UNE alum Eliza Currie receives Outstanding Rural Physician Assistant Award
University of New England physician assistant alumna, Eliza Currie, PA-C, has received the Outstanding Rural Physician Assistant Award by the Downeast Association of Physician Assistants (DEAPA).
Currie, a native of Bangor, received her master of science degree in physician assistant studies in 2005 from the University of New England. She completed post-baccalaureate course work in nursing at the University of Montana in Missoula and earned her bachelor’s degree summa cum laude from the University of Maine at Orono where she majored in kinesiology with a concentration in health and fitness. Currie is licensed with the state of Maine and professionally associated with the American Academy of Physician Assistants and DEAPA.
Upon completing her educational goals, Currie launched her personal goal to work with Maine’s underserved population, and with the full support of the medical staff, completed a clinical rotation at Katahdin Valley Health Center (KVHC). Her love of the outdoors and KVHC’s patient mix provide a challenge and a hope to improve the health of underserved community members. Based at KVHC’s Patten medical clinic, she commenced practicing medicine on a full-time basis in January 2007 as a National Service Corps scholar.
“Currie’s heart was to find a practice in a remote rural community where she could enjoy the varied opportunities the Katahdin Region offers outdoor enthusiasts and provide comprehensive primary and preventive care to patients of all ages. Her expertise, warmth and compassion are offered freely to patients, their families and to KVHC employees,” said Holly Gartmayer, KVHC clinical practice director.
DEAPA’s goal is to enhance quality medical care to the people of Maine through a process of continuing medical education to its membership, other health care workers and the general public. It is a constituent organization of the American Academy of Physician Assistants.
Katahdin Valley Health Center (KVHC) provides primary health, dental, substance abuse and mental health care to the people in the Greater Katahdin Region. KVHC employs 65 people at its facilities in Millinocket, Patten, Houlton and Island Falls.