Sebasticook Valley Health (SVH) President and CEO Victoria Alexander-Lane announced that Robert J. Schlager, MD, has joined SVH as its Chief Medical Officer (CMO). Dr. Schlager joined the medical staff at the Pittsfield hospital earlier this month.
Since 2007, Dr. Schlager was the vice president of medical affairs at Calvert Memorial Hospital in Maryland and has been a family medicine physician with successive levels of leadership roles since 1978. For over twenty years, he was founder and president of Calvert Family Practice Associates, where he oversaw five providers treating approximately 12,000 patients, and has served as vice president and member of the board of directors for Calvert Healthcare Solutions, which provided primary and limited specialty care for the underinsured or non-insured residents of Calvert County. Board certified by the American Board of Family Medicine since 1978, Dr. Schlager is also a fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians and a member of the American College of Physician Executives.
In welcoming Dr. Schlager to SVH, Ms. Alexander-Lane said, “Dr. Schlager’s expertise in building a collaborative and highly effective work environment supports the environment of care that SVH is committed to providing to the residents of central Maine. His can-do spirit and willingness to help fellow caregivers are inspiring, and his experience in change leadership will help guide SVH into the dynamic future ahead.”
A visitor of Maine in the past but a first-time resident now, Dr. Schlager looks forward to the opportunity to provide care to central Maine residents. “Moving to Maine has been an adventure for me and my wife, Tess,” he remarked. “The health challenges here are similar to those in rural Calvert County (Maryland): treating diseases from tobacco use, type 2 diabetes, and obesity” which, Dr. Schlager added, the entire country is struggling with now.
“My goal is to provide excellent community care by supporting our medical and surgical staff as SVH continues to providing deliver exceptional patient care in this region,” he concluded. Currently Dr. Schlager is meeting staff at the hospital and throughout the SVH community, while also working with family care providers to continually improve and optimize care during this time of changing health care needs and delivery models, when needed.
Shown: SVH Chief Medical Officer Robert J. Schlager, MD