Health Services Staff

Bates Health Services is an established relationship with Central Maine Medical Center to provide expertise and care for students. The Health Services staff includes CMMC Family Medicine Residency Clinic medical providers, 3rd year medical residents, registered nurses, a medical assistant, a patient service representative, and Bates support staff.

All of our medical staff are trained in providing family medicine. Providers with specialty areas, such as osteopathic manipulative medicine, acupuncture, or sports medicine will have this listed in their profile. When scheduling an appointment for a specific service, take a look at the providers who specialize in this area. You can email or call Health Services and ask to schedule with a specific provider. 


Health Services Leadership Team

Paige Picard, DO

Medical Director

Schedule an Appointment with Dr. Picard for Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine, Disordered Eating Behavior Treatment, Birth Control, or Substance Use Concerns

About Dr. Picard (she/her)

Hometown: Manchester, New Jersey

Medical School: Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine

Residency: Maine Medical Center

Undergraduate: The Ohio State University

Major: Human Development, Psychology

My passions for family, learning, and sharing knowledge led me to medical school and ultimately a career in Family Medicine. After training, I sought out a job in teaching medical students and residents so that I could continue to learn and share with like-minded people.  A desire to continue to care for the whole person through physical touch, lifestyle intervention, and integrative approaches led me to attend osteopathic medical school, complete the integrative medicine in residency program, and become board certified in Lifestyle Medicine in 2019. Currently practicing as clinical faculty and medical director of Bates College Health Clinic I am privileged to live out all my professional aspirations. These passions have also led to lifestyle changes for me personally including following a plant-based diet, creating a plant-based homestead here in Maine, gardening, beekeeping, cooking, and baking healthy treats. I currently live in Winthrop with my husband and children, dogs, and chickens! 

Brenna Callahan, ’15, MSW

Associate Director of Health Services for Student Support

Reach out to Brenna for any questions related to accessing medical care, resources on campus, care coordination, health insurance, and managing your medical needs as a college student. You can email Brenna at healthservices@bates.edu.

About Brenna (she/her)

Brenna is responsible for supporting students in accessing health care and associated support services on campus as they navigate medical needs. Brenna received a bachelor’s degree in education and French and Francophone Studies. After graduating, she worked with youth teaching, developing college aspirations programming, and providing case management and psychotherapy services. Brenna returned to Bates in August 2020 after completing her master’s in clinical social work at Smith College.

Liza Keach, BSN

Clinical Coordinator, Registered Nurse


Faculty Medical Providers

Heidi Walls, MD

Medical Director, Bates Sports Medicine

Schedule an Appointment with Dr. Walls for Sports Medicine, Birth Control, or Concerns with energy, fatigue, and nutrition

About Dr. Walls (she/her)

Hometown: Bar Harbor, ME

Medical School: Tufts University School of Medicine

Residency: Maine Medical Center

Undergraduate: Connecticut College

A career in medicine is inevitably a commitment to lifelong learning, which totally excites me. The academic environment and the opportunity to educate the next generation of doctors truly fosters that growth. It’s a privilege to share my knowledge with our residents, and I get to learn from them as well. Working at the Central Maine Family Medicine Residency is just the best.

When I’m not working, I find joy in movement and the outdoors. If I didn’t choose a career in medicine, I would have become a carpenter or a coach.

Lauren Nadkarni, MD

Schedule an Appointment with Dr. Nadkarni for Sports Medicine, Birth Control, or Complex Medical Management Concerns

About Dr. Nadkarni (she/her)

Hometown: Media, Pennsylvania

Medical School: Tufts University School of Medicine

Residency: Maine Medical Center

Undergraduate: Tufts University

Major: Biomedical Engineering

I believe in promoting health and supporting preventative care efforts through physical activity based on the belief that ‘exercise is medicine.’ I work with patients using shared decision-making to provide creative solutions to their unique healthcare needs.

I enjoy working with underserved populations, and when the opportunity to create a new sports medicine program within the residency appeared, I was excited to step into the role. I enjoy combining my interests in sports medicine, ultrasound, and public health in a teaching environment, and look forward to continuing to learn from and teach residents for years to come.

Outside of work, I enjoy traveling and being active outdoors hiking, playing sports, and spending time with my family.

Patricia Collins, DO

Schedule an Appointment with Dr. Collins for Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine or Birth Control Concerns

About Dr. Collins (she/her)

Hometown: Andover, MA

Medical School: University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine

Residency: CMMC Family Medicine Residency

Undergraduate: University of Connecticut

Major: Psychology

I grew up in Massachusetts and moved to Maine to study medicine as the University of New England and have not wanted to leave since. I was drawn to family medicine because of the unique opportunity to help care for individuals throughout their lives and across multiple settings. My interests include reproductive health and inpatient medicine.

After completing my residency and serving as chief resident at CMMC, I am excited to be staying on as faculty. I have enjoyed working in this community and appreciate the commitment to education and care at the residency. The culture is one that strives towards growth and I am thrilled to continue to be part of the team. Outside of work, I enjoy spending time outdoors. My husband and I love to take our daughter and dog hiking. I also enjoy biking, cooking, and attempting to garden.

Christopher Decker, DO

Schedule an Appointment with Dr. Decker for Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine, Acupuncture, Dry Needling, or Concerns Related to Long COVID-19

About Dr. Decker (he/him)

Hometown: St. Louis Park, Minnesota

Medical School: Touro University California

Residency: CMMC Family Medicine Residency

Undergraduate: University of Minnesota

Major: Biochemistry and Chinese (minor)

Growing up, I was always interested in health and wellness. My parents are both pharmacists and my father does acupuncture. Because of them, I became interested in health and wellbeing from a holistic and evidence-based approach. In college, at the University of Minnesota, I studied biochemistry but also had the opportunity to study abroad in China to learn Chinese for a year. After graduating, I spent some time traveling, coaching high school soccer and volunteering. After some reflection, I decided that I wanted to pursue a career in Osteopathy due to its holistic philosophy and hands on approach. Not long after I was off to California for medical school where, in addition to obtaining a medical education, I gained a man bun and met my wife through our school’s frisbee club.

For residency, I knew CMMC was the right fit for me. As my wife has family in Maine and the Northeast, she could attest to its beautiful and diverse landscapes and being from Minnesota I missed the seasons.  In addition, I was very attracted to the diverse experiences and opportunities that a rural residency afforded. The residency’s strong commitment to OMM and integrative medicine was one of the main features that attracted me. More importantly, I liked the family and down-to-earth atmosphere I experienced when I came here that is still present to this day.

After graduating, given my interest, I decided to further pursue my passions in integrative medicine and acupuncture. I completed a two-year fellowship through Maine Medical Center and the University of Arizona. During that time, I also became certified in acupuncture through an intensive course for physicians.

Outside of medicine, I enjoy being active whether it being playing soccer, frisbee or going on a hike and spending time with my wife, son and dog.

Jerry Pomeranz, MD

About Dr. Pomeranz (he/him)

Hometown: Brookline, MA

Medical School: Frank H. Netter School of Medicine at Quinnipiac University

Residency: Memorial Hospital of South Bend

Undergraduate: Binghamton University

Major: Math

I chose to work in resident education because teaching the next generation of family medicine doctors is incredibly meaningful to me, and multiplies my impact as a physician. What I like most about working with medical learners is the different perspectives they bring to the table, and the joy they experience when they learn a new skill. What excites me about the clinical learning environment is there is always new ideas to discuss. There are also so much flexibility in how to practice medicine in that setting. When I’m not at work you can find me at the disc golf course, playing my harmonica, listening to country music, and spending time with my family near Boston.

Clinical Areas of Interest: Wilderness/International Medicine, Obstetrics, Point-of-Care Ultrasound, Mental Health, and Procedures.


Medical and Office Staff

Allison Ceprano

Patient Service Representative

Kelly Ducas, MA

Medical Assistant

About Kelly

Kelly is new to the Bates Health Team joining us in April of 2023.  She brings to us 15 years of Medical Assistant knowledge with 12 years spent in Pediatrics.  She is looking forward to caring for the Bates students and helping them stay healthy during this school year. 

Maggie Leonard, RN

Registered Nurse

About Maggie

Maggie has been part of the Bates community since 1989. Her role as a staff nurse is multifaceted, assessing students and providing proper triage for medical care. Prior to her interest and practice in college health she worked primarily in pediatrics, in hospital and in home care. She graduated from The Children’s Hospital School of Nursing in Boston and attended Northeastern University.

Palomera, Josh

jpalomera@bates.edu

Registered Dietitian and Nutrition Educator
Health Services
207-786-6198
31 Campus Avenue

(Theophil Syslo | Bates College)

Josh Palomera, MS, RD, LDN, CSN

Dietician and Nutrition Educator

About Josh

Josh is a Registered Dietitian whose passion lies in working with students and athletes at the collegiate level. Josh helps clients navigate various health concerns (allergies, chronic diseases, eating disorders), acute GI distress, performance nutrition and general healthful diets using evidence-based practice and research.

Josh earned a Bachelor’s in Nutrition from San Diego State University, and later completed a Masters and Dietetic Internship at Simmons University, specializing in eating disorders and sports nutrition. His ultimate goal is to help improve people’s relationship with food and uses a non-diet approach with a belief that all foods fit.


Rotating Medical Residents

Shariam Casiano Vega, MD

About Dr. Casiano Vega (she/her)

  • Hometown: San Germán, Puerto Rico
  • Medical School: University of Medicine and Health Sciences, St. Kitts
  • Undergraduate: Universidad de Puerto Rico en Mayagüez 
  • Major: Microbiology
  • Tell us about yourself:
    I lived in Puerto Rico until I left to start med school and got to live and experience Maine during my school’s clinical semester in Portland, ME. I enjoyed my time there and experienced my first snowfall and now I’m into snowboarding and winter hikes.
  • Why did You Choose CMMC FMR
    The resident’s culture and seeing opportunities to learn skills from the different specialty clinics, integrative medicine, WIMP, ORT, and others that I could use in my future practice.
  • What are your interests?
    Get together with friends, boardgame nights, videogames, snowboarding, arts/crafting, Formula 1, cooking with my husband. In medicine: preventative health, outpatient procedures, integrative medicine.

Emily Hill, DO

About Dr. Hill (she/her)

  • Hometown: Hermon, ME but coming from Brooklyn, NY
  • Medical School: University of New England COM
  • Undergraduate: Clark University, Worcester, MA
  • Major: Economics, Politcal Science
  • Tell us about yourself:
    I live with my husband and two young kids in Portland, ME. Growing up in Maine I always knew I wanted to return, but needed to learn more about the world first. I lived in Germany for a year abroad in HS, and then moved to NYC after college. I initially intended to go to law school and work in global public health and policy, however I realized I wanted to spend more time with people rather than paper. I completed a post-bacc at Hunter College – CUNY, but wanted to come back to Maine to complete medical school while raising my kids. I feel incredibly privileged to be a physician — I take it very seriously the power we have to make change both personally in peoples’ lives but also on a greater system level. I feel lucky to be able to tangibly help people every single day.
  • Why did you choose CMMC FMR?
    I chose CMMC because of the amazing 2×2 week block schedule, which allows me to enjoy my life at home, as well as the kind and passionate faculty, attendings, and residents. The patient population is incredibly varied, intensely sick and also forces us to grapple with both rural and urban health disparities on both macro and micro levels. It’s been an incredibly supportive, interesting place to complete my training. I intend to pursue a palliative care fellowship and work in in-patient palliative care.
  • What are your interests?
    I enjoy having a very good work-life balance, biking around Portland, swimming in lakes and the ocean any chance I get, cooking at home, and traveling both up the coast of Maine and abroad with my family.

Jaspreet Gill, MD

About Dr. Gill (she/her)

Mummtaz (Taz) Noori, MD

About Dr. Noori (he/him)

Jack Ritzo, MD

About Dr. Ritzo

Saraja Pandit, MD

About Dr. Pandit (she/her)

  • Hometown: Bharatpur, Nepal; moving from Boston
  • Medical School: Medical University of the Americas
  • Undergraduate: University of Iowa
  • Major: Human Physiology
  • Tell us about yourself:
    Growing up in Nepal, I have always loved being in nature. When I moved to Boston a year ago, I fell in love with the rich nature that New England had to offer. It didn’t take too long for me and my husband to desire to make New England our home. We both love being outdoors including hiking, trekking, and biking. When I first interviewed with CMMC, I remember feeling seen, respected and heard. The active effort to maintain and cultivate a positive environment was evident on my interview day. This residency is training me to be able to see from different perspectives in life as our patients come in from different walks of life. I feel very privileged and honored to be a physician providing care for our vulnerable and complex patients.
  • What are your interests?
    Spending time with family, and exploring different landscapes (hiking, biking, kayaking). Road trips. Watching international tv shows to learn new languages and tv cultures.

Ruby Singh, MD

About Dr. Singh