By Barbara Scott
Staff Writer
Dr. Jean-Pierre Michaud and Physician Assistant Scott Walton have joined Pines Health Services and Cary Medical Center’s full-time staff exclusively as of Jan. 3.“We will be providing a complete scope of services including full orthopedic reconstruction, trauma services and sports medicine, through the latest technology providing the highest quality of care, customized and tailored to our patients’ needs,” stated Michaud.
The orthopedic surgeon completed medical school at Laval University in Quebec City, orthopedic residency at the University of Montreal, Quebec; and sports medicine training at the Sports Medicine Institute, at the University of Cincinnati in Ohio. Dr. Michaud has also served as a member of the Sports Medicine Council in Canada and been in charge of medical care for all Olympic athletes for the province of Quebec.
Walton, PA-C, received a Master of Science degree in the Physician Assistant Program at the University of New England, Biddeford and has worked with Dr. Michaud for more than 22 years in the office and operating room.
Kris Doody, CEO Cary Medical Center stated, “Pines Health Services and Cary Medical Center are pleased to welcome Dr. J.P. Michaud and Scott Walton to our full-time staff.”
Jim Davis, CEO Pines Health Services said, “For more than 24 years, Dr. Michaud has been providing the people of Aroostook County with high-quality orthopedic and sports medicine services. It is exciting to have these two medical professionals as full-time members of our team. Dr. Michaud’s addition to Pines Health Services provides an expanded opportunity to serve our communities and help improve the lives of our patients,” he added.
Providing orthopedic surgical services at Cary Medical Center since 1987, Dr. Michaud and Walton will now have their medical offices inside at Cary, providing convenient accessibility for their patients. During the coming year plans are under way to create the Pines Orthopedic/Sports Medicine Center, which will be connected to Cary Medical Center.
“Once established the new center will continue to offer the same sports medicine/orthopedic services that are now recognized throughout the state, providing the highest level of care in the country through multiple disciplines led by Dr. Michaud,” said Walton.
Through tremendous support from the industry, the high-tech equipment that will be used at the Center is already here according to Dr. Michaud. “This is very unique for a small area such as here,” stated Michaud. “These American companies provide support, manpower, training and the equipment that will make this a premiere orthopedic/sports medicine center. Patients will receive the same medical service/care and technology here as compared to Portland or Boston,” he added.
According to Michaud and Walton, the new center will be a “total joint unit,” a highly specialized unit at which pre-op planning, operations, post op, and rehabilitation will be available all together with a specialized nursing/rehab staff dedicated to Pines Orthopedic/Sports Medicine services. Many times following an individual undergoing joint replacement, they are placed on a medical floor but in the expected new Center, patients will remain on a specialized floor under the care of medical staff that only work in the Center (compared to seeing a number of different faces throughout a hospital stay). “From pre-op planning to their return to normal functional lives, patients will receive all necessary care at one quality location, providing a level of comfort both physically and mentally,” he said.
“This is really a powerful change at Cary Medical Center,” stated Bill Flagg, “it speaks highly of the hospital and our board to be on the forefront of this type of technology and providing high quality service to the community and all of northern Maine. We want all residents and especially our veterans to realize that they can come here and receive very individualized and personalized care.”
Dr. Michaud’s expertise includes joint implants, customized for his patient’s size, age and activity level. The sports medicine team also works to provide direct access to school athletic injuries. “If an athlete is injured on a soccer field or on the basketball court, wherever an injury may occur, coaches and staff have immediate access to Michaud’s office at Cary via cell phone communication. An athlete doesn’t have to wait until the next morning to call for an appointment,” said Walton, “they have direct access to our staff and when they get here, we know what’s going on.”
Patients of Dr. Michaud are encouraged to use the main entrance at Cary Medical Center, signs directing to the location of his offices are posted inside in the lobby. Office hours are Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
