LYNN — Element Care Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE), a nonprofit health-care organization that aims to help older adults live safely and comfortably in their homes, announced Dr. Eric Reines as its newly appointed chief medical officer (CMO).

Dr. Reines said he took the position after Medical Director Joanna Duby announced her decision to step down, and Chief Executive Officer Robert Wakefield asked him to take the new position of CMO.

“I thought it was a great honor to be asked, and I really love this organization. I’ve been here 16 years,” Dr. Reines said. “I think it’s the right way to practice medicine, and I want us to continue to do well and pick up where Dr. Duby left off.”

Along with being a leader in the field of geriatric medicine for PACE, Dr. Reines also serves as an advisor to the Massachusetts Medical Society’s Committee on Geriatric Medicine and is affiliated with Salem Hospital and Beverly Hospital.

“It’s fascinating, it’s mind-expanding, I’m finding out so much more about the organization and the people who work here behind the scenes doing work to support our clinical care. It’s been a great honor and a privilege,” Dr. Reines.

In terms of his main priorities for the program, Dr. Reines said he is focusing on staffing.

“We’re busy and we’re growing and there are new treatments and techniques to learn about, and new government regulations to respond to, and new computer systems to use. And all of this takes time and staffing. So, we are actively recruiting,” Dr. Reines said.

Dr. Reines said the reason he has been at the center for 16 years is due to the interdisciplinary team and house calls the PACE center is able to make.

“I never saw that anyplace else before, I think it’s really cool,” Dr. Reines said.