Honoring Dr. Clifford Dacso and Expanding Our Mission
We’re excited to share that our Chief Clinical Officer, Dr. Clifford Dacso, MD, MPH, has been awarded the 2025 Mary F. Cushman, MD Award for Humanitarian Service by the Maine Medical Association. This award celebrates physicians who go above and beyond in volunteer service, and Dr. Dacso’s journey with Knox Clinic shows exactly that.
Dr. Dacso first joined us during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, volunteering his evenings to provide care for uninsured and underinsured patients when it was needed most. Since then, he has stepped into leadership as our Chief Clinical Officer, mentoring staff and volunteers, guiding new initiatives, and helping shape the Clinic’s vision for the future.
That vision is a bold one. Knox Clinic is in the middle of a period of rapid growth, working to expand access to affordable care for our neighbors. With the launch of our mobile medical unit, we’re now reaching rural residents who can’t always make it to Rockland. And with our capital campaign to renovate the historic Bok building, we are creating a welcoming hub where primary care, dental, mental health, and wellness services will come together under one roof.
We’re also proud to note that Knox Clinic is the only organization in Maine with two volunteers who have received this statewide humanitarian award — a testament to the strength of our community of caregivers and our commitment to compassionate, patient-centered care.
For more than 25 years, Knox Clinic has been a trusted place where neighbors care for neighbors. Dr. Dacso’s recognition highlights not just his dedication, but the heart of what makes our mission possible.
You can help us keep this work moving forward. Donate today to support affordable, accessible care in Midcoast Maine.
Pediatric Primary Care Now Available at Knox Clinic!
We’re excited to announce that our brand-new Pediatrics Program is officially up and running at Knox Clinic! This addition to our clinic is part of our ongoing commitment to expand access to quality healthcare for all families in Midcoast Maine.
Led by Rachel Wilcox, PNP, and Jess Bowen, RN, our pediatric team has worked hard to create a warm, welcoming, and child-centered environment for children and families. From the moment you walk in, our goal is to ensure that every patient feels comfortable, safe, and well cared for.
The pediatric space has been thoughtfully designed with children in mind, providing an inviting atmosphere that makes visits to the doctor a more positive experience. With this new program, we’re proud to offer comprehensive pediatric primary care services, making it easier for families to access the care their children need, right here in our community.
At Knox Clinic, we believe in providing compassionate, community-centered care, and we’re thrilled to expand this vision with our Pediatrics Program.
Thank you for your continued support as we work to provide the best care possible for the families of Midcoast Maine!
We are deeply saddened by the passing of Edward Doudera, Vice President of the Knox Clinic Board of Directors. Ed’s unwavering dedication to our mission and his instrumental role in the recent expansion of our care services and the purchase of our permanent home in Rockland were pivotal in shaping the future of the Knox Clinic.
Ed’s thoughtful leadership, generosity, and commitment to fairness and justice were a true inspiration to all who worked alongside him. His contributions will leave a lasting legacy, and his loss is deeply felt throughout our community. Our thoughts are with Ed’s family during this difficult time.
We are profoundly grateful for his years of service and his lasting impact on the Knox Clinic and those we serve.
Knox Clinic Purchases Bok Medical Building
We are thrilled to announce that we’ve officially purchased the Bok Medical Building at 22 White Street, Rockland! This is a major milestone for us, as it secures our future in Rockland, the city we’ve proudly called home for the past 25 years.
With this new chapter, we’re excited to expand our services to better serve our incredible community.
Creating A New Community Health Center
Our belief in wellness consists of more than prescribing a blood pressure medication or filling a cavity, though, in a new community health center, patients would be able to do both under the same roof. Wellness also comes from yoga classes, meditation gardens, a connection to the beautiful place we live, and shared indoor and outdoor community space that encourages connection.
Our goal is to create a space that is welcoming and where we as staff would be happy to bring our children and our grandparents to get their care. We will be an open door for quality care whether you make $5,000 a year or $500,000 a year, are 1 years old or 100 years old, we will care for you with dignity and compassion.
Steps we have taken thus far:
- Completed a Community Barriers to Care Study with 537 respondents to drive our strategic planning.
- The primary barrier to all types of care = cost.
- The top three types of care community members want better access to = dental, vision, and mental health services.
- Click Here to view our Barriers to Care Executive Summary
- Held exciting preliminary partnership conversations with:
- Roux Institute to explore augmented telehealth equipment providing novel technology focused on bringing healthcare services to the home.
- UNE and their Maine Area Health Education Center to become an externship site for schools to foster the next generation of healthcare workers.
Here are some helpful documents with extra information:
Economic and Social Benefits of a Community Health Center
Maine Primary Care Association Economic Impact Report
Health is a positive state, an aspirational goal. We will strive for an integrated approach of wellness, risk reduction, nutrition, and, of course compassionate, equitable, and affordable care.
Want to learn more or get involved?
Please connect with Executive Director Meredith Batley via email at Meredith@knoxclinic.org or via phone at 207-680-4545 with all questions, concerns and suggestions.