Knox Clinic Chief Clinical Officer, Dr. Clifford Dacso, MD, MPH, has been awarded the 2025 Mary F. Cushman, MD Award for Humanitarian Service by the Maine Medical Association, one of the state’s highest honors for volunteer physicians.

The recognition comes at a pivotal time for Knox Clinic, a Rockland institution that has provided free and affordable healthcare for over 25 years and is now rapidly expanding its services. The Clinic recently launched a capital campaign to renovate the newly purchased historic Bok building, creating a centralized hub where primary care, dental, mental health, and wellness resources will soon be offered under one roof.

Dr. Dacso, who began volunteering with the Clinic during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, has been a driving force behind this growth, according to Knox Clinic. In addition to caring for patients, he has guided strategic expansion, mentored staff and young clinicians, and helped launch new initiatives such as the Clinic’s mobile medical unit, which brings care directly to underserved residents across Midcoast Maine.

“Dr. Dacso embodies the mission of Knox Clinic,” said Meredith Batley, Executive Director. “His leadership and compassion have not only transformed patient care but also positioned the Clinic to meet the needs of our community for decades to come.”

Knox Clinic also holds a unique distinction: it is the only organization in Maine to have two volunteers honored with the Cushman Award, "further underscoring its reputation as a community hub powered by dedicated medical professionals," said Knox Clinic.

"For more than a quarter century, the Clinic has been a staple in Midcoast Maine, ensuring that uninsured, underinsured, and low-income neighbors can access high-quality, affordable care," said Knox Clinic. "With expansion plans underway and volunteers like Dr. Dacso leading the way, Knox Clinic is strengthening its role as a vital anchor of health and wellness in the region."