Class of 2025

Pronouns: she/her/hers

Pronunciation of Dr. Lucy Algeo

A Maine native, Dr. Lucy Algeo earned a bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of Maine at Orono and worked as a chief medical scribe in southern Maine prior to entering medical school. At UNECOM Lucy’s leadership experiences included chairing the community service subcommittee of the Maine Medical Association–Medical Student Section and serving as co-president of UNECOM’s American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians (ACOFP) chapter. She conducted research with community based older adults to help health professionals better understand the older adult perspective, and as a teaching assistant demonstrated osteopathic techniques to first year medical students. Participation in a rural immersion program through UNECOM’s Care for the Underserved Pathway opened her eyes to the challenges faced by the socioeconomically disadvantaged and strengthened her resolve and enthusiasm for a career in rural family medicine practice. Lucy’s recreational interests include skiing, running, biking, hiking, reading, baking, and spending time with family and friends.

Pronouns: she/her/hers

Pronunciation of Dr. Ivy Cass

With a keen interest in the humanistic aspects of medicine and a background in medical anthropology, Dr. Ivy Cass understands how high quality primary care can uplift communities as well as benefit individual patients. Following the completion of a bachelor’s degree in medical anthropology and Italian from Connecticut College, Ivy received a Fulbright grant to conduct ethnographic research in Palermo, Italy, aimed at understanding how the dietary and physiological changes accompanying an HIV diagnosis affect self-image and family life in a food-centric culture. Prior to medical school matriculation, she worked as a research volunteer in plastic and reconstructive surgery, examining quality of life associated with different types of breast reconstruction, and as a clinical research coordinator for ALS studies. At UNECOM Ivy served as vice-president of the Addiction Medicine Club, re-established the Integrative Medicine Club, and trained fellow students in the Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) approach for identifying and intervening with patients at risk for substance use disorder. Her personal interests include darkroom photography, dune driving, and hiking.

Pronouns: he/him/his

Pronunciation of Dr. Ben Davison

The grandson of a Maine dairy farmer, Dr. Ben Davison’s humble roots and non-traditional path to medicine afford him a unique perspective that will undoubtedly enrich his future practice. Following completion of a bachelor’s degree in ecology and environmental science from the University of Maine at Orono, Ben worked as an educator and watershed protection specialist with a municipal water district and began advancing his carpentry skills. He worked for Habitat for Humanity in Maine and Colorado and eventually founded his own residential construction company. Meeting a family medicine doctor who quickly became a close friend inspired Ben to see his potential as a physician and started him on a new trajectory. Prior to entering Tufts, Ben assisted hospice patients and caregivers in coping with a difficult prognosis, and taught adaptive Nordic and downhill skiing to children and adults. During his time at Tufts, he served as a student board member with the Maine Academy of Family Physicians and expanded the medical school’s service learning program. Ben’s unique accomplishments include a thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail. In his free time, he enjoys wood- and metal-working, hiking, gardening, sailing, canoeing, camping, skiing, automotive mechanics, mountain biking, and doing anything outdoors with his wife and children.

Pronouns: he/him

Pronunciation of Dr. Andrew Freedman

Dr. Andrew Freedman brings to Maine-Dartmouth a deep passion for providing primary care in medically underserved areas, fostered in part by two years of community health development with the Peace Corps in the West African nation of Burkina Faso. A competitive swimmer for over two decades, Andrew worked as an assistant swim coach at both the high school and college levels, and as an EMT prior to and during his medical school training. At UNECOM he hosted welcome sessions for and interviewed prospective UNECOM students; oriented incoming medical students; represented his class in the Student Government Association; and served on curricular and wellness committees. His teaching experience includes demonstrating OMT to first year students as an osteopathic clinical skills teaching assistant and reviewing imaging and anatomy before exams as a student instructor in gross anatomy. Andrew holds a bachelor’s in political science from Trinity College and has volunteered for several political campaigns. His recreational pursuits include CrossFit, swimming, camping, hiking, cooking, and reading.

Pronouns: she/her/hers

Pronunciation of Dr. Chioma Ibeneme

Interested in medicine at a young age, Dr. Chioma Ibeneme was born and raised in Nigeria, where she completed medical training. At Igbinedion University she was active in the Medical Students Association and Christian Medical and Dental Association, and served as medical school class coordinator. During a three-month-long community health rotation in a small rural clinic, Chioma recognized the importance of family medicine and trusting patient-physician relationships. She has a strong desire to give back to her community and currently serves on the board of directors of the United Way of Kennebec Valley. Chioma also devotes time to raise funds for local non-profit organizations and to champion families with special needs by increasing awareness of the challenges they face. She enjoys cooking, long walks, reading, and arts and crafts.

Pronouns: he/him

Pronunciation of Dr. Sean Lombard

Raised on a family farm in Dover NH, Dr. Sean Lombard had a profound experience during a medical mission trip to rural Honduras while in college, which sparked his pursuit of a medical career. He earned a bachelor’s degree in biomedical science from the University of New Hampshire and worked as a licensed nursing assistant and a pharmacy technician prior to entering medical school. At UNECOM Sean was awarded a research fellowship to study substance use disorders in rural clinics in northern New England, served as president of the Public Health Club, co-chaired the Biddeford Adopt a Park program, and taught first year medical students as a student instructor and osteopathic clinical skills teaching assistant. He has a longstanding interest in holistic medicine and aspires to practice rural hospital medicine and eventually develop a holistic medical practice in a rural community. Sean enjoys sports (especially soccer, hockey, and lacrosse), outdoor activities, guitar, and learning about sustainable agriculture.

Pronouns: she/her

Pronunciation of Dr. Amy Madjlesi

A native of rural Mississippi who spent the majority of her life in the Deep South, Dr. Amy “Ace” Madjlesi is excited to experience another region of the United States. Ace holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology and anthropology from Millsaps College in Mississippi and a master’s in anthropology from the University of Memphis. As a community organizer and medical anthropologist prior to entering medical school, Ace managed research on contraception decision-making and adolescent pregnancy (co-authoring two peer-reviewed publications), and facilitated operations of a social justice organization. During medical training she served as president of the campus Family Medicine Interest Group, mentored second-year medical students, and provided clinical care and leadership for a free primary care clinic. Ace’s interests in medicine are broad: she is fascinated by all of it, loves family medicine’s expansiveness, and has a particular interest in palliative care and advocacy. In her spare time Ace collects and restores pinball machines, plays competitive pinball, and dabbles in acrylics and mixed media art.

Pronouns: she/her

Pronunciation of Dr. Heather Metcalf

With over a decade of experience in public health and a strong sense of advocacy, social justice, and empathy, family medicine training is a natural next step for Dr. Heather Metcalf. Heather earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of New Mexico and served as a field organizer for New Mexico’s second congressional district with Organizing for America. Prior to entering medical school, she managed a statewide teen pregnancy prevention program within New Mexico’s department of health; established and operated harm reduction services including HIV and Hepatitis C testing and a syringe exchange; and worked as a health educator with Planned Parenthood. She held a number of leadership positions in medical school, including student leader of the UNM chapter of Medical Students for Choice and co-founder of Protect New Mexico, a grassroots organization supporting healthcare workers and community members during the coronavirus pandemic. Heather spearheaded the development of a longitudinal trauma-informed care (TIC) curriculum at her medical school, and hopes to continue incorporating TIC practices in the future. She has particular interests in working with structurally vulnerable populations and reproductive health. Outside of medicine, she enjoys non-fiction reading, vegetarian cooking, and gardening.

Pronouns: he/him

Pronunciation of Dr. Benjamin Moore

Dr. Ben Moore’s love of sports and a serendipitous encounter with a guidance counselor steered him to enroll in massage therapy school and learn how the body moves, becomes injured, and recovers. Ben studied massage therapy at the Atlantic College of Therapeutic Massage in New Brunswick, Canada, and earned a bachelor’s in kinesiology from University of New Brunswick and a bachelor’s in psychology from Acadia University in Nova Scotia. A career as a registered massage therapist, kinesiologist, and personal trainer in sports and physical therapy rehabilitation pushed him to better understand and mitigate disease, inevitably leading him to pursue training in medicine.  He is passionate about preventive medicine and community health and for several years wrote a biweekly wellness column for a local news publication. He has a strong appreciation for teamwork, stemming in part from coaching soccer and basketball teams, and interests in geriatric medicine and sports medicine. In his free time Ben enjoys the outdoors, sports, and cooking.

Pronouns: she/her

Pronunciation of Dr. Lauren Struck

Dr. Lauren Struck earned an undergraduate degree from Colgate University, where she studied philosophy and religion, and holds a master’s in theology from Harvard Divinity School. She transitioned into medicine after a career in education spanning over two decades, the bulk of which Lauren spent in teaching and administration at a private college preparatory school for alpine ski racers in Vermont. Prior to enrolling in medical school, she trained as a licensed nursing assistant and worked on a per diem basis in a long-term care and skilled nursing facility. At the Larner College of Medicine, Lauren co-led a student interest group supporting the homeless community in Burlington and engaged with organizations serving structurally vulnerable individuals. Her personal interests include yoga, mountain biking, skiing, and reading.