The Cancer Risk and Prevention Clinic Welcomes

Dr. Hiemenga

I am Judy Hiemenga, a recent physician transplant from Michigan. You know, another “M” state with wonderful water and summers interrupted by snow and winter. Actually I do love winter too. My background was Obstetrics and Gynecology with a practice member that was West Michigan’s early Endocrine, Infertility, and IVF specialist along with the first Gynecologic Oncologist. My view on medical life was very much influenced by these practice partners. I went on to do another residency in Clinical Genetics after a couple decades in this practice. I have been involved in cancer genetics since completing my Genetics residency in 2011. I have been here at Maine Health in the Cancer Risk and Prevention Clinic since early March of this year. It has been delightful to get a chance to meet so many wonderful (or should we say “patients”?) people and families.

In the Cancer Risk and Prevention Clinic we see patients and families impacted by cancer. That is, patients in a personal fight with cancer or close contacts with those impacted by cancer. In the Cancer Risk and Prevention Clinic, we look for an inherited cause or predisposition for cancers. We offer DNA testing through just blood or saliva to seek answers to a “why” for cancer. Perhaps more significantly, we help identify personalized treatment options, both surgical and medical. We strive to provide patients and families with information about risks, screening, and importantly, cancer risk reduction. However, we do not offer some of the fun and interesting genetic tests such as “Do you like music and cilantro or might you be English and Irish?”

In the Cancer Risk and Prevention Clinic, we make every attempt to meet Maine Health’s goal to provide “care where you are” through Zoom-based secure remote visits from your home or through more local sites such as Maine Medical Center, the Harold Alfond Center for Cancer Care at MaineGeneral Hospital, Waldo County General Hospital, and Pen Bay Cancer Care.

I enjoy art, reading, travel, hiking, sewing, cooking and baking. My husband is a retired art professor and is patiently teaching me water, oil, and acrylic painting techniques. I very much look forward to exploring Maine.

Judith Ann Hiemenga, MD