John A. Martins has directed public affairs at a community hospital in Maine and served with the Maine Department of Health and Human services under two administrations.

Damariscotta and Boothbay Harbor – LincolnHealth announced April 25 that it has appointed an experienced communications professional with an extensive background in health care in Maine to be its next director of communications and public affairs.

John A. Martins has worked in communications roles within the healthcare industry for more than 20 years, dating to 1998 when he supported Goodall Hospital in Sanford as communications director, first working through a consulting firm and then directly for the hospital as an employee.

Martins also spent nine years in state government, spanning both the administrations of Gov. John Baldacci and Gov. Paul LePage, as the director of employee and public communications with the Maine Department of Health and Human services. Most recently, Martins has been working as a private consultant. He began his career as a newspaper journalist.

“In John we get someone who knows Maine, knows health care and knows how to communicate effectively with the communities we serve,” said James Donovan, president of LincolnHealth. “He will be an effective spokesperson for our organization as we pursue our vision and mission on behalf of Damariscotta, Boothbay Harbor and the entire region.”

Martins replaces Scott Shott, who left LincolnHealth earlier this year to pursue an opportunity at the Owls Head Transportation Museum. In his role, Martins will report locally to Donovan as well as to John Porter, associate vice president of system communications and public affairs for MaineHealth. A resident of Lewiston, Martins said he and his family plan to relocate to Lincoln County in coming months.

“LincolnHealth is an organization that has long delivered great care to the communities it serves, and coming here to tell that story and keep the organization connected to its patients and the larger community is a tremendous opportunity,” said Martins. “With the backing of MaineHealth, the state’s premier health system, the future is very bright here, and I’m excited to be a part of it.”

About LincolnHealth: With campuses in the coastal communities of Boothbay Harbor and Damariscotta, Maine, LincolnHealth is a full-service healthcare system and is part of MaineHealth, the largest integrated health system in Maine. In the Damariscotta area, the LincolnHealth – Miles Campus includes a 25-bed community hospital; Lincoln Medical Partners, a multi-specialty physician practice; Cove’s Edge, a skilled rehabilitation and long-term care facility; and Chase Point, an assisted living facility which includes Riverside, a residence for people living with Alzheimer’s and related dementia. The Miles campus is also home to Schooner Cove, an independent retirement community. In Boothbay Harbor, the LincolnHealth – St. Andrews Campus provides Urgent Care, a Wound Care Center and outpatient hospital services. Also located on the campus is LincolnHealth Medical Partners Family Care Center. St. Andrews Village provides assisted living, independent living, long-term nursing care, skilled rehabilitation and Safe Havens Memory Care. LincolnHealth is the largest employer in Lincoln County.