The MaineHealth Podcast

Curbside Consult, Episode 12

Together, Leah and Kristen lead the MaineHealth Medical Group’s Addiction Specialty Council. They join us to discuss the role primary care can play in treating substance use disorder (SUD) and to introduce the Stop SUD Stigma campaign, an effort to reduce the stigma that patients with substance use disorder can feel in healthcare settings.  

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. 

Working Together with Kelly Elkins, Episode 83

In this episode, MaineHealth Chief Operating Officer Kelly Elkins explores how the Mountain Region’s updated leadership structure is designed to strengthen collaboration, streamline decision-making, and better support care team members across the region. As our system continues to grow and integrate, this episode looks at why clearer roles, aligned oversight, and more consistent organizational design are essential to improving access, quality, and the overall experience for patients and communities. They discuss how leadership alignment helps ensure the right decisions happen at the right level—and with the speed and clarity teams need.

Guest Trampas Hutches, Regional President for the Mountain Region, shares the goals behind the redesign, what responsibilities are shifting to Community Presidents, and how regional oversight of shared-service areas like Imaging, EVS, Food & Nutrition, and Therapies will work in day‑to‑day operations. Together, they discuss how this structure supports MaineHealth’s broader strategy and the biggest opportunities ahead as the region enters this next chapter of operating as one MaineHealth.

Andy's Open Door on 03-25-26

This episode of AOD featured Chief Operating Officer Kelly Elkins and Chief People Officer Scott Ballard, who along with Caroline, discussed MaineHealth's operational transformation, covering regionalization, efficiency improvements, automation and AI, workforce tools, and how changes affect care teams and patient safety. They discussed where we are in the operational transformation process and where we are headed as we adapt and grow in a changing health care environment.

The episode also highlights the launch of the Our Place employee giving program, answers care team questions about scheduling systems, policy updates, cybersecurity, and sustainability.

Working Together with COO Kelly Elkins, episode 82

In this episode, MaineHealth Chief Operating Officer Kelly Elkins explores why care navigation has become a critical need for our employer community and care team members—and how MaineHealth is responding through MaineHealth Care Solutions. As rising costs, access challenges, and complexity continue to affect care team members, patients and families, this episode takes a closer look at how improved navigation can reduce frustration, support better health outcomes, and strengthen trust in care. They discuss the role of navigation in getting the right care at the right time and place.

Guests Bill Whitmore, MaineHealth Vice President of Business Transformation, and Beth Ray, MaineHealth Manager of Clinical Care Navigation, share why the program was created, who it serves, and what care team members can expect when they reach out for support. Together, they discuss how MaineHealth Care Solutions fits into MaineHealth’s broader strategic goals and what success looks like in the program’s first year and beyond.

 

Welcome to episode 2 of Vitals and Voices, a MaineHealth nursing podcast, sharing the stories, perspectives, and expertise of nurses across our system. 

In this episode, Chris and Jordan talk with Clinical Nurse Educator Angela Cyr as she explains what nursing certifications are, why they matter, how they support career advancement and patient care, and which resources MaineHealth offers to help nurses pursue certification.

The episode also features a spotlight on Vocational Rehabilitation Services during Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. Chris has a conversation with Jessica Minor to talk about how someone with developmental disabilities could be an asset to your workforce.

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.

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. 

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. 

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.

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.