CARIBOU, Maine – Cary Medical Center and Pines Health Services are pleased to welcome Elizabeth (Ellie) Janitz and Lauren Weller, medical students from the Tufts University School of Medicine’s Maine Track Program, as they begin their nine-month Longitudinal Integrated Clerkships with the Pines and Cary teams.
Offered in partnership with Maine Medical Center in Portland, the Tufts Maine Track Program provides a unique and innovative curriculum that emphasizes clinical training in rural and community-based settings throughout Maine. The program aims to expose students to the challenges and rewards of rural medicine, while also offering experience in a larger medical center environment.
Janitz, a member of the Maine Track Class of 2027, is originally from Plymouth, Michigan, and graduated from Vassar College in 2021 with a double major in Greco-Roman studies and biology, with a particular interest in botany. Her passion for community health was sparked during her time working in rural Alabama, where she collaborated with residents and organizations to improve public well-being. That experience led her to pursue a joint MD/MPH degree to better address both individual and community health needs.
“I fell in love with Maine during visits to close friends while I was in college, and I’m excited to deepen that connection during my time here,” said Janitz. “While I’ll always have a soft spot for emergency medicine, my goal is to serve as a primary care physician in a rural setting. I believe a physician’s role isn’t to dictate, but to help patients make informed decisions about their health by genuinely understanding them—not just physiologically, but as whole people.”
Lauren Weller, a member of the Maine Track Class of 2027, was born in Knoxville, Tennessee, and has called Brunswick home since 2016. She earned her bachelor’s degree in biochemistry with a minor in music performance from Bowdoin College. Prior to medical school, Weller conducted clinical research at Dana Farber Cancer Institute, where she gained deep insight into hematologic oncology and medical decision-making. She also volunteered in music therapy, offering comfort and connection through music to seniors and dementia patients.
“My dream is to practice rural medicine, so I’m incredibly excited for this opportunity to work closely with Maine communities and train with experienced physicians,” Weller said. “This immersive experience is exactly what I need to transform my aspiration into a fulfilling, lifelong career.”
Dr. Carl Flynn, program director for the LIC at Cary Medical Center and Pines Health Services, expressed enthusiasm for the students’ arrival.
“We are thrilled to welcome Ellie and Lauren to our team. Their time here will be filled with valuable, hands-on learning experiences. We hope they gain insights and skills that will guide and enrich their careers in medicine,” said Dr. Flynn.
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 63-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.
