Pediatric coverage to stay strong
as PBMC says goodbye to two doctors

Physician recruiting continues this summer as Penobscot Bay Medical Center seeks a second new pediatrician to serve Midcoast patients.

Dr. Edna Sayat and Dr. Alison Faulkingham will be leaving practice this summer. Dr. Sam Lew, experienced in both general pediatrics and pediatric hematology-oncology, will be taking over Dr. Faulkingham's practice.

"Both Dr. Sayat and Dr. Faulkingham have served the community very well with their skillful and compassionate care, and we wish them the best with their new endeavors," said Dr. Dana Goldsmith, pediatrician, and vice president for medical affairs at Penobscot Bay Medical Center.

Dr. Sam Lew is a board-certified pediatrician taking over Dr. Faulkingham's practice, making that transition on July 1. Dr. Lew has vast experience in both general pediatrics and pediatric blood disorders, and is well known throughout Maine for his work in the pediatric hematology-oncology program at Eastern Maine Medical Center.

Aggressive recruiting efforts continue in a national search for another compassionate and highly skilled pediatrician to assume Dr. Sayat's practice.

Added Dr. Goldsmith: "We understand that parents may have concerns about possible gaps in medical coverage until a new pediatrician is hired. We want to assure everyone that Dr. Bill Stephenson, Dr. Susan McKinley, Dr. Lew and I will be available 24 hours a day, providing daytime office appointments and nighttime coverage of Dr. Sayat's patients during this transition period."

"We hope parents will have comfort in knowing that all of the pediatricians in the community are dedicated to the care of their children and will have full access to a child's medical records when needed," Dr. Goldsmith said.

Anyone with questions or concerns about this transition period should not hesitate to call and speak with their pediatrician or his or her office staff.

Those phone numbers are: Dr. Bill Stephenson, 596-2433; Dr. Susan McKinley, 594-2002; Dr. Alison Faulkingham/Dr. Sam Lew, 596-6722 and Dr. Edna Sayat, 594-2222.