March of Dimes Maine Chapter will honor Dr. Michael Pinette at the Greater Portland Signature Chefs Auction on Thursday, Oct. 2 at DiMillo’s on the Water.

Pinette is the medical director of MaineHealth’s Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine and a proud parent, making his commitment to the health of moms and babies personal and meaningful.

Wiscasset resident, former patient of Dr. Pinette, and March of Dimes Family Teams Specialist Aubrey Martin, will be on-hand to introduce him to the hundreds who will be gathering in his honor.

"It is such a privilege to be chosen to introduce him at DiMillo's. Dr. Pinette is a gift to me, to my family and to thousands of families throughout the state. I can honestly say that my children would not be here without him, and there are no words I can ever really say to express my gratitude. He is a wonderful man and an exceptional doctor."

Maine Medical Center is part of MaineHealth. Many high-risk pregnant women, as Martin was for both her pregnancies, are transferred to Pinette's practice from Lincoln County and statewide.

Janelle LoScituto, Community Director, for the March of Dimes Maine Chapter remarks, “Dr. Pinette’s work, coupled with his heartfelt support, will help increase awareness of our mission and bring much success to this event. We are thankful to him for accepting this role as our 2014 Honoree.”

Dr. Pinette’s Portland‐based team includes three maternal‐fetal medicine subspecialists, three Board certified obstetrician‐gynecologists, five nurses, 14 sonographers and two genetic counselors. The practice travels to clinics around the state once or twice a month, and also uses telemedicine to remotely review more than 1,000 prenatal ultrasound tests that are performed monthly at sites around the state, in addition to nearly 2,000 each month at Maine Medical Center.

“I am grateful to accept this award on behalf of a pioneering team in medicine. We are proud to have one of the lowest preterm and perinatal mortality rates in the United States,” said Pinette. “Our reward for the many lectures and educational opportunities we donate to other providers — many of whom have adopted our protocols for obstetric care — is that we are making a difference, and that makes it worth the effort.”

Signature Chefs Auction brings together the area’s top chefs offering guests the opportunity to sip and sample their “signature” dish, bid on unique auction items including our very special Fund the Mission, and raise funds to support the March of Dimes mission for stronger, healthier babies.

Signature Chefs Auction will take place at DiMillo’s on the Water on Oct. 2 at 5:30 p.m. 

Signature Chefs Auction is presented by Harvard Pilgrim Healthcare with additional support from generous sponsors including Hannaford, Native Maine Produce, ProSearch and Berlin City Auto Group.

For more information or to become a sponsor, contact Janelle LoSciuto at 207-289-2067 or jlosciuto@marchofdimes.com, or visit marchofdimes.com/maine.