Joe Lawlor

Staff Writer

Joe Lawlor writes about health and human services for the Press Herald. A 24-year newspaper veteran, Lawlor has worked in Ohio, Michigan and Virginia before relocating to Maine in 2013 to join the Press Herald. He is still considered “from away” but since then, he has learned what a “dooryard” is, eaten “whoopie pies” drank Moxie and boiled some “lobstahs.” The stories he enjoys most are when he learns something and meeting inspiring people. He lives in South Portland - aka “SoPo” - with his wife, Melanie, and two school-age children.

Latest

Published
October 25, 2015

Maine Med lab grows tiny part of a kidney, makes a big scientific advance

A Scarborough team’s research eventually could change the way kidney disease is treated and save thousands of lives.
Published
October 23, 2015

Maine company’s medical devices to be featured in televised brain surgery Sunday

The equipment produced by FHC Inc. of Bowdoin is used in deep brain simulation procedures that can reduce symptoms of Parkinson’s and other neurological diseases.
Published
October 21, 2015

Spending on MaineCare rides program jumps by $5.4 million

The state cites an increase in the number and cost of rides, while a legislator asks what was gained by a 2013 overhaul that led to thousands of complaints.
Published
October 20, 2015

Insurers competing for Maine’s Affordable Care Act customers

With open enrollment starting Nov. 1, they offer different price and provider options to attract 75,000 or more Mainers.
Published
October 17, 2015

Later start times for middle and high schools gaining momentum in southern Maine

Fourteen districts send representatives to a meeting to explore the issue, which has growing support from parents and health care specialists
Published
October 14, 2015

Maine CDC director backtracks on endorsement of bill to make vaccine opt-outs harder

Kenneth Albert says a reporter jumped to a conclusion while criticizing the legislation as ‘heavy-handed and unnecessary.’
Published
October 13, 2015

Maine CDC director supports strengthening state’s vaccine laws

Kenneth Albert wants to make it harder for parents to opt out, a position that may help the “informed consent” bill survive a possible second veto by the governor in 2017.
Published
October 9, 2015

Two toddlers were infected by same strain of E. coli, Maine CDC reports

The epidemiologist for the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention says it’s likely the boys acquired their illness from the same source, which has yet to be identified.
Published
October 8, 2015

State awaiting results of tests from Oxford fairgrounds as it investigates 2 E. coli cases

A toddler who got sick after visiting the petting zoo at the Oxford County Fair remains in fair condition at Maine Medical Center.
Published
October 6, 2015

Food stamps asset test elicits criticism, support at Maine hearing

The proposal would make Mainers ineligible for the program if they have $5,000 in the bank or own a snowmobile, an ATV or other assets with that much value.