Sam Poulin, M.D. 

Hometown: Readfield, ME
Undergraduate: Colby College
Medical School: Tufts University School of Medicine
Favorite place in Maine: Popham Beach
Medical interests: Addiction medicine, palliative care
Why Maine Medical Center: I loved my time here as a medical student. The people are friendly and the training is fantastic. Portland is also a great city to live in, and it’s close to family!

Alden Sacco M.D. 

Undergraduate: Appalachian State University
Medical School: Larner College of Medicine at the University of Vermont
Favorite place in Maine: Such a difficult question- probably Mooselookmeguntic Lake or Great Pond (of the Belgrade Lakes) but there are so many beautiful lakes we have yet to explore...
Medical interests: Integrative Medicine, Lifestyle Medicine, Plant-based nutrition, LGBTQ+ Heath Advocacy, and Public Health
Why Maine Medical Center: The winning combination of fantastic faculty and residents in an outstanding teaching hospital, and the emphasis on integrative medicine and social justice within the residency program. And of course...Maine!

Kathryn Stefos, M.D.

Hometown: Lancaster, MA
Undergraduate: Georgetown University
Medical School: University of Massachusetts Medical School
Favorite place in Maine: Portland!
Medical interests: lifestyle medicine, women’s health, disaster medicine, prehospital medicine
Why Maine Medical Center: I loved everything about Maine Med when I visited—the city of Portland, the residency curriculum, but most importantly—the people! I feel so lucky to be able to work and learn alongside such a fantastic and supportive group of physicians.

Kelly King, M.D. 

Hometown: My mom moved around Massachusetts quite a bit when I was a child, but currently lives in Wellesley, MA. My Dad has always lived in Somerville, MA, so I am lucky enough to have two hometowns.
Undergraduate: Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia, PA.
Medical School: University of Massachusetts Medical School in Worcester, MA.
Favorite place in Maine: Pretty much anywhere with a fireplace.
Medical interests: Addiction medicine, women’s health, medical education and dermatology.
Why Maine Medical Center: I felt I had found my people! The variety between the academic medical center and the outpatient clinics made this the perfect place for the comprehensive training I was looking for. I also could not pass up the amazing food and natural beauty in Portland.

Eli Dibner-Dunlap, M.D. 

Hometown: Shaker Heights, Ohio
Undergraduate: Skidmore College
Medical School: Tufts University School of Medicine
Favorite place in Maine: Blue Hill Peninsula
Medical interests: Integrative Medicine, Addiction Medicine, Behavioral Health
Why Maine Medical Center: I spent two years at Maine Med during medical school and this area has come to feel like home. This program is a perfect fit for my interests, the people are wonderful and I’m excited to continue to deepen my community in Maine.

George Eyerer, M.D.

Hometown: Bangor, ME
Undergraduate: University of Maine, Orono
Medical School: Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
Favorite place in Maine: My favorite place in Maine changes with the seasons. In the summer there is nowhere more beautiful than the Maine coast. When the leaves start to change color, my favorite weekends are spent camping in the West Forks. When the snow starts to fly, I cannot think of anywhere I would rather be than skiing at Sugarloaf!
Medical interests: Full spectrum care, LGBTQ health, Global health, & Integrative medicine
Why Maine Medical Center: In my fourth year, I completed an Acting Internship and realized that the program at Maine Medical Center was a perfect fit for me - outstanding people, excellent teamwork, helpful feedback, and plenty of laughs. In this environment and culture, I knew I could thrive. An added plus- it doesn’t get much better than living in Portland, Maine!

Justine Achille

PGY 3

Hometown: Plymouth, Massachusetts
Undergraduate: Georgetown University
Medical School: Georgetown University School of Medicine
Interests / Hobbies: Dancing, reading, eating ice cream
What did you do before medical school: Got a Masters of Public Health in maternal and child health and worked as a nanny.
Medical interests: Health education, advocacy, adolescent health, integrative medicine
Personal goals: To feel like I am an integral part of my community and to be surrounded by people I love.
Why Maine Medical Center: The people- I felt so welcomed and supported from everyone I met at the program. The education- MMC Family Medicine offers the rich outpatient training that I was looking for. The location- I fell in love with Portland at first sight!
If I wasn’t a doctor, I would be a… teacher or a librarian, I love books and inspiring an interest in reading in others!
Personal quote: Make it a great day or not, the choice is yours.

Lauren Boehm

PGY 3

Hometown: North Andover, Massachusetts
Undergraduate: Northeastern University
Medical School: Tufts University School of Medicine
Interests / Hobbies: Spending time outdoors, playing tennis, board games, Boston sports
Favorite Maine activity: Exploring new restaurants and breweries.
Medical interests: Medical education, Cancer survivorship care, Hospital medicine, Palliative care, Adolescent health
Favorite Place in Maine: Drakes Island
Why Maine Medical Center: The people! The residents and faculty at Maine Medical Center are incredible. In addition, MMC offers the unique opportunity to train at an institution that is both a community hospital and an academic medical center.
If I wasn’t a doctor, I would be a… High school history teacher
Favorite restaurant in Portland: OhNo Café for a breakfast sandwich

Nikki Gordon

PGY 3

Hometown: Clayton, North Carolina
Undergraduate: University of North Carolina Wilmington
Medical School: Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM)
Interests / Hobbies: Reading (fiction/non-fiction), hiking, traveling, watching scary movies/thrillers, playing with my cat named Luna, pottery, trying new food!
Favorite Maine activity: Exploring new restaurants and breweries.
Medical interests: Geriatrics and Palliative Care, Global Health
Favorite Place in Maine: Portland!
Personal goals: Learn Spanish and how to drive in the snow!
What did you do before medical school: I worked as a Certified Nursing Assistant for one year at a nursing home, then worked in the hospital for a couple of years while in college.
Why Maine Medical Center: Maine Medical was one of my first interviews, and it by far surpassed the others. The residents and faculty were so warm and welcoming. They truly made me feel like I was home. I love how Maine Medical is an academic center that still gives you that community feel. I also grew up in a rural town, and I have lived in Alabama for the past four years; therefore, I was ready for a huge scenery change!
If I wasn’t a doctor, I would be a… Owner of a cute local coffee shop/book store or a Marine Biologist!
Favorite Maine activity: I love the ocean, so I would say anything involving boating or being around the water!

Elizabeth Joyce

PGY 3

Hometown: Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania
Undergraduate: University of Scranton
Medical School: Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University (VCOM)
Interests / Hobbies: Running, hiking, skiing, crossword puzzles
Favorite Maine activity: Anything to do with the ocean!
Medical interests: Addiction medicine, sports medicine, care of the underserved
Why Maine Medical Center: I was attracted to the strong academic education with a good balance of community feeling and was won over by the chance to live in such a beautiful place and work with great people.
If I wasn’t a doctor, I would be an… Entomologist. I used to do research on tropical butterfly behavior!

Malina Holmes

PGY 3

Hometown: Cheshire, Massachusetts
Undergraduate: Tufts University
Medical School: University of Massachusetts Medical School
Interests / Hobbies: Hiking, Skiing, Traveling, Cooking
Favorite place in Maine: Acadia National Park, I specifically love the Precipice Trail!
Medical interests: Care of the underserved, women’s health, childhood and adolescent health
Favorite weekend destination: The mountains! Whether it’s to hike or ski I love to get outside.
Personal goals: Outside of work, my goals are to hike all of NH’s 4,000 footers and visit all of the national parks in the US.
Why Maine Medical Center: Because the people are amazing, and Portland offers the perfect mix of a small town feel and a major academic medical institution. Also, you can’t beat the opportunities for work life balance with the amazing local community, nearby beaches, and opportunities for hiking.
If I wasn’t a doctor, I would be a… Preschool teacher or a chef.
Favorite restaurant in Portland: Duck Fat

Meg Klepack

PGY 3

Hometown: Ithaca, New York
Undergraduate: Cornell University
Medical School: Robert Larner MD College of Medicine at the University of Vermont
Interests / Hobbies: Sailing, cross-country skiing, bike touring, gardening, social justice
Medical interests: Health policy, social determinates of health, rural family practice, wilderness medicine, palliative care
Favorite weekend destination: The White Mountains
Favorite Maine activity: The Common Ground Fair!
What did you do before medical school: I had a prior career in local agriculture and food systems in Vermont. My claim to fame is that I started the winter farmers’ market in Burlington.
Why Maine Medical Center: Great people and great training in a great place.
If I wasn’t a doctor, I would be a… Dance teacher and a hospital chaplain. And I would solve climate change.

Rebecca Patterson

PGY 3

Hometown: Southington, Connecticut
Undergraduate: Dickinson College
Medical School: Edward via College of Osteopathic Medicine- Virginia
Favorite place in Maine: Bar Harbor!
Medical interests: Preventive Medicine, Health Education, Women’s Health, Underserved Populations
Why Maine Medical Center: I was excited about the strong academic environment, mixed with the tight knit and supportive community.

Brendan Prast

PGY 3

Hometown: Longmeadow, Massachusetts
Undergraduate: College of the Holy Cross
Medical School: University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry
Interests / Hobbies: Playing and listening to music, hiking, tabletop games, cooking, reading
Favorite Maine activity: A tie between exploring breweries and hiking
Medical interests: Preventative health, reproductive justice, women’s health
Favorite weekend destination: Cape Cod
What did you do before medical school: Taught tennis, worked as a research administrator and as a music teacher
Personal goals: Learn to play fiddle.
Why Maine Medical Center: The people and focus on education.
If I wasn’t a doctor, I would be a… Teacher
Favorite restaurant in Portland: Duck Fat
Personal quote: “I am a storyteller, for better or for worse. I suspect that a feeling for stories, for narrative, is a universal human disposition, going with our powers of language, consciousness of self, and autobiographical memory” – Oliver Sacks

Malina Holmes

PGY 3

Hometown: Cheshire, Massachusetts
Undergraduate: Tufts University
Medical School: University of Massachusetts Medical School
Interests / Hobbies: Hiking, Skiing, Traveling, Cooking
Favorite place in Maine: Acadia National Park, I specifically love the Precipice Trail!
Medical interests: Care of the underserved, women’s health, childhood and adolescent health
Favorite weekend destination: The mountains! Whether it’s to hike or ski I love to get outside.
Personal goals: Outside of work, my goals are to hike all of NH’s 4,000 footers and visit all of the national parks in the US.
Why Maine Medical Center: Because the people are amazing, and Portland offers the perfect mix of a small town feel and a major academic medical institution. Also, you can’t beat the opportunities for work life balance with the amazing local community, nearby beaches, and opportunities for hiking.
If I wasn’t a doctor, I would be a… preschool teacher or a chef
Favorite restaurant in Portland: Duck Fat

Emily Vayda, MD 

Hometown: Wichita, KS
Undergraduate: University of Vermont
Medical School: University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine
Favorite place in Maine: Acadia
Medical interests: women's health, family planning, prenatal care and obstetrics, health policy, social determinates of health, reproductive justice, rural family medicine & Transgender Care

Why Maine Medical Center: The community and the people that are a part of it… and very close proximity to high quality coffee and food!

Alena Comella

Hometown: Macedon, NY
Undergraduate: University of Rochester
Medical School: University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine
Favorite place in Maine: Acadia National Park
Medical interests: Sports Medicine, Integrative Medicine, Lifestyle Medicine, Nutrition
Why Maine Medical Center: Everyone I’ve met has been genuinely kind, supportive, and dedicated to helping each other find opportunities to pursue their learning interests. Plus, there are few places in the world as beautiful as southern Maine!

Kelly Horsely

Hometown: Poulsbo, Washington
Medical School: University of Washington
Favorite Place in Maine: I've only visited once but Cape Elizabeth sure charmed me!
Medical Interests: Mental health, Adverse Childhood Events, preventative medicine, procedures, patient education
Why Maine Medical Center: I was drawn to the academic opportunities balanced by the feel of a supportive, tight-knit community. Also, all of the people I met seemed to still have that spark and joy for medicine!

Jacob Fay-Shields

Hometown: Forest Lake, Minnesota
Undergraduate: University of Minnesota - Duluth
Medical School: Medical College of Wisconsin - CW
Favorite place in Maine: Sebago Lake Medical interests: Wilderness Medicine, Preventative Medicine, Sports Medicine, Addiction Medicine, Underserved Populations, Geriatrics, The Whole Spectrum!
Why Maine Medical Center: I continue to be impressed by MMC’s emphasis on education, their inspiring initiatives serving homeless populations, and their amazing community of people. I feel so blessed to be here!

Laurie Merker

Hometown: Somers, NY
Undergraduate: Tufts University
Medical School: Tufts University School of Medicine
Favorite place in Maine: Ogunquit Medical interests: Care of the underserved, Women’s Health, Health Policy, Sports Medicine
Why Maine Medical Center: The people! The combination of a strong academic medical center with the supportive environment that MMC-FM clearly fosters is what I love about the program. I know I will receive a fantastic education with the support of some truly wonderful people!

Toby Nicholson

Hometown: Deerfield, New Hampshire
Undergraduate: Bowdoin College
Medical School: The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University
Favorite place in Maine: South Branch Pond in Baxter State Park
Medical interests: working with people experiencing homelessness, gender care, family planning, sexual health, substance use disorder treatment, harm reduction strategies, medical education
Why Maine Medical Center: I am so excited to be a Family Medicine resident at Maine Medical Center first and foremost because of the incredible community associated with it. This is certainly true within the medical community, but importantly, Portland and the folks that live here inspire me to think broadly about what it means to be “well”. I am excited to consider how we can leverage and uplift the existing social infrastructure and wisdom of community members to advocate for better health for everybody!

Nikolai Renedo

Hometown: Orono, ME
Undergraduate: Tufts University
Medical School: Harvard Medical School
Favorite place in Maine: Baxter State Park
Medical interests: Addiction medicine, lifestyle medicine, integrative medicine
Why Maine Medical Center: I was super excited about an academic program that also feels very integrated into the community, Portland is a wonderful city, and it is close to home

John Royal

Hometown: Ellsworth, ME
Undergraduate: University of Maine, Orono
Medical School: Tufts University School of Medicine-Maine Track
Favorite place in Maine: Bar Harbor
Medical interests: Obstetrics, Palliative Care, Women’s Health, Medical Education, Community education and intervention, Addiction Medicine
Why Maine Medical Center: I chose MMC because of the kind, passionate faculty, amazing residents, and exceptional training atmosphere. Each service that I interacted with during my rotations as a medical student dedicated valuable time to teaching, mentoring, and wellness. Additionally, there is a community atmosphere among the people who work at MMC. Even though it is a large and busy hospital, I always felt like I was part of a large family dedicated to providing excellent care to our patients.