Cary Medical Center and Pines Health Services welcome two LIC program participants

11 months ago

CARIBOU, Maine — Cary Medical Center and Pines Health Services are excited to announce the arrival of participants in the Maine Track MD Program, Nicolas Donaldson and Kayla Bronzo, to the Cary and Pines team for their nine-month Longitudinal Integrated Clerkships.

In partnership with Maine Medical Center in Portland, Tufts University School of Medicine offers a Maine Track for applicants who are interested in a unique, innovative curriculum that includes clinical training experiences in Maine. The Maine Track exposes medical students to the unique aspects of rural practice as well as training in a medical center. 

Nicolas Donaldson, Maine Track Program Class of 2025, grew up in Brownsville, Vermont. He attended the University of Otago in Dunedin, New Zealand, where he received a bachelor of science degree in microbiology. During his undergrad, Donaldson developed a passion for research while working in the Fineran Lab on novel CRISPR Cas systems.

After graduation, he moved to Boston and worked as a researcher at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (Weinstock Lab), studying a recurrent mutation in a subset of peripheral T-cell lymphoma. 

“I chose the Maine Track because it will train me to practice academically driven medicine in the type of rural New England community I was raised in and seek to serve,” said Donaldson. 

Kayla Bronzo, Maine Track Program Class of 2025, was raised in Corte Madera, California. She graduated from Colorado College with a bachelor of science degree in geology, while also pursuing her premedical requirements. As an undergraduate, Bronzo spent time working at both an ER and an Urgent Care facility, solidifying her desire to become a physician.

“I chose the Maine Track because I felt the irresistible pull to both rural settings and the field of medicine, and dream of combining those passions. I don’t just want medicine to be my profession, but also to be my posture, the way I serve others. I believe the single-minded focus on rural medicine will help me grow into the person that is able to make my dreams a reality,” said Bronzo.

“We’re so excited to have Nick and Kayla on board with Cary and Pines. It’s our hope that they takeaway valuable information that can be carried with them and implemented as they continue their medical career journey,” said Dr. Carl Flynn, program director, LIC. 

Pines Health Services is a non-profit, community-based multi-specialty physician practice serving the residents of northern and central Aroostook County. Pines providers are committed to excellence in patient-centered health care and to improving the lives of those we serve. Our team of providers, nurses and support staff are actively engaged in advancing the health and wellness needs of people in the County, with a special focus on the unserved and underserved.

Cary Medical Center is a 65-bed acute care hospital well known for its patient-centered services. We are a community of providers committed to excellence in healthcare and to improving the lives of those we serve. We are actively engaged in advancing the health and wellness needs of people in Aroostook County, including the unserved and underserved. Cary Medical Center and Pines Health Services are equal opportunity providers and employers.