the general public.

Fortunately, MMA Legislative Co-chair and Immediate Past ACEP President, Jay Mullen, M.D., was instrumental in assisting House Speaker Sara Gideon (Freeport) and her staff in drafting LD 2105, An Act To Protect Consumers from Surprise Emergency Medical Bills. The bill would amend current balance billing laws to include emergency services and would establish an independent dispute resolution process to balance billing conflicts between out-of-network providers and insurance carriers within the Department of Insurance. Dr. Mullen’s written testimony can be found here and his verbal presentation can be viewed on the MMA’s Facebook page.

Another bill the MMA supports from the package was also introduced by Speaker Gideon. LD 2096 which would mandate that an insurance carrier that provides coverage for prescription insulin drugs may not impose a cost-sharing requirement on the enrollee that results in out-of-pocket costs to the enrollee in excess of $100 per 30-day supply of insulin. The MMA is also concerned when patients struggle to secure a basic medicine like insulin and we commend the Legislature’s attempt to make make sure patients aren’t being exploited with unaffordable costs. Not to mention, insured patients are also directly impacted by high insulin prices when they are still in the deductible period, not covered by their insurance or when a nonpreferred formulary status for a particular insulin product leads to a higher patient cost-share.

LD 2111, An Act To Establish Patient Protections in Billing for Health Care is sponsored by Senator, and retired physician, Ned Claxton of Auburn. The MMA has supported a number of billing transparency bills and while we appreciate Senator Claxton’s, and his co-sponsoring colleague’s’ effort to increase the availability of useful information for patients, including their individual cost-sharing liability prior to care, the bill imposes some concerning and administratively burdensome requirements for physicians. The bill as drafted would require MMA members to provide a cost comparison within 5 days of scheduling a service if it’s one the 25 highest cost services. It would have to include the average cost of the procedure statewide, the location of the highest cost provider in the state along with the price and the same for the lowest cost provider before providing their own average cost.  The MMA supports and amendment proposed by the Hospital Association (MHA) directing patients instead to the Maine Health Data Organization. There was also some uncertainty to a bill stipulation prohibiting “new patient fees.” Few organizations are sure what defines a new patient fee, however, the MHA and MMA are advocating to exclude new patient CPT codes.

The MMA strongly opposed LD 2110, An Act To Lower Health Care Costs, along with the Hospital Association, Northern Light Health and MaineHealth. The bill attempts to form the Maine Commission on Affordable Health Care modeled after the existing Massachusetts Health Policy Commission. The Director of the Massachusetts Commission presented last week to the Committee and stressed its success with cost containment, however, rarely made any mention of better care being provided since the Commission’s origins in 2012. Massachusetts’ Legislature tasked their Office of the State Auditor to review impacts of the law. What their review showed is that despite meeting cost growth benchmarks, nearly all measures of quality remained stagnant or declined. The most recent 2018 review report can be reviewed here. We opposed the bill because although well-meaning and with admirable goals it is just simply too complex and has too many quality of care questions to be addressed before all bills are required to be voted on by March 6^th by Legislative rule.

All four bills are scheduled for votes before the end of this week. The bill were also reported on by the Portland Press Herald in which quotes by Dan Morin were included on LD 2110. 

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

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 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
Sexual Health Issues in Psychiatric and Medical Practice
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

October 2, 2020
Maine Society of Eye Physicians and Surgeons Fall Business Meeting
Harborside Hotel & Marina – Bar Harbor, ME
Contact:  Shirley Goggin 207-445-2260 or sgoggin@mainemed.com

October 2-4, 2020
19th Annual Downeast Ophthalmology Symposium
(Presented by the Maine Society of Eye Physicians and Surgeons)
Harborside Hotel & Marina – Bar Harbor, ME
Contact:  Shirley Goggin 207-445-2260 or sgoggin@mainemed.com

Register now for Revealing a Path Forward: Maine's Annual Conference on Problem Gambling - March 27th, 2020

 According to the 2016 Survey of Problem Gambling Services in the United States (Marotta, J., et al, 2017) an estimated 23,639 adult Maine residents are believed to struggle with a gambling problem.Yet, gambling disorder is an invisible condition, causing deep distress for individuals and devastating consequences for families.

 According to the 2016 Survey of Problem Gambling Services in the United States (Marotta, J., et al, 2017) an estimated 23,639 adult Maine residents are believed to struggle with a gambling problem.Yet, gambling disorder is an invisible condition, causing deep distress for individuals and devastating consequences for families. Though gambling disorder is classified in the DSM-5 as one of the “Substance-Related and Addictive Disorders” which recognizes the similarities between problem gambling and addiction to substances, the severity of the problem is largely underestimated by individuals and society, including professionals who deal with at-risk populations each day. These professionals include clinicians, preventionists, recovery coaches, law enforcement, medical professionals, and those who work with youth, elder populations, veterans and others.

Through the normalization of gambling and increased access to a wide variety of gambling opportunities, as well as the stigma associated problem gambling, it is important to bring attention to gambling disorder, to educate the people of Maine about this public health issue and to find solutions to barriers we are currently facing in the prevention, intervention, treatment and recovery of problem gambling.

This conference will feature expert speakers to lead conversations on trends in Maine and beyond, integrating problem gambling as a co-occurring disorder, recognizing the danger of suicide in problem gamblers and providing interventions and resources for safety, and guiding us to find solutions and ways to bring stakeholders to the table.

The agenda includes:

Updates and Trends: Maine and the Nation

• Brianne Doura, Legislative Director, National Council on Problem Gambling

Gambling as a Co-occurring Disorder

• Fred Fetta and Jeremy Wampler, Problem Gambling Services, State of Connecticut, Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services

There has been a dramatic shift in the past 10 years in both the substance use and mental health fields. Not only are providers recognizing the importance of integrating treatment for multiple substances (e.g. alcohol, drug and tobacco use) but also the need to include mental health disorders into clinical formulations.  However, the screening, assessment and treatment of gambling disorder often falls through the cracks, even in well-developed co-occurring disorder enhanced programs. This training will focus on gambling as a co-occurring disorder and how integration of services can be developed in the current treatment and prevention services realm.

Disordered Gambling Integration

• Fred Fetta, Jeremy Wampler

It is very likely that only a small minority of individuals combating problematic gambling behaviors will seek treatment services. As a result, it is important to find additional and non-traditional ways to raise awareness in our communities. During this workshop, we will focus on how to integrate gambling into existing mental health and substance use disorder programs. We will also introduce new methods to encourage stakeholders in the community to join the conversation.

Suicide Prevention and Intervention with Problem Gamblers

• Greg A Marley, LCSW, Clinical Director, NAMI Maine

An individual exhibiting severe problem gambling experiences many of the shared risk factors of other groups seen as at increased risk for suicide. Deeply distressing feelings of shame, guilt, helplessness and hopelessness coincide with feeling trapped, facing multiple losses of finances, jobs, relationships and general life stability. Someone struggling with problem gambling is also at increased risk of concurrent substance use disorders, anxiety or depression. This session will explore the increased risk of suicide among those with problem gambling and introduce a straight forward intervention and the resources to support safety and stabilization. 

Registration Fee: $45.00
Early Bird Registration Fee: $35
Register and pay by 3/13/20 to save $10.

Date: March 27, 2020
Time: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Check-in and continental breakfast begins at 8:30

Maple Hill Farm Conference Center
11 Inn Road
Hallowell, Maine 04937

Continuing Education Credits: Upon successful completion of the training, a certificate issuing 6 Contact Hours of Continuing Education will be available to participants. See the website for full details.

With clarification from the Maine Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation, AdCare will not be offering LADC CEU's for this event. The Board has determined that gambling addiction treatment does not fall within the scope of work of Licensed Drug and Alcohol counselors.

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/

Targeted Basic Skills Training: Addressing Nicotine and Tobacco Use through Prevention, Policy and Treatment Initiatives - March 31, 2020

Join other professionals and the MaineHealth Center for Tobacco Independence Training and Education team for a half-day training. Learn more about the burden of tobacco and nicotine on communities across the state, tobacco-related disparities, and opportunities for interventions.

 When: Tuesday, March 31, 2020

Where: MaineHealth, 110 Free Street, Portland, Maine
Who Should Attend: Prevention Specialists, Public Health Professionals, and Policy Makers

Join other professionals and the MaineHealth Center for Tobacco Independence Training and Education team for a half-day training. Learn more about the burden of tobacco and nicotine on communities across the state, tobacco-related disparities, and opportunities for interventions.  The ways that policy development and tobacco treatment support each other will be discussed, including strategies to effectively promote and support tobacco free campus policies.

Training Objectives:

• Explain the burden of tobacco use across Maine, and its impact on disparate populations
• Discuss opportunities to have conversations across various settings in which individuals use tobacco
• Describe strategies for incorporating evidence-based treatment when working with individuals who use tobacco
• Describe how tobacco treatment and tobacco-free policies support and enhance each other. 

Learn more and register: https://ctimaine.org/event/addressing-nicotine-and-tobacco-use-through-prevention-policy-and-treatment-initiatives/

Maine Suicide Prevention Program 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, offers the following suicide prevention, assessment and management trainings.  MMA works closely with NAMI-Maine to provide educational opportunities for Maine physicians and other clinical providers.

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 Gretchen, NAMI Maine Suicide Prevention Coordinator, to discuss 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

Medical Director, Primary Care Physician

Northern Light Sebasticook Valley Health has an exciting physician leadership opportunity for a Board Certified/Board Eligible MD/DO Family Medicine or Internal Medicine Physician to lead our primary care network of three family medicine practices.

Northern Light Sebasticook Valley Health has an exciting physician leadership opportunity for a Board Certified/Board Eligible MD/DO Family Medicine or Internal Medicine Physician to lead our primary care network of three family medicine practices. This is an excellent opportunity to lead a group of well-established, quality driven, outpatient practices serving the greater Pittsfield community. Our team of physicians and NP/MHNP providers 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 old-fashioned 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. This role will be 20% administrative and 80% clinical practice.

The Physician Director of Primary Care will collaborate with the Practice Director for Primary Care to form a dyad partnership in leading our primary care team, as well as provider peripheral oversight for our Walk-In Care and university health center locations.

Northern Light Sebasticook Valley Health 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.

For confidential consideration, please contact:
Sherry Tardy, Physician recruiter
Northern Light Health -Provider Recruitment
PRoviderjobs@NorthernLight.org 207-973-5358 (Office)

3/4/20

Physician - Nasson Health Care

Nasson Health Care is seeking a qualified clinical leader to work collaboratively with a team of health and administrative professionals to provide comprehensive primary care to patients while utilizing the Patient-Centered Medical Home model of care delivery. 

Nasson Health Care is seeking a qualified clinical leader to work collaboratively with a team of health and administrative professionals to provide comprehensive primary care to patients while utilizing the Patient-Centered Medical Home model of care delivery.  The Physician provides direct clinical services and works in partnership with members of the practice team to manage the care of patients, assuring a high standard of medical care.   

Applicants must have a degree from an accredited medical school in the U.S., Board certification in Family or Internal Medicine, an unrestricted Maine license to practice medicine, as well as a U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency license.  Qualifications include:

•  A minimum of three years’ experience in a primary care medical practice; 

• Demonstrated respect for cultural diversity in serving patients and families;

• Working knowledge of the core concepts of evidence-based practice, social and behavioral determinants of health, population-based care, integration of medical, behavioral health and dental care, and Meaningful Use of health information technology;

Springvale is an iconic New England village located in western York County, Maine, less than an hour’s drive from Portland, Maine and Portsmouth, New Hampshire

Visitwww.nassonhealthcare.org for an application. Completed cover letter, resume, and YCCAC employment application will be accepted until March 27, 2020.

York County Community Action Corp.
6 Spruce Street, P.O. Box 72
Sanford, ME 04073      
(207)324-5762 or 1-800-965-5762
Fax (207)459-2811
apply@yccac.org
EOE

Nurse Practitioner - Nasson Health Care

Nasson Health Care is seeking a qualified Nurse Practitioner to work collaboratively with a team of health and administrative professionals to provide comprehensive primary care to patients while utilizing the Patient-Centered Medical Home model of care delivery. 

Nasson Health Care is seeking a qualified Nurse Practitioner to work collaboratively with a team of health and administrative professionals to provide comprehensive primary care to patients while utilizing the Patient-Centered Medical Home model of care delivery. 

• Provides direct clinical services in accordance with the highest standards of medical and nursing practices and in full accordance with health center policies and protocols.
• Fully embraces and carries out all applicable NCQA Patient Centered Medical Home standards and Federally Qualified Health Center requirements.

Applicants must have a Master’s degree in nursing, an unrestricted Maine license to practice as an adult, family or pediatric nurse practitioner, as well as a U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency license.  Qualifications include:

•  A minimum of three years’ experience in a primary care medical practice required.
•  A working knowledge of the core concepts of evidence-based practice, social and behavioral determinants of health, population-based care, integration of medical, behavioral health and dental care, and Meaningful Use of health information technology.

Visit www.yccac.org for an application. Completed cover letter, resume, and YCCAC employment application will be accepted until March 27, 2020.

York County Community Action Corp.
6 Spruce Street, P.O. Box 72
Sanford, ME 04073
(207)324-5762 or 1-800-965-5762
Fax (207)459-2811
apply@yccac.org
EOE

3/25/20

Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner - Nasson Health Care

Nasson Health Care is seeking a qualified Nurse Practitioner to work collaboratively with a team of health and administrative professionals to provide comprehensive primary care to patients while utilizing the Patient-Centered Medical Home model of care delivery. 

Nasson Health Care is seeking a qualified Nurse Practitioner to work collaboratively with a team of health and administrative professionals to provide comprehensive primary care to patients while utilizing the Patient-Centered Medical Home model of care delivery. 

•  Provides diagnoses, conducts therapy and prescribes medication for patients with substance use disorder, psychiatric disorders and medical organic brain disorders.
• Fully embraces and carries out all applicable NCQA Patient Centered Medical Home standards and Federally Qualified Health Center requirements.

Applicants must have a Master’s degree in nursing, an unrestricted Maine license to practice as an adult, family or pediatric nurse practitioner, as well as a U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency license.  Qualifications include:

•  A minimum of three years’ experience in a psychiatric or primary care medical practice required.
• A working knowledge of the core concepts of evidence-based practice, social and behavioral determinants of health, population-based care, integration of medical, behavioral health and dental care, and Meaningful Use of health information technology.

Visit www.yccac.org for an application. Completed cover letter, resume, and YCCAC employment application will be accepted until March 27, 2020.

York County Community Action Corp.
6 Spruce Street, P.O. Box 72
Sanford, ME 04073
(207)324-5762 or 1-800-965-5762
Fax (207)459-2811
apply@yccac.org
EOE

3/25/20

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

2/12/20

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.

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

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/