the Maine Osteopathic Association (MOA) recently presented one of its most prestigious awards—the MOA Young Physician of the Year—to Merideth Norris, DO, a physician at Blue Hill Family Medicine. This award is given to a DO (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine) who has been in practice for at least one full year and not more than five years, who has already demonstrated involvement as a practitioner and as a member of his or her community, and has also demonstrated the potential to become a major force in osteopathic medicine in the future.
“Dr. Norris is a tremendous advocate for patients, an exceptional role model and mentor, and has a unique ability to tackle difficult subjects in an eloquent and intelligent manner,” states MOA president Douglas J. Jorgensen, DO. “Whether in written or verbal prose, her points resonate, influencing those in and outside of the medical community. We are indeed fortunate to have her as part of our organization, but I anticipate her efforts and responsibilities nationally will continue to grow in importance and magnitude. She is extremely deserving of this award.”
Dr. Norris practices family medicine at Blue Hill Family Medicine, a department of Blue Hill Memorial Hospital. She has a special interest in eating disorders and is the local physician for the Mainely Girls Eating Disorder Collaborative, and is a founding member of Food Chain, a health education theatre troupe that serves middle school audiences. She received her D.O. degree at Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine in Ft. Lauderdale, and did her internship and residency in Lewisburg and Harpers Ferry, West Virginia. She received her undergraduate degree in Anthropology and Psychology from Wellesley College and did her pre-med work at Georgetown University.
She says, however, that some of her most important education happened during her various jobs, which have included medical secretary, karate coach, pizza waitress, psychiatric technician, and swing dance instructor. “All of these jobs taught me a lot about people's relationships with health and illness—and more importantly, with their bodies and the way they move them.”
Blue Hill Memorial Hospital is dedicated to providing primary and selected specialty healthcare of outstanding quality, caring for our patients with respect and compassion, and improving the health of the communities we serve. We are a member of EMHS, a healthcare system network that works to ensure that the highest quality care is available to all who need it, especially those in rural Maine. |
|
