Rural Health Transformation That Works and Lasts

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Rural roots: 60 years of building rural health programs

MCD’s early history is rooted in a fundamental challenge: how to deliver high-quality healthcare across Maine, a rural, geographically dispersed state.

By partnering with local people and organizations, MCD has demonstrated again and again that it is possible to build sustainable programs that have a positive impact on the health and well-being of people in rural communities.

Illustration from September 1976 MCD newsletter.



Strengthening the Workforce

Learn about some of our intiatives related to workforce strengthening:

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Community Health Workers

We are making the community health worker (CHW) workforce more sustainable through our CHW Core Competency Training, Maine-specific apprenticeships, immersive training and more.


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Sickle Cell Disease Training

We worked with the Sickle Cell Disease Foundation to produce online training for healthcare workers to increase their knowledge and skills regarding sickle cell disease.

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Screening for All

We developed dozens of implementation resources that make preventive screening more inclusive and accessible, improving patient experience and accessibility.

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Improving Access to Care

Learn about some of our intiatives related to improving access to care:

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Telehealth Access Points

Telehealth access points (TAPs) at central locations in a community allow community members to access needed health services using telehealth technologies.


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Behavioral Health Access

Through our Technology-enabled Collaborative, Northern Border Rural Workforce program, and more, we're equipping providers with the skills they need to meet increasing demand for behavioral health services.

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Electronic Consultations (eConsults)

The provider-to-provider eConsult system reduces the need for unnecessary specialty referrals and physical trips for specialist visits as patient care is provided by the PCP based on guidance from the specialist.

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Our Approach

BUILDING SYSTEMS & PARTNERSHIPS

We are experienced in hitting the ground running in rural and underserved areas, from building workforce capacities, to quickly and efficiently launching projects and programs with numerous rural health partners.

Our teams arrive with expertise and humility, listening to local community members and organizations to identify responsive approaches and realistic strategies together.

Updates & Resources

Closing the Distance: 60 Years of Strengthening the Health Workforce
Expanding Community-based Telehealth Access Points
MCD Receives Grant from the Philanthropic Arm of Harvard Pilgrim Healthcare, Point32health Foundation, to Improve Rural Community Health
Improving the Health and Well-being of Rural Communities
MCD Awarded CDC Grant to Strengthen Public Health Systems and Services
Stronger Together: New England Rural Health Association Unites with MCD

Meet Some of Our Experts

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Cristina Leal

Community health workers

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Catherine Sanders

Rural behavioral health and evaluation

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Andrew Solomon

Telehealth and digital health initiatives

Contact Us


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