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BIDDEFORD, Maine

University of New England health clinics to remain open

University of New England President Danielle Ripich reaffirmed UNE's commitment to keep the University Health Care (UHC) clinics open. 

Ripich stated, "The clinics will not close; patients will continue to be seen by their doctors; and students will continue to receive osteopathic medical training at the clinics."

President Ripich continued, "We are trying to do our best to clarify any misunderstandings in the public or amongst our patients, faculty or students.  It has always been UNE's plan to transition the management of the clinics to local hospitals or other health management, but we never intended to close the clinics.  We are deeply sorry for any confusion or upset this may have caused."

UNE is working to make sure this transition is completely seamless from a patient perspective.  Patients will continue to see the same provider unless that provider voluntarily decides to leave a clinic.  In that instance UNE will provide patients with the names and contact information of other area physicians who are accepting new patients. 

For the past several months, UNE has been in productive discussions with area health care providers with regard to UHC's management transition.  While no decisions have been made, all parties are working collaboratively to bring the program reviews to a conclusion as quickly as possible.

The proposal to transition management of the clinics is being made for fiscal as well as educational purposes.  The clinics cost have escalated and it is hoped that traditional health delivery management, rather than management by the school, will allow them to be more successful. 

President Ripich stated, "the delivery of health care is very complicated.  Hospitals and medical practices do this work exclusively.  UNE, on the other hand, is in the business of educating our students, not health management.  We believe a transition of management will be better for our patients and students."

"Most importantly," Ripich commented, "We are deeply committed to our medical school and the teaching of osteopathy.  We believe the transition of the clinics will result in even better clinical learning opportunities for our students in real-world medical settings with the most modern technology."

For more information, please contact Kathleen Taggersell at Tel: 207-602-2269 or check for updates on UNE's website www.une.edu.

About the University of New England

The University of New England is Maine’s largest independent university, with two beautiful coastal campuses in Maine, a one-of-a-kind study abroad campus in Tangier, Morocco, and an array of flexible, accredited online degrees. In an uncommonly welcoming and supportive community, we offer hands-on learning, empowering students to make a positive impact in a world full of challenges. The state’s top provider of health professionals, we are home to Maine’s only medical college, Maine’s only dental college, a variety of other interprofessionally aligned health care degree programs, as well as nationally recognized programs for marine science degrees, natural and social sciences degrees, arts and humanities degrees, and business degrees.