The Consortium for Healthcare Education and Training (CHET) is a program of MaineHealth that advances initiatives to support the development of a competent, engaged rural healthcare workforce. Supported by federal, state-administered, and philanthropic funding, CHET works with Maine-based partners and programs to expand clinical education opportunities across rural Maine.
CHET builds on the work of its founding programs: the Building-ME Network, established by Dr. Kneka Smith, and the Maine Rural Graduate Medical Education (MERGE) Collaborative, founded by Dr. Kalli Varaklis. These programs created new and expanded access to rural clinical training across the state, and CHET carries that work forward today. CHET welcomes collaboration with Maine organizations that share its healthcare education mission.
To advance the expansion, quality, and sustainability of healthcare education and training in rural Maine communities, supporting the development of a competent and committed rural healthcare workforce.
What we do:
CHET’s Executive Committee is an advisory body composed of representatives from across Maine’s healthcare and educational communities and from rural regions across the state.
MD, MPH, MBA
St. Joseph Healthcare/Covenant Health
PhD
Associate Program Director – Central Maine Medical Center Family Medicine Residency
MD, FAAFP
Director of Clinical Education, Northern Light Health
M.Sc
VP Workforce Policy and Strategic Initiatives, Maine Hospital Association
MPH
Director, Maine Area Health Education Center (AHEC)
Senior Program Officer, Maine Health Access Foundation
Director of Strategic Planning Management
Maine Community College System
PhD
Vice Chancellor, U Maine System
MSW
Director of Training and Technical Assistance, Maine Primary Care Association
Founder and President, 3iHoME
PhD
Assistant Professor of Psychology, University of Maine
MPH
Director
MBA
Operations Manager
PhD
Program Manager - CHET Research and Education
MPH
Program Manager - The MERGE Collaborative
MA
Workforce Development Specialist