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Sharing in the Grief of the Tragedy in Maine This Week & Healing Together

10/27/2023

With heavy hearts, we must address the violent outburst in Lewiston earlier this week, which has taken 18 lives, physically injured almost as many and emotionally affected all of us. This is a senseless tragedy, which has and will continue to affect the Lewiston community, as well as the greater Maine community as a whole. Unfortunately, we still do not have the closure and resolution we all yearn for. 

For now, we would like to share in a collective moment of silence for the 18 victims who lost their lives to these violent and senseless attacks, to their loved ones whose lives will be forever changed, and to those who were injured or directly affected.

We extend our gratitude to all those who fearlessly responded to the situation at hand including: law enforcement, dispatch and emergency response teams, and healthcare workers in emergency rooms, critical care units, surgical services, etc. 

As physicians providing services to all the people in the state of Maine, our concern is always to focus all attention on each patient in front of us, and make their health our priority. The teams at Central Maine Medical Center, St. Mary’s, Maine Medical Center and other supporting systems such as Maine General Medical Center demonstrated the power of this singular purpose – promptly pulling together resources, activating protocols and utilizing statewide resources in a tragic time of need. We are indebted to you. 

As always, trying times such as these are an opportunity to emerge stronger and better, individually and collectively. While the time for assessment and evaluation will come, we know that at this time safety, comfort and healing are most important. 

In these devastating and still uncertain times, we encourage all to take care of themselves, their families, their colleagues and their greater communities. To lean on each other in an effort to heal, which we know will be an ongoing process. While we offer no immediate solutions, we wanted to share some helpful resources that might be useful right now. 

Know that we are with you, and here for you. May peace and healing be among us, despite the unknowns.

With care,

Jodie Hermann, DO, MOA President & the MOA Staff and Leadership

Resources for all:

    • The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Dial 9-8-8 if you or anyone you know needs help. Provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals in the U.S.
  • Maine Crisis Hotline: 1-888-568-1112

  • National Alliance on Mental Illness: 800-950-6264

Resources Specifically for Physicians, Healthcare Professionals:

  • Maine FrontLine WarmLine –  Clinicians, educators and first responders can call 1-800-769-9819. Free support services to help these professionals manage the stress of responding to disasters from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days a week.

  • MPHP: Medical Professionals Health Program assists professionals who suffer from mental health/behavioral issues and stress and burnout in the workplace.  Get in touch with MPHP at [email protected] or (207) 623–9266. Access the MPHP website here: https://www.mainemphp.org/

  • National Physician Support Line – 1 (888) 409-0141Psychiatrists helping our US physician and medical student colleagues navigate the many intersections of our personal and professional lives. Free, Confidential & Anonymous. No appointment necessary. Call for any issue, not just a crisis. We report to no one. Monday to Friday (except federal holidays) 8:00 AM - 12:00 AM ET

As always, you can reach MOA staff & leadership at the contacts below:

Jodie Hermann, DO, President
Email: [email protected] 

Amanda Mahan, Executive Director
​Email: [email protected] 
Telephone: 207-623-1101 x2

Madison Purdy, Operations & Membership Coordinator
Email: [email protected] 
Telephone: 207-623-1101 x 1

 


 

MOA & MMA Announce Joint Legislative Committee for 2024; Save the Date for Pre-Session Meeting Thursday December 14th


(Distributed via MOA Newsletter 08/23/2023) In pursuit of greater efficiency and stronger physician advocacy, Maine Osteopathic Association President Jodie Hermann, DO and Maine Medical Association President Erik Steele, DO are pleased to announce that the organizations will merge their Legislative Committees and public policy advocacy efforts, when aligned, for the Second Regular Session of the 131st Maine Legislature scheduled to begin on January 3, 2024.

MMA’s Legislative Committee Co-Chairs are Kevin Fickenscher, MD and Henk Goorhuis, MD. MOA’s Legislative Committee Chair is Kathryn Brandt, DO, MS.MEdL.

We are developing our joint member communications and engagement and legislation tracking tools and processes, but we anticipate one weekly Zoom meeting for review of new bills and updates on State House activity. We aim to make the joint advocacy effort as open, accessible, and inclusive to all members of each organization who wish to be involved. We also expect to be joined in these advocacy efforts by all of the medical specialty organizations in Maine.

Please SAVE THE DATE: The two organizations will be hosting an organizational meeting for the 2024 legislative session in the late afternoon or early evening of Thursday, December 14 2023 (time TBD) in the large conference room at the MMA office in the Frank O. Stred Building, 30 Association Dr., Manchester, Maine.

We encourage members to come in person to network (dinner will be provided), but we will also have a Zoom option. Please RSVP to Amanda Mahan at [email protected] and let us know if you will attend in person or virtually.

Honoring our 2023 MOA Awards Recipients

During the 112th Convention, the MOA also held its Annual Awards Luncheon to honor the contributions of osteopathic physicians in Maine. Meet this year's Awards Recipients!

Caroline LaFave, DO & family after she received the 2023 MOA Young Physician of the Year Award

Caroline LaFave, D.O., of Waterville, was selected as Young Osteopathic Physician of the Year. This award is conferred upon an osteopathic physician with less than five years in practice who has demonstrated the potential to become a major force in osteopathic medicine in the future.

 

Dr. LaFave provides full- spectrum care– outpatient, inpatient, and obstetrics in the Central Maine area.

She attended Colby College, graduating in 2006, and then the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine (UNE COM), graduating in 2017. She was active at UNE COM, earning a service award for her involvement in 2017. She continued her medical training at Maine Dartmouth Family Medicine Residency (MDFMR) in Augusta–becoming Chief Resident.

 

She now teaches medical students and family medicine residents as a faculty member for the MDFMR Program. As the program’s director of recruitment, she launched a holistic review of residency applicants to improve equity in the recruitment process with a goal to bring kind, good, and smart primary care doctors to Maine.

 

Dr. LaFave has also been active in research and scholarly work, contributing to many published articles with a research interest in Cystic Fibrosis. She has presented nationally several times and her colleagues applaud her commitment to her community, her patients, and her family.

Charles Radis, DO (far right) after receiving the 2023 Bates Public Service Award

Charles Radis, D.O., of Peaks Island, was recognized with the Roswell P. Bates, D.O., Public Service Award, given for outstanding achievement in public health, political, or community service that enhances and demonstrates the osteopathic profession’s commitment to service above and beyond that of direct patient care.

 

Dr. Radis is now a well-known osteopathic physician, educator, and author. He completed his D.O. degree at the Kansas City University of Medicine. After completing his internal medicine residency, he moved his family to Peaks Island, off the coast of Maine, and provided primary care to four year-round islands in Casco Bay.

 

In addition to his clinic duties on Peaks and Chebeague Islands, he traveled year-round by boat to the outer islands and logged more than 100 yearly house calls. He eventually left his Peaks Island medical practice for fellowship training in clinical immunology/rheumatology at the University of Pittsburgh’s Presbyterian University Hospital, before returning to Maine to practice rheumatology.

 

He recently published a book, “Go By Boat,” about his time on Peaks, which demonstrates his commitment to the health and wellness of Maine’s most vulnerable communities and has resulted in a second book about this special experience.

 

He is also the founder and medical director for the Maine-African Partnership for Social Justice and      travels regularly to the Kiryandongo United Nations Settlement in Uganda, where he partners with refugee groups in innovative public health programs.

 

He has also demonstrated his commitment to the local community in other ways, giving back to students by teaching at UNE COM and regularly presenting at MOA events to share his medical knowledge.     

James Eshleman, DO (2nd from left) after receiving the 2023 MOA Distinguished Service Award

James Eshleman, D.O., of Wells, was the 2023 recipient of MOA’s highest honor– the Distinguished Service Award. The award recognizes an osteopathic physician who has made a major impact on the profession and society over the course of their career. Dr. Eshleman previously received the award in 2001.

 

James Eshleman graduated from Pennsylvania College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM) in 1972 and completed his internship at the Osteopathic Hospital of Maine (OHM). He then began a family medicine practice in Norway/South Paris and practiced there for more than four decades. In addition, he served as medical director for several local nursing homes for more than 40 years and as a Tufts University School of Medicine preceptor for nine years.

 

After a short retirement of weeks, he joined Calais Community Hospital Family Medicine post-retirement in 2020 and continues to practice part-time 2-3 days per week.

 

Dr. Eshleman is well-known in the MOA community and has served the profession in many capacities, including as a board member, Maine delegate to the national AOA House of Delegates from 1998 to 2000, and as the association’s president from 1995 to 1997. His legacy includes championing the resurgence of the association’s legislative activities. He also worked diligently to ensure that Maine D.O.s were not unfairly discriminated against in various hospital settings for their credentials.

    

In addition to this honor, Dr. Eshleman was recognized for achieving 50 years of active practice in Maine this year.

Stephanie Collins, D.O., of South Portland, was honored with the 2023 Louis Hanson D.O. Physician of the Year Award, a prestigious award named in honor of the late Dr. Hanson, an icon in the osteopathic community, given to an osteopathic physician who demonstrated a high quality of practice, a compassionate interest in patients, and a commitment to their community in the past year.

 

Stephanie Collins, D.O., is a second-generation osteopath whose father, Hans Waecker, D.O., practiced in Portland for many years. She is a graduate of Brown University and the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. She completed Family Practice Residency at Maine-Dartmouth Family Practice and later taught students there and at UNE COM.

 

She has practiced family medicine, specializing in osteopathic manipulation (OMM), since 2001. Her practice, Maine Osteopathic Medicine, opened in 2013 in South Portland.

 

Her contributions to the Maine osteopathic profession and community are many. She has committed countless years to the MOA Board of Directors (2013 to 2022). Most recently, she served as the Chair of MOA’s Medical Economics Committee, advocating for fair reimbursement policies for private practice physicians, particularly OMM private practitioners. Her efforts to ensure patient access to OMM will benefit Maine D.O.s for years to come.

Art & Fran were unable to join us at the ceremony June 3rd -- Photo Courtesy of Maine Homes

Arthur & Fran Girard, of Portland, were chosen as the 2023 recipients of MOA’s Sandra Featherman, Ph.D., Osteopathic Champion Award. This award honors an osteopathic physician and/or friend who has made a recent outstanding and significant contribution to the osteopathic profession in Maine. It was renamed in 2019 to acknowledge Sandra Featherman, Ph.D., President Emeritus of UNE COM.

 

The Girards are natural connectors, problem solvers, and generous souls. Members of the osteopathic medicine community first discovered this when “Art” became friends with several osteopaths at the Osteopathic Hospital of Maine (OHM) on Brighton Avenue in Portland. He constructed and renovated many of the Forest Avenue medical offices for friends such as Tom Babonis, John Eslinger, Charlie Hoag, Jerry Cole, Carlene Dam, and Martha Frieberg.

 

When Maine’s only medical school and the only osteopathic medical school in New England moved to Biddeford at the University of New England in 1978, Art was living across the river in Camp Ellis. Many of his friends from OHM were connected with the school, so he became familiar with the campus and the students, even hosting a graduation party for the first class of UNE COM physicians in 1982.

 

Fran, a champion in her own right, currently serves on the UNE Board of Trustees as the university makes a transformational investment in healthcare education. The construction of the new home for the College of Osteopathic Medicine on the Portland UNE campus forever ties this family name with osteopathic medicine in Maine.

Meet Your New MOA President Jodie Hermann, DO

Dr. Hermann just after being installed as MOA's 2023-2025 President

Left to right: MOA Executive Director Amanda Mahan; Jodie Hermann, DO- MOA President; Ernest Gelb, DO- AOA President; Boyd Buser, DO - Past AOA& MOA President

About Dr. Hermann:

Jodie Hermann is an Osteopathic Internist and Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine specialist who is passionate about what she does in any setting.  

 

Her initial interest in medicine came at the young age of three.  She enjoyed athletics while growing up and then pursued a Medicine degree at University of Connecticut while also serving as the captain and President of the UConn Women’s Ice Hockey Team.  She had many opportunities upon graduation but placed her focus on Corporate Wellness and joined on to be a member of one of the top 3 programs nationally for 6 years in a row. Providing research and growth to the field of health and wellness. Since being promoted with no education on how to do the position, she embarked on getting her MBA in international business and management at UConn.  During that time, she worked with the Sports Medicine staff and was the head trainer for Track and Field.  It was then she received a phone call requesting that she please take the Head Trainer position at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics for all Track and Field athletes, which she immediately accepted!  

 

Once the MBA was completed, she started her own business in Maine and then in Massachusetts with her partner Susan.  She was unable to stay out of the world of Sports Medicine so was soon hired by University of Massachusetts to care for their athletes.  Working with great colleagues they were soon inquiring when she was going to go to medical school and had she applied yet?  Susan stopped the car on the way home from work in the middle of the road and asked ‘When are you ever going to go to medical school?’ The time was now.

 

She attended University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine to learn about medicine and the art of osteopathy.  She loved both.  Following medical school, she completed an Internal Medicine Residency at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield, MA in 2010 and became Board certified in Internal Medicine.  Her residency directors noticed that she always helped patients with using her hands and OMM skills learned in medical school.  Patients responded well and always returned.  She was asked to stay but she went up to Waldo County General Hospital in Belfast, ME, to start her career as a physician.  She learned a lot in the community hospital setting but always wanted more hands-on training and skills, so she pursued UNECOM’s ONMM program and became Board certified in ONMM.  

 

Wanting to share her love of education, she worked with Maine Dartmouth Residency Program at the Collaborative Care Center becoming Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine Faculty-- taking a lead role in teaching the residents.  She also took on inpatient shifts at the Maine General Medical Center hospitalist program.

 

During this time, UNECOM had lured her in to teach the students as a clinical faculty member starting with one day per week. It subsequently grew to Chair of the Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine Department.  What a great experience!  She joined multiple committees and was able to meet wonderful people, and contribute to many organizations and projects during this time. ACGME and ACOI are a few. As well as the Maine Osteopathic Association (MOA), where she joined Board of Directors in 2016.

 

She enjoyed the students, teaching, colleagues and moving a curriculum ahead was very satisfying.  But she missed the inpatient world, which was calling her back.  She missed caring for the acute care patient in the hospital where she can be the physician she was trained to be, use her hands for ONMM, teach students and patients and remain in the hospital setting she truly enjoys being a part of.

 

She is now working at Maine General Medical Center as a hospitalist serving the needs of the acute care patient with a team of colleagues that she loves.  The team atmosphere reminds her of all the athletic teams she was on and cared for -- we have each other’s back, will work hard for one another, and always feel like we are moving in a forward direction to continue to provide excellent care for our patients, our community.

 

Throughout her seven years on the MOA board, Jodie has served for several years as a Program Committee Co-Chair, assisting with the planning of MOA’s continuing medical education events. She then ascended to Executive Board Leadership as Treasurer in 2019 and now as President-Elect she is in line to be the President of the organization from June 2023 – 2025.

 

Jodie she loves her partner, her dogs, spending time with family and friends and being outside with the vitality of life.

 

You can reach Dr. Hermann and welcome her to this role using the email address [email protected] 

Dr. Hermann's Presidential Reception June 3rd Featured a Sports Theme to Reflect her many roles in the Sports Medicine World

More Scenes from our MOA Convention last weekend

See more on our MOA Facebook page. Share yours and tag us! #MaineOsteo

 

MOEF Putting Tournament Raised $725
Congratulations to our winner - Dan Pierce, DO -- and thank you to this year's participants

Despite, the rain a small group of dedicated putters joined us to try their hand at a points game we improvised using the putting green meant as part of the prize. Dan Pierce, DO emerged victorious! He was the proud winner of an MOA swag basket, indoor putting green (now used) and a round of golf generously donated by The Samoset Resort.

 

Our 50/50 raffle to benefit the MOEF also resulted in an additional $400 towards this great cause. The proceeds from these two events support our scholarship program.

(STUDENTS-- APPLY FOR THE MOA SCHOLARSHIP HERE NOW THROUGH JUNE 30TH!)

 

Did you miss these opportunities to donate? You can still DONATE to the MOEF online to help us meet our fundraising goals.

 

New Website Launched to Promote Physician-Led Care in Maine: Visit PartnershipforExpertCare.org!

October 27th, 2021

Earlier this year, MOA partnered with the Maine Medical Association, and several other medical societies and healthcare organizations to address the growing trend of scope of practice expansion. We collectively formed the Partnership for Expert Care and are jointly leading a communication campaign to help educate Maine people about this important topic.

It is with great pleasure that we announce the launch of the Partnership for Expert Care website at PartnershipforExpertCare.org!

The goal of this website is to raise awareness about the benefits of physician-led healthcare. The website will help visitors:

  1.  Understand the roles of different medical providers
  2.  Learn how providers collaborate to deliver the best care
  3.  Inform patients why the unique qualifications that physicians have make them the most qualified to lead the healthcare team.

Together, let us spread the word about this important topic. Visit PartnershipforExpertCare.org to learn more, share your thoughts, and take action.

As part of the campaign, we will be developing a communication “toolkit” that will include social media posts, white papers, videos, e-mails, newsletter articles and other materials that can be disseminated through a variety of channels.

What Can You DO to Help?

We would like to ask for your help in spreading the word about this important topic by sharing these messages through your organization’s communication outlets and/or personal networks. If you are interested in providing your own person statement, serving as a spokesperson or writing an Op Ed, please contact MOA Executive Director Amanda Richards or visit the “Take Action” section of our website for more information.

 Read More.


 

 

 Have you noticed our new look?

The MOA website at www.mainedo.org has been completely re-designed to better serve the needs of our members and the public. In addition to a fresh look, our new site offers many new features! We will be sharing more about these features in future communications.

Here's what members need to do NOW:

  1. Log in to your account by resetting your password.
  2. Take a look around! Our new Member Landing Page is where you can update your profile, find latest news, member resources and more!

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