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Mayo Regional benefits from TradeWinds Oncology Fund
January 25, 2012
DOVER-FOXCROFT - Mayo Regional Hospital has been named one of three beneficiaries of the TradeWinds Oncology Fund, which was established in 2011 by Chuck and Belinda Lawrence to make a difference in the lives of Eastern Maine cancer patients.
The Lawrences own businesses in Blue Hill, Brewer, Eddington and Milo, and through their “Pumped Up to Fight Cancer” initiative, will be donating one cent per gallon of gasoline sold at their pumps in 2012 to nearby hospitals. Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor, Blue Hill Memorial Hospital in Blue Hill, and Mayo Regional will be the recipients of those funds.
Mayo received its initial check for $1,715 on Jan. 20 from David Butterfield, manager of the new TradeWinds Market in Milo. Over the course of the year, Butterfield and Chuck Lawrence estimate that Mayo’s Oncology Services should receive between $8,000-$10,000 from this initiative.
Mayo will use the TradeWinds donation to provide financial assistance to cancer patients who cannot afford to pay for their care because they are uninsured or underinsured.
Heartwise schedules Heart Month events
January 24, 2012
DOVER-FOXCROFT - Heartwise, the cardiac rehabilitation program at Mayo Regional Hospital, has scheduled a variety of activities during American Heart Month in February.
During Cardiac Rehab Week, Feb. 12-18, Heartwise will offer fasting lipid profiles and blood sugar lab tests at its suite in the Medical Office Building at Mayo Regional Hospital on Tuesday and Thursday, Feb. 14 and 16. Tests are available from 6:30-10 a.m. on both days, on a walk-in basis.
Throughout the month, Heartwise will promote the importance of a proper diet in preventing heart disease by labelling more than 2,000 items of Heart Healthy foods at participating supermarkets in the Penquis area. Stores cooperating in this effort include Goulette’s IGA in Guilford, Shaw’s in Dover-Foxcroft, Will’s Shop 'n Save in Dover-Foxcroft, Sav-A-Lot, and Tradewinds Market in Milo.
Heartwise will participate on Feb. 3 in “Wear Red Day,” the American Heart Association’s effort to increase awareness of heart disease and stroke — the leading cause of death for women. On that day people from around Maine will be wearing red to focus attention on cardiovascular disease.
Heartwise’s Phase III program, started in 1990, is designed for maintenance of health following a cardiac event. The Phase II program is designed for patients who have experienced a recent cardiac event, and was started in 1997. The two programs had 2,784 visits in 2011. For more information about Heartwise, call 564-4207.
Gillis named Mayo’s Surgical Services director
January 11, 2012
DOVER-FOXCROFT - Kenneth Gillis, RN has been named Director of Surgical Services at Mayo Regional Hospital.
Gillis comes to Mayo from The Memorial Hospital, North Conway, N.H., where he was also Director of Surgical Services from 2005 to the present. At Memorial, he was responsible for the design, planning and construction oversight for a brand new operating room and ambulatory services unit that opened in 2009.
Prior to his tenure at Memorial, Gillis was also Director of Surgical Services at Goodall Hospital in Sanford, Maine, from 1999-2005. At Goodall he managed a major OR renovation, as well as the Surgical Services portion of a new office/outpatient procedure building.
A native of Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, Canada, Gillis received his nursing diploma from Cape Breton Regional Hospital School of Nursing in Sydney, N.S. He added a B.S. in Nursing from Memorial University, St. John’s, Newfoundland, and his continuing education includes completion of the Leadership Development Program offered through Lesley College in Boston.
Gillis began his nursing career in 1993 in the Medical Surgical Unit at Waterville Osteopathic Hospital, now Inland Hospital. He later was an OR nurse at Penobscot Bay Medical Center in Rockport, and a RN Level III at Maine Medical Center in Portland before going into Surgical Services administration.
Mayo’s Surgical Services Department utilizes three operating room suites and a procedure room, and has an annual surgical volume of over 2,000 procedures. Surgical service lines include general and cosmetic surgery, OB/GYN, orthopaedics, ophthalmology, and ENT (ear, nose and throat).
At Mayo, Gillis replaces Linda Zimmerman, who retired in 2010 after 32 years as the hospital’s surgical services nurse manager.
See photos from the 2011 event
3nd Annual Allen Golf Classic
Mayo Regional Hospital raised nearly $31,000 during the 3rd annual Dennis Allen Memorial Golf Classic, which drew a field of 106 golfers to the Natanis Golf Course in Vassalboro on Aug. 31.
The tournament honors the memory of Dennis Allen, who died in 2008 of a heart attack. Allen, an avid golfer, was Chief Financial Officer at Mayo Regional Hospital for 30 years.
Proceeds from the tournament will be used by Mayo Regional to combat heart disease in the hospital’s service area of Piscataquis, Penobscot and Somerset counties. Funds raised from the Allen Classic in 2009 and 2010 have been used to buy 37 Automated External Defibrillators, which were donated by Mayo and placed in public access points throughout the region, from Medway to Fairfield, and Dexter to Pittston Farm. Mayo will continue to expand placement of AEDs with funds netted from the most recent tournament.
The team from A.E. Robinson Oil Co. of Dover-Foxcroft had the low net score of 54, turned in by James Robinson, Jeffrey Robinson, Mike Grinnell and Mike Harris. The foursome of Ryan Cloutier, Dave Winslow, Mike Neuts and Bruce Moore took low gross honors with a score of 62.
Rick York won the putting contest, the Thomas Agency team had the longest putt, the longest drives were struck by Mike Harris and Bonnie Allen, and the straightest drives were made by Ryan Cloutier and Paula Gagnon. Jim Fowle was closest to the pin on hole 4, and Phil Badger was closest to the pin on hole 10.
Special thanks are due to Acadia Benefits, A.E. Robinson Oil Co. and BerryDunn, who were major corporate sponsors of the Allen Classic. Gold-level sponsors included Allscripts, Dahl-Chase Pathology Associates, Dexter Family Practice, DiGiorgio Associates, Gilman Electric, H.M. Payson & Co., Hardwood Products, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, Mayo Regional Hospital Medical Staff, Sage, and Thomas Agency. Pepsi was the beverage sponsor.
Raffle prizes included 100 gallons of oil from A.E. Robinson, tickets to the Deutsche Bank PGA championship, and greens fees to Bangor Muni, Piscataquis CC, Country View GC, JaTo Highlands, Foxcroft GC, Kebo Valley, J.W. Parks, Lakewood GC, Natanis GC, Sable Oaks GC and Dexter Municipal.
Past Press Releases:
For more information or questions please contact Tom Lizotte, Marketing & Development Director of Mayo Regional Hospital, 207-564-4342 or e-mail tlizotte@mayohospital.com.
- Sheppard, Dumont pass Emergency Medicine exam Posted: 01-02-2012
- Gabarro to retire from Mayo in 2012 Posted: 12-14-2011
- Auxiliary tree lighting on Dec. 5 Posted: 12-01-2011
- Dr. Oueida earns internal medicine certification Posted: 11-09-2011
- Dr. Evans takes New England leadership role Posted: 11-09-2011
- Mayo Auxiliary plans craft fair, variety show Posted: 10-31-2011
- United Way honors Mayo Regional Hospital Posted: 10-20-2011
- Dr. Snyder joins Mayo Psychiatry and Counseling Posted: 10-18-2011
- Mayo named to list of Top 100 Critical Access Hospitals Posted: 10-05-2011
- Mayo board approves 2012 budget Posted: 09-29-2011
- Dr. Jao joins Mayo Orthopaedics Posted: 09-21-2011
- Mayo Regional expands hospitalist service to 24/7 model Posted: 09-14-2011
- HEARTWISE WALK FOR LIFE SET FOR OCT. 1 Posted: 09-13-2011
- Mayo Seniority plans N.H. shopping trip Posted: 09-07-2011
- Mayo raises $31,000 with Allen Golf Classic Posted: 09-01-2011
- Mayo Seniority plans Boston Christmas trip Posted: 08-29-2011
- Dr. Dennis joins Dover-Foxcroft Family Medicine Posted: 08-16-2011
Past News Releases
Sheppard, Dumont pass Emergency Medicine exam
January 02, 2012
DOVER-FOXCROFT - Two veteran members of the Emergency Department staff at Mayo Regional Hospital, William Sheppard, PA-C and Melanie Dumont, PA-C, have successfully passed the first-ever certification examination in Emergency Medicine offered by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants.
Sheppard has been a full-time member of Mayo’s ED team since 1999, and Dumont has worked at Mayo since 2004.
“This is a big accomplishment for Bill and Mel, and is the equivalent of board certification for PAs in the Emergency Medicine discipline,” explained David McDermott, MD, Mayo’s Medical Director of Emergency Services. “Earning this certification demonstrates that both have outstanding skills, advanced knowledge and dedication to emergency medicine.”
Mayo is one of a half-dozen Critical Access Hospitals in Maine that continues to staff its Emergency Department at times with a sole-provider PA model. That approach works for Mayo because of the high skill level and experience brought to the job by Sheppard and Dumont.
“They are both model PAs,” said Dr. McDermott.
Mayo’s Emergency Department also employs David Flaherty, PA-C, who arrived in 2010, on a full-time basis. Physician Assistants William “Guy” Mahan, Richard Wiemer and John Smith work in the ED on a per-diem schedule.
Besides passing the Emergency Medicine specialty certification exam, physician assistants must satisfy three other NCCPA requirements prior to certification:
• Candidates must earn a minimum of 150 hours of category I Continuing Medical Education credits focused on emergency medicine practice, including completion of an Advanced Cardiac Life Support course.
• Physician Assistants seeking the Emergency Medicine certification must have at least 3,000 hours of experience working as a PA in emergency medicine.
• Candidates must provide attestation from a supervising physician who works in the specialty that the PA has performed the procedures and the patient management relevant to the practice of emergency medicine. Appropriate knowledge must be demonstrated in such areas as invasive airway management, anesthesia, advanced wound management, diagnostic/therapeutic procedures, hemodynamic techniques, radiographic interpretation, and resuscitation.
Emergency Medicine certification remains valid for six years.
Dumont, who lives in Lincoln, trained in the physician assistant program at the Yale University School of Medicine, and has a B.S. from the University of Vermont. She has worked as a PA since 1988, with experience in primary care, hospital and ED settings.
Sheppard, who lives in Dover-Foxcroft, graduated from Drexel University’s Hahnemann College of Medicine PA program in 1992, and has worked in the profession since that time. In 2010, he was named the Rural Physician Assistant of the Year by the Downeast Association of Physician Assistants.
Gabarro to retire from Mayo in 2012
December 14, 2011
DOVER-FOXCROFT - Ralph Gabarro, President and Chief Executive Officer at Mayo Regional Hospital since 1997, has announced his intention to retire on Oct. 31, 2012.
The Hospital Administrative District 4 Board of Directors, which operates Mayo Regional and its associated network of physician practices in Piscataquis and Penobscot counties, has begun a search process to select Gabarro’s successor. The Board hopes to have a new President and CEO in place prior to Gabarro’s departure.
“The decision was not an easy one, as the past 14 years at Mayo have been among the most rewarding and meaningful ones of my 38-year career in healthcare,” said Gabarro. “I have thoroughly enjoyed working with an excellent Board, dedicated staff and collaborative medical staff.
“I turn 65 next October and it is time to let someone else lead the organization. My early notice ensures that the Board can manage the search process and ensure a smooth leadership transition. I only hope the hospital today finds itself in some small ways in a stronger position, both operationally and culturally, than it was when I joined Mayo in 1997,” said Gabarro.
Under Gabarro’s leadership, Mayo Regional Hospital became the largest employer in Piscataquis County, and now has nearly 400 full-time equivalent positions and an annual budget of $45 million. Mayo this year was named one of the Top 100 Critical Access Hospitals in America and ranked as one of the Top 5 Maine hospitals by the State Employee Health Commission.
“Ralph has been an outstanding leader for Mayo over the past 14 years,” said Gregory Bowler of Bradford, Board Co-Chair. “His dedication to supporting the mission of the hospital, its staff, and the community has resulted in Mayo being recognized for excellence by professional peers and by the patients we serve. He’ll be hard to replace.”
Mary Alyce Higgins, Board Co-Chair, added, “It is the Board’s intention to involve a broad cross section of the hospital community in a meaningful way as we go about selecting our new President and CEO.”
Gabarro’s healthcare career began in 1974. Before coming to Dover-Foxcroft, Gabarro held senior leadership positions at Charter Brookside Behavioral Health System in Nashua, N.H., Wentworth-Douglass Hospital in Dover, N.H. (president, 1989-1996), Mid-Maine Medical Center in Waterville, Charles A. Dean Memorial Hospital and Nursing Home in Greenville, and Penobscot Valley Hospital in Lincoln.
He obtained his Masters in Healthcare Administration from the University of Minnesota, and did undergraduate work at Cornell University and San Jose State University.
A Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives, Gabarro is a member of the Maine Hospital Association Board of Directors and is a past board chair. He is a state delegate for the American Hospital Association Region 1 Policy Board, and served on the AHA’s Small and Rural Council.
Also active in the community, Gabarro is past president of the Piscataquis Chamber of Commerce, past trustee of Foxcroft Academy, member of Dover-Foxcroft Kiwanis, member of the Daniel Hanley Center for Health Leadership and of the Piscataquis County Economic Development Council, and a corporator of Skowhegan Savings Bank.
At Mayo, Gabarro initiated a facility master planning process that resulted in construction of three new hospital wings from 2001-2003. He helped convert Mayo to Critical Access Hospital status, expanded the hospital’s regional network of physician practices and emergency medical services, and introduced the use of patient, physician and employee satisfaction surveys. He was selected the state’s Business Leader of the Year in 2002 by Mainebiz magazine.
Auxiliary tree lighting on Dec. 5
December 01, 2011
The Mayo Regional Hospital Auxiliary‘s annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony will be held 7 p.m. Monday Dec. 5, in front of the hospital. Employees and public are invited to attend and join Auxiliary members for carol singing and refreshments.
The tree lighting project is a major fundraiser for the Auxiliary. A $1 donation is symbolized by a colored light on the tree and a $25 donation is represented by a white light in the star on top of the tree. Donations may be left at the volunteer office in the hospital’s lobby.
Dr. Oueida earns internal medicine certification
November 09, 2011
DOVER-FOXCROFT - Zaher Oueida, M.D., who joined the hospitalist program at Mayo Regional Hospital in September, passed his certification examination on the first attempt and will be certified as a Diplomate in Internal Medicine by the American Board of Internal Medicine.
Becoming a board-certified internist is a highly sought-after distinction, and all Diplomates are committed to life-long learning and quality improvement. Certification demonstrates – to their peers and to the public – that internists have the clinical judgment, skills and attitudes essential for the delivery of excellent patient care.
Internists provide long-term, comprehensive care, managing both common illnesses and complex problems for adolescents, adults and the elderly.
Dr. Oueida is a native of Lebanon who completed medical school at Beirut Arab University. He finished his residency training in internal medicine this summer at Morristown Memorial Hospital in New Jersey.
Dr. Evans takes New England leadership role
November 09, 2011
DOVER-FOXCROFT - Richard A. Evans, M.D., a general surgeon in Dover-Foxcroft since 2003, was unanimously elected as Chairperson of the Council of New England State Medical Societies (CNESMS) at its annual meeting in Waltham, Mass.
The purpose of the Council is to effect close cooperation among New England State Medical Societies in maintaining the highest standards of medical practice throughout the New England geographic region, to provide solutions to problems of mutual interest, and to provide a forum for discussion with the New England State Delegates to the American Medical Association (AMA).
The Council is composed of Delegates and Alternate Delegates to the AMA House of Delegates from the component New England States, their Presidents and President-Elects, and the Executive Directors of each component state Medical Society/Association. The next meeting of the Council will take place during the interim meeting of the AMA House of Delegates in New Orleans, Louisiana, in November.
Dr. Evans is currently president of the medical staff at Mayo Regional Hospital. He is a past president of the Maine Medical Association.
Mayo Auxiliary plans craft fair, variety show
October 31, 2011
DOVER-FOXCROFT - The Mayo Regional Hospital Auxiliary has planned two events for the Veterans Day weekend, with a fall craft fair at the hospital on Friday, Nov. 11, and the annual Variety Show concert at the Center Theatre on Saturday, Nov. 12.
Friday's craft fair will be held at the Mayo Regional Hospital Resource Center conference rooms on Dwelley Avenue from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and admission is free. There will be two dozen area craft vendors selling their products, and food will also be on sale.
Saturday's Variety Show starts 7 p.m. at the Center Theatre in downtown Dover-Foxcroft, and admission is by donation. Home-made refreshments will be on sale during the two-hour show.
Musical acts for the Variety Show include the Foxcroft Academy Strings, under the direction of Susan Ramsey and Ned Garner, which will play classical pieces by Bach, Pachelbel, Vivaldi and Mozart, as well as a traditional Chinese selection. The FA string program features musicians playing violin, viola, cello and piano.
Other musical acts include band members from Fishers Of Men, which mixes vocals with guitars, keyboard, saxophone and harmonica; and the Local Yokel Vocal Group, which has been entertaining in nursing homes and boarding homes under various names and incarnations since 1990.
United Way honors Mayo Regional Hospital
October 20, 2011
DOVER-FOXCROFT - Mayo Regional Hospital and Maine Highlands Federal Credit Union were honored as Outstanding Corporate Supporters for 2011 at the United Way of Eastern Maine annual meeting on Oct. 20 in Hermon.
Mayo and Maine Highlands were recognized for their financial support of the Backpack food program for SAD 4 schools in Guilford. The program, organized by United Way and Penquis, provides qualifying, low-income students with backpacks filled with food, which the students bring home each weekend to supplement their family food supply.
Mayo provided initial funding to get the program started at Guilford Primary School in March.
“The program has blossomed from 25 to over 50 students a week,” according to United Way. “Due to the initial successes, created by Mayo’s funding, the program has been able to secure additional streams of revenue and has become truly sustainable. The program has broad community support and is making a real and powerful change in the lives of those impacted by childhood hunger.”
Lynne Gagnon, Vice President of Patient Care Services, accepted the award for Mayo.
Dr. Snyder joins Mayo Psychiatry and Counseling
October 18, 2011
DOVER-FOXCROFT - Mayo Regional’s Psychiatry and Counseling program has hired Marjorie Snyder, M.D. as its new adult psychiatrist. Dr. Snyder, who replaces Timothy Rockcress, M.D., will provide outpatient assessment and treatment of patients with psychiatric and substance abuse disorders.
Dr. Snyder comes to Mayo from the Dorothea Dix Psychiatric Center in Bangor, where she had worked since 2000, including the last 10 years as the facility’s Clinical Director. In that position, she provided clinical leadership with the medical staff, executive team and clinical staff to bring Dorothea Dix back into full compliance with all state and federal licensing standards.
Dr. Snyder has been a practicing psychiatrist for 20 years, originally working at the Worcester State Hospital and University of Massachusetts Medical Center. She moved to Maine in 1996 and worked for Community Health and Counseling Service in Bangor as Medical Director, before moving on to Dorothea Dix.
Certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, Dr. Snyder is a member of the American Psychiatric Association and American Neuropsychiatric Association.
After graduating with a B.A. from Oberlin College, Dr. Snyder earned her medical degree from the University of Massachusetts Medical School in Worcester. She finished her postdoctoral residency training in psychiatry at McLean Hospital, Belmont, Mass., where she was Chief Resident.
Mayo named to list of Top 100 Critical Access Hospitals
October 05, 2011
DOVER-FOXCROFT - Mayo Regional Hospital has been named one of the Top 100 Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) in America by the National Rural Health Association.
There are 1,327 CAHs in America, all located in rural areas and with a maximum of 25 inpatient beds. The National Rural Health Association partnered with iVantage Health Analytics to develop a comprehensive rating system for CAHs to measure their relative performance among their peers and across 56 different performance metrics.
Key performance areas in the hospital ratings system include market strength, healthcare quality and outcomes, patient perspectives, cost and charge indicators, and financial strength.
“It is a true testimony to the ongoing dedication to quality improvement, service excellence and financial oversight that Mayo is among the top performing CAHs in the country,” said Ralph Gabarro, President and CEO. “I am extremely proud of all those who have contributed to these remarkable results.”
Seven of the Top 100 CAHs are located in Maine. Besides Mayo, they include Bridgton Hospital, Charles A. Dean Memorial in Greenville, Houlton Regional Hospital, Millinocket Regional Hospital, Redington Fairview General Hospital in Skowhegan and Waldo County General Hospital in Belfast. There are a total of 16 CAHs in Maine.
Iowa and Minnesota led the Top 100 list, each with 10 CAHs honored. Hospitals from 24 states were represented, with a geographic spread from Alaska to Georgia.
The National Rural Health Association is a nonprofit organization working to improve the health and well-being of rural Americans.
Mayo board approves 2012 budget
September 29, 2011
DOVER-FOXCROFT - The Hospital Administrative District 4 Board of Directors on Sept. 28 approved a fiscal year 2012 operating budget for Mayo Regional Hospital and its associated physician practices. The budget increases Mayo’s current employment level from 390 to 403 full-time equivalent positions, and projects a rise in both surgical cases and physician office visits due to the addition of two surgeons and two primary care doctors.
Mayo anticipates net operating revenue of $45 million in the coming year. After expenses of $44.6 million are factored, Mayo expects to generate operating income of $475,000, for a margin of 1%, in the fiscal year beginning Oct. 1. Net income is reinvested back into the nonprofit community hospital to fund depreciation, acquire new equipment and develop new programs.
Chief Financial Officer Jeff Provenzano said total gross revenues are expected to increase by 8.8%, or $6 million, due to higher operating room and primary care patient volumes, and a 3.25% general rate increase to all service areas, except for inpatient room rates.
Provenzano said the rate increase is in line with historical rates that have resulted in a 10-year average annual increase of 3.2%. The increase also tracks the medical care rate of inflation over the past year, as calculated by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
“I am extremely pleased with the outcome of this year’s budgeting process,” said Mayo CEO Ralph Gabarro. “By working together the leadership team has developed a budget that is responsive to Mayo’s day-to-day operating needs while at the same time being sensitive to the costs associated with the care we provide.”
Mayo’s rate of net bad debt and charity care to be absorbed by the hospital is estimated at 6.35% of overall hospital gross patient service revenue, or approximately $4.7 million. Over half of that amount is due to availability of free care based on the patient’s income and qualifying guidelines.
Increases in Mayo’s work force reflect the need for staffing to support newly implemented electronic records systems, expansion to a 24/7 hospitalist coverage model, and medical staff additions in surgery, primary care and psychiatry. Total salaries and benefits at Mayo will reach $29.3 million annually.
Mayo’s budget includes a 2% anniversary merit increase for employees.
HAD 4 directors also authorized a hospital capital equipment budget of $1.5 million. Those funds will replace the hospital’s nurse call system, remount two EMS ambulances, upgrade Mayo’s email and network security software, and make various plant security, maintenance and general improvements.
Dr. Jao joins Mayo Orthopaedics
September 21, 2011
DOVER-FOXCROFT - Henry C. Jao, M.D. is returning to the medical staff of Mayo Orthopaedics on Oct. 3.
He previously worked at Mayo from 2008-2010, and has most recently been practicing orthopaedic medicine in Massachusetts.
Dr. Jao has been board-certified in orthopaedic surgery since 1989 and has been in active practice as an orthopaedic surgeon for over 20 years, most of that time in the Nashville, Tennessee area.
At Mayo Orthopaedics, he joins Dr. Richard Swett, Dr. Warren “Skip” MacDonald, Jr., physician assistant William Bisbee and nurse practitioner Nicole Kane in a regional practice serving the Penquis region. The practice provides general orthopaedic surgical care for muscoloskeletal injuries and conditions, with services including total joint replacement, sports medicine and treatment of sprains and fractures.
In addition to services provided in Dover-Foxcroft, Mayo Orthopaedics providers have regularly scheduled clinics at Penobscot Valley Hospital in Lincoln.
A Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, Dr. Jao was born in Taipei, Taiwan, moved to the United States as a young child, and grew up in Belmont, Mass.
Dr. Jao completed his medical degree in 1982 at the Pritzker School of Medicine, University of Chicago. He also earned his B.S. degree from the University of Chicago. His internship in general surgery and residency in orthopaedic surgery were both completed at The Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, Ohio.
Appointments with Dr. Jao may be made by calling Mayo Orthopaedics at 564-8300.
Mayo Regional expands hospitalist service to 24/7 model
September 14, 2011
DOVER-FOXCROFT - Mayo Regional Hospital’s hospitalist service, started in 1997 to deliver comprehensive medical care to hospitalized patients at Mayo, expands to a 24/7 staffing model this October.
In doing so, Mayo will double the number of physicians providing full-time care to inpatients from two to four, and extends hospitalist coverage to the overnight hours, 7 days a week.
Ralph Gabarro, Mayo’s President and CEO, said expanding hospitalist physician coverage provides multiple benefits for the 25-bed, non-profit community hospital.
“Extending in-house physician coverage to the overnight hours allows Mayo to provide care for more acutely ill patients without having to transfer them out of the community,” said Gabarro. “Having a hospitalist on duty at all times will also relieve the on-call burden on our primary care providers, and we expect that will help Mayo in our ongoing physician recruitment efforts.”
Gabarro said the hospitalist service has proven its value over the past 14 years, improving the quality of care and patient safety.
Mayo was the second hospital in Maine to start a hospitalist service, when it hired internist Tom Murray, M.D. to provide inpatient care in 1997. Dr. Murray has remained a full-time hospitalist at Mayo ever since.
In June, Alan Irwin, D.O. joined Mayo’s hospitalist program, coming to Dover-Foxcroft from a similar position at Mid Coast Hospital in Brunswick.
This month, Mayo added two more hospitalists, enabling the service to expand its staffing model. Zaher Oueida, M.D. and Ioannis Karakalpakis, M.D. have both relocated to the area after finishing their residency training this summer.
Dr. Oueida is a native of Lebanon who completed medical school at Beirut Arab University. He finished his residency at Morristown Memorial Hospital in New Jersey.
Dr. Karakalpakis is from Athens, Greece, and graduated from the University of Athens Medical School. He completed his residency at Flushing Hospital Medical Center in Queens, N.Y.
HEARTWISE WALK FOR LIFE SET FOR OCT. 1
September 13, 2011
DOVER-FOXCROFT - Plans are under way for the 21st annual Heartwise Walk for Life on Saturday, Oct. 1. The 3.1-mile, noncompetitive walk fundraiser helps support the cardiac rehabilitation program at Mayo Regional Hospital.
Registration for walkers begins at the Piscataquis Regional YMCA at 9:30 a.m., when pledges are collected. The walk starts at 10 a.m., and constitutes a loop through the streets of Dover-Foxcroft, beginning and ending at the YMCA.
All walkers receive a gift. Anyone who raises $25 or more in pledges also receives a T-shirt. Pledge forms are available from Heartwise in the Mayo Medical Office Building.
Sponsorship support is also sought for the walk. Businesses who donate $50-99 are listed as sponsors, those who donate $100-500 are listed as benefactors, and those who donate over $500 are listed as guardians on the T-shirt.
The walk is the major fund-raiser for Heartwise. Each year dozens of walkers bring in pledges and businesses contribute donations from Dover-Foxcroft, Guilford, Dexter, Milo and other area towns. The event annually raises around $13,000, with those funds used to purchase exercise equipment and provide scholarships for Heartwise patients.
Heartwise Director Judy Gerrish said scholarship funds are important due to the continued growth in the phase II program and limited insurance coverage for many patients.
Heartwise provides a Phase III program designed for maintenance following a cardiac event, and Phase II program designed for patients who have experienced a recent cardiac event.
Heartwise provides a program of supervised exercise and educational group sessions for people with some type of heart or blood vessel disease. For more information on Heartwise and the Walk for Life, contact 564-4207.
Mayo Seniority plans N.H. shopping trip
September 07, 2011
DOVER-FOXCROFT - The Seniority Program at Mayo Regional Hospital has planned a shopping trip to New Hampshire on Tuesday, Oct. 18, with stops at Keepsake Quilting in Center Harbor, N.H. and the Christmas Tree Shop in North Conway, N.H.
The trip cost will be $65 for Seniority members and Mayo employees, and $75 for non-members. The price includes charter bus transportation, lunch at Old Country Buffet in South Portland, games, prizes and snacks. The bus will pick up in Milo, Dover-Foxcroft, Guilford and Dexter, starting at 8:45 a.m., and will return from the trip around 11:30 p.m.
Reservation deadline is Oct. 13 and checks should be made out to MRH Seniority and mailed to Lil Smith, Seniority, 897 West Main St., Dover-Foxcroft, ME 04426.
Mayo raises $31,000 with Allen Golf Classic
September 01, 2011
DOVER-FOXCROFT - Mayo Regional Hospital raised nearly $31,000 during the 3rd annual Dennis Allen Memorial Golf Classic, which drew a field of 106 golfers to the Natanis Golf Course in Vassalboro on Aug. 31.
The tournament honors the memory of Dennis Allen, who died in 2008 of a heart attack. Allen, an avid golfer, was Chief Financial Officer at Mayo Regional Hospital for 30 years.
Proceeds from the tournament will be used by Mayo Regional to combat heart disease in the hospital’s service area of Piscataquis, Penobscot and Somerset counties. Funds raised from the Allen Classic in 2009 and 2010 have been used to buy 37 Automated External Defibrillators, which were donated by Mayo and placed in public access points throughout the region, from Medway to Fairfield, and Dexter to Pittston Farm. Mayo will continue to expand placement of AEDs with funds netted from the most recent tournament.
The team from A.E. Robinson Oil Co. of Dover-Foxcroft had the low net score of 54, turned in by James Robinson, Jeffrey Robinson, Mike Grinnell and Mike Harris. The foursome of Ryan Cloutier, Dave Winslow, Mike Neuts and Bruce Moore took low gross honors with a score of 62.
Rick York won the putting contest, the Thomas Agency team had the longest putt, the longest drives were struck by Mike Harris and Bonnie Allen, and the straightest drives were made by Ryan Cloutier and Paula Gagnon. Jim Fowle was closest to the pin on hole 4, and Phil Badger was closest to the pin on hole 10.
Special thanks are due to Acadia Benefits, A.E. Robinson Oil Co. and BerryDunn, who were major corporate sponsors of the Allen Classic. Gold-level sponsors included Allscripts, Dahl-Chase Pathology Associates, Dexter Family Practice, DiGiorgio Associates, Gilman Electric, H.M. Payson & Co., Hardwood Products, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, Mayo Regional Hospital Medical Staff, Sage, and Thomas Agency. Pepsi was the beverage sponsor.
Raffle prizes included 100 gallons of oil from A.E. Robinson, tickets to the Deutsche Bank PGA championship, and greens fees to Bangor Muni, Piscataquis CC, Country View GC, JaTo Highlands, Foxcroft GC, Kebo Valley, J.W. Parks, Lakewood GC, Natanis GC, Sable Oaks GC and Dexter Municipal.
Mayo Seniority plans Boston Christmas trip
August 29, 2011
DOVER-FOXCROFT - Mayo Regional Hospital’s Seniority program is planning a trip to see the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, featuring the Rockettes, at the Wang Theatre in Boston on Sunday, Dec. 4.
The cost is $140 for Seniority members and Mayo employees, and $150 for non-members, and includes custom motor coach transportation, lunch at Old Country Buffet in South Portland, show tickets, games, prizes, water and snacks. Make your reservation, with payment, by Sept. 19. Checks should be made to MRH Seniority and mailed to Lil Smith, Seniority, 897 West Main St., Dover-Foxcroft, ME 04426. Full refund will be made if the trip is canceled.
The show starts in Boston at 3:30 p.m. Bus pickups start 8 a.m. that morning in Milo, and include stops in Dover-Foxcroft, Guilford and Dexter. The return trip drop-offs will start 10 p.m. in Dexter. For more information, contact Lil Smith at 564-4427.
Dr. Dennis joins Dover-Foxcroft Family Medicine
August 16, 2011
DOVER-FOXCROFT - Elizabeth Dennis, D.O. will be joining the medical staff at Dover-Foxcroft Family Medicine starting Sept. 7.
Dr. Dennis, a general internist, is making the transition to primary care in an outpatient setting after having worked as a hospitalist at Mayo Regional Hospital since 2008. As a hospitalist, she delivered comprehensive medical care to hospitalized patients at Mayo.
In addition to seeing patients at Dover-Foxcroft Family Medicine, Dr. Dennis will assume the role of medical director for Mayo’s Oncology program. She will be spending Tuesday afternoons at the outpatient clinic in the Old Mayo building to provide treatment for cancer patients.
Dr. Dennis completed her residency training in internal medicine at Bassett Healthcare, a Columbia University affiliate in Cooperstown, N.Y. She earned her doctor of osteopathic medicine degree in 2005 from Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine in Downers Grove, Ill.
Prior to attending medical school, Dr. Dennis worked as a physician assistant from 1995-2000 in Iowa. Most of that time was spent at the University of Iowa, both in the Department of Internal Medicine, Allergy & Immunology, and in the Student Health Service.
She earned her Masters in Physician Assistant Studies at the University of Iowa, and has a B.S. in biology from University of Wisconsin - Eau Clair.
Dr. Dennis, her husband and two sons live in Dover-Foxcroft. For an appointment with Dr. Dennis, contact Dover-Foxcroft Family Medicine at 564-4464.