One of the benefits of being a primary care physician is the chance to work with people over the long term, said Dr. Michael Romac.

Relationships built over years or even generations are one of the most important ways family doctors can influence the health of their patients, said Dr. Romac, who joined Lincoln Medical Partners Family Medicine last month.

After 23 years at his last practice, Dr. Romac was caring for four generations of some families. He said he hopes to care for multiple generations in his new practice.

A graduate of McGill University Medical School in Montreal, Canada, Dr. Romac joins Dr. Dan Friedland and Family Nurse Practitioner Jennifer Wright at Lincoln Medical Partners Wiscasset. He will also spend one day a week with Dr. Timothy Goltz and Dr. Robert Hunold at Lincoln Medical Partners Damariscotta.

Dr. Romac said he and his wife, Alicia, are thrilled to be in Maine, where they first metand where much of their family now lives. He said he is also very happy to be part of a healthcare system that is focused on quality care.

While in private practice in Upstate New York, Dr. Romac and his partner were part of a pilot program developed by the state of New York that encouraged preventative efforts. Their office was one of the top performing sites in keeping patients out of the hospital.

Dr. Romac and his partner achieved those results by hiring a case manager, a counselor and nutritionist to work with patients and help them overcome barriers to good health. He said one thing that drew him to Lincoln Medical Partners was a similar philosophy of team-oriented care.

“An ounce of prevention is better and cheaper, but most importantly better, than a pound of cure,” he said.

As a physician, he often made house calls when patients couldn’t make it into the office and also believes in leading by example, by keeping fit himself. He enjoys skiing and biking in particular.

This summer he biked 2,800 miles from the Canadian Rockies to Mexico along the continental divide mountain bike trail, riding each of four legs with a family member or a close friend.

His wife Alicia rode with him from Canada to Montana, two-and-a-half weeks. Next, his daughter Rebecca accompanied him toWyoming. Then,his son Alex rode with himto Colorado and the final leg he rode with a longtimefriend.

A life-long interest in sports also serves as a way to get involved in the community and get to know people outside of the office, he said.

“When they see that you are really engaged with the community, then it gives you more credibility in the office. You are not just some stranger telling them what to do. You are somebody from the community who is trying to help.”