DOVER-FOXCROFT - For the second time in his career, William Bisbee, PA-C has been named Rural Physician Assistant of the Year by the Down East Association of Physician Assistants.
The award, given March 25 at the association’s meeting in Augusta, is presented annually in recognition of dedicated service to a rural community, both as a healthcare provider and as a citizen. Bisbee also won in 1995.
A Belfast native, Bisbee received his undergraduate degree from Dartmouth College and graduated from the Yale University Physician Assistant program in 1978. He came to Dover-Foxcroft that year as the first PA to practice in Piscataquis County when he joined Penquis Orthopaedics, now Mayo Orthopaedics. He’s still there 28 years later.
His professional time is divided between a busy office practice at Mayo Orthopaedics, surgical assisting in Mayo Regional Hospital’s operating room, and the WorkWISE occupational health clinic at Mayo.
Bisbee attends sports events at Foxcroft Academy where he serves as a medical representative at the games, a position he shares with other orthopaedic providers in his practice. For many years, he served at FA’s student health center, which he helped develop as one of the first school-based health centers in the nation in 1990. He continues to work with Dr. Richard Swett to put on an annual Shriners’ orthopaedic clinic at Mayo, and also travels each year to Portland, where he does a presentation on orthopaedics for University of New England PA students.
Bisbee is a trustee of Foxcroft Academy and has served as a past member and chairman of the SAD 68 Board of Directors for two terms. He is an active member of the Dover-Foxcroft Congregational Church, where he has served terms as a deacon and moderator, as well as a member of the Christian Education Board, Pastor/Parish Committee and Stewardship Committee. Bisbee pursues his love of music as a member of the church’s handbell and vocal choirs.
Past community involvement includes service on the Board of the Charlotte White Center, the fundraising committee for the Piscataquis Regional YMCA and the area Boy and Girl Scout organizations.
“When I decided to enter this profession 28 years ago it was with the idea of helping people,” said Bisbee. “Since I’ve been in Dover-Foxcroft that philosophy has gone beyond the practice of medicine. It is one of the reasons I get involved in community organizations.”
Bill Bisbee lives in Dover-Foxcroft and is married to Elaine, a registered nurse and health educator. They have three daughters: Kristen, the oldest, is a chemical engineer in Boston; Bryanne is a massage therapist and works as apparel buyer for Cadillac Mountain Sports; and Dana, the youngest, is completing her junior year in college in Madrid, as part of St. Lawrence University’s Abroad Program.
In his spare time, Bisbee enjoys spectator sports, fly fishing, golf, snow shoeing, cross country skiing, and spending time with his girls.
Joining Bisbee at the March 25 award presentation were Ralph Gabarro, Mayo Regional’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Richard Swett and Dr. David McDermott of the hospital’s medical staff.