Elizabeth Joyce
Year in program: PRG4
Hometown: Stroudsburg, PA
Undergraduate: University of Scranton
Medical School: Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University
Interests / Hobbies: running, skiing, hiking, crossword puzzles, board games, baking
Favorite place in Maine: Willard Beach (nothing better than going straight to the beach after work!)
Medical interests: Addiction Medicine, care of the underserved
Favorite weekend destination: Hiking at Pleasant Mountain
Favorite Maine activity: it’s too hard to choose between heading to the beach near my house, going for a hike, or enjoying a beer outdoors with my friends at one of the many great local breweries!
Why Maine Medical Center: I was attracted to the strong academic education with a good balance of community feeling and was won over by the chance to live in such a beautiful place and work with great people.
If I wasn’t a doctor, I would be a…Entomologist. I used to do research on tropical butterfly behavior!
Favorite restaurant in Portland: Taco trio (technically it’s in South Portland)
Mercedes Volk
Year in program: PRG 1 (I think…it is a one year fellowship, at the PGY-4 level)
Undergraduate: Trinity University
Medical School: Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
Medical interests: Underserved care, Integration of primary care and addiction treatment, Women’s health
Favorite weekend destination: outside
Craziest / Best / Worst Job: Ranger & Backcountry Ambulance Driver at Philmont Boy Scout Ranch
Why Maine Medical Center: I want to continue my training in a beautiful place with great people
If I wasn’t a doctor, I would be a…proprietor of a puzzle café.
Personal quote: Work-related – ‘Tolerance is a moving target.’ ; Home/#MomLife – ‘It’s hard to be a baby/kid.’
Katherine Badger
- Year in ProgramFEL1
- UndergraduateSmith College
- Medical SchoolTufts University School of Medicine, MaineTrack Program
- Interests / HobbiesHome remodeling, stamp Carving, Dahlia farming, reading books with my daughter
- If I wasn’t a doctor, I would be aFlower Gardener or Reggio Emilia Preschool Teacher
- Favorite restaurant in PortlandGo-to take out is almost always Taj Indian Restaurant
- Medical interestsAddiction Medicine, Perinatal Medicine, Hospital Medicine, Women’s Health
- Favorite Maine activityHiking or Beach Combing
- What did you do before medical schoolA little bit of a lot of things; Planned Parenthood MA, Development Officer for MDI Hospital, Full time nanny for three amazing kids, Volunteer EMT, MMC Emergency Room Clerk, Lots of travel
- Why Maine Medical CenterMaine is my home, even if technically I am from away. It is amazing that we offer an Addiction Medicine Fellowship Training program in an area where it is so needed. I wanted to receive the training in the community in which I hope to practice in the future.
Greg Dudzik
- Year in ProgramFEL1
- HometownChicago, IL
- UndergraduateGrinnell College
- Medical SchoolGeorge Washington University
- Interests / HobbiesHiking, travel, reading the most devastating fiction books (why??), trying new foods, drinking too much coffee and tea
- Medical InterestsAddiction Medicine, Population Health, Medical Education, AI in Medicine
- Why Maine Medical Center?The commitment to underserved communities, diverse clinical sites, and a shared mission with strong mentorship all drew me to the program.
- Celebrity I most resembleAir Bud
- If I wasn't a doctor, I would be aTeacher or Veterinarian
Heather Metcalf
- Year in ProgramFEL1
- HometownAlbuquerque, NM
- UndergraduateUniversity of New Mexico
- Medical SchoolUniversity of New Mexico
- Interests / HobbiesReading, cooking and baking, gardening, and learning new Maine activities
- Favorite Maine activityPicking fresh berries and kayaking
- Medical InterestsAddiction Medicine, Sexual and Reproductive Health, Adolescent Medicine, and Gender Affirming Care
- What did you do before Medical SchoolI worked in public health in various aspects, including providing harm reduction services, HIV and Hepatitis C prevention, and family planning.
- Why Maine Medical Center?I fell in love with Maine during residency and it has felt like home. I am passionate about addiction medicine and perinatal health and wanted to receive excellent training in these areas. Being in an environment that is not only supportive, but with people who inspire me and encourage me to follow my passions.
Michael Smolka
- Year in ProgramFEL1
- HometownLatrobe, PA
- UndergraduateThe University of Florida
- Medical SchoolThe Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University
- Medical interestsAddiction medicine, narrative medicine, health care for patients experiencing homelessness, and medical education
- Interests / HobbiesReading, writing, coffee, and golf
- Favorite restaurant in PortlandThe Great Lost Bear
- Favorite weekend destinationTandem Coffee
- Favorite Maine activityVisiting lighthouses
- If I wasn’t a doctor, I wouldOwn a used bookstore
- Why MaineHealth Maine Medical CenterStrong sense of a shared mission of care for the community