Central Maine Family Medicine Residency earns key accreditation

Members of Central Maine Medical Center’s Family Medicine Residency team, whose names were not provided for publication, pose at the Lewiston hospital. The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education has accredited the program, which requires the team to submit extensive data, including patient encounters, procedures and research. The team cares for more than 20,000 patients per year.

LEWISTON — Central Maine Medical Center’s Family Medicine Residency program recently received reaccreditation by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education.

Taking care of more than 20,000 patients a year, the residency team is required to submit extensive data on patient encounters, procedures, research and more. In order to pass the accreditation criteria, they have to follow very specific rules and regulations to remain in compliance.

“It shows the work the residents, faculty and staff have done to ensure the program provides safe, quality care to patients in our community, as well as our commitment to medical education excellence,” Dr. Bethany Picker, program director, said.

“We work with patients in Rumford and a large, underserved population in greater Lewiston-Auburn. Many of these people struggle with multiple medical issues and limited access to health care. This accreditation is evidence that these neighbors of ours are receiving a level of care they deserve and may not otherwise receive.”

Twenty-two residents are in the three-year program. The training program is directed by Dr. Picker. Annie Derthick and Dr. Kara Callahan are associate program directors.