IN PULSE Vol. 37 No. 1 •
News from Waldo County General Hospital • January 2017
Emergency Department expansion planned Rob Fowler, associate chief operating officer, recently outlined plans for expansion of the Waldo County General Hospital Emergency Department at the annual Coastal Healthcare Alliance Community Advisory Council meeting. Fowler indicated that several options were explored; the most efficient being to add on to the
current emergency department. The newly designed emergency department will enhance quality of care, patient privacy, expand treatment space, upgrade medical equipment, improve infection control and increase security. These upgrades will provide the medical treatment team with a facility that gives them the tools and the space to
best care for patients. Currently, nearly 16,000 patients are treated in the Waldo County General Hospital Emergency Department each year, which is a significant increase in patient volume from when the original department was built 20 years ago.
Shared values adopted by MaineHealth system In 2016, MaineHealth had a goal of developing a common set of values across the entire MaineHealth system. Through the work of the MaineHealth Values Committee, which included representatives from each of the member organizations, the values listed below were recommended to and approved by the MaineHealth Leadership Team.
Two New Providers New Year’s Baby News Briefs Aid News
Once the shared values were approved, 200+ delegates across the system began gathering input at their respective organizations regarding behaviors that best reflect these values. At a system-wide caucus in November 2016, the delegates from across the system shared their findings and worked together to finalize the behavior expectations to be associated with
each individual value. As of January 2017, Pen Bay Medical Center, Waldo County General Hospital and all MaineHealth member organizations will begin incorporating these values into our daily work. We look forward to bringing them to life in our hospitals and throughout the Midcoast community.
INSIDE Page 2 Literacy & Health Page 2 Health & Wellness Page 2 Pallative Care Grant Page 3 Daisy Award Nominees
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Brian King, far right, site executive for Bank of America in Belfast, presents a check for $5,000 from the Bank of America Charitable Foundation to representatives of Waldo County Dental Care. From left are Brenda Reed, dental assistant, Enrico Ross, a dental student from the University of New England and Mandie Hood, dental assistant.
Adeline Mitchell was the first baby born in 2017 at Waldo County General Hospital. Adeline arrived at 12:05 a.m.on Jan. 1, 2017, to parents Michele Scribner and Josh Mitchell of Troy. She is their first child. The 8-pound baby was due Jan. 7 but arrived early. Congratulations to Michele and Josh!
Two primary care providers join staff
Jeffrey Newsom, MD and Cheryl Deane, PA-C, have recently joined Waldo County Medical Partners Primary Care. Dr. Newsom and Ms. Deane previously practiced at Seaport Community Health Center in Belfast. They join Benjamin Mailloux, MD, Matthew Molison, DO, Steven Wilson, MD, Roberta Goff, NP, Chelsea Howard, NP and Joanne Moesswilde, NP in the practice. Waldo County Medical Partners Primary Care office located in the Biscone Medical Building at 119 Northport Avenue in Belfast (across the street from the hospital) is currently accepting new patients. To make an appointment, please call 930-6708.
News Briefs Darrell Smith is the new director of facilities. He has been with the safety and security department for the past four years. WCGH is pleased to welcome him to his new position. * * * * * Dorcas Riley, CPA has joined WCGH and PBMC as the new regional controller. She brings over 35 years senior financial leadership experience for various Maine businesses. Dawnielle Harriman has been promoted to the role of regional accounting manager. She has been with WCGH for almost six years. In the new position of fiscal executive assistant is Patricia Siegenthaler. She has many years of experience in customer service and executive assistant roles. * * * * * Residents of Waldo County pursuing further education in a healthcare-related field may be eligible for scholarships awarded by WCGH. Awards are made to graduating high school seniors, college undergraduates and employees pursuing careers in healthcare-related fields. Applicants must apply annually and the forms are available at: http://www. wcgh.org/general careers/. For more information, please contact Lauri McLean at lmclean@wcgh.org. Applications must be completed by Friday, March 3. 2
WCGH AID SILVER TEA
At the Tea, the Aid donated $5,000 from the gift shop proceeds to WCGH Charity Care. They also gave $2,400 to the Cardiac Rehab Phase III scholarship fund and $600 to the Cardiac Rehab Department to purchase scales for patients who cannot afford the cost. Presenting the checks to associate chief operating officer, Rob Fowler, are Aid officers Phyllis Gaul, left, and Sally Millhorn.
The WCGH Aid recently held its annual Silver Tea at the home of Manley Rogers on Church St. in Belfast. Attendees were served refreshments in the historical home, which was beautifully decorated for the holidays.
Literacy issues can affect health Teaching young children to love reading helps
When Lisa Reed, RN, became the manager of the Population Health Department at WCGH, she knew literacy was one of the areas she wanted to focus on. As a nurse, she had seen too many patients who had difficulty reading their discharge instructions and medication bottles.
In an effort to increase literacy in the Midcoast, Lisa and several members of the population health department have recently begun visiting local Head Start programs. They read to the children and then give each of them a book of their own to take home, purchased by Belfast Public Health Nursing. “I think if we start a love of
reading early, we improve a child’s chances for academic growth and achievements as they move throughout life,” Lisa said. Reading to the children were Judy Mendelson, Stacey Hall, Amanda Richards, Valerie Curtis and Ashley Hoffman.
Non-emergency doctors’ appointments are available Saturdays 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Appointments are recommended, please call 338-9344 Biscone Medical Building, 119 Northport Ave. 3
Community Health & Wellness Briefs
Registration required for all events, please visit http://journeytohealth.coursestorm.com or call 921-3950 Individual Health Coaching Would you like one-on-one support in reaching your health and wellness goals? The Journey to Health program is now offering individual health coaching at Pen Bay Medical Center and Waldo County General Hospital. Our certified health and wellness coaches will work with you to identify your priorities, help you create a plan that works for you and provide extra encouragement and support to help you achieve your goals. Four, six and eightweek packages are available. Please call 921-3950 for more information or to schedule a FREE consultation. Afternoon Snowshoe Hikes Join the Community Health & Wellness team for guided snowshoe hikes. Enjoy nature, good company and exercising in the crisp air of winter. Snowshoes are available on a first come, first served basis. Please call 921-3950 to reserve snowshoes. Family friendly; children must be accompanied by an adult. No registration required. Tuesdays, January 17 & 31 and February 14 & 28 Noon – 1:00 p.m. Free Belfast City Park, beginning at the helipad at Waldo County General Hospital, 118 Northport Avenue, Belfast
Weekly Meditation Series Practice the art of meditation and learn to use it to manage your stress. No experience necessary. Drop-ins welcome. No registration required. Wednesdays, 12:30 – 1:00 p.m. Biscone Medical Building Community Room 119 Northport Avenue, Belfast Waltz I Do you remember Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers? Now you can learn the waltz, a beautiful dance that has been popular for centuries. Join our beginner class to learn how to glide across the floor like a star. Individuals and couples welcome. Mondays, January 23 through February 13 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. Registration fee is $25/individual or $35/couple. East Belfast Elementary School, 14 Swan Lake Avenue, Belfast Taste of the Mediterranean You’ve probably heard of the Mediterranean diet. Are you wondering what the buzz is all about? Join Chef Melinda Hellum and Registered Dietitian Allison Sherman as they teach you how to combine simple ingredients in delicious recipes with deep flavor and loads of nutritional value. You’ll leave with recipes your whole family will love! Mondays, February 6 & 13 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Registration fee is $15. Varney Community Building 24 Veterans Highway, Brooks 4
Journey to Health Winter Guide The Community Health & Wellness team at Pen Bay Medical Center and Waldo County General Hospital is excited to announce their winter class schedule. Programs offered this winter include Mediterranean cooking, ballroom dancing, new yoga classes, tobacco cessation and more. The Journey to Health winter class guide is now available and will be distributed throughout the community. You can access an electronic version of the guide at: http://bit.ly/J2HWinter17 or please call 921-3950 to request a copy of the guide. All class offerings are also detailed at journeytohealth. coursestorm.com.
Palliative care education grant awarded The Pen Bay Waldo Healthcare Foundation recently received a grant to support important conversations between patients and their doctors in the Midcoast region. The “Educating a Community to Talk about End of Life Care” project, funded by the Davis Foundation, will begin in January 2017. Launching this project expands upon the regional initiative to support the development of palliative care services at Pen Bay Medical Center and Waldo County General Hospital. Project partners Pen Bay Medical Center, Waldo County General Hospital, MaineHealth Care at Home and MaineHealth
Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School) and Vital Talk, an initiative out of the University of Washington, Seattle. These curriculums all share a mission to improve communication between patients and providers. Lauren Michalakes, MD, medical director of palliative care at Pen Bay Medical Center and Waldo County General Hospital is on the national faculty for all three curriculums and said, “I look forward to bringing these tools
“I look forward to bringing these tools and resources to local community members and providers.” Lauren Michalakes, MD will work together to implement the initiative across multiple health care and community settings within the Midcoast region. The program will begin with trainings for healthcare providers, nurses and community health and wellness staff on how to initiate conversations with patients around their preferences for end-of-life care. Several national curriculums will be used in these trainings including Respecting Choices®, the Serious Illness Care Program (developed in collaboration with Atul Gawande, MD, author of Being Mortal, Dana-Farber
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and resources to local community members and providers. The curriculums will prepare staff with the necessary tools and skills needed to facilitate successful care planning conversations with patients and families living with a serious or life threatening illness.” For more information on the “Educating a Community to Talk about End of Life Care” project, please contact Sarah Dwelley, palliative care program coordinator at 921-8301.
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
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