Academic Affairs February 2026 Newsletter

 

February 2026 Newsletter View previous Academic Affairs Newsletters here.

Academic Affairs Leadership Team Doug Sawyer, MD, PhD Chief Academic Officer   Linda Chaudron, MD, MS Vice President of Medical Education  Jessica Chertow, PhD, MBA Vice President of Research  Kneka Smith, EdD, MPH Vice President,  Academic Affairs Kalli Varaklis, MD MaineHealth Designated Institutional Official for Graduate Medical Education

Note from...  Doug Sawyer, MD, PhD, Chief Academic Officer Dear Colleagues, I was in conversation recently with TUSM Dean Helen Boucher, and she shared with me how proud TUSM is to be working with us in Maine and forging a path of distinction in the area of rural health training.  She shared that as she visits with Deans of Med Schools around the country, the TUSM Maine Track is getting a lot of attention.  It is remarkable to reflect on the great work going on at the many ‘campuses’ across our state, both with MaineHealth and non-MaineHealth providers, working together to train physicians who have a sense of what it takes to provide outstanding care in a rural setting.   On the heels of that conversation, I was delighted to hear about our Graduate Medical Education team attending and presenting at the 2026 ACGME Annual Educational Conference held earlier this month in San Diego.  Thanks to Jacquee Grassi, you can see photos below of Tom Gearan and Sarah Hallen presenting the great work of the MERGE Collaborative, and iPACE team respectively.  MaineHealth should be very proud of the great work that our colleagues in education are leading to change the way we train and practice medicine in rural areas.  More to come on this topic as we approach Match Day in a few weeks and complete our interview season for the TUSM Maine Track class of 2030!  As we make the transition to the new academic year, we will also be finding ways to thank Kneka Smith EdD, MPH, as she makes her transition to leave MaineHealth in June to become the next dean and academic officer of A.T. Still University’s Missouri School of Dentistry & Oral Health (ATSU-MOSDOH). More to come on this topic as well.    With appreciation for all you do,   Doug

IN THIS ISSUE

Upcoming Events & Opportunities Medical Education

Research  Innovation

Upcoming Events & Opportunities

Introduction to Clinical & Translation Research Course April 16 | 7:30 am - 5 pm | 110 Free Street, Portland Learn More

Delve into the intricacies of conducting research within MaineHealth and explore invaluable resources.

Registration Open for Lambrew Retreat April 30 - May 1 | Hybrid Learn More

Dartmouth Rural Health Symposium May 12 - May 13 | Hanover, NH Learn More

Medical Education

Learn more about the MaineHealth Department of Medical Education Medical Education SharePoint Site Contact: MedEduc@mainehealth.org

Undergraduate Medical Education

Welcome to Alison Holmes, MD

MaineHealth is pleased to welcome Alison V. Holmes, MD, as the new Senior Associate Dean for Clinical Education at the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine (UNECOM). Dr. Holmes joins UNECOM from Dartmouth, where she is a professor of pediatrics at the Geisel School of Medicine and has served in several key educational leadership roles, including Pediatric Clerkship Director, Vice Chair for Education, and Associate Dean for Student Affairs. She brings extensive expertise in curriculum development, faculty engagement, and learner support across the clinical training continuum.  Dr. Holmes succeeds Guy DeFeo, DO, whose dedication and leadership have been instrumental in strengthening UNECOM’s clinical education programs. We extend our appreciation for Dr. DeFeo’s many contributions to students, faculty, and clinical partners throughout the region.  In her new role, Dr. Holmes will oversee all aspects of clinical education and continue to deepen collaboration with MaineHealth as an integral clinical training site for UNECOM students. Her experience and vision will support our preceptors, enhance student experiences across our hospitals and practices, and advance our shared goal of developing a strong, sustainable physician workforce for Maine.  We look forward to partnering with Dr. Holmes as she steps into this important role.

Register Today  2026 Tufts University Primary Care Preceptor Conference Registration is now open for Tufts University Primary Care Precepting Conference Friday, May 29th from 8:30-4PM! This conference is intended for physicians and other health care professionals in primary care, including Internal Medicine, Family Medicine, and Pediatrics, though all Tufts affiliates including residents, fellows and students, are warmly welcomed! CME credit is available. Keynote: Join us for this year's powerful keynote talk "Storytelling for Connection and Care: Concrete Tools for Clinicians" by the nationally renowned storytelling expert Casey Donahue, MDiv (she/hers). Casey has been shaping personal experiences into powerful stories since 2012. She spent a decade working at The Moth, where she fielded hundreds of stories for the Peabody-award-winning Moth Radio Hour and podcast, developed the Community Program, and facilitated workshops nationwide. Feature Presentation:  After lunch, Dr. Frank Domino, author of Domino's 5-Minute Clinical Consult, will present his annual "10 Things I Learned in Practice Last Year." Workshop Sessions:  Many choices of morning and afternoon clinical and educational workshops will be offered in an interactive small group format.

Graduate Medical Education GME Resident & Fellow Appreciation Week The GME Community recently celebrated Resident and Fellow Appreciation Week from February 20–27, 2026, with a full schedule of events recognizing the hard work and dedication of our trainees. The week featured Trivia Night & Happy Hour gatherings at Allagash Brewing and Bissell Brothers, an outing to cheer on the Maine Celtics at the Portland Expo, and Art in Medicine sessions at the Portland Museum of Art. Programs also hosted lunches and distributed goodie bags, and trainees enjoyed calming Pet Therapy visits. Thank you to everyone who participated and helped make the week a meaningful celebration of our resident and fellow community.

Advanced Practice Providers Education Are you working with a student this spring? We are looking for Teaching Stories to highlight on our PreceptME (@preceptme) Instagram page. We'd really like to highlight all of our learners, as many of them are in their final semester of their program! Send us your names and a photo to the APP Education Office at APPEducation@mainehealth.org.

Simulation 

The Simulation Team conducted an annual working retreat at the new nearby UNE Interprofessional Simulation and Innovation Center.

First HoloBaby™ Telehealth Simulation Held at Stevens Memorial Our team kicked off the first HoloBaby™ telehealth neonatal resuscitation simulation this past month at Stevens Memorial Hospital. This launch begins a series of monthly sessions supported by the new four‑year NIH R01 "NeoSTAR" grant focused on utilizing simulation technology to strengthening neonatal resuscitation skills in rural settings. The telesimulations allows delivery teams to practice high‑risk scenarios in their own units while receiving remote coaching a Neonatologist and Sim Educator. Early feedback from the Stevens team was enthusiastic, and additional rural sites will join in the coming months as we expand this work. This project represents an exciting step forward in supporting our care teams and improving newborn outcomes across the region.   New Virtual Reality Simulation Debuts: Managing Malignant Hyperthermia Our Virtual Reality (VR) team is excited to pilot a new VR case developed in house in Ubi Sim software with collaboration with PACU nurse educators from MMC Scarborough and MMC Portland. This immersive scenario guides learners through post‑operative nursing care for a high‑acuity, low‑occurrence malignant hypothermia event. The avatars are fully voiced by members of our simulation team, bringing the experience to life and enhancing clinical realism. Interested in integrating VR into your education or workflow? Contact VRSimulation@mainehealth.org to explore opportunities.   MOMSim Programming The last month has hosted the launch of the MOMs 2.0 program at Stephens Memorial, as well the one year wrap-up for Mid Coast, the 3rd site launched last winter. Closing evaluations from the 3 sites that have now completed the program remain overwhelmingly positive. The MOMs ED program, which centers skills readiness for ED teams providing care to birthing people without the backing of an onsite L&D unit, has begun its roll-out at Waldo, with MDI & Houlton launching later this spring. Through new supplemental funding from RMOMS, preparations are underway to increase the reach of MOMs 2.0 & MOMs ED statewide through collaboration with partners from the Northern Region and beyond.

Journal of Maine Medical Center  View the JMMC Winter 2026 Issue Survey Opportunity - Input Welcome! As you may have read in our Winter 2026 issue the Journal is upon a new phase in its evolution following its launch 7 years ago. The Editorial Team is reaching out to all stakeholders to help frame ways forward and understand what we are doing well, what we can improve, and new ideas going forward. While the survey is anonymous, we value those wishing to share their identity and please feel free at any time to reach out to the Editorial Team with your thoughts.  Please answer any or all sections as appropriate for your circumstance. Thank you in advance for taking the time to complete our brief survey.    Scot Remick, MD, Editor-in-Chief

The Office of Faculty and Professional Development

Grand Rounds Sessions on Continuing Education website Looking for a Continuing Education opportunity? We are pleased to share that Grand Rounds CE/CME sessions are now listed on our Continuing Education website.  Click on “Grand Rounds” in the top menu bar to discover some of the wonderful sessions coming up!

MaineHealth Library & Learning Commons

Scholarship Spotlight Display in the Dana Center Designed by Maegan Halica, MLIS, the display showcases outstanding publications and innovative research driven by MaineHealth learners. The area will celebrate the curiosity, dedication, and scholarly achievements that advance our shared mission. We look forward to honoring more exceptional work that highlights the strength and talent within our learning community

Easier Than Ever to Find the Library on the Intranet Homepage Finding the Library & Learning Commons just got simpler! The Library link is now featured directly in the Quick Links menu on the intranet homepage, giving staff faster access to evidence‑based resources and library support. This update makes it easier for teams across MaineHealth to get to the information they need—right when they need it! Data Management On February 12, Christina Kratzman, MI partnered with Josh Mangin, PhD of UNE to present the RCR session, Data Management. We look forward to supporting our learners and researchers' data management needs with instruction and resources from the Library.  Clinical AI Applications On February 24, Dina McKelvy, MA, MLS presented grand rounds for the Coastal Region on AI technology and how it is applied to clinical decision support and other aspects of clinical care.

Clinical AI Applications On February 24, Dina McKelvy, MA, MLS presented grand rounds for the Coastal Region on AI technology and how it is applied to clinical decision support and other aspects of clinical care.  Library Work Featured at the Academic Affairs Winter Showcase This year’s Academic Affairs Winter Showcase highlighted the creativity and impact of Library & Learning Commons across MaineHealth. Christina Kratzman, MI, shared innovative ways the library is expanding its role in supporting patient care at Pen Bay Medical Center and Amy Moore, MLIS, presented on Art & Medicine. Maegan Halica, MLIS, also contributed her expertise on the planning committee, helping shape an engaging and meaningful event. The Guts to Read About Your Guts: Join the Well-being Book Club Discover why the gut plays a key role in both your physical and mental health. Join the Well-being Book Club as they read Gut: The Inside Story of Our Body’s Most Underrated Organby Giulia Enders, and explore the science behind digestion, the gut–brain connection, and common issues like reflux and food intolerance. FMI and registration, visit: Wellness Book Club

Research

Grants

Grant News Check out the Grants Awards page on SharePoint for the latest awards and resources.   Grant Awards

Timeline for Proposal Document Submission   All documents must be submitted to Research Grants at least five (5) business days before the funding entity’s proposal deadline except for the final research strategy, which must be submitted at least three (3) business days before the proposal deadline. Late documents will need a waiver approved by both MHIR Leadership and Research Grants.   See MHIR's website for the full policy and waiver request form Email Carolyn Elliott-Farino with any questions.

Research Compliance Office

MaineHealth FCOI in Research Annual Campaign 2026 Launches Next Week The MaineHealth Financial Conflict of Interest (FCOI) in Research Annual Campaign 2026 is for all key personnel involved in (funded and not funded) research at MaineHealth and MHIR. Start Date: Tuesday, March 3, 2026 End Date: Friday, April 3, 2026 WHAT’S NEW?  This FCOI in Research Annual Campaign will be conducted through the Corporate Compliance application (Osprey/Diligent System) and not through REDCap. If you completed an FCOI in Research disclosure between June 17, 2025, and February 3, 2026, you will receive an Outlook email from MH Corporate Compliance with a link to complete it. If you’re new to research or didn’t complete a disclosure during those dates, you won’t receive the initial Outlook email from MH Corporate Compliance and may need to complete a disclosure outside the campaign. This campaign is running concurrently with the Corporate Compliance COI Workforce Annual Campaign. If asked similar questions in each disclosure, please keep your answers consistent. If applicable, you will receive two email invitations to complete both the Corporate Compliance and FCOI in Research disclosures. After you complete this disclosure, you won’t file again until the 2027 campaign unless a new financial interest or conflict arises, which must be reported within 30 days of being discovered or acquired. If you are no longer involved in research at MaineHealth or MHIR, please notify Sarah Boisvert so we can update your status. No FCOI disclosure is required if you are not conducting research. If you have not already done so, please complete MH’s CITI course, Information on Financial Conflict of Interest  (required to complete every 4 years). The two required modules usually take 1–2 hours to complete. Questions about the FCOI in research disclosure, completion records, or access to the CITIcourse? Contact the Research Compliance Office at hrppIRB@mainehealth.org

Notables

CMM Welcomes Dr. Qingchu Jin Qingchu Jin, PhD, is a new Faculty Scientist I in the Center for Molecular Medicine (CMM). He earned his PhD in Biomedical Engineering from the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, where his doctoral work focused on quantifying arrhythmic risk in cardiac cells. Dr. Jin’s expertise is in computational biology and healthcare AI, with a research focus on uncertainty quantification for clinical prediction, real-time risk modeling using EHR and physiological time-series data, and multimodal modeling that integrates longitudinal clinical data with metabolomics and epigenomics to study childhood growth and metabolic trajectories.

MHCCN Recognized Among Top 40 Accruing Sites by the Alliance The MaineHealth Cancer Care Network has once again met the Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology’s membership accrual requirements, with a total of 147.8 enrollments between January 2023 and December 2025—an average of 49.3 per year. This strong performance also placed our network 35th among the Top 40 accruing sites nationwide, earning a seat on the Alliance Board of Directors as part of the current reseating process. We are grateful to all team members whose commitment to high‑quality clinical research and inclusive enrollment practices continues to advance cancer care for our patients and communities.

Qualitative Research Interest Group On March 26 from 3:30-4:30 pm the Qualitative Research Interest Group (QRIG) will host Dr. Kenneth Maes from Oregon State University, who will present on “Community-based participatory research with community health workers (CHWs).” His presentation will include a description of how CHWs have been engaging in research and evaluation about their own profession, and how allies can support that work. We will discuss the following topics: Research training opportunities for CHWs and allies How CHWs use both qualitative and quantitative research to empower themselves and their profession How CHWs move from participating in research to leading research  All are welcome to attend this virtual meeting. If you do not have the Teams meeting link and/or would like to be notified of future meetings, email Mike Kohut.   QRIG meets monthly to discuss topics of relevance to qualitative researchers in health and medical settings. It includes members from MaineHealth, UNE, U Maine, Tufts, Kaiser Health, and elsewhere.

STEM Goes Red 2026 The Research Training & Education team hosted STEM Goes Red 2026 in partnership with the American Heart Association of Maine on February 10. They welcomed 50 participants from Deering High School, Scarborough High School, and South Portland High School. Students spent the day hearing from inspiring STEM leaders, exploring hands‑on activities, and connecting with mentors from organizations across Maine.

Visit MaineHealth Institute for Research's SharePoint Site

Innovation

the connective tissue between research, education, and care

Everyday Innovators: Celebrating a Culture That Moves Care Forward At MaineHealth, innovation isn't an occasional breakthrough--it's a daily practice woven into the way our care teams work, collaborate, and support one another. A recent analysis of Espresa Recognitions celebrating the organization's core value of innovation shows just how strongly this culture is taking root and growing across the system. From educational efforts to workflow redesign to lifesaving clinical problem-solving, care team members are continuously finding new ways to push the MaineHealth mission forward.

Innovation as a Shared Mindset Espresa recognitions make one thing clear: innovation at MaineHealth is broad, inclusive, and action-oriented. People innovate by removing barriers, sharing knowledge, strengthening workflows, and helping their colleagues succeed. Across the system, care team members have been celebrated for: Creating new demonstrations and training materials Developing novel curriculum Guiding peers through new processes Hosting workshops and supporting idea adoption Education is emerging as a foundation for innovation--a sign of a culture where learning is shared and everyone contributes to progress. A Culture Everyone Contributes to Innovation at MaineHealth is a mindset any care team member can practice every day. Our teams succeed because they collaborate, communicate, and continually look for ways to make care better. The culture of innovation across our system is strong, growing, and powered by the creativity and dedication of our people. If you've been exploring a new idea, refining a workflow, or teaching others a different way of working, you're already part of this movement. We encourage everyone to start exploring the novel ideas you have to solve the unmet care needs you encounter in your day-to-day work. Your curiosity, problem-solving, and willingness to imagine something better are shaping the future of care at MaineHealth.

To learn more about the different ways you can get involved and the current MaineHealth Innovation programming opportunities, visit our website. There's still time to apply for our Innovation Cohortto learn about the fundamentals that will take you from identifying an unmet care need to ideating and implementing a novel solution, or for Ignite Funding to get seed funding that will assist in accelerating your novel solution to the next stages of it's development.  Connect with us today to chat about what program might be the best fit for you!

Keep up with MaineHealth Innovation by signing up for our monthly newsletter.   MaineHealth Innovation builds connections to drive diversity of thought, educates to produce creative problem-solvers, and funds to accelerate ideas. By leveraging the ideas, insights and expertise of all care team members to develop novel solutions to our unmet care needs, we are working together so our communities are the healthiest in America.  To learn more about these or other innovation opportunities at MaineHealth, visit the MaineHealth Innovation website or email innovation_center@mainehealth.org.