Congratulations to the Class of 2022

Maine Medical Center (MMC) held its tenth annual Maine Track Celebration event on Saturday, April 30, 2022 recognizing the 46 Maine Track medical school program students who will graduate from Tufts University School of Medicine in Boston this month. After completing the program that includes classroom instruction in Boston with community-based practice in Maine, this year’s class will begin residencies this summer, 12 of them at MMC.

Captain Chris Cassidy, the president and CEO of the National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation, delivered the ceremony’s keynote address. Captain Cassidy, who grew up in York, Maine, also has served as NASA Chief Astronaut and is a retired U.S. Navy SEAL. He is currently leading the effort to build the National Medal of Honor Museum in Texas, the foundation’s leadership institute and a monument.

“The past two years has demonstrated why the medical field is one of continuous learning and growth,” said Doug Sawyer, MD, MaineHealth Chief Academic Officer and interim Chief Medical Officer. “We are proud of the role the Maine Track program plays in Maine Medical Center’s tri-part mission of caring for our community, educating tomorrow’s caregivers and researching new ways to improve care, and we look forward to seeing the continued success of our graduates, many of whom will continue their education in residencies at Maine Medical Center this summer.”

You can view a recording of Maine Track Celebration here. Congratulations to all!

MMC Faculty Awards

The Tufts University – Maine Medical Center Maine Track Program presented six of its faculty members – including three MMC physicians – with teaching awards during an event on Friday, April 29, 2022:

• Eliza Bullis, MD, received the Robert S. Hillman, MD, Urban Teaching Award, given in honor of Dr. Hillman’s many years as Chief of Medicine at MMC and his inspirational and lifelong commitment to medical education.
• Benjamin Caesar, MD, received the Robert G. Bing-You, MD, Resident Teaching Award, given in honor of Dr. Bing-You’s exemplary leadership and passion for innovation in medical education as a resident and faculty member at MMC.
• Gemma Reddin, MD, received the Peter W. Bates, MD, Fellow Teaching Award, given in honor of Dr. Bates’ unwavering commitment to education and community as a fellow, faculty member, and MMC’s first Chief Academic Officer.
• Elizabeth Linnell, MD, of St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center, and Charles Hendricks, MD, of Mount Desert Island Hospital, received the Roger A. Renfrew, MD, Rural Teaching Award, given in honor of Dr. Renfrew’s strong support and exceptional leadership in educating medical students and residents in Maine’s rural communities.
• Jeffrey Crowder, PA-C, of Togus VA Medical Center, received the Advanced Practice Provider Teaching Award, dedicated to the tireless efforts of advanced practice providers and their important role in medical education.

Finally, the Maine Track program announced it would be creating a brand new award in honor of Maine Track’s Assistant Dean for Students Jo E. Linder, MD, who is retiring this year. The Jo E. Linder Student Health Equity Award will celebrate Maine Track students who have worked to personally address healthcare inequities and demonstrated a commitment to health equity in communities throughout Maine. The award, which will be the first for Maine Track students, will be given out for the first time next spring.