IN PULSE Vol. 36 No. 2 •
WCGH welcomes OB/GYN
News from Waldo County General Hospital • March 2016
Waldo County General Hospital is pleased to welcome Anne Stohrer MD, MPH to the Women’s Health practice. Dr. Stohrer comes to Maine from The Women’s Center at Copley Hospital in Morrisville, VT where she worked as a generalist OB/GYN physician and supervised and provided backup for midwives. She is certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology and is a Fellow in the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Dr. Stohrer received her medical degree from the Medical College of Virginia in Richmond, VA and then completed her internship and residency at Washington University of St. Louis, MO. In 1997, she earned her degree in Masters Public Health from Harvard School of Public Health. Dr. Stohrer will join the Women’s Health practice in Suite 108 of the Cobb Medical Building, 16 Fahey St., Belfast. Appointments with Dr. Stohrer may be made by calling 338-9939.
Maine Women’s Fund awards dental grant
Waldo County Dental Care has been awarded a $10,000 grant from the Maine Women’s Fund: “To help vulnerable Waldo County women improve their health, wellness and economic security by providing timely dental care, oral health education and referrals for community support services.” The dental clinic has been providing dental care to low income residents since 2013. More than 50% of the patients treated last year had not been to a dentist in five years or more. In 2015, 177 women visited the hospital’s emergency department for dental pain. The emergency department is able to provide short-term relief but in most cases the pain and infection returned. Tooth decay and infection have long lasting impacts on health, self-esteem and employability and untreated can lead to more serious health problems, including premature births and chronic conditions such as heart disease, diabetes and stroke. Currently, there is a fivemonth waiting list for new patients at the clinic. Even with an expansion in the clinic last December, the need far
exceeds the capacity, so a priority list was established. The four priority criteria are: • Have a co-occurring medical condition that is compromised by dental infection, such as diabetes • Be pregnant. Maine is one of only 10 states that does not provide dental care to pregnant women through Medicaid. Tooth decay and gum disease during pregnancy are linked to low birthweight babies and pre-term birth • Be a victim of domestic violence or sexual assault. Many of these women have never had access to dental care and have damaged or knocked out teeth • Need dental care to secure or improve employment, including those transitioning off Temporary Aid for Needy Families. Beginning in June 2016, the clinic will serve as a clinical work site for fourth-year dental students from the College of Denistry at the University of New England allowing 16 additional appointments each week. These expanded slots will be set aside for emergency and priority care appointments. INSIDE Hospital news Hospital Aid Community Health Winners News briefs
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