Doctors, nurses, public health experts, and former state health commissioners endorse Pingree’s vision for a healthier Maine
NORTH HAVEN, ME — A broad coalition of Maine health care professionals, including physicians, nurses, behavioral health specialists, former state health commissioners, and legislative health leaders, today announced their formal endorsement of Hannah Pingree for Governor.
These trusted voices in Maine’s health care community bring decades of experience caring for patients, managing hospitals and health systems, and shaping public health policy. They praised Hannah’s collaborative leadership, her deep understanding of health care challenges across Maine, and her commitment to ensuring affordable, accessible care for every Mainer.
“Maine families are paying too much for care that isn’t always there when they need it,” said Hannah Pingree, Democratic candidate for Governor and former Speaker of the Maine House. “And the Trump Administration is making it harder for families to get care, with Medicaid cuts, attacks on public health programs and spreading dangerous misinformation. I’m honored to have the support of the doctors, nurses, and health leaders who know this system can be better and I’ll use their guidance and experience to fight back on behalf of Maine families. As governor, I’ll take on the big insurance companies, fight for a public health insurance option, and make sure every Mainer, no matter where they live, has access to affordable, high-quality care.”
Hannah served as House Chair of the Joint Committee on Health & Human Services from 2005 – 2006 and has a record of leadership in expanding health access, public health, children’s health, and lowering prescription drug prices. Through her leadership at the Governor’s Office of Policy Innovation and the Future, her team led opioid and response, restarted the Children’s Cabinet, started a new Cabinet on Aging, and led on public health issues related to climate changes and the environment.
“I spent decades caring for patients in Maine, and I know how much is at stake,” said Dr. Linda Sanborn. “Hannah Pingree shares that commitment to our communities. She listens, she understands, and she will fight to make care more affordable and reliable for the people who live here.”
Endorsers include:
- Rep. Michael Brennan, M.A. LCSW – Portland
- Barbara Crowley, MD – Manchester
- Hon. Tim Driscoll, RN — Westbrook
- Eve Hadley, Certified Nurse Midwife – Rockport
- Thomas Hibbert, LADC – Randolph
- Evelyn Kieltyka, MSN, FNP-BC – Winthrop
- Lisa Letourneau, MD, MPH – Portland
- Amy Madden, MD – Rome
- Susan Mann, RN – Portland
- Casey MacVane, MD – Yarmouth
- Dora Mills, MD, MPH – Former Maine Center for Disease Control Director – Portland
- Lisa Miller, MPH – Somerville
- Roy Miller, MD – Somerville
- Timothy Pieh, MD – Rome
- Hon. Linda Sanborn, MD – Gorham
- Eric Schenk, DO – Rockport
- Sarah Squirrell, MS – Wells
- Lois Skillings, RN, MSN, FACHE – Brunswick
- Gordon H. Smith, Former Executive Vice President, Maine Medical Association – Winthrop
- Ronald Springel, MD – Scarborough
- Erik Steele, DO – Yarmouth
- Puthiery Va, DO – Brunswick
- Cornelius Yetman, DO – Hope
- Julian Kuffler, MD, MPH – Mount Desert
- Elisabeth Fowlie Mock, MD, MPH , FAAFP – Bangor
- Art Blank, Former CEO/President of MDI Hospital – Bar Harbor
- David Wennberg, MD, MPH – Cape Elizabeth
- Judith Graber, PhD, Professor, Rutgers University School of Public Health – Hallowell
- Paul Kuehnert, DNP, RN, CPH, FAAN, former Deputy Director, Maine CDC – Hallowell
- Jay Naliboff, MD – Chesterville
- Christopher Smith, MD – Strong
- Connie Adler, MD – Chesterville
- Dick Young, MD – Vinalhaven
- Michael Lambke, MD – Skowhegan
- Joseph Alexander, MD – Scarborough
- David McDermott, MD, MPH – Dover-Foxcroft
- Noah Nesin, MD – Bangor
Also endorsing:
- Chairs of the Maine Legislature’s Health and Human Services Committee: Rep. Michele Meyer, RN, and Sen. Henry Ingwersen
- Former Maine DHHS Commissioners: Brenda Harvey and Jeanne Lambrew
“Maine’s next governor must understand both the policy and the people, someone who can bring clinicians, patients, and communities together to strengthen care, improve access, and make smart, sustainable investments,” said Gordon H. Smith, former Executive Vice President of the Maine Medical Association. “Hannah Pingree is the only candidate that has the vision, empathy, and experience to lead us forward.”
As governor, Hannah will take bold action to fix Maine’s health care system, fight for lower costs, expand access, and give families real choices. More health care leaders are expected to join this growing coalition. For more information on Hannah Pingree’s campaign, visit www.hannahforgovernor.com.
