Dr. Karin Cole named MHA’s Caregiver of the Year

Rockport, Maine - Dr. Karin Cole, a general and oncological surgeon at Northern Light Mercy Hospital, has been named the 2025 Caregiver of the Year by the Maine Hospital Association.

​The award, presented June 18 during MHA’s Summer Forum Conference at the Samoset Resort, honors a healthcare professional who demonstrates extraordinary compassion, clinical excellence, and dedication to patients and their communities.
 
Dr. Cole was selected not only for her clinical excellence but also for her deeply compassionate approach to patient care.  Known across the hospital as calm, responsive, and exceptionally kind, Cole has earned a reputation among staff and patients alike for her quiet but powerful presence.
 
“Dr. Cole embodies everything this award stands for,” said Steven Michaud, president of the Maine Hospital Association.  “Her empathy, professionalism, and commitment to care go far beyond the operating room.  She brings comfort and clarity to patients in their most vulnerable moments.”
 
Her nomination highlighted numerous examples of Dr. Cole’s compassion.  In one instance, Cole met with the family of a medically fragile patient.  And, despite not being the treating physician, calmly listened to their frustration and offered empathy and support.  In another, she stayed with a couple devastated by a cancer diagnosis, waiting until their son arrived so they could hear the news together, answering questions with grace and patience.
 
Dr. Cole also received praise from a first-time surgical patient, who wrote a heartfelt thank-you letter after their hospital stay.  The patient described how Dr. Cole’s clear communication, attentiveness, and visible commitment to her profession alleviated their fears and made them feel truly cared for.
 
Colleagues say Dr. Cole’s influence elevates everyone around her.  “Dr. Cole sets the bar high for herself, of course. But also, for those of us who have the pleasure of working on the same team,” said one Mercy staff member.
 
The Caregiver of the Year award is the Maine Hospital Association’s highest honor, given annually to recognize exceptional care providers in the state’s hospital community.