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Dr. David Simmons Leaving
 Dr. David Simmons, long term physician in the Calais area, will be leaving his medical practice in February. Dr. Simmons has decided to pursue his role with the Maine Medical Association directing the Physician Health Program on a full time basis. He has worked in this position on a part time basis since 2001. “I arrived at this difficult decision after much reflection about how to balance the best interests of my patients with what I know to be important in my own life,” said Dr. Simmons. “At the conclusion of that process, I decided that I can give the most service to my profession and give more benefit to the most patients through my role as the Director of the Physician Health Program.” He plans to remain in Calais, which he has called home for the last 21 years.
Dr. Simmons has taken great satisfaction from the many patients he has treated over the years and will definitely miss the personal interaction with his patients. He speaks of mixed emotions from simply looking at his stethoscope and thinking he may never use one again. However, he takes pride in his work outside of the practice as well. “The work I do is critically important to the professionals I see and the patients they serve,” states Dr. Simmons. “We began with 15 referrals a year in Maine. That has grown to 75 and now Vermont is also being added.” Dr. Simmons monitors providers for anything that could impair their ability to practice, such as medical conditions, depression, alcohol/drug abuse, etc. The growth of the program, on top of a busy practice takes a lot of time and work. Cutting back to just one area will allow Dr. Simmons to slow down and enjoy more time with his family and his interests. Dr. Simmons wife, Ann, is a pediatrician at CRMS in Calais and his daughter Erica recently graduated from Stanford University and began her career as a geo-archeologist with the San Francisco Bay Area of Open Space Commission.
“Dr. Simmons has served the patients of the Calais area with great care and dedication since 1986,” said Ray H. Davis, Jr., CEO of Calais Regional Hospital. “He has truly improved the lives of countless patients and families in the area. We offer him our profound thanks and warm wishes for a fulfilling next chapter in his life.”
During his tenure at Calais Regional Hospital, Dr. Simmons has served the hospital as Chief of Staff and a board member. He has been a past president of the Washington County Medical Society, past president of the Maine Medical Association, past chair of the New England Delegation of the American Medical Association and past trustee of the Calais Congregational Church. Dr. Simmons is the current Medical Director at Atlantic Rehab and Nursing Home and is the Clinical Director of the Community Health and Counseling Hospice. In 2005 Dr. Simmons was presented with the President’s Award by the Maine Medical Association for distinguished service for his role with the Physician Health Program.
Calais Regional Hospital has already begun the process of recruiting a replacement. Until such time that a permanent physician is recruited, coverage will be booked to fill the void at the Calais Regional Medical Services Practice. Patients of Dr. Simmons will continue to receive excellent care from the physicians at Calais Regional Medical Services. Patients can continue to contact the CRMS office at 454-8195 for any concerns and to schedule appointments with a physician.
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