University of New England

UNECOM alum is first osteopathic physician and female to become president of Maine Medical Center staff 

The newly-elected president of the Medical Staff  at Maine Medical Center is breaking new ground at Maine’s largest hospital.

University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine alumna Jacquelyn B. Cawley, D.O. '89,  is the first woman to hold the position, and also the first osteopathic physician to lead the medical staff. 

Dr. Cawley, at 42, is also one of the youngest physicians ever elected to the position.  In her new role, in which she will be compensated by both the hospital and the medical staff, Dr. Cawley will lead the largest medical staff in Maine.  She will devote a significant portion of her time to the role, including being a member of both the senior management team at MMC and the hospital’s board of trustees.

Dr. Cawley is currently vice president of population health at Martin’s Point Health Care in Portland, a position she will retain during her term as president of the medical staff.

She is a graduate of the State University of New York at Buffalo and UNECOM.  She did post-graduate training at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey before returning to Maine as a board certified Family Practice physician.  Dr. Cawley previously worked in the MMC Family Practice Department, and served as assistant chief of the department from 2001-2005.

“It has been most impressive to witness Dr. Cawley's rapid growth as a physician leader in our organization,” said George L. Higgins III, MD, MMC vice president for medical affairs.  “Her many talents and skills serve her well, and she is always guided by what is best for our patients and their families.  Jackie has been an inspirational role model for many.”

Dr. Cawley is well aware of the historical significance of her election.  The medical staff at MMC was predominantly allopathic until 1996.  Since then, many DO's have joined their MD colleagues to accomplish the clinical, educational, and research goals of the institution.

“If you had told me when I came to Maine in 1985 if I would ever hold this position, I wouldn’t have believed you,” she said.  “When I was a medical student at UNE, we couldn’t even come into MMC and do rounds with the physicians.  The times are much different now, and I’ve enjoyed the respect of my colleagues as I’ve served on the medical staff credentials committee and executive committee.”

(Press release issue Dec. 6, 2005 - courtesy of Maine Medical Center)