The mission at our practice is to partner with patients to resolve their health issues rather than just treat the symptoms. Our goal is to use all the therapies available to help patients heal as quickly as possible.
Lee Thibodeau, M.D., F.A.C.S, is a Maine native hailing from Presque Isle in Aroostook County, who has long been active in the New England neurosurgical community. Graduating from Cornell University with a degree in biochemistry, Dr. Thibodeau went on to obtain his medical training at Tufts University School of Medicine, where he was awarded the Martin J. Loch Memorial Prize in surgery.
Dr. Thibodeau completed his neurosurgical residency at Yale University. Formerly a neurosurgeon with the Maine Medical Center Neuroscience Institute, Dr. Thibodeau now focuses exclusively on surgery of the spine, particularly minimally invasive procedures and complex reconstructive surgeries to address degenerative spine conditions. Dr. Thibodeau is involved in the development of novel spine surgery techniques, and holds several patents related to spinal instrumentation. Board-certified by the American Board of Neurological Surgery and a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, Dr. Thibodeau is an active member in various professional societies, and has authored numerous papers published in textbooks, spine periodicals, and neurosurgical journals.
Dr. John B. Wahlig, Jr., M.D. received his undergraduate degree from Yale University in Molecular Biophysics & Biochemistry and earned his medical degree from Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons. On completion of a seven-year residency in neurological surgery at the University of Pittsburgh, he practiced on Long Island as a member of South Shore Brain & Spine Specialists, and later as an attending surgeon at Bassett Hospital in Cooperstown, New York.
Dr. Nicolas F. Arredondo is a board certified neurosurgeon with expertise and a special interest in complex and minimally invasive spinal surgery. He treats degenerative diseases and deformities of the spine.
Allison Gagnon joined Maine Spine Surgery in 2015. She received her Bachelor of Science in Health Science and Human Nutrition as well as a minor in Biology from the University of Maine at Orono. During her time at the University of Maine she obtained certification as an Emergency Medical Technician and worked for the University ambulance corp. After graduation she went on to earn her Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies from Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine in Pennsylvania. She came to Mercy from St. Mary's Hospital in Lewiston where she has gained 5 years of experience in Neurosurgery. She is a certified BLS and ACLS provider. Allison board certified and a member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants.
Elizabeth Anderson joined Mercy's Maine Spine Surgery in April of 2014. She completed her Bachelor of Arts and Neuroscience from Northwestern University in Illinois before going on to earn her Physician Assistant degree from Northeastern University in Boston. She has over 25 years of experience in healthcare, with over 20 years working exclusively in Neurosurgery. Elizabeth started her career as a Physician Assistant working in the Emergency Department of St. Vincent Hospital in Worcester, MA before transitioning to Metro West Medical Center's General Surgery department in Framingham, MA and later served in the Neurosurgery department. From there, Elizabeth joined Neurosurgical Care in Framingham, MA and most recently Neurosurgery and Spine Associates in Portland.
In her free time, Elizabeth enjoys horseback riding, skiing, gardening and traveling.
Leah Waldman, PA-C joined Maine Spine Surgery in 2016. She received her bachelors of science from University of the Sciences in Philadelphia and graduated from Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine in 2005 with a master's degree in Physician Assistant studies. During this time, she obtained certification and worked as emergency medical technician. As a physician assistant, Leah started her career in emergency medicine at Abington Memorial Hospital in Abington, PA before transitioning to orthopedic surgery for Princeton Orthopaedic Associates in Princeton, NJ with a special interest in total joint replacements. She remained there for over four years before joining Capital Health in Trenton, NJ where she worked for four years in the fields of trauma and surgical critical care, and she precepted physician assistant students. She then joined University Medical Center of Princeton at Plainsboro in Plainsboro, NJ where she worked for two years in the operating room as a multi-specialty first assistant before moving to Maine and joining Mercy Hospital.
Leah is a member of the American Academy of Physician Assistant and holds certifications in Basic Life Support and Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support. In her free time, she enjoys gardening, running, cycling, snowboarding and hiking with her husband and dogs.
Sonya J. McNamara, PA-C, joins Maine Spine Surgery with international experience as a physician assistant in both orthopaedics and general practice medicine. Mrs. McNamara studied at Ohio State University, subsequently graduating cum laude from Kettering College of the Medical Arts with a Bachelor of Science degree in physician assistant studies. While practicing as a physician assistant, Mrs. McNamara concomitantly studied to earn a master's degree in physician assistant studies in 2010. Prior to receiving her physician assistant certification, she worked in an emergency room and trauma setting as a suture and orthopaedic technician.
Mrs. McNamara has significant experience with casting, splinting and suturing and has been an educator in a hospital setting. Having most recently worked with Access Sports Medicine, a multi-specialty orthopedic group in New Hampshire, Mrs. McNamara previously practiced at the Bowdoin College Health Center in Brunswick, Maine. Mrs. McNamara has also worked abroad in the United Kingdom for the National Health System, as well as for the Indian Health Service, the federal health program for American Indians and Alaska Natives. Mrs. McNamara is licensed to practice in both Maine and New Hampshire and is certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants.
Daniel Stone received his Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from the University of Rhode Island in Kingston, Rhode Island and his Master of Physician Assistant Studies from Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences in Manchester, New Hampshire. Before coming to Mercy, he was a physician assistant in spine surgery at Orthopaedics Northeast in North Andover, Massachusetts.
