Ned Claxton

LEWISTON — Maine College of Health Professions has named Dr. Ned Claxton its board chairman.

Claxton succeeds Ken Albert, who has served on the board since 2017 and as chairman since 2020.

“With Ned as our new board chair, we will have incredible momentum in furthering our mission to enrich lives by providing exceptional health professions education,” Dr. Monika Bissell, Maine College of Health Professions president and CEO, said in a news release. “His brilliant career and experience in health care, as well as his unbridled enthusiasm for bettering the lives of others, will strengthen MCHP as we embark on our newest strategic plan. Ned embraces our vision, and he will be a tremendous advocate in assuring that the college achieves its goal of expanding access to high-quality health professions education for Maine and New England.”

Claxton first moved to Auburn in 1978 and opened the Family Healthcare Associates medical practice with Dr. Peter Elias. While there, he taught at the Central Maine Medical Center Family Medicine Residency. In 2001, he became program director of the family physician training program at Central Maine Medical Center, where he supported graduate medical education for more than eight years.

Between 2009 and 2018, Claxton assumed senior physician leadership roles at CMMC and Central Maine Healthcare. He has earned numerous awards and honors.

Claxton served as a state senator from 2018 to 2022.