Dr. Deb Peabody, MD

I am a native of Maine and have been a practicing Family doctor for over twenty years. It had been my lifelong dream to be a Family doctor since childhood, but sometimes life steers us in different directions, and I actually pursued a career in Education administration and spent eighteen years in academia.  As I approached my 40th birthday, I went through a midlife crisis and pursued my lifelong dream of becoming a doctor. I attended the American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine at the age of 40 and received my medical degree. I completed my Family Medicine Residency training at Middlesex Hospital in Middletown, Ct in 2003 and returned to my home community in Maine to practice Family Medicine at the Lincolnville Health Center. I spent over fifteen wonderful years there and really felt that I was helping my patients and their families. Unfortunately, during this time, the practice of medicine changed dramatically, and I found myself resorting to sitting in front of a computer and checking boxes, while not truly engaging in patient care.

As I approached a pivotal birthday with another zero in it, I realized that I could not practice medicine in this way anymore. I felt that the computer and the constraints of insurance companies were interfering with my ability to care for patients.  The other thing that really bothered me was that patients were becoming much sicker and at a younger age.  In this country where so much money is spent on healthcare… why is everyone so sick with heart disease, obesity, diabetes, cancer, etc.?  As I sat with my patients, there were common threads that I noted and they were poor eating habits, lack of exercise or movement and increased stress!  I saw these issues many times a day and patients were looking for the “pill for the ill” but nowhere were we addressing the real issue.  I realized that I must do this differently or I would not be able to do this work any longer. I then pursued a Functional Medicine certification program that looks at the root cause of illness as that resonated with me in the pursuit of wellness for my patients. This resulted in my private practice called 4 Seasons Wellness and I have found joy in the practice of medicine again. I am excited to bring my Functional Medicine expertise to the residents of Borden Cottage as they pursue sobriety.

I also have a passion for Hospice work and have dedicated some of my time to Hospice work. I was the Hospice Medical Director for the local community for over five years but retired from that position recently. I am still involved with the local hospice organization as when one has the “calling for hospice”, it really never goes away.

I am married and live on a mountaintop overlooking Penobscot Bay. I have one dog, Buck, who is such a love and a great Hospice volunteer. I love the outdoors and enjoy kayaking, hiking, gardening, and fishing.