Contact: Valerie Compagna
207 661-6633 / vcompagna@mainebehavioralhealthcare.org
SOUTH PORTLAND, Maine - Maine Behavioral Healthcare (MBH) today announced the appointment of James Wolak, MD as Vice President of Medical Affairs, Intensive Services.
A resident of Falmouth, Maine, Wolak is a board certified psychiatrist who comes to MBH with an extensive background as a psychiatric provider and leader within the MaineHealth footprint. Most recently, he served as the Medical Director of Hospital Psychiatry at Maine Medical Center, a role he held for seven years. Prior to that, Wolak was the Director of Psychiatric Emergency Services at Maine Medical Center from 2007 to 2016.
In his role with MBH, Wolak will lead a team to oversee the delivery of intensive behavioral health services. He is responsible for all aspects of clinical operations, including quality assurance and safety standards. He joins MBH Vice Presidents of Medical Affairs of Ambulatory Services, and Autism and Development Disorders Services, to complete the physician leadership triad at this level in the organization.
“Advancements in technology, increased awareness, and a growing acceptance of mental health issues have created new opportunities to address the many challenges facing our system. MaineHealth’s unification as a system also supports MBH's mission to provide a seamless and compassionate continuum of care. I look forward to collaborating with all MBH team members to promote recovery and the overall well-being of those we serve,” says Wolak.
He is an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at Tufts University School of Medicine. As a patient care advocate, he has developed and promoted strong telehealth services, worked with the Maine Legislature to create sound public policy, and implemented quality initiatives around suicide screening.
Wolak graduated from Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons and trained at New York Presbyterian Hospital Payne Whitney Clinic, where he served as Chief Resident.
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About Maine Behavioral Healthcare
As part of MaineHealth, Maine Behavioral Healthcare (MBH) is a not-for-profit organization serving more than 20,000 children, adolescents and adults at over 30 locations throughout southern, western, and mid-coast Maine, providing a continuum of coordinated mental healthcare from outpatient community offices to inpatient acute care at Spring Harbor Hospital. Learn more at www.mainebehavioralhealthcare.org.
About MaineHealth
MaineHealth is a not-for-profit integrated health system whose vision is, “Working together so our communities are the healthiest in America.” It consists of nine local hospital systems, a comprehensive behavioral healthcare network, diagnostic services, home health agencies, and more than 1,500 employed and independent physicians working together through the MaineHealth Medical Group. With approximately 22,000 employees, MaineHealth provides preventive care, diagnosis and treatment to 1.1 million residents in Maine and New Hampshire. It includes Franklin Memorial Hospital/Franklin Community Health Network in Farmington, LincolnHealth in Damariscotta and Boothbay Harbor, Maine Behavioral Healthcare in South Portland, MaineHealth Care at Home in Saco, Maine Medical Center in Portland, Memorial Hospital in North Conway, N.H., Mid Coast-Parkview Health in Brunswick, NorDx in Scarborough, Pen Bay Medical Center and Waldo County General Hospital in Rockport and Belfast, Southern Maine Health Care in Biddeford and Sanford, Spring Harbor Hospital in Westbrook and Stephens Memorial Hospital/Western Maine Health Care in Norway. MaineHealth Affiliates include Maine General Health in Augusta and Waterville, New England Rehabilitation Hospital in Portland and St. Mary's Regional Medical Center in Lewiston. It is also a significant stakeholder in the MaineHealth Accountable Care Organization in Portland.