STEWARDSHIP REPORT
Your generosity supports the health of our community.
AUTUMN 2018
The Power of Gratitude
Adelaide (age 2 ½ years) is joined by little sister Isabel, who was born earlier this year at Pen Bay Medical Center. In recognition of the wonderful medical care their family has received, the Sonias recently made a generous donation to support the advancement of pediatric care at PBMC.
Not a single day goes by when Caitlin and Scott Sonia of Hope, Maine, aren’t grateful for their two daughters, and the life-giving care their daughter Adelaide received at Pen Bay Medical Center. It was an experience they will never forget. One evening, a year and half ago, Caitlin and Scott rushed oneyear-old Addie to the emergency department. She was struggling to breathe, and they were terrified. The family was met by pediatrician Dr. Stephenson, who immediately recognized the gravity of the continued on back page …
EV E RY GI FT MAT T ER S. EVERY D O LLA R C O UNT S . With charitable donations from generous individuals, businesses, and foundations, the Pen Bay Waldo Healthcare Foundation provides critical funding to keep quality care close to home. Serving 80,000 people in the Midcoast region of Knox and Waldo counties, the Foundation helps fund institutional priorities at Waldo County General Hospital, Pen Bay Medical Center, Quarry Hill, Waldo County Dental Care, Knox Center, Belfast Public Health Nursing Association, and the Sussman House. All donations to the Pen Bay Waldo Healthcare Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization, are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of federal and state law.
The Healing Power of Giving
2018 golf tournaments raise thousands to assist local patients This past August, the Midcoast Cancer Classic raised almost $45,000 to support the Oncology Patient Assistance Fund at Pen Bay Medical Center. Now in its eighth year, the event has raised more than $144,000 to help financially stressed patients as they pursue life-sustaining treatment.
For the third year, the Northport Golf Club hosted the Get Your Pink On Cancer Classic to fund free mammograms at Waldo County General Hospital for uninsured community members. With 60 golfers and 45 business sponsors and donors, this year’s event raised more than $6,000 to expand access to lifesaving cancer screening.
2 + 27 + 172 + 225 = 51,360
TOURNAMENTS
VOLUNTEERS
GOLFERS
DONORS
DOLLARS RAISED ( AND DOZENS OF PEOPLE HELPED )
Junior Volunteers at Pen Bay Medical Center
Eleven area teens, aged 15–19, spent their summer vacation helping others and learning about healthcare. For the second summer in a row, the Pen Bay Medical Center Junior Volunteer program gave students a chance to gain hands-on experience in the medical field. Each junior volunteer must complete a rigorous application, interview and orientation process, and commit to volunteering one eight-hour volunteer shift per week. All told, the team completed nearly 500 hours of service and hands-on learning during the eight-week summer program. Volunteers met with healthcare
professionals, learned about various healthcare careers, participated in educational sessions and hospital tours, and assisted with patient care. “The junior volunteer program is an exciting educational experience for young people. These students are the future of healthcare, and boy, are we in good hands!” shared Jamie Geretz, Regional Director of Volunteer Services and Gift Shop Operations. For more information on volunteer opportunities at PBMC, please contact Jamie Geretz, at jegeretz@pbmc.org or 207-921-8552.
PBMC Junior Volunteers, from left: Fiona Charlson, Alexa Barstow, Erin Corcoran, Ella Andrews, Katherine Freeman, Jackie Daggett, Iris Luce, Caroline MacMillan, Skylee Middleton, Meghan Gallagher, Emma Trapani.
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Waldo County General Hospital: Five Years of Helping People Smile
Nothing is easy when your teeth hurt. Yet hundreds of people across Waldo County live with chronic pain because they can’t afford the most basic dental care. Left untreated, dental disease can lead to more serious health problems, including premature births and chronic conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and stroke. In June 2013, the hospital launched Waldo County Dental Care to improve access to preventative and restorative dental care. As the only safety net dental clinic in Waldo County, the clinic improves overall health, employability, and well-being for adults living in Belfast and 25 surrounding rural towns. Since opening five years ago, Waldo County Dental Care has treated 2,256 low-income, uninsured adults, the great majority of whom had not seen a dentist in Sheila and Mike Dassatt, and their owner-built lobster boat Saving Grace. more than five years. Sheila Dassatt comes from a long line of fishing families and boat builders. She and her husband Mike lobster out of Belfast harbor. Sheila and Mike have been patients of Waldo County Dental Care for more than five years. “We have no dental insurance, and the cost of dental care is astronomical. I was in pain, and could not afford to take care of my teeth. When the clinic opened it was a godsend.” In addition to providing urgent care, the dental team is committed to educating patients and the community about the importance of daily self-care and the need for regular check-ups and preventative care. The clinic’s highly reduced fees (about $30 per patient visit) are made possible by the strong support of generous community members, local businesses, area charities, and the City of Belfast. Since the first of this year, Waldo County Dental Care has treated almost 750 patients.
Tackling Opioid Abuse
In July, the Pen Bay Waldo Healthcare Foundation in collaboration with MaineHealth, Maine Behavioral Healthcare and the Points North Film Institute, sponsored a weeklong series of free film screenings and community discussions about the ongoing opioid crisis in Maine and across the nation. The five events, held in Rockland, Islesboro, Vinalhaven, Belfast, and Camden, included screenings of the documentary Recovery Boys, followed by discussions with Oscar-nominated filmmaker Elaine Sheldon, area healthcare providers and residents. Hundreds of community members from all backgrounds attended to listen, learn and share their thoughts and concerns.
P E N B AY WA L D O H E A LT H C A R E F O U N D AT I O N
PEN B AY WA LD O HEA LTHC A R E FO U N DAT IO N BOA R D O F TR US T E E S Joanne Billington, Rockland Chair Ann Bresnahan, Hope Mark Breton, Rockport Micki Colquhoun, Camden Jane Conrad, Tenants Harbor Mark Eggena, MD, Rockport Jane Merrill, Camden Caroline Morong, Camden Nathan Perkins, Camden Mark Fourre, MD, Camden CEO, Pen Bay Medical Center and Waldo County General Hospital
PEN B AY WA LD O H E A LT H C A R E FOU ND ATI O N S TAF F Eleanor Willmann, Vice President of Development 207-921-6710 Lynn Cole, Senior Director of Campaign Initiatives 207-921-6714 Sherry Gagne, Director of Prospect Management and Research 207-921-6711 Jody Herbert, Development Information Specialist 207- 921-6713 Amy McNaugton, Director of Annual Fund and Operations 207-921-6716 Deb Schilder, Director of Grants and Foundation Relations 207-921-6712
PenBayWaldoFoundation.org 207-921-6713 Post Office Box 287 Belfast, Maine 04915 22 White Street Rockland, Maine 04841
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the power of gratitude … continued from front page
situation and began taking the steps needed to stabilize the child. Pen Bay Medical Center clinicians are trained to deal with a wide range of health emergencies. One of the great skills of our healthcare staff is to know when the next level of care is needed. Dr. Stephenson consulted with pediatric specialists at the Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital to determine the best course of treatment. Adelaide with newborn sister Isabel With no Lifeflight helicopter available that night, the medical team secured a small airplane to transport Addie to Portland, where she could get the very specialized care she needed. “It took a huge team of extraordinary people to help our daughter that night and we are grateful to them all—but it was because of Dr. Stephenson’s calm, deliberate and highly skilled care that Adelaide is still with us today. We cannot imagine a world without this truly delightful, smart, energetic, funny and beautiful little girl. And for that we are eternally grateful to Dr. Stephenson.” Each month, the Pen Bay Waldo Healthcare Foundation receives letters and donations from grateful patients, such as the Sonias. These donations honor the work of our dedicated medical team and help advance patient care at Pen Bay Medical Center and Waldo County General Hospital. To learn more about our Grateful Patient program, please contact Amy McNaughton at amcnaughto@pbmc.org or 921-6716.
The Annual Fund provides critical support for Education and Care Innovation at Pen Bay Medical Center and Waldo County General Hospital. These initiatives fund medical equipment and technology, address new health challenges, support emerging treatment options, and help secure a strong future for healthcare on the Midcoast. The Annual Fund also supports the Sussman House.