This summer a wife-husband team of general surgeons made Caribou their new hometown and Pines Health Services their new home for the practice of general surgery. Mariana Mendible, MD, and Andres R. Fleury, MD, joined Pines Surgical Services in August. They are members of Cary Medical Center's active medical staff.

Watch interview with our two new surgeons

Both surgeons completed their surgical internship and surgical residency program at the Robert Packer Hospital in Sayre, Pennsylvania, where they resided for six years before relocating to Caribou and joining Pines. They are members of the American Medical Association and the American College of Surgeons. In addition to being well versed in general surgery, Dr. Mendible has a special interest in breast surgery, while Dr. Fleury is interested in laparoscopic surgery.

The two general surgeons chose Pines Health Services for its commitment to patient-centered care, its mission to advance the health of Aroostook County residents regardless of their ability to pay, and its strong existing team of primary care and specialty providers. They were also drawn to the technological advances and compassionate approach to patient care of Cary Medical Center, which reflects their background at Robert Packer Hospital. Dr. Mendible stated, "We wanted to practice in an organization that allows us to deliver the same level of healthcare we achieved during our residency training." Dr. Fleury added, "We were especially interested in Pines as a practice that provides care to everybody, whatever their financial situation."

Beyond their professional reasons for joining Pines Health Services, Dr. Mendible and Dr. Fleury have embraced Caribou as a quiet, safe place for their two children and as a friendly, close-knit community to call home. Dr. Fleury said, "We wanted a rural community that has good schools so we can raise our kids safely. Caribou is a perfect fit." Dr. Mendible also noted how important a sense of neighborhood and family was to their decision.

The addition of Dr. Mendible and Dr. Fleury to Pines Health Services expands the surgical services Pines and Cary offer to northern Maine communities. The Pines surgical team provides high quality general, vascular, and thoracic surgical care to residents throughout Aroostook County, as well as surgical care in the specialties of ophthalmology and urology.

Jim Davis, CEO of Pines Health Services, recognizes the value of recruiting additional physicians to Aroostook County, as well as the attraction this area can hold for those physicians. "These two general surgeons are a vital addition to Pines, as they will continue our standard of delivering high quality surgical services to more people right here in The County," he said. "It's exciting to have these dedicated, accomplished medical professionals join our community, and it says a great deal about the community that Dr. Mendible and Dr. Fleury welcome the chance to live and practice medicine here."

Having spent time in north central Pennsylvania, Dr. Mendible and Dr. Fleury are accustomed to delivering healthcare in a rural setting and have seen a few brisk northeastern winters. They look forward to becoming part of the fabric of the community and establishing a way of life that is unique to Northern Maine. "We want people to know that we are here and we are accessible," the physicians said.

Dr. Mendible and Dr. Fleury are based at Pines Surgical Services at 22 Main Street. They will also be seeing patients at the Pines Caribou Health Center located at 74 Access Highway and the Presque Isle Health Center located at 66 Spruce Street. Both surgeons are accepting referrals. For more information, please contact Pines Surgical Services at 498-2595.

Pines Health Services is a non-profit physician practice with more than 30 providers at offices located in Caribou, Presque Isle, Van Buren, and Limestone. As a Federally Qualified Health Center, Pines Health Services provides comprehensive primary care services to residents throughout Aroostook County, ensuring access for those who are unserved, underserved, or unable to pay for routine medical services. Pines Health Services providers are members of Cary Medical Center's active medical staff.