Publications and Presentations

Journal Articles

Derthick, Annie, PhD., Varaklis, Kalli, MD, MSEd. (2025) The Importance of Rural Health Education. Journal of Maine Medical Center. (Invited Editorial). https://knowledgeconnection.mainehealth.org/jmmc/vol7/iss1/3/

Conference Presentations

Gearan, Tom, MD, Varaklis, Kalli, MD, MSEd (2025, November 4) Early Outcomes and Next Steps for the MERGE Collaborative. The New England Rural Health Association Annual Conference. Mystic, CT, USA. https://mergecollaborative.org/merge-presentation-2025-nerha-conference/

 

Derthick, Annie (2025, January 31)  A Community-Engaged Internship for Students from Rural Communities. Conference on Medical Student Education. Society of Teachers of Family Medicine. San Antonio, TX, USA. https://mergecollaborative.org/merge-presentation-2025-stfm-conference-medical-student/ 

 

Varaklis, Kalli (2025, January 26) The MERGE Collaborative: Leveraging Graduate Medical Eduation to meet Rural Healthcare Needs. Northern New England CoOP Practice and Community Based Research Network Conference, North Conway, NH, USA. https://mergecollaborative.org/merge-presentation-2025-nne-coop-pcbr/

 

Varaklis, Kalli (2023, November 9) The Maine Rural GME Education (MERGE) Collaborative: An innovative, state-wide collaboration to address rural physician recruitment. New England Rural Health Association. Killington, VT, USA. https://mergecollaborative.org/merge-presentation-2023-nerha/

Rural Education Leaders Academy

Bragdon, Barbara Jean, MSN, BSN, ADN (October 2025) Upskilling for the Future: Assessing the Sustainability of a Certified Nursing Assistant Program Admission SOP https://mergecollaborative.org/merge-rela-upskilling-for-the-future-assessing-the-sustainability-of-a-certified-nursing-assistant-program-admission-sop/

 

Onderko, Laura, MD, FACC (October 2025) Cardiology Fellowship Ambulatory Clinic Curriculum: Needs Based Assessmenthttps://mergecollaborative.org/merge-rela-cardiology-fellowship-ambulatory-clinic-curriculum-needs-based-assessment/

 

Kelly, Cavenaugh, PhD, MS, OTR/L (2025, October)The Impact of Community Mobility On Health: Implications, Solutions for Maine Residentshttps://mergecollaborative.org/merge-rela-the-impact-of-community-mobility-on-health-implications-solutions-for-maine-residents/

 

Civiello, Gabriel, MD, Kohut, Michael, PhD, Gearan, Thomas, MD, Varaklis, Kalli, MD (2025, October) A Delphi Study to Define Characteristics of Medical Student Professionalism in Rural Settings https://mergecollaborative.org/merge-rela-a-delphi-study-to-define-characteristics-of-medical-student-professionalism-in-rural-settings/

 

Gassman, Katherine, DO (2025, October) Improving Patient Willingness and Consent to Student Participation in Pelvic Exams https://mergecollaborative.org/merge-rela-improving-patient-willingness-and-consent-to-student-participation-in-pelvic-exams/

 

Beaulieu, Peter A., DO MPH RPVI FACS; Jarvis, Jim, MD (2024) Needs Assessment for Rural Maine Vascular Care. https://mergecollaborative.org/merge-rela-needs-assessment-for-rural-maine-vascular-care/ 

 

Bohm, Emily, MSPAS, PA-C, CAQ-EM; Derthick, Annie, PhD (2024) Rural Emergency Medicine Physician Assistant Fellowship: A Needs Assessment. https://mergecollaborative.org/merge-rela-needs-assessment-for-rural-emergency-medicine-physician-assistant-fellowship/

 

LaRosa, Laura, MD; DayBranch, Emma, MPH (2024) Needs Assessment for a Rural Family Medicine Training Program. https://mergecollaborative.org/merge-rela-education-priorities-in-rural-family-medicine-training/ 

Policy Briefs

Fenn, Meredith; Varaklis, Kalli, MD, MSEd, McAteer, Carly, MD (2025) Provider Pediatric Obesity Training and Confidence in Maine: Evaluating updated guidelines and recommendations. https://mergecollaborative.org/merge-policy-brief-2025-pediatric-obesity/

 

Hagenaars, Emma; Jarvis, Jim, MD (2025) Lonliness in Washington County, ME: Addressing social isolation in older adults. https://mergecollaborative.org/merge-policy-brief-2025-washington-county/

 

Lafferty, Hanna; Hoffman, Kathryn, DO (2025) Approaching ACEs as Social Determinants of Health: How children experiencing ACEs are supported in Vassalboro, Kennebec County, ME https://mergecollaborative.org/merge-policy-brief-2025-kennebec-county/

 

Wilson, Harrison; Derthick, Annie, PhD (2025) Fisherman Healthcare Access and Disparities in Hancock County. https://mergecollaborative.org/merge-policy-brief-2025-hancock-county/

 

Anuszewski, Maguire; Jarvis, Jim, MD (2024) Lifestyle & Diet Health in Winthrop, ME: Current resources and understanding diet and nutrition in patient care. https://mergecollaborative.org/merge-policy-brief-2024-kennebec-county/

 

Bigelow, Alexa; Gearan, Thomas, MD (2024) Maternal Health in Rural Maine Counties: Evaluating Access to Care Due to Birthing Unit Closures. https://mergecollaborative.org/merge-policy-brief-2024-maternal-health/

 

Jandreau, Madison; Derthick, Annie, PhD (2024) Transportation as a Social Driver of Health in Aroostook County. https://mergecollaborative.org/merge-policy-brief-2024-aroostook-county/

 

Lopes, Olivia; Hoffmann, Kathryn, DO (2024) Substance Use Disorder in Somerset County, ME: Perspectives of Local Providers and Community Stakeholders. https://mergecollaborative.org/merge-policy-brief-2024-somerset-county/

 

Deschiffart, Abigail; Varaklis, Kalli, MD (2023) Expanding perinatal support for individuals with opioid use disorder in Washington County. https://mergecollaborative.org/merge-policy-brief-washington-county/ 

 

Hibbs, Ryan; Derthick, Annie, PhD (2023) Mental health in Millinocket: Perspectives of local providers and community stakeholders. https://mergecollaborative.org/merge-policy-brief-2023-penobscot-county/

 

Krulee, Robert; Jarvis, James, MD (2023) Bridging the gap: Accessing behavioral healthcare in Lincoln County. https://mergecollaborative.org/merge-policy-brief-2023-lincoln-county/

 

Nussinow, Tyler; Gearan, Thomas, MD (2023) Improving dermatological care in Kennebec County: Reducing the disparity of rural healthcare. https://mergecollaborative.org/merge-policy-brief-2023-kennebec-county/

Maine Rural Healthcare Education Grand Rounds

Paradie, Tara, DPT, MSPT, DHSc (2025, September 12) Master Adaptive Learning


Wehry, Susan, MD (2025, July 11) Cogenerational Learning


Smith, Corey, PsyD (2025, May 9) Coaching the Medical Learner


White, Mary, MD (2025, April 11) Multimodal Training & Mentorship for Forensic Evaluations in Asylum Medicine


Derthick, Annie, PhD (2025, March 14) Evidence-Based Strategies to Improve Learning & How to Implement Them in Medical Education


Bailey, Frank, Ed.D (2025, February 14) Stay Calm, Teach On: Managing Stress While Precepting


Varaklis, Kalli, MD, MSEd (2025, January 10) AI Supported Precision Medical Education


Kimball, Marc, MD (2024, November 8) Models for Medical Education in a Clinical Setting


Picker, Bethany, MD (2024, October 11) Supporting Healthcare Learners with Disabilities


Strout, Kelley, Ph.D., RN (2024, September 13) Wellness and Mindfulness to Increase Retention and Reduce Burnout


Gearan, Thomas, MD (2024, August 9) Navigating Difficult Feedback Conversations with Learners


Stetzer, Rebecca, MD (2024, July 12) Recognizing and Supporting Neurodivergent Traits in Medical Learners


Quirion, Eva, NP, PhD (2024, June 14) Integrating Addiction Care into Healthcare Education


Seymour, Cheryl, MD (2024, May 12) Structural Competency and Migrant Farmworker Health


Hine, Jason, MD (2024, April 12) Time Efficient Teaching


Jarvis, James, MD (2024, March 8) Billing For Things Learners Do (Or How Learners Can Help Your Bottom Line)


Derthick, Annie, PhD (2024, February 9) Competency-Based Evaluation and Assessment


Varaklis, Kalli, MD (2024, January 12) Teaching in the Outpatient Setting

Access Maine Rural Healthcare Education Grand Rounds Archives

Archived Newsletters

Jackman Community Health Center

  • Elective Educational Objective: To provide the GME learner with clinical experience in an isolated rural primary care medical practice with unique additional exposure to acute emergent care, as the nearest emergency departments are 60-90 minutes away, and tertiary care is 2.5 hours away.
  • Rotation Director: Patricia Doyle, MD
  • Rotation Requirements: PGY2 and above
Click here to contact us and apply
Jackman Community Health Center

Franklin Memorial Hospital - Hospitalist IM

  • Elective Educational Objective: To provide the opportunity for rural inpatient care in a 65-bed hospital. Residents will work closely with a hospitalist providing evidence-based quality care in an acute care in a rural hospital setting including managing patients both on the ward as well as in our 4-bed intensive care unit.
  • Rotation Director: Nick Perros, MD
  • Rotation Requirements: Mid-PGY2 or above, Internal Medicine or Family Medicine
  • Job Openings: MaineHealth has many rural physician opportunities. For more information on openings, please contact physician recruiter Donna Lafean at donna.lafean@mainehealth.org.
Click here to contact us and apply
Franklin Health filer

Blue Hill Primary Care

  • Elective Educational Objective: To provide the GME learner with a modern rural general family medicine outpatient practice experience with an interprofessional team of Physicians, Nurse Practitioners, Physician Assistants, Nurses, Licensed Clinical Social Workers, and Diabetes Educators affiliated with a Critical Access Hospital on the Coast of Maine.
  • Rotation Director: Mike Murnick, MD
  • Rotation Requirements: PGY2 and above
  • Open Job Opportunities: Family Medicine Physician (2)
Click here to contact us and apply
Blue Hill Hospital

Megunticook Family Medicine – Direct Primary Care

  • Elective Educational Objective: To provide the GME learner with experience in solo or small, rural, general family medicine, Direct Primary Care (DPC) practice. Megunticook Family Medicine has been an independent DPC practice since 2015.
  • Rotation Director: Brian Pierce, MD
  • Rotation Requirements: PGY2 and above
Click here to contact us and apply
Megunticook Family Medicine

HealthReach Community Health Centers – Geriatrics

  • Elective Educational Objective: To provide the GME learner with clinical experience in care of older adults in a primary care setting, with a particular focus on the diagnosis and management of cognitive impairment. Rotation will include Clinical experience working with patients and families affected by common geriatric syndromes (polypharmacy, advanced comorbid illness, falls/frailty, cognitive impairment, etc), as well as experience in promoting wellness in older adults. Residents will perform focused consultation for cognitive impairment/evaluation of dementia.
  • Rotation Director: Amy Madden, MD
  • Rotation Requirements: PGY2 and above
  • Job Openings: Family Medicine Physician (7)
Click here to contact us and apply
HealthReach Belgrade

HealthReach Community Health Centers – SUD

  • Elective Educational Objective: To provide the GME learner with clinical experience in management of substance use disorders in rural settings using a team-based approach. This rotation will include Clinical experience working with patients receiving SUD treatment at multiple rural health center sites, 1:1 education with addiction medicine specialists embedded in rural health centers, and exposure to team-based model of care working with other professionals at the sites, including Behavioral Health Consultants and Connectors.
  • Rotation Director: Amy Madden, MD
  • Rotation Requirements: PGY2 and above
  • Job Openings: Family Medicine Physician (7)
Click here to contact us and apply
HealthReach Belgrade

Western Maine Health – OB/GYN

  • Elective Educational Objective: To provide the GME learner with clinical experience in a rural, full scope, OBGYN practice. This rotation will provide multiple surgical opportunities each week in addition to a resident-based outpatient schedule which would include: contraception management, gynecological consultation and obstetrical care.
  • Rotation Director: Jeannette Andrews, DO
  • Rotation Requirements: PGY 3 or 4 OBGYN residents or Family Medicine residents with a passion for women’s health and who have performed >30 obstetrical deliveries
  • Job Openings: MaineHealth has many rural physician opportunities. For more information on openings, please contact physician recruiter Donna Lafean at donna.lafean@mainehealth.org.
Click here to contact us and apply
Stephens Memorial Hospital

Franklin Health Internal Medicine

  • Elective Educational Objective: Franklin Health Internal Medicine is a multidisciplinary outpatient clinic providing comprehensive primary care to a large rural catchment of patients. During this unique rotation, trainees will be exposed to a wide breadth of outpatient internal medicine in the rural western mountains of Maine.
  • Rotation Director: Stephen Goss, DO
  • Rotation Requirements: PGY2 or above, Internal Medicine or Family Medicine
  • Job Openings: MaineHealth has many rural physician opportunities. For more information on openings, please contact physician recruiter Donna Lafean at donna.lafean@mainehealth.org.
Click here to contact us and apply
Franklin Health filer

Franklin Health Behavioral Services - Psychiatry

  • Elective Educational Objective: To provide the trainee with a full spectrum outpatient rural psychiatry experience. 
  • Rotation Director: Kristen Mazoki, DO
  • Rotation Requirements: PGY2 or above in Psychiatry, Family Medicine, or Internal Medicine
  • Job Openings: MaineHealth has many rural physician opportunities. For more information on openings, please contact physician recruiter Donna Lafean at donna.lafean@mainehealth.org.
Click here to contact us and apply
Franklin Health filer

Franklin Memorial Hospital – Emergency Department

  • Elective Educational Objective: To gain knowledge in diagnosis and management of a broad variety of pathology in a rural emergency department setting, become comfortable with diagnosing and managing medical and traumatic emergencies in a setting where all needed resources may not be readily available, and learn how to get the patient to the appropriate resources while still providing equitable care for others awaiting treatment and or disposition.
  • Rotation Director: Jodi Conrad, MD
  • Rotation Requirements: PGY2 or Above in Emergency Medicine, Family Medicine, Pediatric, Internal Medicine, and Surgery
  • Job Openings: MaineHealth has many rural physician opportunities. For more information on openings, please contact physician recruiter Donna Lafean at donna.lafean@mainehealth.org.
Click here to contact us and apply
Franklin Health filer

Western Maine Health – Addiction

  • Elective Educational Objective: To Provide the GME learner with a general rural family medicine outpatient practice experience in a multi-physician and nurse practitioner primary care practice with a focus on rural addiction medicine outpatient experience.
  • Rotation Director: Lisa Miller, MD
  • Rotation Requirements: PGY2 or Above
  • Job Openings: MaineHealth has many rural physician opportunities. For more information on openings, please contact physician recruiter Donna Lafean at donna.lafean@mainehealth.org.
Click here to contact us and apply
Western Maine Health

Western Maine Health – Primary Care

  • Elective Educational Objective: To Provide the GME learner with a general rural family medicine outpatient practice experience in a multi-physician and nurse practitioner primary care practice. Western Maine Primary Care is a level three patient centered medical home (PCMH) and a designated Rural Health Center.
  • Rotation Director: Laura LaRosa, MD
  • Rotation Requirements: PGY2 or Above
  • Job Openings: MaineHealth has many rural physician opportunities. For more information on openings, please contact physician recruiter Donna Lafean at donna.lafean@mainehealth.org.
Click here to contact us and apply
Western Maine Health