Pam Rietschel takes full-time role at breast care center‏

Lewiston, Maine - Pamela R. Rietschel, M.D., has joined the Sam and Jennie Bennett Breast Care Center professional staff. She has been co-medical director of the center since it was established, and recently accepted the role of the center’s full-time breast surgeon.

Rietschel has a diverse surgical practice background. She was most recently a member of the Central Maine Vascular Surgery practice surgical staff. In the 25 years she has worked in the Lewiston-Auburn area, she has practiced both general surgery, including breast surgery, and vascular surgery. She is now specializing in breast surgery at the Bennett Center.

“It is a pleasure to have Dr. Rietschel at the Breast Center as it will allow us to expand our services and continue to offer men and women with breast disease, including cancer, timely, efficient and compassionate care, extending from physical examination and treatment to follow-up care and survivorship,” nurse practitioner Kathi Varney.

Varney, an experienced breast care provider, will continue to see patients and work closely with the
surgeons and diagnostic staff at the Bennett Center. Rietschel and Gregory D’Augustine, M.D. will continue work together as co-medical directors of the Center. They have served in this role since 1997.

“I am very excited to have the opportunity to focus my practice on the diagnosis and treatment of breast problems. I am looking forward to expanding the services of the Bennett Breast Care Center to our affiliated hospitals and to all the women in central Maine,” said Rietschel.

Rietschel joined the Central Maine Medical Center Medical Staff in 1989. She has served as president and vice president of the CMMC Medical Staff, and as chief of the hospital’s division of surgery.  She holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees, and earned her medical degree from the University of Washington School of Medicine in Seattle, and completed residency training at St. John Hospital in Detroit. She is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons.

Both Rietschel and D’Augustine are members of the American College of Breast Surgeons and voluntarily participate in the Mastery Program, which is designed to help surgeons document their clinical performance of breast procedures, as well as their care of breast cancer patients and patients at risk for breast cancer.

The Sam and Jennie Bennett Breast Care Center was established in 1997 to provide comprehensive breast care to women and men from throughout the central, western and mid-coast region. The center offers a supportive and highly qualified team of experts that provides the complete spectrum of breast care services, ranging from early detection screening mammography to the latest advancements in the multidisciplinary care of high risk and breast cancer patients.

The center is a member of the National Consortium of Breast Centers and is accredited by the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers and has earned a Center of Excellence Designation from the American College of Radiology. The Bennett Center follows National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines for benign, high risk and breast cancer treatment. The Bennett Center is accredited by the American College of Radiology for stereotactic breast biopsy procedures and breast ultrasound, performed by certified mammographers and certified breast sonographers, respectively.

The Bennett Breast Center is an integral part of the Central Maine Comprehensive Cancer Center, which is accredited by the Commission on Cancer. The center works in collaboration with the Patrick Dempsey Center for Cancer Hope and Healing to provide education, support and wellness services that enhance the quality of life of individuals, families and communities touched by cancer. The center embraces the whole person-body, mind and spirit- in a respectful, inclusive and healing environment.

The Sam and Jennie Bennett Breast Care Center can be reached at 795-2100.