LEADERSHIP
Darcy Shargo, MFA
Chief Executive Officer
dshargo@mepca.orgDarcy Shargo serves as the CEO of the Maine Primary Care Association. In this role she provides the vision, direction and leadership for the organization. She also supports programmatic development and reporting efforts. Included among her responsibilities in running the organization, are leading all state and federal policy priority setting with the Board and focusing on building collaborative and strategic relationships with state and federal partners, as well as other key stakeholders. Prior to her role as CEO, Darcy served as the Chief Operating Officer for the Maine Primary Care Association, where she has been for a total of eleven years. Prior to this role, Darcy was a Health Policy Advocate for Consumers for Affordable Healthcare providing research and analysis and was the Executive Director of a crisis services agency. Darcy has her BS from Cornell College in Mount Vernon, IA and her Master of Fine Arts from Goddard College in Plainfield, VT. She graduated from the Hanley Health Leadership Development Program in 2010.
Hillary Colcord
Chief of Culture
hcolcord@mepca.orgAs MPCA's Chief of Culture, Hillary assists the CEO and Impact Team in providing leadership and oversight for day-to-day functions and supports the MPCA team in developing and implementing a trauma-informed operational strategy/system. She helps develop approaches that help MPCA meet our organizational goals that support Maine's Community Health Centers. Hillary joined MPCA in 2019 and prior to holding her current role, held Program Manager roles focused on Health Equity and managing MPCA's cooperative agreement from HRSA. Prior to joining MPCA, Hillary worked in low-barrier homeless services in Cumberland County, focusing primarily on Housing First interventions for people experiencing chronic homelessness. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology with a concentration in Health and Human Services from Suffolk University. Hillary is passionate about trauma-informed care and creative solutions to overcoming the barriers that health centers and their patients.
Elizabeth Keene, MA
Chief Operating Officer
ekeene@mepca.orgElizabeth Keene serves as Chief Operating Officer for the Maine Primary Care Association. In this role, she is responsible for agency operations and facilitates efficiency, effectiveness and synchronicity of services. Prior to joining MPCA, she served as Vice President of Mission Integration at St. Mary’s Health System in Lewiston, Maine where she developed and implemented programs to integrate the organization’s mission and values and provided oversight of social accountability. Elizabeth began her health care career in Baltimore, MD where she created the volunteer and bereavement program for Johns Hopkins Home Hospice and then helped to establish the Harriet Lane Compassionate Care program (for pediatric palliative care) at Johns Hopkins Children’s Center. She is a fellow in Thanatology from the Association of Death Education and Counseling. Elizabeth received her B.A. from Wellesley College and her M.A. from Boston College.
Christopher J. Pezzullo, DO
Chief Clinical Officer
cpezzullo@mepca.orgDr. Christopher Pezzullo, DO serves as the Chief Clinical Officer for the Maine Primary Care Association, supporting the clinical integration, health equity and quality improvement programs. Prior to this role, Chris served as the Chief Medical Officer for MaineCare, Maine’s Medicaid program. Chris has a BA in Psychology from Stony Brook University in New York, and a medical degree from the University of New England in Biddeford. He completed his residency in Pediatrics at the Maine Medical Center in 1996. He graduated from the Hanley Health Leadership Development Program in 2010.
Bryan Wyatt, MA
Chief Public Affairs Officer
bwyatt@mepca.orgBryan is responsible for the strategic development and implementation of internal and external communications that promote agency awareness, education and public relations efforts. In addition, Bryan provides direct support on state and federal policy priorities working in tandem with the agency and its members. Bryan brings to his position more than 20 years of experience in public relations, strategic communications, crisis management and issues advocacy, having represented a diverse portfolio of clients including Fortune 500 companies, industry associations and nonprofit organizations. He earned a BS in Government from Liberty University and a MA in Political Management from George Washington University. Bryan’s primary roles are Public Policy, Communications, Media Relations, Social Media Marketing and Training & Technical Assistance Development.
DIRECTORS
Emily Ferry, MSW
Director of Workforce Initiatives
eferry@mepca.orgEmily serves as Maine Primary Care Association’s Director of Workforce Initiatives and works to support and enhance health center workforce development efforts through programmatic development, partner facilitation, and collaboration with both state and local workforce stakeholders. Emily is passionate about equitable access to education and training, and identifying workforce solutions that centralize inclusion and equity. She has an interest in advocacy and navigating the impact of systems on health outcomes, equity, and social drivers of health. Emily received her undergraduate degree in education from Marquette University and graduated with her master’s in social work from the University of Illinois, Jane Addams College of Social Work with a concentration in Organization and Community Practice.
Hannah Hudson, MA
Director of Policy
hhudson@mepca.orgHannah joined Maine Primary Care Association in 2021 and is responsible for leading the organization’s public policy initiatives and building the capacity of MPCA’s members to advocate effectively for their mission. She previously worked in Washington, DC, as a policy staffer for Maine Senator Susan M. Collins, leading efforts on global health and international trade. Prior to that, she was a consultant at The Cohen Group, a strategic business advisory firm founded by former U.S. Secretary of Defense and Maine Senator William S. Cohen. Hannah earned a BA in International Affairs and a MA in Global Policy from the University of Maine.
Robert “Bobby” Martin
Director of Community Health Innovation & Partnerships
bmartin@mepca.orgAs MPCA’s Director of Community Health Innovation & Partnerships, Bobby supports the Community Health Center network in the areas of value-based care and payment, cross system collaboration, and policy advocacy. Having started his career in behavioral health services, Bobby brings a passion for integrated and trauma-informed care delivery though policy, systemic change, and clinical innovation. His prior work in Medicaid strategic initiatives includes implementation of System of Care governance structures, design of advanced primary care models serving children in foster care, creation of a web-based care coordination platform, and other innovations to better serve the community. Throughout his career, Bobby has worked to improve healthcare quality and access for vulnerable children and families, his professional passion. He is a Pacific Northwest transplant and a graduate of Boston College.
Patrick Scorese
Director of Development
pscorese@mepca.orgPatrick brings over 10 years of fundraising and grant writing experience to bear in his role as Director of Development for the Maine Primary Care Association. Prior to his service with MPCA, he lived and worked in New York City, where he supported cultural institutions like the Jamaica Center for Arts and Learning. Patrick holds a BA from Muhlenberg College and an MA from New York University’s Gallatin School of Individualized Study.
Sharon Stanley, MBA, CPC, CPB
Director of Operations Improvement
sstanley@mepca.orgSharon serves as the Director of Operations Improvement. Prior to joining our staff, Sharon worked for the Department of Health and Human Services in many roles for the past 11 years, most recently as the Acting Director of Rate Setting. Sharon has her MBA from Thomas College and is also a Certified Professional Coder and a member of the American Association of Professional Coders. Sharon loves cooking, campfires, and road trips with friends. Sharon’s primary roles are to assist members with navigating a changing healthcare environment, developing business and IT processes, financial planning, and exploring alternative payment models.
PROGRAM STAFF
Ashley Cleary
CQI Program Manager
acleary@mepca.orgAshley serves as the CQI Program Manager, providing support to the PSO Director and staff. She assists with data collection, research, and other administrative duties. Prior to this, Ashley was a Program Assistant with a Quality Improvement Organization (QIO). Ashley graduated from Thomas College in 2005 with a bachelor’s degree in Management Information Systems. She has two girls who are very involved in basketball, softball and dance, and her favorite pastime is gathering with family and friends.
Megan Cross
Data Systems Program Manager
mcross@mepca.orgAs Data Systems Program Manager, Megan's work encompasses both BPHC and HCCN grant deliverables. She previously worked as Executive Assistant at a large home health and behavioral health agency that focused on rural and underserved areas of Maine. Prior to that Megan spent several years working in the insurance industry, focusing mainly on Quality Management. Megan received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from the University of Maine at Farmington.
Leslie Lorentzen
Workforce Program Manager
llorentzen@mepca.orgLeslie serves as the Workforce Program Manager at Maine Primary Care Association (MPCA) and is dedicated to advancing Maine's healthcare landscape. In her role, she harnesses technology and information systems to optimize workforce program strategies, emphasizing collaboration, inclusivity, and data-driven decision-making. Currently pursuing a master’s in public health (MPH), she aligns her educational journey with her mission to drive healthcare and workforce development forward through innovative approaches. Beyond her work at the PCA, Leslie is passionate about understanding and addressing the impacts of environmental health and climate change on human well-being, with a commitment to identifying solutions that prioritize health and equity. She is dedicated to fostering diversity and inclusion within healthcare, contributing to a more just and equitable system for all.
Carrie Mead
CQI Program Manager
cmead@mepca.orgCarrie (she/her) serves as the CQI Program Manager for the Maine Primary Care Association supporting initiatives focused on cardiovascular disease (CVD) and diabetes management (DM). Prior to this role Carrie worked with Health Care For All Massachusetts on the Vaccine Equity Initiative, an initiative funded by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health that works with the populations and communities hardest hit by COVID-19 to increase awareness and acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccine. She also previously worked at Community Catalyst, a national consumer health advocacy organization working on outreach and enrollment projects supporting enrollment assisters nationwide. She is passionate about all people having access to quality, affordable health care. Carrie is a graduate of Boston University and originally from Delaware. Her happy place is reading at the beach, of which Maine offers many scenic locations!
Annick Metoule, MPH, CDA
Oral Health Program Manager
ametoule@mepca.orgAnnick Metoule serves as the Oral Health Program Manager at Maine Primary Care Association. She is dedicated to advancing oral health initiatives and driving positive impact in Maine’s healthcare landscape. Annick is passionate about collaboration, inclusivity, and prioritizing health and equity. With a background as a Certified Dental Assistant (CDA), Annick obtained her master’s degree in public health (MPH) from the University of New England. She is committed to leveraging her skills to optimize oral health program strategies, innovative approaches, and data-driven decision making.
Andrea Watkins
Logistics and Communications Specialist
awatkins@mepca.orgAndrea provides direct support for the Chief Public Affairs Officer and the Policy & Communications Team. She provides administrative support for the Public Policy & Communications Committee and manages logistics for training events and MPCA special projects. Andrea develops the MPCA weekly newsletter – the MPCA Weekly Compendium, is a member of the Annual Conference Planning Team and maintains the event registration platform. Andrea joined MPCA in 2005; in her off time, she enjoys reading, traveling, spending time with her family at her summer camp, and 4-wheeling with her husband. While Andrea's primary role is supporting the Chief Public Affairs Officer, she provides assistance wherever her help is needed.
Susan Whittaker, CPC, CPMA
Training and Risk Management Program Manager
swhittaker@mepca.orgSusan joined Maine Primary Care Association (MPCA) in 2020. She supports the Community Health Center Network (CHCNet) Grant and is a valued member of the Finance Program’s Coding, Billing and Auditing Services Team. Susan’s career has centered around medical services delivery, working as a medical assistant, medical accounts manager, and practice manager before being credentialed as a certified professional coder (CPC) and certified medical record auditor (CPMA) by the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC). Prior to joining the MPCA staff, in her role as a Coding and Compliance Specialist, Susan worked with Mount Desert Island Critical Access Hospital, and Maine Medical Partners, a large provider based MaineHealth physician group; she then joined the Quality Improvement Organization of New England to provide technical assistance for Medicare’s Quality Payment Program. In her off time, Susan is an avid organic gardener and wild bird lover.