The Maine Rural Graduate Medical Education (MERGE) Collaborative is a statewide program developed by Maine’s four ACGME Sponsoring Institutions to provide a network of rural GME elective rotations. These opportunities are developed collaboratively by rural physicians and residency program leaders and designed to prepare residents for practice in a rural setting. The program offers 36 elective opportunities in 13 disciplines, each available to residents both in Maine and from around the country. All MERGE rotations give opportunities to care for patients in Maine’s rural populations and foster an appreciation for the joys and demands of rural healthcare.
The Building-ME Network is a program committed to developing new clinical learning opportunities for all healthcare trainees, from phlebotomists to physicians, in rural Maine. Building-ME delivers resources to lift new educational programs and expand existing opportunities. In addition to support funds from the microgrant program, rural sites receive faculty development training and access to the state-wide learner matching platform, Clinician Nexus. Educational institutions can also receive support for their learners training in rural communities. The Building-ME Network aims to connect learners and rural sites to prepare the next generation of rural healthcare professionals.