Maine’s governor is honoring the contributions of the state’s only medical school and its graduates by proclaiming April 15 through April 21 National Osteopathic Medicine Week in Maine.
Gov. Janet Mills announced the proclamation on Monday, recognizing the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine (UNE COM) as a premier osteopathic medical institution and acknowledging the work of Maine’s 1,200 osteopathic physicians to improve the health of their communities through patient-centered care.
More than 186,000 osteopathic physicians practice across the United States, accounting for more than 11% of all physicians. Nearly 4,000 UNE COM alumni serve the citizens of Maine, New England, and the nation.
UNE COM is the No. 1 provider of physicians for the state of Maine. Of its graduates, 67% practice in primary care fields — including pediatrics, family medicine, internal medicine, and OB-GYN — compared to just 32% at other medical schools.
Advertisement
The UNE College of Osteopathic Medicine boasts an impressive residency placement rate. In March, 163 students in the Class of 2024 matched to residencies — 99% of all students.
The college also bested, by far, the national averages for both allopathic medical schools (93.5%) and other osteopathic medical schools (92.3%). In addition to primary care disciplines, graduates will undertake residencies in emergency medicine, general surgery, and psychiatry, among others.
UNE COM will soon be able to graduate more doctors — 200 per year — with the relocation of the College of Osteopathic Medicine from Biddeford to the Portland Campus for the Health Sciences. The campus will unite UNE’s health professions programs into an interprofessional learning community that is unique in New England, aiming to empower the next generation of world-class health care providers in a single location.
The new home of UNE COM, the Harold and Bibby Alfond Center for Health Sciences, is expected to open in fall 2025.
The College of Osteopathic Medicine is Maine’s only medical school and has been ranked in the Top 10 medical schools where graduates are most likely to match with their first-choice residency program. The college is ranked in the Top 20 medical schools nationwide for producing primary care residents and is included in the 2023 Best Medical Schools for Research by U.S. News and World Report.
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Maine Democrat Graham Platner has picked up another high-profile endorsement in his bid to flip a key Senate seat blue, marking another sign of the oyster farmer and combat veteran’s political resiliency even as he continues to face controversy throughout his campaign.
Arizona Democrat Ruben Gallego announced Monday that he was backing Platner, saying that the first-time candidate “reflects the grit and independence that defines Maine.”
“Graham Platner is the kind of fighter Maine hasn’t seen in a long time, someone who tells you exactly what he thinks, doesn’t owe anything to the special interests, and wakes up every day thinking about working families,” said Gallego, who won a Senate seat in Arizona in 2024 by more than 2 points while Trump carried the state by nearly 6 points.
Platner has previously been endorsed by Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, an independent who caucuses with Democrats, and New Mexico Sen. Martin Heinrich, a Democrat.
Advertisement
However, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has endorsed Platner’s main opponent, Maine Gov. Janet Mills.
Both Platner, 41, and Mills, 78, are hoping to unseat Republican Sen. Susan Collins, 73, a five-term incumbent who announced last month that she was running for another term. A victory in Maine is crucial for Democrats’ efforts to take back control of the Senate. The Democratic Party needs to net four seats to retake the Senate majority, and they are aiming to do that in Maine, North Carolina, Alaska and Ohio.
READ MORE: Maine’s Graham Platner thinks voters will overlook his past to support a new type of candidate
Platner has gained traction with his anti-establishment image and economic equality message. He’s pressed forward despite controversies over old social media posts and a tattoo resembling a Nazi symbol, which he recently had covered up.
Gallego is among the Democrats named as possible 2028 presidential contenders. Last fall, he stumped in New Jersey, Virginia and Florida, where he campaigned for Democrats who went on to win their elections.
Advertisement
“I have an immense amount of respect for him and I’m looking forward to joining him as a fellow Marine and combat infantryman in the U.S. Senate,” Platner said in a statement.
Kruesi reported from Providence, Rhode Island.
A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy.
On March 2, Spurwink will join community partners for a special viewing of Building Hope: Ending Homelessness in Maine at the University of Southern Maine’s McGoldrick Hall.
Directed by Richard Kane and produced by Melody Lewis-Kane, the film shines a compassionate light on the realities of Maine’s homelessness crisis. Through deeply personal stories, Building Hope explores the challenges faced by unhoused individuals and families, while highlighting the hope that emerges when communities come together to create solutions. It’s been praised for its honesty, dignity, and inspiring message: change is possible when we work together.
Following the screening, a panel of local leaders and advocates will discuss the film and the ongoing effort in Maine to end homelessness. Panelists will include Katherine Rodney, Director of Spurwink’s Living Room Crisis Center; Cullen Ryan, Chief Strategic Officer at 3Rivers; Donna Wampole, Assistant Professor of Social Work at USM; and Preble Street staff. Catherine Ryder, Spurwink’s Senior Director of Strategic Initiatives, will bring her expertise in trauma-informed care and community collaboration to the panel as the moderator.
Keon Johnson had 21 points and 10 rebounds as the Maine Celtics defeated the Windy City Bulls 122-87 in an NBA G League game on Sunday afternoon at the Portland Expo.
Hason Ward scored 16 points and Jalen Bridges 14 for Maine (13-15), which had seven players score in double digits. Bridges drained four 3-pointers for the Celtics, who shot 13 for 28 (46.4%) from beyond the arc.
Max Shulga dished out 11 assists and scored nine points.
Maine led 33-18 after one quarter 72-36 at halftime.
Advertisement
Keyshawn Bryant scored a game-high 25 points for Windy City (12-12).
