HOULTON, Maine — Nobody likes to change physicians, but the harsh reality is many doctors today no longer stay at one location for long periods of time.
That trend has slowly made its way to Houlton Regional Hospital, where a number of doctors have left the health care facility. Six months ago, hospital officials were concerned there may not be enough physicians and medical providers in the community to keep up with patients visiting their facility.
But thanks to the efforts of the hospital’s recruiter, HRH officials are now optimistic they will have a full complement of doctors by the year’s end.
“In the last year or so, we have experienced quite a lot of physician turnover,” explained Tom Moakler, CEO of Houlton Regional Hospital. “Some of it we knew was coming, while some of it came as a surprise, but these things happen.”
The internal medicine department was the biggest concern for hospital officials as it affects the largest number of people. The department is set up to house four physicians and one physician assistant. Earlier this year, those four physicians were Ted Sussman, Hassan Abouleish, Steve Raph and Devarajan Manu.
Three of those physicians — Sussman, Raph and Manu — have left the hospital either through retirement or moving on to other health care facilities, which left only Dr. Abouleish and Physician Assistant Matt Cowan for the internal medicine department.
Convincing physicians to relocate to northern Maine can pose a number of challenges, as many are not willing to move to such a remote area, while for others the climate is a big obtacle. Thankfully, due to successful recruiting efforts of Janene Moran, things are looking up for the hospital.
“What we are finding, is the hospital itself is an easy place to recruit to,” Moakler said. “The clinical opportunities here are very good. They like the medical staff and that’s a big selling point. They feel very welcome.”
Moakler said the community is an easy sell as well, but the climate and geographic location can possess challenges.
“There have been some cases where it (geography) has hurt us, but it’s not as much as you might think,” he said.
While many hospital recruiters focus solely on emailing information to prospective physicians, Moakler said Moran “does it the old-fashion way” and calls people.
“What she is able to do by calling is establish a relationship with these people before they come here that you just can’t get from an email,” Moakler said. “So when they come here, there are no surprises.”
Moran explained she is upfront with potential doctors about the weather in northern Maine, particularly in the winter, which has led to a couple of physicians declining to visit. The lack of major retail options has been another deal-breaking point for some.
“It makes a big difference, because if they do come here (to visit) it is because they are really interested,” Moakler said. “The one thing we have difficulty with is, many of these physicians have spouses who want to work as well. That has been the biggest hurdle for us.”
In the internal medicine department, two physicians — James Jiansakul and Alexis Bundschuh — have joined the hospital staff. Dr. Jiansakul joined the staff in September for a three-month stint at HRH and has been “the best received physician” that Moakler has ever encountered.
“The patients love him and the staff love him,” Moakler said. “And the good news to this is, he has agreed to remain as a permanent physician.”
Dr. Bundschuh, a retired physician from New Hampshire, will finish a three-month stay at HRH in December and will then be replaced by Dr. Curtis Hofer, who was a temporary physician at HRH about five years ago. Dr. Hofer has signed on for a six-month assignment at the hospital.
Dr. Solomon Olabiyi, will join the HRH staff on a permanent basis next summer, leaving just one permanent opening in the department.
“We will have some continuity, which is really good,” Moakler said. “We should have a full complement very soon.”
The pediatrics department is set up for three and one-half providers and, in the past, featured Dr. Rosalinda Maraya, Dr. Ray Byers and Dr. Suzanne Nelson, along with Larry Tonzi, nurse practioner. Tonzi has retired and Dr. Nelson has moved on to new hospital.
“We have two new pediatricians coming, Dr. Joe Fahey, who starts in December, and Dr. Adwoa Manu-Boateng, who will start next summer,” Moakler said.
The OB/GYN department is a two-physician practice that includes Dr. Robert Mosenfelder and Dr. Euy-Kyung Hong. Moakler said Dr. Hong is leaving in mid-December for York, Pa. Dr. Kimberly Mays de Perez, who is presently working at Mayo Regional Hospital in Dover-Foxcroft, will replace her.
The surgical department features surgeons Santiago Duy and Khalid Husain, with Dr. Donald Metzger filling in as needed. Dr. Husain left in August, creating a vacancy, which has been filled by Dr. Patrick Kiefer for a six-month period.
“The important thing is there has been no drop in service in the surgical department,” Moakler said. “And we now have six months to recruit for our next surgeon.”
The urology department has two doctors — Robert Bohus and John Russell — who will have alternating schedules at HRH. Dr. Bohus has been providing services at Millinocket Regional Hospital and contacted HRH to see if they needed any assistance.
In the family practice department, Dr. Donald Brushett is retiring in December. Janet Parker, who is Dr. Brushett’s wife, currently works 20 hours a week, but has agreed to come on full-time. Dr. Martha Stewart is the only other physician in family practice.
“This one has been the toughest to fill,” Moakler said. “We have not received a single resume.”
