BETHEL— The Maine Osteopathic Association (MOA) held its first live event in over a year at the Samoset Resort in Rockport, ME on June 12th to celebrate the awardees of 2020 and 2021.

Richard DeCarolis, D.O. of Bethel, ME received the 2020 Louis Hanson, D.O. Physician of the Year award. The award is presented to a D.O. who has demonstrated a high quality of practice, a compassionate interest in patients and a commitment to his or her community.

Dr. DeCarolis began practicing at Bethel Family Health Center after completing his residency in 1993. He has since offered patients full spectrum care—including xrays, skin biopsies, sutures, mental health counseling and more – services that this rural area would not otherwise have easy access to. Dr. D, as he is known by his patients and staff, is an inspiration to so many and works endlessly for what is right for his patients and the community. In his nearly 30 years in Bethel, he has helped generations of patients live healthy, happy lives.

In addition to his work at the practice, Dr. D rounds at local nursing homes and provides medical direction at area schools. For 20 years, he has also served as HealthReach’s Operational Medical Director, a post he held until the end of 2020. In this role, he approached policies and workflows with quality patient care coming first and foremost.

HealthReach Community Health Centers is a system of 11 Federally Qualified Health Centers in Central and Western Maine, which offer high quality medical and behavioral healthcare to citizens in over 80 rural communities. To ensure access to everyone, HealthReach accepts Medicare, MaineCare and major insurances. In addition, an Affordable Care Program is available to uninsured and underinsured residents, as well as assistance with applications for programs that help with the cost of healthcare and medications, including the Health Insurance Marketplace.

A private non-profit with a 46-year history, HealthReach is funded by patient fees, grants and by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of an award totaling $4,815,606 with 82.2 percent financed with non-governmental sources. The contents are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor are an endorsement by, the HRSA, HHS or the U.S. Government.

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