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AUGUSTA — Elaine Balutis didn’t initially intend to go into orthopaedic surgery.
“When I first started medical school, I thought I would be a pediatrician or primary care doctor, having had little experience working with surgeons,” she said.
“During my clinical rotations, I discovered how much I loved improving the quality of life of patients by fixing their broken bones or helping to alleviate arthritic joint pain. I got to work with a variety of patients from kids to the elderly and Division 1 athletes to weekend warriors.”
Balutis is MaineGeneral’s newest surgeon, joining MaineGeneral Orthopaedics in October. She is fellowship-trained and provides diagnostic, surgical and post-operative care to patients with hand, wrist and elbow issues. She performs surgery at the Thayer Center for Health in Waterville and the Alfond Center for Health in Augusta and sees patients at MaineGeneral Orthopaedics’ offices in Augusta and Oakland.
It was during Balutis’ orthopaedic residency that she realized hand surgery was the field she wanted to pursue.
“It’s amazing to be able to get someone back to their job or quality of life by improving their hands. You never realize how much you depend on them until you have a problem that can put you out of work,” she said.
“For me, it was the most rewarding field. Surgery is fascinating but hand surgery incorporates both microscopic and large anatomy as well as amazing mechanics.”
Balutis came to Maine after completing her residency at University of California Irvine. She is from Massachusetts, but had family in Maine, and spent time in the state during her childhood.
“Maine quickly became my favorite vacation location,” she said. “During medical school I met my husband, who graduated from Maine Maritime Academ,y and also loves the state. We even got engaged and married in Maine.
“When we graduated residency, it only seemed right to work and live in Maine. I love year-round activities from sailing in the summer and fall to skiing in the winter. We have an old wooden sailboat that my husband restored and we look forward to exploring the coast of Maine.”
While waiting for the warmer weather to reappear, Balutis is finding great satisfaction working in the Kennebec Valley.
“Professionally, I look forward to helping take care of the people of Maine. Diagnosing, performing and recovering from surgery is a team effort and I am excited to work with a wonderful group of people – especially our operating room team and occupational and physical therapists. Our success is a team effort and I am only one small aspect of that team.
“My family, work and hobbies at bring me happiness and knowing how much these things mean to me, I will do whatever I can to help someone do what brings them happiness and improved quality of life.”
MaineGeneral Orthopaedics provides high-quality, personalized care including arthroscopic surgery, joint replacement, hand surgery, spine surgery, surgical and non-surgical podiatry, post-traumatic reconstruction and comprehensive care of athletic injuries.
