UMaine Institute of Medicine partners with VA Maine to advance services, research statewide
The Institute of Medicine (IoM) at the University of Maine and VA Maine Healthcare System (VA Maine) have partnered to enhance health and medical research, education and clinical care across the state.
The collaboration brings together world-class researchers, clinicians and educators, from one of the nation’s top research universities and one of the leading health care systems for veterans in New England, to address critical health challenges and improve the well-being of Maine’s communities, including its large veteran population.
Initiatives from the new partnership to address the state’s most pressing healthcare issues include expanding services to underserved areas, creating more workforce development programs, launching services designed to address veteran-specific needs and researching new ways to improve rural health, aging, mental health and chronic disease management.
“This partnership represents a significant step forward in our mission to promote health and well-being in Maine,” said UMaine IoM Director David Harder. “By combining the expertise and resources of UMaine researchers with the clinical experience and reach of VA Maine, we are creating new opportunities to address the challenges faced by our communities, especially our veterans.”
Efforts to expand access to healthcare services in Maine include launching mobile health clinics and telemedicine programs to reach rural and remote populations. The development of Veteran-Focused Health Programs will address mental health services, rehabilitation therapies and chronic conditions such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
Joint initiatives for preparing the next generation of healthcare professionals in Maine include training programs, internships and workshops that connect UMaine students with VA Maine’s clinical and administrative teams. Researchers from the IoM and VA Maine are working on collaborative studies to address health disparities in rural communities, explore solutions to the opioid crisis and develop new treatments for conditions prevalent among Maine’s aging population.
“VA Maine Healthcare System is excited to join forces with the University of Maine’s Institute of Medicine,” said Medical Center Director Tracye Davis. “Together, we can improve the quality of care for eligible Maine veterans and make a broader impact on the health of communities throughout the state.”
The IoM and VA Maine are committed to fostering a long-term partnership that advances healthcare access, improves service delivery and contributes to the development of the state’s health and medicine sectors. With the support of local, state and federal stakeholders, this collaboration aims to serve as a model for how academic and healthcare institutions can work together to address complex health challenges.
For more information about this partnership and upcoming initiatives, please contact Harder at 207.581.1533, david.harder@maine.edu; or Dr. Brad Schimelman, associate chief of staff for education and research at VA Maine, at 207.623.8411, Ext. 5844.
Contact: Erin Miller, erin.miller@maine.edu