Elizabeth Joyce
Year in program: PRG4
Hometown: Stroudsburg, PA
Undergraduate: University of Scranton
Medical School: Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University
Interests / Hobbies: running, skiing, hiking, crossword puzzles, board games, baking
Favorite place in Maine: Willard Beach (nothing better than going straight to the beach after work!)
Medical interests: Addiction Medicine, care of the underserved
Favorite weekend destination: Hiking at Pleasant Mountain
Favorite Maine activity: it’s too hard to choose between heading to the beach near my house, going for a hike, or enjoying a beer outdoors with my friends at one of the many great local breweries!
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 a…Entomologist. I used to do research on tropical butterfly behavior!
Favorite restaurant in Portland: Taco trio (technically it’s in South Portland)
Mercedes Volk
Year in program: PRG 1 (I think…it is a one year fellowship, at the PGY-4 level)
Undergraduate: Trinity University
Medical School: Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
Medical interests: Underserved care, Integration of primary care and addiction treatment, Women’s health
Favorite weekend destination: outside
Craziest / Best / Worst Job: Ranger & Backcountry Ambulance Driver at Philmont Boy Scout Ranch
Why Maine Medical Center: I want to continue my training in a beautiful place with great people
If I wasn’t a doctor, I would be a…proprietor of a puzzle café.
Personal quote: Work-related – ‘Tolerance is a moving target.’ ; Home/#MomLife – ‘It’s hard to be a baby/kid.’
Thair Al-Ameri
- Year in ProgramFEL1
- HometownBaghdad. Iraq
- UndergraduateUniversity of Al Mustansiriyah College of Medicine
- Medical SchoolUniversity of Al Mustansiriyah College of Medicine
- Interests / HobbiesSpending quality time with family and friends, watching stand-up comedy, playing soccer, eating Mediterranean food, outdoor activitiese, going to the beach, listening to music
- Medical InterestsAddiction Medicine, Pain Medicine, Preventive Medicine
- What did you do before Medical SchoolHelped my father in his civil engineering projects and construction
- Why Maine Medical Center?I am drawn to Maine Medical Center because its environment offers a meaningful shift from the busy, often overwhelming nature of the city, where I can embrace myself in a more thoughtful and close-knit community. Especially with the program's focus on mentorship and its ability to provide comprehensive care for the underserved, I believe I can receive valuable training whilst also making a difference
Matthew Braun
- Year in ProgramFEL1
- HometownCape Elizabeth, ME
- UndergraduateUniversity of Southern Maine
- Medical SchoolPacific Northwest University of Health Sciences
- Favorite restaurant in PortlandHard to choose just one - Tu casa, Guerrero Maya, Mi Sen, or Saeng Thai, Gilberts Chowder House, Po' Boys and Pickles, Bayou Kitchen, and Tandoor
- Favorite Place in MaineSo many beautiful places along the coast
- Medical InterestsSubstance Use Disorders, Advocacy, Rural health, Mental Health, and Pain Medicine
- What did you do before Medical SchoolAdvocacy, community organizing and education about substance use disorders throughout Maine
- Why Maine Medical Center?Maine has been my home since I was 5 years old, and I went into medicine to better help people in Maine and particularly those with SUD. I'm thrilled to continue my training here at home
Tejas Kumar
- Year in ProgramFEL1
- HometownHouston, TX
- UndergraduateRice University
- Medical SchoolBaylor College of Medicine
- Interests / Hobbiescharcoal drawing, finding the best happy hour deal, a good techno/house dj set, i watch a lot of gymnastics and figure skating
- Favorite restaurant in PortlandBoda
- Personal quote“ohhhhhh my god u only had a iced coffee to eat today? Should we tell everyone?Should we throw a party? Should we invite bella hadid” - twitter user @freshhet
- Favorite Place in MaineI'm still working on narrowing it down! I’d probaby say a lazy summer afternoon on eastern prom is up there
- Medical InterestsGender affirming care, HIV/HepC treatment, contingency management and street medicine.
- Favorite weekend destinationIDK, probably somewhere warm
- What did you do before Medical SchoolI went straight from undergrad, but I majored in Studio Art and I was a barista through college and med school
- Best/worse jobi loooved being a barista, I might still go back part time as an attending
- Why Maine Medical Center?Large hospital with exposure to wide variety of addiction-related pathology in various levels of care. Located in a walkable small city with lots of nature locally. Also I love oysters.
Katie Stevenson
- Year in ProgramFEL1
- HometownEwing, NJ
- UndergraduateBates College
- Medical SchoolTufts University School of Medicine Maine Track Program
- Interests / HobbiesStand up paddle boarding, triathlons, surfing, bike packing
- Favorite restaurant in PortlandMother India in Lewiston
- Favorite Place in MaineWaldoboro, ME
- Medical InterestsRural Family Medicine, Addiction Medicine, Perinatal & Obstetrical care, carceral medicine, public health
- Favorite weekend destinationIsland hopping the Maine Island Trail
- What did you do before Medical SchoolLots of things, but most immediately before medical school I worked as a ski ounselor for 4-7 year olds at a ski resort in Colorado
- Why Maine Medical Center?While I didn't grow up in Maine, Ive now called Maine home for many years. Across those years, Ive had the opportunity to work in parternship with many individuals in Maine's recovery community and the power of their advocacy across our big little state never ceases to amaze me. Theres no place I'd rather do my addiction medicine training than alongside this incredible community.
- If I wasn’t a doctor, I would be aKindergarden Teaher