Providing healthcare and more in the Bucksport/Ellsworth region
Celebrating 50 years of Service in 2024
Family Medicine
Family Medicine Physicians
Family Medicine Physicians have unique attitudes, skills, and knowledge that qualify them to provide their patients with consistent, comprehensive medical care, health maintenance, and preventative services. Family Physicians see patients from birth throughout their lives.
Relationships with Family Physicians are important to ensure you are receiving well-coordinated, comprehensive care by someone who knows you best. You will hear us calling them a PCP—Primary Care Provider.
Thus, the term “Patient-Centered Medical Home.” We are the home base for your care. A strong relationship with your PCP can help to improve your health and well-being to the greatest extent possible.
Your Family Physician (PCP) is best qualified to assist you and serve as your advocate while navigating a complex healthcare system. They assist you with referrals to specialists, internal and external health services, and community resources.
Osteopathic Physicians (D.O.)
Osteopathic Physicians are licensed at the state level and are eligible for board certification, the same as the M.D. (Medical Doctor). They have completed four years of medical school and can practice any specialty. Osteopathic Physicians receive an additional 300-500 hours of training in hands-on manual medicine and the body’s musculoskeletal system.
Osteopathic Physicians believe a patient’s history of illness and physical trauma are written into the body’s structure. A highly developed sense of touch allows the D.O. to feel the patient’s living anatomy and provide care through the flow of fluids, motion, the texture of tissue, and structural make-up. Osteopathic physicians are PCP’s the same as Family medicine physicians.
Nurse Practitioner (N.P.)
Nurse practitioners undergo lengthy, rigorous national certification, periodic peer review, clinical outcome evaluations, and adhere to a code for ethical practice. They are self-directed. Their continued learning and professional development are also essential to maintaining clinical competency.
Nurse practitioners have a unique holistic emphasis on the health and well-being of the whole person, and not just the disease. They focus on health promotion, disease prevention, health education, and counseling. They assist you with making smarter health-related choices, better lifestyle choices, and reducing out-of-pocket costs. Nurse Practitioners are also PCPs
Physician Assistant (P.A.)
A PA is a nationally certified and state-licensed medical professional. PAs practice medicine on health care teams with physicians and other providers. They often function as a primary care provider to follow your care.
A PA can take your medical history, conduct physical exams, diagnose and treat illnesses, and order and interpret tests. They develop treatment plans, counsel on preventive care, and write prescriptions
Care Coordinator
As part of our Patient-Centered Medical Home, we have a team of RNs who are called “Care Coordinators.” They do exactly that. They coordinate your care and health needs between visits to your doctor.
Not all patients qualify for care coordination services, which typically, are reserved for the highest risk patients. The Care Coordinators will call you after an Emergency Department visit or hospital stay to see what needs you have following that event. They may also maintain contact with you to help monitor and implement the care plan made for you by your PCP.
RN Care Coordinators can assist with helping you to find necessary community resources or other healthcare resources. They can help to make your experience one that focuses on your greatest level of health and well-being.