Need a primary care provider? Meet Andy Zuber

Tue, 04/13/2021 - 8:30am

Andy Zuber is a very experienced physician's assistant (PA) at the Boothbay Region Health Center, who is accepting new primary care patients. Whether you sign up with Andy as your primary care provider, or see him because you have a medical issue, you'll be impressed by his informal, cordial manner and deep medical experience. As a PA, Andy practices under the supervision of Dr. Allan "Chip" Teel. Dr. Teel reports that Andy really doesn't need any supervision, but he is always available to him or his patients for any questions. Since Dr. Teel practices at the Health Center only on Saturdays, Andy also sees any of Dr. Teel's patients who need care during the week.

Andy was born in New Jersey, but from first grade lived in Friendship. He describes himself as "a Mainer at heart, but still “from away.”

"I spent my summers on Hurricane Island near Vinalhaven, as my Dad worked for the Hurricane Island Outward Bound School there," said Zuber.

Andy became a "local" who graduated from Medomak Valley High, and then left to see the world with the Army in 1986, serving for three years as a medic in West Germany.  He returned home in 1989, six months prior to the Berlin Wall coming down. Andy returned to Maine for college at UMO, graduating with a bachelor's degree in zoology in 1994.  He served in the Maine Army National Guard from 1989-1994, attaining the rank of sergeant as a combat medic.

Andy attended Northeastern University in Boston to obtain his physician assistant degree. He then returned to Maine and worked in Boothbay Harbor and Waldoboro in primary care from 1996 through 2002. Andy then transitioned to emergency medicine, working in various places throughout Maine, including Miles, Maine General, Mount Desert Island and Skowhegan.

Andy returned to the Army National Guard as a medical officer in 1996 as well, serving in the 133rd Engineer Battalion, the 152 Field Artillery, as well as STARC Medical Command.  He was deployed to Egypt for a year as an Army captain, serving with an Infantry Battalion from Puerto Rico. He then retired from military service in 2009 with over 20 years.

About how he spends his spare time, Andy says: "My one real hobby and love is of sailing, having grown up helping my Dad care for our Friendship sloop, Gladiator, built in 1902.  I am now the current caretaker/owner.  I have sailed extensively my whole life, including a six-month trip in the South Pacific, as well as an instructor for the Wooden Boat School in Brooklin, Maine, teaching sail handling and navigation. I am an active member of the Friendship Sloop Society and enjoy racing with that group every year in July. I have two sons of his own as well as a stepdaughter. I now live in Waldoboro with my wife Kandace, our four dogs and four cats."