Pines Health Services Named 2018 Master Preceptor By The University Of New England

Caribou, Maine – The University of New England presented the team at Pines Health Services with a plaque in appreciation for their dedicated service and outstanding commitment to the University of New England Physician Assistant Program.

Physician assistants (PAs) are health professionals licensed to practice medicine with physician supervision. Within the physician/PA relationship, physician assistants exercise autonomy in medical decision making and provide a broad range of diagnostic and therapeutic services.

The UNE Physician Assistant program operates on a 24-month full-time calendar, beginning each June with a new entering class. It is built upon a foundation in science and pathophysiology to foster understanding of disease processes and clinical medicine. Evidence-based medicine theory and small group work assist in developing critical thinking skills required to address complex medical and surgical challenges.

“The Pines team has several experienced physicians who are enthusiastic about their profession and have a desire to teach.”
— Lisa Caron, COO

“We are very thankful for this partnership with the University of New England that allows preceptorship to bridge the gap between the classroom and the clinical area where family medicine, internal medicine, pediatrics and obstetrics is practiced. The Pines team has several experienced physicians who are enthusiastic about their profession and have a desire to teach. Role modeling professional interactions at our health centers, demonstrating high quality, compassionate health care, and giving timely and appropriate feedback to the student are ways of fulfilling this role,” said Lisa Caron, Chief Operating Officer at Pines Health Services.

The mission of the University of New England Physician Assistant Program is to prepare master’s level primary care physician assistants to be highly skilled members of the interprofessional healthcare teams. The program is committed to developing clinicians who will provide compassionate, competent and evidence-based patient centered health care to people of all backgrounds and cultures throughout their lifespans. The program places special emphasis on training clinicians who are knowledgeable about the healthcare needs of our aging population and have the skills and passion to provide health care to people in underserved rural and urban communities.