For island local Owen Mild, the path to medical school didn’t begin in a hospital, it began in the classroom. With both a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in kinesiology from University of Maine, along with pre-med minors, Owen built a strong academic foundation. What he didn’t have, at least at first, was clinical experience.
That changed when he returned home to Mount Desert Island as a Medical Assistant.
“Growing up here, it’s been really meaningful to come back and train in this community,” Owen says. “It’s what drew me in, both the rural medicine aspect and the chance to serve a place that helped shape me.”
Working as a medical assistant at MDI Health at both Cadillac Family Practice and Community Health Center, Owen quickly found himself immersed in the realities of patient care. Beyond the clinical skills, he gained something just as valuable: perspective.
“It’s not just the time with patients,” he explains. “It’s everything behind the scenes, how the health centers operate, how teams communicate, and how decisions are made. Working not only with medical staff but with ancillary staff is incredibly important while learning, and I’m so grateful for their guidance. Not every place gives you that kind of exposure.”
At Cadillac Family Practice, Owen credits the providers and staff for shaping his experience and preparing him for what’s next. Working closely with Sarah Pasquine, PA-C, MPH he learned the importance of compassion and truly listening to patients, skills he knows will define his future in medicine.
“She taught me so much about how to connect with people,” he says. “That’s something I’ll carry with me forever.”
Support came from across the MDI Health organization. Dr. Plourde offered guidance and wrote a letter of recommendation, while Dr. Kandutsch sparked Owen’s interest in sports and regenerative medicine through his depth of knowledge and enthusiasm.
Now, Owen is taking the next step. He has already been accepted into medical school and is weighing his options, including schools in the state, and farther away. Wherever he lands, his path forward is clear.
“I do plan on coming back to Maine,” he says. “Whether it’s here at MDI or somewhere else in the state, I’d love to be part of this kind of community again.”
Looking back, Owen says what stands out most isn’t just what he learned, it’s how he learned it.
“Everyone here is willing to help. It’s a truly supportive environment, and that’s something special,” he says. “Across the hospital and the health centers, people work together and keep patients at the center of everything they do. You don’t find that everywhere.”
“I can’t thank everyone enough,” he says. “I wouldn’t be here without them.”
