BOSTON — The Schwartz Center for Compassionate Healthcare, a nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening the relation- ship between patients and their health care providers, has selected a Mid Coast Hospital doctor among five finalists for its prestigious Schwartz Center Compassionate Caregiver Award.

P. Lynn Ouellette, MD, of Mid Coast Hospital in Brunswick, is a psychiatrist with a special interest in pos-partum depression who also provides care to AIDS orphans in Kenya during her annual volunteer trips.

“This is the inherent value of being an advocate — conveying the fundamental message that people are worthwhile, have value and deserve for you to stand up for them,” she said.

The Schwartz Center award was established in 1999 to honor healthcare professionals who demonstrate extraordinary compassion in caring for patients and families, according to a news release.

This year’s award recipient will receive a $5,000 cash pr ize, and the four finalists will receive $1,000 each.

The award recipient will be announced Nov. 21.

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