MaineGeneral Health

11/04/2025

MaineGeneral was proud to have members of our MaineGeneral’s Peter Alfond Prevention & Healthy Living Center, Harm Reduction and Community Health teams present at this year's Maine Public Health Association (MPHA) Conference!

11/03/2025

From pumpkin-decorating contests to creative costumes, MaineGeneral staff brought smiles to patients - and each other – this Halloween!

11/02/2025

Meet Coral Robinson, PA-C!

Coral treats patients as a member of MaineGeneral Gastroenterology's medical staff at the Alfond Center for Health. A member of MaineGeneral Medical Center's Allied Health Staff, she is certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants. Coral joined the MaineGeneral Gastroenterology staff in August 2025.

Originally from Massachusetts, Coral attended graduate school at the University of New England in Portland, which she considers one of her proudest accomplishments. After graduation, she chose to stay in Maine for its community and lifestyle. She enjoys the quiet country living and being close to both the ocean and the mountains.

To stay healthy, Coral prioritizes sleep and stress management. Outside of work, she likes to spend time with her chocolate lab, fish for bass and fly-fish for trout. She also enjoys hiking, kayaking and spending time with friends.

When asked what brings her joy in her work, she points to the variety in her practice.

“I genuinely love working in gastroenterology (GI) and have worked in the field for about six years,” she said. “I love the variety that GI has to offer and helping patients with conditions that often have a huge impact on their daily life. A lot of GI issues can be hard to talk about, so I enjoy being someone my patients can talk to, feel comfortable with and help get them answers and relief. Being able to see improvements in their quality of life is very rewarding.”

Some fun facts about Coral:

• She was a collegiate swimmer!
• She loves Halloween!
• She is a fan of The Golden Girls!

10/30/2025

As we come to the end of Safe Sleep and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) Awareness Month, remember that all year you can practice .

To ensure an infant sleeps safely, remember the ABCs of safe sleep: All by myself, on my Back, in my Crib. Get more information about safe infant sleep practices at www.nichd.nih.gov.

For more information on our pregnancy and birth services visit https://www.mainegeneral.org/medical-services/pregnancy-birth/.

For more information about the Cribs for Kids® program visit https://cribsforkids.org/. Cribs for Kids® National Infant Safe Sleep Initiative

10/27/2025

Anne Conners, Director of Prevention Services, was recently awarded a 2025 Immunization Champion Award!

This award is presented to one person from each state and recognizes individuals for doing an exemplary job and going above and beyond to promote or foster immunizations in their communities for children and adults.

Anne received her award from Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention Director, Dr. Puthiery Va at an event in Waterville.

Thank you, Anne, for being an ardent support of immunization and many other public health initiatives that improve the lives of Maine people!

10/26/2025

Meet Sara Graf, FNP-C!

Sara joined MaineGeneral’s Allied Health Staff in August 2025 and practices as a board-certified family nurse practitioner at Elmwood Primary Care in Waterville.

“I am passionate about providing accessible, compassionate care, especially in rural communities where health care options can be limited. I take pride in building long-term relationships with my patients, offering comprehensive, personalized care that addresses both physical and emotional well-being. Working in rural health allows me to truly make a difference by improving access, reducing barriers and being a consistent, trusted presence in the community. I focus on preventive care, chronic disease management and patient education—meeting people where they are and helping them live healthier lives.”

Sara is from Maine and enjoys our state’s natural beauty.

“From the stunning, rocky coastline to the peaceful mountains, I love being able to step outside and enjoy the outdoors in every season. Maine gives me the best of everything: the coast, mountains and all four seasons to enjoy it in.”

To stay healthy, she prioritizes health and balance through wholesome nutrition, Pilates, Yoga and taking walks outdoors. “These practices keep me grounded and energized, both inside and outside the clinic,” states Sara.

When asked about her proudest accomplishments, Sara says:

“I am grateful for the diverse experiences and the many people I have had the honor of caring for. Each chapter has deepened my perspective and strengthened my commitment to providing thoughtful, evidence-based care. Becoming a nurse practitioner has been a natural and exciting step within my career. I am honored to continue serving Maine's communities!”

Some fun facts about Sara:

- She loves to travel by car, hitting the road and exploring multiple places in one trip!
- She has a dog named Luger!
- She likes to kayak, bike, swim, camp and snowmobile!

10/25/2025

Jamie Costa, concierge at the Harold Alfond Center for Cancer Care (Cancer Center), was recently awarded the MaineGeneral Excellence at Work Award. The Excellence at Work Award recognizes an employee or team that goes above and beyond to provide the best care and service to patients, families, coworkers and the community.

This is Jamie’s third time being awarded the Excellence at Work Award.

“Jamie is so valued at the Cancer Center, by patients and staff, he not only greets our patients but does so much more to ensure the safety of our patients as well as making sure the patient experience is five stars.”

Jamie received multiple nominations from recent patients, which speak to Jamie’s kindness and caring nature.

“Jamie saw us struggling to walk in and got a wheelchair for us.” Said a recent patient.

Another patient said this of Jamie’s care:

“I walk with a rollator; when I arrived at the Cancer Center it was raining hard. As I got closer to the entrance, Jamie was heading towards me with a wheelchair. He asked if he could help by pushing me and carried my rollator for me. He was so thoughtful and pleasant. To think he knew I was struggling on a wet and windy day, five stars to him!”

Congratulations, Jamie, on being awarded the Excellence at Work Award! Your dedication to your patients and the Cancer Center is so appreciated!

10/24/2025

From planning to near completion, the expansion of the Harold Alfond Center for Cancer Care, set to be finished this spring, has been a labor of love for everyone involved – staff, patients and even the construction crew.

Please enjoy this article that we have gifted to learn more about the Cancer Center’s expansion.

It’s been two years since construction began to add holistic services and programs. The expansion is set to wrap up next year.

10/23/2025

If you’re looking to lose weight, MaineGeneral Medical Center offers surgical and non-surgical options to help you reach your goals!

In these videos, you’ll meet Dr. Joan Kheder to learn more about our non-surgical weight loss procedures, and Jenn, a nurse and recipient of the ESG procedure, who shares her experience through the whole process.

Find more information on MaineGeneral’s non-surgical weight options by visiting www.mainegeneral.org/non-surgical-weight-loss.

10/22/2025

Laurel Waterman Lopez, RN, was recently awarded the DAISY Award for extraordinary nurses. Laurel works as a registered nurse in 2 West at the Alfond Center for Health in Augusta and was recognized at an employee appreciation event, the Star Awards.

Laurel received multiple nominations, which spoke to the high level of care and empathy that she provides.

“She went above and beyond and was very caring and efficient. She never left the room without asking if there was anything else that was needed and asked visitors the same. She is a very caring and an empathetic person.”

A coworker had this to say about Laurel’s care:

“Laurel’s dedication to patient care and her remarkable skills make her an invaluable member of our team. Her gentle demeanor and the time she spends with her patients at the bedside exemplifies the compassion that is at the heart of nursing. She approaches each patient with methodical grace, ensuring that they feel not only cared for, but understood.

“Clinically, she is exceptionally strong. Whether she is on the floor providing direct patient care or taking on the responsibilities of a charge nurse, her flexibility and willingness to step in wherever needed shine through. I have seen her rise to challenges with a positive attitude, always ready to support her colleagues and the team.

“I witnessed her precepting and teaching others with such poise and knowledge. Her ability to share her expertise while nurturing the growth of her peers reflects her commitment to the nursing profession. She is not hesitant to advocate for what she believes is best for her patients, and she speaks up when it matters most.

“She embodies the spirit of teamwork and collaboration. She consistently supports her colleagues and is always thinking about what is best for everyone involved. Her contributions extend beyond her clinical skills; she inspires those around her to strive for excellence. Her hard work, dedication and compassionate care make a significant difference in the lives of our patients and the overall success of our team.”

Congratulations, Laurel, on being awarded the DAISY Award. Your patients, colleagues and MaineGeneral are grateful for you and the level of care and compassion you provide daily.

10/21/2025

Got foot pain? Get answers!

Thursday, Nov. 13 from 5 – 6 p.m. at the Alfond Center for Health, MaineGeneral Podiatry invites you to learn about the advancements in addressing foot pain issues, including non-surgical and minimally invasive surgical options.

Join MaineGeneral podiatrists Michael Kipp, DPM, and Brian Loring, DPM, for a free information session to learn more about your options to address your foot pain.

The event is free, but seating is limited, so please RSVP at www.mainegeneral.org/foot-pain.

10/20/2025

This weekend MaineGeneral was represented at the annual Maine Sonographers Association (MSA) fall conference.

This event, held every October during Medical Ultrasound Awareness Month, connects sonographers from all over the world – this year as far as Zambia!
Thank you to everyone who stopped by the MaineGeneral Health table to chat about career opportunities and the incredible work happening in diagnostic imaging.

Representing MaineGeneral was Chelsea Lathrop, Supervisor, Women's Imaging & Ultrasound and Vice President of the MSA, Brandon Doughty, Recruitment Specialist and many other members of our sonography team.

View career opportunity opportunities for sonographers and more at www.mainegeneral.org/careers.