York County launches inhouse medical, behavioral health division
- Tammy L Wells
- 1 day ago
- 6 min read
Will provide services at York County Jail, new recovery center
ALFRED, Maine - There has been a big change in how medical and behavioral health is delivered at York County Jail – a system that will also carry over to the new York County Recovery Center when the facility goes online, targeted to take place early in 2027. York County Government’s new Integrated Medical and Behavioral Health Division began providing care at the jail on July 1.
And as the York County Commissioners and county administration contemplated the system change, they sought out those with experience in such endeavors and hired three core people to lead: Medical Director Dr. Mark Lim, Behavioral Health Director Steven Danzig and Director of Nursing Curtis Brown.
“They bring a wealth of background and experience, and the right personalities and work history to help move this forward from planning, to executing the plan, and carrying it out,” said York County Manager Greg Zinser.
At York County Jail, the change from contracted medical services companies – a system that had been in place for more than two decades – to the inhouse model allows for more local oversight, said Zinser. And, he added, it makes sense to integrate the two entities into one system – while York County Recovery Center will be open to all, it is expected that some who receive care there will be people who have spent time at the jail.
“We were talking about the recovery center and always knew there would be a medical component as well as behavioral health, so the thought was, if we do this for the recovery center, why not go a bit bigger and create an integrated system,” Zinser said.
Lim holds a trio of board certifications in addiction medicine, along with board certifications in family medicine and obesity medicine, and has served as a staff physician and an addictions medicine physician in the area for 20 years. He said the integration is all part of the continuum of care, a coordinated approach to providing services to those who need them.
“In every illness there is some kind of stage the patient is at, it is the same with addiction – the continuum of care depends on the level of severity,” said Lim. “If someone comes to me with stroke, we give them medication to lower the risk and tailored rehabilitation – we don’t just send them out with medication.” Lim noted that often in addiction care, there is a debate about whether to offer medication alone, or more. “York County plans to offer an inpatient and outpatient continuum of care,” Lim said. “People have to recognize the disease process.”
Brown has a bachelor’s degree in nursing, is a certified nurse manager and leader, and a certified mental health technician. He has served as executive director of a hospital behavioral health program, as a senior program manager in behavioral health, as a charge nurse and in other nursing positions.
Danzig has a master’s degree as a clinical social worker, and is a licensed alcohol and drug counselor. He has served as an executive director of recovery programs, as a clinical director of outpatient services, and as a counselor and therapist.
THE RECOVERY CENTER
York County Recovery Center will offer detox services, intensive outpatient programs, and several levels of residential care that include counseling and a plan forward once the residential component ends.
In York County, there were 854 non-fatal overdoses to which emergency medical personnel responded from January-May 2026, according to the Maine Drug Data Hub, a collaboration between several state departments, the Governor’s Office and the University of Maine. In all of 2025, there were 2,202 non-fatal overdoses in the county. There are no available statistics for non-fatal overdoses in cases where EMS was not involved in the response.
And while there is some good news in that there are fewer overdose deaths in Maine now than a year ago, fatal overdoses continue to happen.
Statewide, the total number of confirmed and suspected fatal overdoses for January – May was 146, 9.9 percent fewer than the total for the same period in 2025, according to the Maine Drug Data Hub. Of the total, 17 of the overdose deaths were in York County, down from 24 in the same January – May time frame in 2025.
“Fewer overdose deaths mean more Maine people have the opportunity to access treatment, recover and thrive,” said Maine Health and Human Services Commissioner Sara Gagné-Holmes at the state’s July 16 Opioid Summit. “We must continue building on this progress because every life is worth fighting for.”
Danzig pointed out that lifesaving measures are more accessible now than in the past.
“Nearly every single person I encounter (in the course of my work) has used Narcan on someone they were with,” he said. “If I am facilitating a group of 1-12 people and I ask how many people have died before, at least 4-5 hands go up, and some multiple times. This is the reason for the continuum of care and the longevity of treatment.”
STAFFING
Lim, Brown and Danzig say the county has done a good job of recruiting appropriate medical personnel including many who worked for the prior contracted medical vendor, along with new hires.
Hiring continues, and currently the county is interviewing candidates for the recovery center, said Brown.
And while the two locations – jail and recovery center – operate with different licensing and policies, the goal is that employees will work back and forth between the two locations in the Integrated Medical and Behavioral Health Division.
Already there have been changes in the inner workings of the medical system at the jail. As an example, under the previous system, one nurse would conduct sick call, another member of the team would pass medications, and so on, Brown noted.
“Now, we have a more fluid workflow where (personnel) are assigned to a section of the jail,” said Brown. “It flows better and gives everyone the skills they need to look at the entire person, and not just one specific area.”
York County Human Resources Director and Deputy County Manager Linda Hutchins-Corliss said about 30 new medical and behavioral health employees – nurses, licensed practical nurses, certified residential medication aides, and addiction and behavioral counselors, have been hired to date. Many previously worked for the contracted jail vendor, but not all. She said the county is continuing to seek out additional employees. To see available opportunities, folks should go to https://www.yorkcountymaine.gov/careers/ .
LOOKING AHEAD
Lim said he is excited about the work and what it will bring.
“What really excites me about this opportunity is the chance to build a recovery treatment program with full continuum of care from the ground up,” said Lim. “I enjoy taking challenges like this, and it's rewarding to be able to use my experience to help create something meaningful while working alongside a team that's committed to the same goal. What makes it special is that I'd be doing this work in the community where I live.”
Danzig said he is looking forward to seeing people begin to get recovery.
“We have an opportunity to see the spark light up in a person's eyes and then catch fire for the desire to continue,” Danzig said. “Witnessing someone walk through the fear of the unknown, not because they need to or someone thinks they should, but because they want to, and (they) know somewhere deep down that it will bring them to a better place in their life.”
Brown said he has always believed that one of the greatest privileges in life is the opportunity to help others.
“Whether through kindness, encouragement, or service, I find purpose in making a positive difference,” he said. “As Muhammad Ali said, 'Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on Earth.' That quote reminds me that our greatest legacy isn't what we accumulate - it's the lives we touch.”
Planning for construction of the York County Recovery Center began in 2021. Planning for the York County Integrated Medical and Behavioral Health Division, which will operate the programs, evolved over time.
“Quite simply,” said Zinser, “we’re looking to provide operational excellence and we know we have the right team in place to assure that happens.”
