Boston College
Isaiah grew up by the sea in Massachusetts where he spent a good deal of his youth “just messing about in boats.” He attended camp in Maine as a child where he discovered the Downeast coast, the most beautiful coastline in the world! He vowed one day to live in Maine, and after many adventures on other coasts he returned with his family to make Maine their permanent home.
Throughout Isaiah’s nursing education he always had a passion for serving the older adult community. While completing his bachelor’s in nursing from the University of Southern Maine, he became a volunteer with the Hospital Elder Life Program (HELP) at Maine Medical Center. During his time with HELP he discovered the joys and rewards of supporting older adults in the health care system. After additional experiences with post-operative cardiac patients and their families, Isaiah realized that pursuing an advanced degree would provide the knowledge and skills to make the greatest impact on the lives of older adults in his community. Upon graduating from Boston College’s adult gerontology primary care nurse practitioner program, he sought a clinical practice committed to leading the way for geriatric primary care in Maine using existing and innovative team-based models of geriatric care. Isaiah was led to Maine Dartmouth Geriatric Medicine. Isaiah is a member of the Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurses Association and the American Geriatric Society.
Isaiah has a deep interest in health care delivery models that are both meaningful for patients and clinicians. He firmly believes that when patients are engaged in their care, and clinicians are fulfilled by their work, then cost savings and the best possible health outcomes are inevitable. Specific topics of interest within geriatrics include the relationship between cultural influences and health outcomes in older adults and the role of outdoor experiences in improving quality of life in various stages of chronic and life threatening illness.
When he’s not at the MDGM clinic, he enjoys exploring Maine’s natural wonderland with his wife and two boys, especially when it involves boats.
Publication:
Meyer, I. (2014, November 11). Let nursing homes be a last resort for the elderly’s long term care. Portland Press Herald. http://www.pressherald.com/2014/11/11/maine-voices-one-web-hedy-4/