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Virology Treatment Center:
Hepatitis Program
The Hepatitis program at the Virology Treatment Center at 48 Gilman Street in Portland is in its fifth year at Maine Medical Center. It serves patients with hepatitis B and C infection. The program utilizes a team approach to care with the team including specialists in Liver Disease and Infectious Disease, nurse practitioners, a registered nurse and a social worker. Dr. Alan Kilby is the medical director for hepatitis at the Virology Treatment Center. He works with his staff of doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners and a social worker to provide expert hepatology care to patients from the Portland area and throughout Maine and parts of New Hampshire. "(We) get emails and calls from all over…," says Jen Rogers, FNP, who sees patients and enrolls those who qualify into clinical drug trials for hepatitis B and C. At present, the Virology Treatment Center has three clinical trials underway. Also working with the patients are Ginny Field, RN, Ruth Grady, LCSW, Sandy Putnam, FNP, PSYCH/MHNP, Diane Harris, LCSW, Thalia Mayes, MD, Robert Smith, MD, Lorna Seybolt, MD (Infectious Disease). Patients receive medical and psychological care to deal with the physical and emotional toll of the chronic diseases they must deal with. The staff of the Virology Treatment Center also engages in education. They train medical students and medical residents and fellows in hepatitis care. They also sponsor and speak regularly at conferences regarding liver diseases. There is also a monthly hepatitis support group at Maine Medical Center for anyone in the community who wants to attend that has been on-going for over ten years, spear-headed by social worker Ruth Grady. The Virology Treatment Center is open Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM. Providers see patients Monday through Thursday and Fridays, patients have nurse and social worker visits. A referral from your doctor and certain lab tests need to be completed to be seen at the Virology Treatment Center. If you would like more information about the Virology Treatment Center, clinical trials or have a question, please call 207-662-2099.
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