Dr Buchanan was born in Massachusetts.  He attended college at Brown University, graduating in 1987.  He attended Duke University Medical School with an MD degree in 1991.  He spent 10 years in residency and fellowship training at the University of Virginia from 1991 until 2001.  These included General Surgery, Vascular Surgery, and Cardiothoracic Surgery.  He has practiced adult cardiovascular surgery for the last 24 years at Maine Health.  He recently completed 5 years as the Chief of the Division of Cardiac Surgery prior to which he served as Associate Medical Director for 10 years.