Maine Governor's Newsletter July 2026
In this Issue:
- A Message from the Governor
- Internal Medicine 2026 ACP Annual Meeting
- Leadership Day – May 12 and 13, 2026
- Maine Chapter Annual Educational Meeting
- Upcoming Events
Laura E. Trask, MD, FACP, ACP Governor
A Message from the Governor
Wow! What an exciting primary voting season here in Maine! At the recent IM 2026 and Board of Governor's meeting in San Francisco in April, colleagues from around the country were commenting on the prominence of Maine politics in the news. It became even more exciting with ranked-choice runoffs, and I am sure will start heating up more over the summer.
There has been a lot of buzz nationally about ACP leading the way by advocating for access to vaccines and educating about the importance of evidence-based science over the past year, following sweeping changes to the US. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). ACP joined several other organizations in a lawsuit against HHS calling for the invalidation of votes and other changes to the federal vaccine advisory panel whose members were selected by Robert F. Kennedy Jr, Secretary of Health and Human Services, after he fired all 17 independent experts who had previously served on the committee. In a win on this, a federal district court stayed the appointments of new members to the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) by Kennedy. The order further stayed all votes taken by the ACIP and the heavily revised vaccine schedule issued by HHS on January 5, 2026.
In addition, ACP's Population Health and Medical Science Committee developed immunization recommendations for Influenza, COVID-19, and RSV using ACP's established rigorous clinical policy development process. ACP also supported the 2026 American Academy of Pediatrics vaccine schedule as an alternative resource for physicians and patients to rely on, instead of the federal government's revised schedule that is not supported by evidence. This year also saw joint statements on concern for the changes to the ACIP charter, protecting the integrity of the United States Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF), and urging the CDC to stop promoting the false and disproven claim that vaccines cause autism.
Never have I been prouder to be a member of ACP. It is more important than ever that we stand up to protect our patients.
Best,
Governor Laura Trask, MD FACP
Internal Medicine 2026 ACP Annual Meeting
The IM 2026 Annual Meeting was held in San Franciso April 16-18, 2026. With over 8400 attendees, educational sessions were varied and interesting, ranging from “Taking Care of the Veteran for the Non-VA Physician” to a review of the new ACC/AHA Lipid Guidelines. Hannah Durant, PGY3, from Maine Medical Center's Internal Medicine/Pediatrics residency, represented Maine well, showcasing her poster on hyperglycemic hemiballismus, a rare complication of severe hyperglycemia in diabetes mellitus. Ross Hilliard, MD, FACP served as faculty on talks about inpatient device management and topics in Health IT.
Steve Hayes and I attended convocation where Christina Kapala, DO FACP marched with us in full college regalia. We were proud to also present Pius A. Osei-Bagyina, MBChB FACP, Kamal Kant Sahu, MBBS MD FACP, Eliza R. Bullis, MD FACP, and Catherine R. Fredricks- Rehagen, DO FACP as new fellows for 2025-2026.
We also enjoyed a fun evening reception at a local restaurant with our New Hampshire Chapter colleagues.
Leadership Day – May 12 and 13, 2026
Doctors Hani Jarawan, Steve Hayes, Ross Hilliard, and I were joined by MMC Chief Resident Amy Courtney, 1st year resident Cory Seehusen, and 3rd Year Tufts School of Medicine student and Council of Student Members representative Alex Cervone in Washington DC for the 34th Annual Leadership Day hosted by the ACP. The Maine delegation was well received by office staff from U.S. Representatives Pingree and Golden and U.S. Senator King. We were especially honored by a conversation with Maine's senior Senator, Susan Collins, and our group made her May newsletter! All were respectful and attentive to the ACP's concerns this year:
- Strengthening and stabilizing the Medicare Physician Payment Fee Scale (PFS)- Asked for co-sponsorship of HR 8163 which would increase budget neutrality from $20 million to $54.3 million and update the threshold every 5 years in the future. This would hopefully prevent having to patch the PFS every year as has occurred in the past.
- Protect and Invest in Primary Care- Asked for co-sponsorship of the REDI ACT (HR 20281 S.942) which would allow residents to defer interest on federal student loans during residency, enabling residents to enter the primary care field with less debt. Our trainees and medical student made compelling arguments regarding this.
- Preserve Coverage for Safe and Effective Vaccinations- Asked for co-sponsorship of HR 5448/S.2857. This would safeguard patient choice and access to vaccines by requiring health plans to offer zero-cost sharing for vaccines recommended by ACIP.
Truly a remarkable learning experience and opportunity to see civics in action!
The Maine Chapter ACP had an outstanding group representing us. L-R: Maine Governor Laura Trask, MD FACP; Hani Jarawan, MD FACP; Ross Hilliard, MD FACP; 3rd Year Tufts School of Medicine student and Council of Student Members representative Alex Cervone; MMC Chief Resident Amy Courtney; 1st year resident Cory Seehusen and Immediate Past ME ACP Governor Steve Hayes, MD MACP
Maine Chapter Annual Educational Meeting
The meeting will be held October 16 - 18, 2026 at the Atlantic Oceanside in Bar Harbor. Watch your email for registration information and be sure to reserve your room by July 31. Atlantic Oceanside is currently accepting lodging reservations for the Chapter Meeting (see instructions at the bottom section). Reservation Deadline July 31st.
Entitled The Climate of Medicine in Maine, this promises to be an especially unique meeting, with the following topics and speakers:
- Public Health in Maine- Puthiery Va, DO
- Taking Care of Underserved Populations- Lori Dwyer, Esq.
- Spirituality in Medicine- Cathy Cadigan, MD, FACP
- Advocacy in Medicine- Hani Jarawan, MD, FACP
- Tick-Borne Illness- Rob Smith, MD, MPH
- Top 10 Health Issues Faced by Maine People- Dora Anne Mills, MD, MPH
- Heat and Air Quality in Maine- Katie Liu, MD, FACP
- Environment for the General Internist- Leslie Gordon, MD, MPH, FACP
- Air Pollution and Cardiovascular Disease- Colin Philips, MD
- Climate Change and the Elderly- Colleen Christmas, MD, FACP
- Infectious Disease Small Feedings of the Mind- Cliff Dasco, MD, MPH
We are building in more social events with a fabulous seafood reception on Friday night, and our Len Keilson Memorial Lecture on Saturday night given by Sam Woodworth, MD, entitled Practicing Curiosity: Incorporating Visual Art into Internal Medicine and Medical Education. There will also be a breakfast on Sunday morning with tables for late and early career physicians, as well as med students, so people can share in like-minded discussions/topics and get advice from others.
We will, as usual, be hosting the widely anticipated resident vignettes and poster competitions.
Online: www.aobarharbor.com
• Click the BOOK NOW button, click on Add Code.
• On the drop-down menu click on Discount Code, then select Group Attendee.
• Enter Group Attendee Name – 26MEACP - and click ADD.
• Details of your group block will appear. Click on SELECT & GO TO THE NEXT STEP. The guest room selection will appear after you enter your arrival and departure dates.
• Please call the hotel directly if you have any questions about booking your room as part of the group, 207.288.5801.
Upcoming Events
SAVE THE DATE: Wednesday August 26, 2026, 6 to 8:00 pm ACP Wellness/Social Event at the Southworth Planetarium at USM's Portland Campus- More info to come in email in early August
Engel Symposium- March 17th, 2027, Dana Auditorium at MMC, both in-person and virtual registrations are available.
ACP Internal Medicine Meeting April 15-17, 2027, at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles, CA- Early Bird rates are available currently through January 31, 2027. Both in person and virtual registrations are available.
I am in talks with the NH and MA governors about doing a webinar series three times per year, featuring a nationally known speaker from each state. More info to come.
If you are interested in serving on the Governor's Advisory Council for the Maine Chapter of the ACP, interested in pursuing fellowship in the college, or have other questions/ideas, please do not hesitate to reach out to me.
Have a great summer!
Laura E. Trask, MD, FACP
207-212-9436