Bios of DFD Russell Medical Centers - DFD Russell Medical Centers

Bill Flewelling, FNP
Bill Flewelling, FNP joined DFD in July 1976. He is a graduate of the University of Southern Maine's Nurse Practitioner program. Recently the National Service Corps recognized him for the length and quality of his medical service to underserved populations in rural Maine. The DFD Russell Board of Directors formed the Bill Flewelling Fund designed to provide prescription medications for patients who can't afford them because Bill has been an advocate for patients at the health center for the past 30 years.

Diane Handler, PA

Diane Handler, PA joined DFD Russell Medical Centers in 2000. She completed a Bachelor of Science degree in Cardiopulmonary Technology at the Boston University in 1982 and earned her Masters of Science degree as a Physician Assistant at the University of New England in 2000. Her special interests at DFD include diabetes, cardiology and behavioral medicine. She grew up in Leeds and has been a supporter of DFD "forever". She is an incredible asset to our provider team.

John Yindra, MD
John Yindra, MD joined the DFD Russell Medical Center in 1987. He attended the University of Delaware, Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia and completed his Family Practice Residency at the Wilmington Medical Center in Wilmington, Delaware. He has practiced family medicine in Maine since 1982 but has also practiced in Delaware, Wyoming, New Mexico and Alaska. He has been a dedicated primary care provider at DFD for more than 17 years. John's special interests are in quality improvement, diabetes management and use of electronic medical records technology to improve care.

Maxwell Barus, MD
Max Barus, MD joined DFD Russell Medical Centers in 1984 as a National Health Service Corps Scholar. He attended the George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington, DC where he earned his MD in 1981. He completed his Residency for Family Practice at the Medical Center Hospital of Vermont in 1984. Max volunteers his time caring for individuals in Nicaragua and has a particular interest in women's health and pediatrics.

Steven Molnar-Gabor, M.D.
Steven Molnar-Gabor, MD joined DFD Russell Medical Centers in May 2003. He was born in Hungary and received his M.D. in 1975. Dr. Gabor has lived and worked in Africa, Canada, St. Lucia and the West Indies. He moved back to the area where he receive training at CMMC, Family Practice Program from1993-1996. Previously, Dr. Gabor has seven wonderful years taking care of his patients in Fort Kent, Maine, at Northern Maine Medical Center. DFD is fortunate to have a professional, experienced, caring provider to meet the needs of the Turner community.

Laurie Anne Huntress, MD
Laurie Huntress, MD, joined DFD Russell Medical Centers in January 2005. Dr. Huntress graduated from Bowdoin College with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Neuroscience and received her Doctor of Medicine from the University of Vermont. She completed her residency through Eastern Maine Medical Center Family Practice Residency Program.

James White, Ph.D., LCPC
Jim White, Ph.D, LCPC joined DFD Russell Medical Centers in March 2003. He received his Ph.D in Counseling Psychology at Southwest University. He received degrees in Counselor Education and Divinity as well and is licensed in Maine by the Dept. of Professional and Financial Regulation, as a Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC). In addition he has been certified as a Diplomat with the American Psychotherapy Association (DAPA). He completed his residency at the Cambridge Family Institute, Mass., where he received training in couples and family therapy, and the Mayo Clinic, Minnesota, with emphasis in grief counseling.

Karen Bronk, LCSW
Karen Bronk joined DFD Russell Medical Centers in May 2002. She received her Master's degree in Social Work from the University of New England in 1993. Previously she worked at Spurwink School as a therapist, Androscoggin Home Health as a social worker and Tri County Mental Health as a children's counselor. She enjoys working with all age groups.

Kristie Dailey, MS, APRN, BC

Kristie joins DFD from Central Maine Medical Center's School of Nursing where she had been teaching for two years. Prior to completing her Masters of Science in Nursing as a Family Nurse Practioner at University of Southern Maine, Kristie worked at St. Mary's Hospital as a nurse supervisor on the Children's Behavioral Health Unit as a charge nurse. Kristie will be seeing patients in Turner four days per week and is open to new patients of all ages.

Magdalena Zweifel, PA-C

Magdalena is a graduate of the University of New England's Physician Assistant Program. Prior to completing her degree, Magdalena worked in Chicago as a Patient Care Technician at the Chicago Rehabilitation Institute. Additionally, she holds degrees in Art and French from the University of Wisconsin and is fluent in French and Polish. Magdalena will be seeing patients four days per week in our Leeds location and is open to new patients of all ages.

Richard B. Rau, Ph.D.

Rick joins DFD Russell Medical Center with 30 years of experience in private practice and consultation as a Clinical Psychologist. He and his wife moved to Maine after he completed his doctorate degree at Hofstra University of Long Island, New York. An amateur musician and Music Therapist, Rick continues to perform in the area and enjoys teaching music in a local high school. Rick will be seeing patients with a variety of emotional, behavioral, and physical problems four days a week in Leeds.

Wendy Barnies, FNP

Wendy joins DFD after serving as a family practice provider for four years in Lisbon Falls. She worked as a registered nurse at CMMC for 25 years in the Emergency Department prior to completing her Masters of Science in Nursing at University of Southern Maine in 2003. Wendy has a special interest in preventative health and wellness, adolescent health and dermatology.

Kevin Cowell, D.O., M.P.H.

Dr. Cowell has joined DFD Russell Medical Center in January, 2011. He is a board certified family physician Who recently worked in rural southern Michigan, where he managed a clinic and serves as the hospital's Chief of Staff. His medical school training was undertaken at Michigan State University, where he received the Family Medicine Award for his "exemplary accomplishments in Family Medicine." Residency training was completed in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, where he was awarded the Intern of the Year award and was the residency's Chief Resident. Additional training has been completed in acupuncture, which Dr. Cowell utilizes most often as a tool for pain control measures. He has also completed training in advanced wound therapy and hyperbaric medicine. Dr. Cowell's patients frequently commend him for his willingness to listen. He will be treating patients of all ages.

Shannon M. Deschenes, DO

Shannon M. Deschenes, DO has joined DFD Russell Medical Center in March, 2011. Shannon is board certified in Family Medicine since 1998. She earned her undergraduate degree in Biology at California State University, Chico where she graduated with honors. She concurrently worked for Women's Health Specialists organization for years as a women's health care worker educating women on anatomy, physiology and family planning. She attended medical school at the University of New England, College of Osteopathic Medicine in Biddeford, Maine where she received the National Osteopathic Women Physicians Association Senior Scholastic Achievement Award and was also honored by the UNECOM academic staff as "the physician they would most like to have as their own". She received her residency certification in Family Medicine in 1997 at Central Maine Medical Center's Family Practice residency program. She practiced at Lisbon Family Practice after completion of her residency and has practiced most recently with CMMC at their Mechanic Falls and subsequent Lewiston locations. She is on the Board of Directors of the Maine Osteopathic Association and enjoys teaching. She has a very loyal patient following and they would say that she takes the time they need to really listen to their concerns. She lives in Lewiston with her husband, Paul and their daughter, Olivia and multiple animals. She enjoys gardening, traveling and cultural exploration as well as music and language. She is excited to be joining such a well-established community based health center that is forward thinking and one that has so much support for their patients.