We are pleased to introduce Dr. Laura Blaisdell as Hebron Academy’s public health consultant.  Dr. Blaisdell joined us last year to assist us in navigating the pandemic. Her expertise and consultation was critical to the success we achieved in remaining open to in-person learning and avoiding community transmission.  We are fortunate that Dr. Blasidell will continue in this role for the upcoming school year. Her expertise and counsel will guide us as we strive to balance the prioritization of the health and safety of our community with the transition to a school year of greater normalcy. 

Dr. Blaisdell is a board-certified pediatrician, child health researcher and advocate. She received a B.A. from Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota, a medical doctorate and public health degree (MD/MPH) at the University of Minnesota, and completed a residency in pediatrics at Maine Medical Center.  She currently serves as the Vice President of the Maine AAP and is a founding member of Maine Families for Vaccines.

In addition to community pediatrics, Dr. Blaisdell has published research on vaccine hesitation and decision-making among parents with the Center for Outcome Research and Evaluation.    She has been a site director for the National Children’s Study, where she also led studies of new social media strategies for research recruitment.  In addition to her clinical and research activities, Dr. Blaisdell served as the Chair of the Institutional Review Board (IRB) at MMC, as Chief of Pediatrics at InterMed, as well as serving as a Trustee to Mercy Hospital in Portland.

Dr. Blaisdell mentors students and residents and teaches evidence-based medicine in her role as Assistant Professor at Tufts University School of Medicine.

Dr. Blaisdell also has expertise in camp medicine, serving as Medical Director and Camp Co-Owner at Camp Winnebago in Maine. She resides in South Portland and Fayette, Maine where she lives with her two sons and husband.