MERGE Collaborative

03/04/2025

The Maine Monitor recently published this article about the state of maternal healthcare in Maine. The MERGE Collaborative is working hard to create a training program that prepares medical residents to practice obstetrics in our rural areas.

Some rural Mainers are now driving 45 minutes one-way to the nearest birthing hospital, according to a recent analysis.

02/12/2025

This is the last week to apply for the MERGE Internship! For full details, please visit: https://mergecollaborative.org/summer-internships/

02/10/2025

To our colleagues practicing obstetrics in a rural setting - please take a moment to complete this 5-10 minute needs assessment survey: https://forms.office.com/r/tgECM7narr

This survey was developed by Dr. Jeannette Andrews of MaineHealth Stephens Hospital as part of her work with the Rural Education Leadership Academy. This tool is now being used to inform the development of the MERGE Collaborative's Rural Obstetric Training Initiative.

Thank you for your participation and please forward this to other colleagues practicing obstetrics in a rural setting.

01/31/2025

01/03/2025

https://www.mainehealth.org/news/2025/01/mainehealth-receives-hrsa-grant-enhance-rural-obstetric-training

The grant will allow the Maine Rural Graduate Medical Education Collaborative to help address the gap in obstetrical care in rural communities.

10/14/2024

NEW TODAY! The iHELP Maine Platform has been updated. New version can be accessed here: https://mergecollaborative.org/ihelpmaine/

The iHELP Maine platform has been updated to ensure up-to-date resources that best support healthcare educators and preceptors across the state.

Key updates include:
- Featured precepting and teaching resources, including quick links to general resources and refreshers

- Detailed teaching content including information about specific settings and techniques

- Grouped resources, curated by top needs such as population health resources, DEI & cultural humility, research info and more!

- A new “Rural Resource” marker denotes articles
specifically about a rural setting or supporting a rural competency.

The goal is to provide up-to-date content relevant to Maine's unique healthcare needs - especially in rural and underserved communities.

10/09/2024

Look at the amazing work one of our summer interns did! Way to go, Madison!

A Tufts medical student who spent her summer studying health care transportation in northern Maine went above and beyond for a pregnant patient.

05/08/2024

Our May newsletter is here! You can see it online at

Varaklis, Kalli (2023, November 9) The Maine Rural GME Education (MERGE) Collaborative: An innovative, state-wide collaboration to address rural physician recruitment. New England Rural Health Association. Killington, VT, USA. https://mergecollaborative.org/merge-presentation-2023-nerha/

05/01/2024

We are excited to release our first promotional video about the MERGE Collaborative! Thank you to all of our residents and preceptors who shared their experiences. Please share this with any resident or rural clinical site who could be interested in getting involved!

The Maine Rural Graduate Medical Education (MERGE) Collaborative is an initiative to provide high-quality rural elective rotations for resident physicians ac...

04/23/2024

We are looking forward to attending and presenting at the upcoming Health Workforce Summit hosted by the Maine Department of Health and Human Services. We hope to see you there!

01/06/2024

See below for detailed information about this exciting work opportunity for current or aspiring medical students in Maine. To apply, please complete the word document on this page and email it along with an up-to-date CV to david.mclellan@mainehealth.org. All applications must be submitted by Februa...