IN PULSE Vol. 37 No. 4 •
HOSPITAL
H
Becker’s Hospital Review
62 Critical
Access Hospitals to Know 2017
News from Waldo County General Hospital • July 2017
Harold Alfond® Foundation awards $10M to launch MaineHealth Cancer Care Network Cancer patients in Knox and Waldo counties will now have access to world-class, coordinated cancer treatment thanks to an innovative collaboration between MaineHealth members and its
WCGH on list of Critical Access Hospitals to know Waldo County General Hospital has been named to the Becker’s Hospital Review 2017 edition of 62 Critical Access Hospitals to Know. The hospitals featured on this list have a reputation for superior service and care, according to Becker’s Healthcare review. Critical access hospitals have 25 or fewer inpatient beds and an annual average length of stay of no more than 96 hours for acute care. They offer emergency care and are located at least 35 miles from any other hospital. To develop this list, the Becker’s Healthcare editorial team examined the rankings and awards from other organizations such as Healthgrades and also considered the hospital’s community impact and reputation for innovation.
affiliate hospitals. The MaineHealth Cancer Care Network is being launched in part with a $10 million grant from The Harold Alfond® Foundation. It is also affiliating with Boston’s Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Diagnosing cancer and treating patients with the disease requires a team of experts. Most cancer patients receive a combination of therapies that can include surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. By working together, the MaineHealth Cancer Care Network can provide comprehensive cancer treatment services to everyone. “The Cancer Care programs at Pen Bay Medical Center (PBMC) and WCGH have been providing high quality, patient centered cancer care in our communities for decades” said
Mark Fourre, MD, president and CEO of PBMC and WCGH. “This partnership, will allow us to build upon an already strong foundation making advanced, coordinated care easier for our patients to access, while maintaining continuity of care with our specialized local cancer care teams.” When patients access the MaineHealth Cancer Care Network for care, they will receive the services they need as close to home as possible. Patients can be referred to larger centers for more advanced care, second opinions or clinical trials, and then return locally for follow-up care. The network’s commitment is to coordinate the patient’s journey as they access the most appropriate services for them.
Ann Hooper Center for Women’s Imaging Waldo County General Hospital is pleased to announce the opening of the state’s premier, nationally certified women’s imaging center. When it’s time to schedule a mammogram or you’re facing a possible cancer diagnosis, you want the most state-of-the art, personalized care – close to home.
State-of-the-art 3D mammography, ultrasound, bone density and needle biopsies are available in our beautiful boutique imaging suite. Choose the WCGH Center for Women’s Imaging for fewer unnecessary callbacks, greater accuracy and less stress.
Bank of America supports Waldo County Dental Care Waldo County Dental Care (WCDC) would like to thank Bank of America Charitable Foundation for their generous grant of $5,000. The Bank of America Charitable Foundation provides support to organizations that provide critical services and programs in order to
advance local economies, create positive change and improve quality of life in the communities it serves. As the only safety net dental clinic in Waldo County, WCDC provides critically needed oral health care to low income,
uninsured patients in Waldo County. The funds provided by Bank of America will allow WCDC to purchase dental instruments and medical supplies needed to continue to provide preventative and restorative dental care services for underserved adults in Waldo County.
Learn more about WCGH awards $9,820 in scholarships services and medical records Fifteen students have been skin cancer coding/transcriptions. awarded a total of $9,820 in
The next session of the Penobscot Shores’ Enrichment Series will feature local dermatologist Kerry Lavigne, MD, giving an update on skin cancer, the most commonly diagnosed form of cancer. Free and open to adults ages 50 and over, the presentation will feature how to reduce your risk of the disease, explore treatment options and discover the benefits of Mohs micrographic surgery. The presentation will be held on Wednesday, July 26, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Penobscot Shores, 10 Shoreland Drive, Belfast. Registration is required and can be made by calling 338-2332.
scholarships for the 2017-2018 academic year. The Health Care Education Scholarship Program is for residents of Waldo County who are pursuing education in a healthcare field. Awards are made to graduating high school seniors and college undergraduates pursing careers in such fields as nursing, pharmacy, radiology, laboratory technician, therapy
The scholarship program is part of WCGH’s continuing effort to increase the health awareness of the community. Awarded scholarships were: Adam Aiken, Karrah Armstrong, Natalie Bowden, Cheyenne Fernald, Mindy Lancaster, Sherri Littlefield, Lesli Lowe, Brooke Tripp, Maryellen Blanchard, Jessie Brown, Karigen Coffin, Alison Hills, Paige Ireland, Tiffany Knox and Brittany Masessa.
Cassatt String Quartet to give free concert The Cassatt String Quartet, who is acclaimed as one of America’s outstanding ensembles, will perform in the Best Café at WCGH on Wednesday, July 19, from 2:30 to 3:15 p.m. The Cassatt String Quartet was founded in 1985. Originally the first participants in Juilliard’s Young Artists Quartet Program, the Quartet has gone on to win many teaching fellowships and awards and has toured internationally. The free concert is open to patients, staff and the general public.
Participants register for the Cardiac Rehab 5K, sponsored by WCGH and Pen Bay Medical Center. This sixth annual walk was to celebrate the wellness and success of the cardiac rehab programs at both hospitals. There was no entry fee to participate in the walk but some $350 was donated to the cardiac rehab scholarship fund.
Looking for a provider? Call 930-6766 and a patient care coordinator will work with you to find a provider who fits your needs. 2
Given to the community
Given by the community
The Girls on the Run group at the Walker School in Liberty recently donated goodie bags for children who are in the hospital. The 20 bags included such items as coloring books, crayons, playdough and books that the girls donated. On hand to present the goodie bags to Denise Lindahl, an RN in the emergency department at Waldo County General Hospital, left, were front row from left, Esmae Cote, Payton Munro, Samantha Rainey, Bailey Smart, and Emmy Avery and in the back row, Coach Miranda Riley, Destiny Shepard, Coach Lori Shepard, Brianna Short, Coach Jessica Natale, Margaret Natale and Coach Allison Avery. Girls on the Run is a national program for girls ages 8 to 13 that inspires them to be joyful, healthy and confident using a fun, experience-based curriculum which creatively integrates running and giving back to the community.
Lions clubs from Belfast, Monroe and two from Searsport presented representatives from the oncology department at Waldo County General Hospital with 30 $50 gas cards to help patients receiving chemotherapy to offset travel costs. The funds were raised at a community dinner sponsored by the four clubs. On hand for the presentation Thursday night were, front row from left, Brenda Burgess, RN, clinical coordinator Maggie Raymond, RN and Sue Drinkwater, RN, all from the oncology department and Denis Howard, a Belfast Lion. In the back row from left are John Moran of the Searsport Lions Club, Hollis Bagley of the Searsport Bay Lions Club, David Doak of the Monroe Lions Club and Charlie Smith of the Searsport Lions Club.
Waldo County General Hospital employees and family members delivered 1,251 jars of peanut butter and jelly to Bangor Savings Bank. The items were combined with others collected during the bank’s annual PB&J Drive and delivered to local food pantries. The nursing staff at WCGH won the challenge issued to other staff by collecting 500 jars in the first 24 hours of the drive. The hospital collection was spearheaded by Ann Hooper, imaging department director, Nicole Kenney, ICU nurse director and Gail Dudley, operating room director.
Congratulations to the participants from our spring “Get 5k Ready!” class on completing the Coastal Mountains Land Trust 5k in Belfast on June 3. From left, they were Leslie Lang, Maureen Kremin, Torrie Sprague, instructor Rachael McCormick, Suzanne Hall and Ethel Whitcomb. Have you always wanted to complete a 5k? With proper training, it is possible! The next 8-week training program begins on August 2. For more information, please visit journeytohealth.coursestorm.com or call 921-3950.
3
Community Health & Wellness Briefs
Registration required for all events, please visit http://journeytohealth.coursestorm.com or call 921-3950 Restorative Yoga
Yoga is a gentle way to improve your physical and mental well-being. This class will help you stretch and strengthen your muscles, gain flexibility, improve balance, reduce stress, improve joint mobility and relax. Appropriate for anyone regardless of yoga experience. Tuesdays, July 18 - Sept. 12 (No class August 1) 4:30 - 5:45 p.m. Biscone Medical Building 119 Northport Ave., Belfast Registration fee is $50.
Declutter Your Life
Do you feel like your life may be in need of some decluttering? Do you feel a bit stressed, or that you’re just not on your “A” game? If so, join us for this two-session class to learn to identify physical and mental clutter and strategies to clear your space, and your mind, to get back to your best self. Thursday, July 20 5:00 - 6:30 p.m. Stockton Springs Town Office 217 Main Street Free
Open Meditation
Practice the art of meditation to build resilience, manage stress and enhance well-being. No experience necessary and no registration required. Wednesdays 12:30 - 1:00 p.m. Biscone Medical Building 119 Northport Ave., Belfast Free
Introduction to Sea Kayaking
With the miles of coastline and many lakes in Maine, kayaking is a great way to stay active. Join us for a leisurely tour of our beautiful Midcoast with Maine Sport Outfitters’ Registered Maine Guides. Basic paddling and safety instructions will be provided. Children ages 10 and older are welcome but must be accompanied by an adult. Weather permitting. Registration fee includes tandem kayaks and gear. Monday, July 31 Thursdays, August 17 & 31, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 14 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. Beach adjacent to Belfast Boathouse, 34 Commercial St. Registration is $30 per outing.
Martial Arts for Kids Are you looking for an activity to channel your child’s abundance of energy? If so, sign them up for this class with Master Randy Gelo. Not only will your child have fun, but he or she will learn self-discipline as well as how to work with others. No previous martial arts experience required. Wednesdays, July 19 - Sept. 20 5:00 - 5:45 p.m. (ages 3 - 6) 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. (ages 7 - 11) Varney Community Building 24 Veterans Highway, Brooks Registration fee is $62.50 (Family discounts available) 4
The Community Health & Wellness team at Pen Bay Medical Center and Waldo County General Hospital is excited to announce their summer class schedule. You can access an electronic version of the guide at http://bit.ly/J2HSummer2017. All class offerings are also detailed at journeytohealth. coursestorm.com.
Frozen Summer Treats
Beat the heat with these cool and healthy summer treats that your whole family will enjoy. Have fun and awaken your taste buds as we turn your favorite fruits into homemade frozen treats such as sorbets, popsicles, ice cream and more. This class is kid-friendly. Monday, August 21 5:00 - 6:30 p.m. University of Maine Hutchinson Center, 80 Belmont Ave., Belfast Registration fee is $10.
Colleague Recognitions Deb Peabody, MD named Hospice Medical Director
Dr. Deb Peabody, primary care physician at the Lincolnville Regional Health Center, has been named Hospice Medical Director for MaineHealth Care at Home. In this position, Dr. Peabody will provide oversight and guidance to the clinical program and serve as a liaison between the hospice team and attending physician. She will also work with the hospice team to provide consultation and education to the provider community on the important benefits of hospice care. Dr. Peabody, who will continue to work at Lincolnville Regional Health Center as a primary care physician.
Inman completes Health Leadership Course
David C. Inman, MBA, RRT, director of cardiopulmonary services at PBMC and WCGH, was one of the hospital leaders, who recently completed the Health Leadership Development Course (HLD) offered by the Daniel Hanley Center for Health Leadership. Each year, HLD brings together a diverse mix of experienced leaders from a wide range of health and healthcare settings and professions, to build their individual collaborative leadership skills and prepare them to lead efforts aimed at improving quality and expanding access to affordable care.
Ames graduates from MLA Alyssa Ames, specialty practice manager at WCGH, has graduated from the Midcoast Leadership Academy. Individuals from Knox and Waldo counties participating in the program work together to develop effective leadership skills, broaden their understanding of issues affecting the region and expand their network of committed regional leaders.
Waldo County General Hospital was well represented in the Best of Best competition and at the Business Showcase and Gala, which raised funds for scholarships at the University of Maine Hutchinson Center.
MaineHealth represented on hospital association At the Maine Hospital Association’s (MHA) Annual Summer Forum, Mark Fourre, CEO and president of PBMC and WCGH and William Caron, president of MaineHealth, were elected to the group’s board of directors. The mission of MHA is “To provide leadership through advocacy, information and education, to support its members in fulfilling their mission to improve the health of their patients and communities they serve. MHA, which was formed in 1937, represents 36 community-governed hospitals in Maine.
Two Lamplighter Awards Coastal Healthcare Alliance’s marketing & communications and community health & wellness teams have been recognized by the New England Society for Healthcare Communications with Lamplighter Awards. The Lamplighter Awards acknowledge outstanding healthcare marketing and public relations. The marketing & communications team won gold for the launch of a social media and print ad campaign for the Pen Bay Medical Center Infectious Disease department while the community health & wellness team won an award of excellence for the Journey to Health Program Guide.
Non-emergency doctor appointments are available on the weekend for WCGH Primary Care patients. Saturday 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. 338-9344 (appointments recommended) Biscone Medical Building, 119 Northport Ave., Belfast 5
Waldo County General Hospital 118 Northport Ave n P.O. Box 287 n Belfast, Maine 04915 (207) 338-2500 n www.wcgh.org Address service requested
Non-Profit US Postage PAID Permit #40 Belfast, ME
6
For advanced ticket information, please call 207-921-6713 or visit www.penbaywaldofoundation.org