STEWARDSHIP REPORT
YOUR GENEROSITY SUPPORTS THE HEALTH OF OUR COMMUNITY.
Fall 2019
A Grateful Spouse Reflects
RICHARD STRONG REMEMBERS HOW THE CANCER CARE CENTER AT PBMC BROUGHT A SENSE OF PEACE TO HIS WIFE Rockport resident Richard Strong is so grateful for the special care that he and his wife, Nancy, received at Pen Bay Medical Center. After a long course of treatment at a hospital in Boston, it was time for Nancy to enter an inpatient rehabilitation facility. She knew exactly where she wanted to be – as close to home as possible – but it was challenging to find a facility that would meet Nancy’s medical needs. She and her husband, Richard, turned to the Cancer Care Center at Pen Bay Medical Center for help. “This is where Catherine Athay came into the picture,” recalled Richard.
Richard and Nancy Strong
An oncology social worker in the Cancer Care Center, Catherine set out to find a rehabilitation facility. Nancy’s circumstances made the process difficult, but Catherine was undeterred. “She kept me continuously informed of her progress,” Richard See Grateful, page 3
EVERY GIFT MATTERS. EVERY DOLLAR COUNTS. 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 are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of federal and state law.
Trip to ED Inspires a Young Volunteer Volunteer Shauna Murray Will Pursue a Career in Nursing A stint as a summer volunteer at Pen Bay Medical Center (PBMC) confirmed what Shauna Murray has known for years. The junior at Camden Hills Regional High School passionately wants to be a nurse. “I was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes when I was 10 years old,” Shauna said. “It could have been a horrible experience, but the nurses explained it to me in a way that made it a lot less scary. I want to help others like those nurses helped me.” Shauna took a big step in that direction by participating in the junior volunteer program that serves both PBMC and Waldo County General Hospital (WCGH). By giving young
students an immersive experience, the program aims to inspire the next generation of health care professionals. “This program allows our organization to make the first impression on many young students and gives us a platform to build relationships with our future workforce,” said Jamie Geretz, director of volunteer services at both PBMC and WCGH. Shauna remembers most the day she spent in the simulation lab, where she learned to take blood pressure and practiced putting IVs into a mannequin’s arm. “I knew it wasn’t a real person. OK, maybe I was a little nervous – but it definitely confirmed my desire to be a nurse.”
Health Care Served with Two Scoops Pauline Temple, MA certified, was working with an elderly cancer patient in the internal medicine department at Waldo County General Hospital (WCGH) when she noticed that it was his birthday. “He was by himself, didn’t have any family, and I thought it would be nice to help him celebrate,” she said. Temple walked down the corridor to the Best Café. “But there weren’t any cupcakes. I told Vicki Perkins, a cook in the café, what I was doing and she suggested a brownie. “And then she asks, ‘Have you got a minute?’ And she disappears into the back of the kitchen.” When Perkins returned, she was carrying a bowl with a brownie covered by two scoops of ice cream. “When I took it to the patient, he just lit up.”
Shauna Murray, at the nurses’ station in the medical surgical unit at PBMC.
STEWARDSHIP REPORT Fall 2019
Temple said such acts of caring are possible because of the culture at WCGH. “It’s part of being in a small hospital where people in one department know the people in another department,” Temple said. “That’s what makes this hospital so great.”
Grateful, from page 1 said. “Her efforts were way beyond her job description. She put in this kind of effort because she cared.” It is this level of attention that has motivated so many patients to express gratitude for the care received at Pen Bay Medical Center and Waldo County General Hospital. It is also why so many community members support the work of the hospital – by volunteering, or including the hospital in their planned giving strategy, or by making a grateful patient donation. Nancy Strong passed away this past summer in Boston with Richard, her husband and best friend for 58 years, by her side. Richard stressed that Catherine’s efforts contributed to the peace of mind that he and his wife felt at the end despite there not being an appropriate local rehabilitation facility. “Catherine’s efforts reflect positively on how the hospital cares for its patients.” Here at Pen Bay Medical Center and Waldo County General Hospital, we are grateful to the many patients and community members who support our community hospitals. Whether a letter of thanks, a charitable gift, or the smiling face of one of our many volunteers — your support makes all the difference.
Joanne Billington in front of the entrance at Sussman House.
Sussman House Marks Anniversary
When Joanne Billington helped lead the effort six years ago to raise money to build the Sussman House, it was in honor of her mother, who died peacefully at home the year before.
“I was fortunate to work for an employer that allowed me the flexibility to take care of my mother and still work,” said Billington, who manages a portfolio of commercial insurance clients for the Allen Agency. Billington serves on the Board of Coastal Healthcare Alliance and chairs the Pen Bay Waldo Healthcare Foundation.
“But what happens to those who don’t have a flexible work schedule or to people who are alone? The ability to die in peace and with dignity is an important part of a healthy community. I became
passionate about making sure we built a local hospice facility.”
The Sussman House is marking its fifth year of operations since opening on the Pen Bay Medical Center campus.
In 2013, Donald Sussman donated $1 million to help with the hospice facility. In recognition of this gift, the hospice was named in honor of Sussman’s grandmother, Ida Sussman. While the Sussman House receives some payment from Medicare and private insurance, a large amount of the care is never reimbursed. “We exist because people give,” said Sussman House Manager Betsy Boynton “Thank you to everyone who has helped support us over the years and to those who will support us in years to come.”
PEN BAY WALDO HEALTHCARE FOUNDATION
COASTAL HEALTHCARE ALLIANCE DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE Joanne Billington, Rockland, Chair Ann Bresnahan, Hope Mark Breton, Rockport Micki Colquhoun, Camden Jane Conrad, Tenants Harbor Mark Eggena, MD, Rockport Ann Hooper, Searsport Jane Merrill, Camden Caroline Morong, Camden Nathan Perkins, Camden Mark Fourre, MD, Camden President, Pen Bay Medical Center and Waldo County General Hospital PEN BAY WALDO HEALTHCARE FOUNDATION DEVELOPMENT STAFF Eleanor Willmann, Vice President of Development 207-301-6710 Lynn Cole, Senior Director of Campaign Initiatives 207-301-6714 Sherry Gagne, Director of Prospect Management and Research 207-301-6711 Jody Herbert, Development Information Specialist 207- 301-6713 Amy McNaughton, Director of Development Operations 207-301-6716 Deb Schilder, Director of Grants and Foundation Relations 207-301-6712 Dayna Small, Administrative and Donor Relations Assistant 207-301-6707 Amanda Wood, Development Coordinator 207-301-6705
22 White Street Rockland, ME 04841 207-301-6713 PenBayWaldoFoundation.org
Senior Director of Education Paula Delahanty uses a mannequin to teach nurses in the simulation lab at Waldo County General Hospital.
Training Mannequins Help Hone Skills The Coastal Healthcare Alliance’s regional education department will acquire two state-of-the-art mannequins to support expanded training for obstetric and pediatric staff.
“These cutting-edge, life-like mother and child simulators will provide critical training for our caregivers,” said Mark Fourre, president of Coastal Healthcare Alliance. “This is one of our many continuing education initiatives that ensures we can deliver care that will make our communities the healthiest in America.” Sally Larson, the clinical nurse educator who oversees the simulation labs at LincolnHealth, Pen Bay Medical Center and Waldo County General Hospital, said high-fidelity mannequins offer two big benefits. First, simulated training on mannequins gives care providers the opportunity to practice a procedure over and over again. Second, the trainer’s ability to use a remote control – to make the mannequin breathe or stop breathing, for example – allow the care team to “respond to realistic but unexpected situations.” “Our ability to invest in these and other training technologies ensures that everyone in our communities – from the youngest to the most senior – has access to the best health care,” said Fourre. “We want to thank our donors and encourage you to consider a gift to support ongoing training.”
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.