The MaineHealth Podcast

WTKE: Thriving Together: MaineHealth’s Wellness Journey

Episode 81: Thriving Together: MaineHealth’s Wellness Journey 

At MaineHealth, wellness isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a commitment woven into the fabric of our culture. We are creating a holistic approach to health that empowers every team member to live well—at work and beyond.

In this episode, Christine Hein, MD, Chief Wellness Officer, and Tom Kivler, Director of Care Team Wellness discuss the programs and strategies that help our providers and care team members thrive.

They discuss real examples—team huddles, peer support, night‑shift initiatives, and G.R.O.S.S. projects—along with the key metrics (safety, retention, engagement) and bold pilot ideas to reduce burnout and strengthen team resilience.

Curbside Consult - Episode 10: Child Psychiatry with Melissa Bowker-Kinley MD

MaineHealth Behavioral Health child psychiatrist Dr. Melissa Bowker-Kinley joins Heather and Mike with tips on supporting pediatric patients with common conditions including anxiety and ADHD. They also discuss current therapeutic approaches, navigating behavioral health referrals and the importance of family involvement in treatment. 

Curbside Consult is a podcast from the MaineHealth ACO that brings together specialists and primary care physicians to discuss clinical topics, referral management and coordination of care. Each month, family physician hosts Dr. Mike Clark and Dr. Heather Ward welcome a new specialist to share their unique insights.  

Listen to Curbside Consult here or on your favorite podcast app, or on the MaineHealth intranet home page. To stay in touch with the show, follow the MaineHealth ACO on LinkedIn. 

Leveling Up: A Conversation with Nursing Education

Welcome to the premiere episode of Vitals & Voices: A MaineHealth Nursing Podcast!

In this episode, hosts Chris and Jordan sit down with Vicky English (Nursing Professional Development Specialist) and Monique Gilbert (Clinical Nurse Educator) to talk about some of the differences between an NPDS and a CNE, and the ways nursing education can help you build your career beyond year one.

And February brings Valentine's Day and Heart Month. We talked to a cardiac nurse about some heart healthy tips, including the impact of love on wellbeing. 

MaineHealth’s Precision Medicine Pilot - AOD 02-04-26

This episode of Andy's Open Door features an innovative discussion with Aji Djamali, MD, the Chair of the Department of Medicine at MaineHealth Maine Medical Center Portland. Andy and Aji talk about Precision Medicine at MaineHealth, how it will revolutionize the way we deliver individualized care and the plan for implementation across our system.

Andy opens the program with an update on the status of York Hospital becoming part of MaineHealth. He also addresses four major forces that are significantly impacting MaineHealth now and for years to come as we navigate who we are and who we want to become as an organization.

Dr. Djamali explains MaineHealth’s precision medicine pilot — starting with primary care, offering whole-genome screening to a pilot group, integrating genomics, biomarkers and AI, and expanding to research and specialty care — and addresses equity, privacy, workforce, and cost concerns.

WTKE- Episode 80: Advocating for Health: MaineHealth's 2026 Policy Priorities

As we look ahead in 2026, MaineHealth remains focused on advancing policies that support access, affordability, and healthier communities across the state. More than ever, our advocacy priorities are critical to delivering on our vision and responding to a rapidly changing policy landscape. 

In this episode of the Working Together podcast, Katie Harris, Chief Government Affairs Officer for MaineHealth discusses the system’s 2026 advocacy agenda. We explore key policy issues at the state and federal levels, the role of partnerships and coalitions, and how targeted policy solutions—from payment reform to rural health investments—can help strengthen care for patients and communities. 

WTKE - Episode 79: MaineHealth Precision Medicine: Personalizing Care, Transforming Lives

At MaineHealth, we’re diving into one of the most transformative efforts in modern medicine: Genomics and Precision Medicine. 

In this episode of Working Together, Adrian Moran, MD Chief Medical and Transformation Officer for MaineHealth and Aji Djamali, MD Vice President & Chair of the Department of Medicine for MaineHealth Maine Medical Center explore the “why” behind this new initiative at MaineHealth, the partnerships fueling its growth and the roadmap for integrating genomics into primary care, oncology, and beyond. Kelly and guests also discuss what this means for clinicians, patients, and the future of healthcare delivery in rural settings. 

Philanthropy and Development at MaineHealth - AOD 01-07-26

This episode of Andy's Open Door featured an insightful discussion with Erin Brown, Chief Development Officer. Andy and Erin talked about changes in Philanthropy and Development at MaineHealth, recent and upcoming major projects and the importance of donor support to MaineHealth now and in the future. They also answered a variety of care team questions submitted to the AOD mailbox.

Andy started the program by sharing his 2026 New Year’s Resolution which is organizationally-focused on positively identifying patients in alignment with our red rule, PPID. He also addressed recent changes in vaccine recommendations and thanked care team members for their hard work amidst an influx of patients from flu and other illnesses.

Curbside Consult - Episode 9: Cardiology with Katie Manning, MD

In the January episode, Dr. Katie Manning focuses on heart failure management and the collaboration between primary care and cardiology. The conversation covers the early signs of heart failure, the importance of primary care in managing these patients, and the challenges of medication access. Dr. Manning emphasizes the need for effective communication and collaboration between healthcare providers to improve patient outcomes, as well as the significance of incorporating goals of care conversations into treatment plans. 

Curbside Consult is a podcast from the MaineHealth ACO that brings together specialists and primary care physicians to discuss clinical topics, referral management and coordination of care. Each month, family physician hosts Dr. Mike Clark and Dr. Heather Ward welcome a new specialist to share their unique insights.  

Listen to Curbside Consult on your favorite podcast app, on the MaineHealth intranet home page, or at the Curbside Consult website. To stay in touch with the show, follow the MaineHealth ACO on LinkedIn. 

Addressing Provider Wellness - AOD 12-17-25

In this episode of Andy's Open Door, Andy facilitated a discussion about Provider Wellness with Christine Hein, MD, Chief Wellness Officer, Ranjiv Advani, MD, Director of Provider Wellness, Coastal and Mountain regions and Stephanie Gray, PA, Director of Provider Wellness, Southern Region. Andy and the panelists also answered care team questions submitted to the AOD mailbox.

Our panelists discussed what provider wellness means, what contributes to burnout, and looked at MaineHealth provider’s satisfaction compared to national benchmarks. They also outlined their approach to improving provider wellness across the system and resources that are available now.

WTKE - Episode 78: Healthcare Anywhere: The Promise of Virtual Quick Care

At MaineHealth we’re diving into the future of healthcare with our Virtual Quick Care service. As technology transforms the way we access medical services, Virtual Quick Care is making it easier than ever for patients to connect with providers, get timely advice, and receive treatment from the comfort of their own homes.  

In this episode, Tracy Jalbuena, MD, Medical Director MaineHealth Virtual Care Administration and Melissa Victory, Director MaineHealth Virtual Care the MaineHealth Medical Group explain how Virtual Quick Care at MaineHealth is reshaping patient experiences, improving access, and driving innovation across the healthcare landscape.