The MaineHealth Podcast

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. 

Curbside Consult - Episode 8: Telehealth and Virtual Care with Lizzy Mulcahy, FNP

Lizzy Mulcahy, FNP, vice president for Telehealth and Virtual Care at MaineHealth, discusses how virtual care continues to transform access, especially for rural communities across Maine. The conversation also explores new models for bringing specialty care closer to home and the role AI may play in improving the patient experience.  

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, 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. 

WTKE - Episode 77: MaineHealth Excellence Awards

At MaineHealth, our people make all the difference. That’s why we’ve introduced the MaineHealth Excellence Awards, a program that recognizes care team members who embody our values and set the standard for excellence across our system.

In this new episode, MaineHealth Chief Operating Officer Kelly Elkins, Denise Needham, President of MaineHealth Pen Bay and Waldo Hospitals, and Cornelius Ferreria, MD, Chief Medical Officer for the MaineHealth Medical Group, discuss why these awards matter. They share inspiring stories of this year’s honorees and explore how recognition drives engagement, innovation, and exceptional care.

WTKE - Episode 76: The Rise of MaineHealth’s Enterprise PMO

As MaineHealth continues to unify operations and scale strategic initiatives, the need for a centralized, high-performing Enterprise Project Management Office, or EPMO, has never been more important.

From standardizing tools and methodologies to enabling cross-functional collaboration and change management, the EPMO is more than a department—it’s a system-wide commitment to excellence, accountability, and transformation.

In this new Working Together episode, MaineHealth Chief Operating Officer Kelly Elkins, Vice President of Operations Transformation Celia Shaughnessy and Senior Director Project Management Marrisa Ilsley explore how MaineHealth is building the backbone of its future—one project at a time.

AOD 11-19-25 Destigmatizing Substance Use Disorder at MaineHealth

Our November Andy's Open Door program featured a discussion with Dr. Kristen Silvia and Dr. Leah Bauer on MaineHealth’s efforts to destigmatize substance use disorder (SUD). Andy and the panelists also answered care team questions submitted to the Ask Andy mailbox.

Kristen and Leah provided a high-level overview of SUD, explained both the Comprehensive Addiction Medicine (CAM) and Comprehensive Addiction Psychiatry (CAP) programs, and had a robust conversation about stigma. They presented the new Stigma Reduction Toolkit which includes tips on the language we should use about substance use and a pledge that care team members and providers can sign to commit to creating a stigma-free environment for our communities.