Maine Primary Care Association

11/05/2025

Are you a strategic thinker and passionate advocate who believes every Mainer deserves access to high-quality, affordable healthcare? If so, we want to hear from you!

We are seeking a Director of Government Relations to lead our legislative advocacy, grassroots mobilization, and coalition-building efforts in support of Maine’s Community Health Centers.

In this key role, you’ll develop and advance MPCA’s federal and state government relations strategy, build strong partnerships with policymakers, and empower community health centers to be powerful voices for their patients and communities. You’ll join a collaborative, mission-driven team dedicated to strengthening Maine’s network of Community Health Centers and improving the health and well-being of all Maine people.

FMI: https://mepca.org/job/maine-primary-care-association-maine-18-director-of-government-relations/

If you’re ready to put your advocacy skills to work for a purpose that matters, we invite you to send your cover letter and resume to hr@mepca.org.

11/04/2025

During the government shutdown, food assistance resources are available to help individuals and families in need across Maine. Local food banks, pantries, and community organizations are also stepping up to support those affected, ensuring access to essential groceries and meals. Anyone experiencing hardship is encouraged to reach out to local social service agencies, community health centers, or visit 211maine.org to find nearby food assistance options.

For additional assistance, MPCA has developed the following resource list. This list is intended to provide helpful points of contact. Please note that resources and availability may change daily.

https://mepca.org/member-resources/community-food-assistance-resources/

10/30/2025

Health insurance matters — and open enrollment begins Nov. 1! Visit CoverME.gov to explore your options (or contact your local community health center) and get covered for 2026. FindMyHealthCenter.org

Fall in Maine is all about preparation. Firewood? Stacked. Oil tank? Full. Health insurance? Enrolled.

🍁 Open Enrollment starts November 1st and CoverME.gov is here to help with all of your health insurance questions.
🍁 Worried about cost? Most Mainers still qualify for financial savings to lower the cost of their plan.
🍁 Visit CoverME.gov to learn more and see how much you could save.

Visit CoverME.gov to learn more and see how much you could save.

10/24/2025

That’s a wrap on MPCA’s 2025 Annual Conference!

We extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who made this year’s conference such a success: our attendees, speakers, sponsors, exhibitors, and the incredible MPCA staff. Your commitment, insight, and collaboration filled these few days with inspiration, meaningful conversation, and new ideas to strengthen Maine’s primary care system.

Together, we explored strategies, shared best practices, and reaffirmed our shared mission: ensuring that Mainers have access to high-quality, compassionate care.

We’re deeply grateful for this community of dedicated professionals who show what’s possible when we learn and lead together. Until next year!

10/23/2025

Thank you U.S. Senator Susan Collins for recognizing the importance of the 340B program for eligible providers such as HOMETOWN Health Center and Maine’s Community Health Centers. For over 30 years, this program has increased access to care for Maine’s rural and underserved communities.

10/23/2025

Maine Primary Care Association extends our sincere thanks to this year’s Conference Sponsors. Your generous support makes it possible for us to gather professionally, share knowledge, and offer valuable sessions led by expert speakers from across Maine and beyond.

We deeply appreciate your partnership in advancing the mission of community health across our state.

10/22/2025

Today, we had the honor of recognizing the incredible recipients of MPCA’s 2025 Clinical & Administrative Excellence Awards during our annual awards luncheon. These awards celebrate the outstanding professionals whose dedication, compassion, and leadership embody the mission of Maine’s Community Health Centers: providing high-quality, accessible care to communities across the state.

Our 2025 Annual Awards Winners:
Theresa Knowles, NP Excellence Award;
Joseph Aquilina, FNP-C
Health Access Network

Team-Based Excellence Award;
Behavioral Health Team
St. Croix Regional Family Health Center

General Excellence Award;
Israel Adeloye, DMD, Dental Clinical Director
Penobscot Community Health Care

Holly Gartmayer-DeYoung President’s Award;
Yazhou Zhang, DDS
St. Croix Regional Family Health Center

MPCA Staff Award;
Workforce Team
Emily Ferry, Leslie Lorentzen

👏 Please join us in congratulating this year’s honorees! Their hard work and commitment to excellence strengthens Maine’s health center movement and inspires us all.

10/22/2025

Please join us on Facebook Live at 12:30pm for the 2025 Clinical & Administrative Excellence Awards Ceremony!

10/22/2025

A huge thanks to all our exhibitors for joining us at this year’s Annual Conference! Your presence, expertise, and engagement beings tremendous value to the event. We’re grateful for your continued partnership and commitment to supporting Maine’s Community Health Centers.

10/22/2025

MPCA’s 2025 Annual Conference is off and running with an opening panel discussion celebrating 60 years of Community Health Centers in Maine. 🎉

10/10/2025

Who steps up to provide care when rural hospitals close? Community Health Centers.

This latest report from NACHC’s Dr. John W. Hatch Center for Science and the University of Washington’s WWAMI Rural Health Research Center reveals how rural Community Health Centers (CHCs) deliver high-quality, affordable care to millions of people, often serving as the only source of primary care for as many as 1 in 3 residents in rural and frontier areas. These centers employ 96,000+ staff and contribute $38 billion annually to local economies.

📊 Explore data on rural CHC performance, workforce, and why sustained investment is vital for rural health:

🔗Read the report: https://www.nachc.org/resource/community-health-centers-and-rural-health-essential-access-enduring-challenges/

10/08/2025

At this year’s Consumers for Affordable Health Care HC4ME Conference, Leslie Lorentzen, MPCA's Workforce Program Manager, represented Maine’s Community Health Centers on a panel exploring how FQHCs are improving access to primary, behavioral, and oral health care.

Leslie addressed FQHC initiatives aimed at improving access to primary, behavioral, and oral healthcare. She highlighted the unique model of FQHCs and their efforts to develop innovative workforce solutions, build strong care teams, expand access, and cross-train staff to support integrated care. There were great discussions about the ongoing challenges with clinical rotation availability and the need for greater state investment in recruiting and retaining students and providers in Maine.

👏 Thank you, Leslie, for representing MPCA and Maine’s FQHCs so well.