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1st annual Dennis Allen Memorial Golf Classic

Mayo Hospital

June 24, 2009
DOVER-FOXCROFT - Mayo Regional Hospital is planning for the 1st annual Dennis Allen Memorial Golf Classic to be held Wednesday, Sept. 23, at the Natanis Golf Course in Vassalboro.

The event will feature a four-person scramble format, with a shotgun start at 12:30 p.m. Luncheon will be served at 11:30 a.m., and the day will wind up with a buffet dinner and awards presentations at 6 p.m. The entry fee is $75 per person, or $250 per foursome.

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. Funds raised will initially be used to place Automated External Defibrillators in public access points. The AED is a portable electronic device that automatically diagnoses the potentially life threatening cardiac arrhythmias in a patient, and is able to treat them through defibrillation, the application of electrical therapy which stops the arrhythmia, allowing the heart to reestablish an effective rhythm.

Registration forms and tournament sponsorship packages are available at:

Mayo's Gerrish wins "Star of Life" Award

Judy Gerrish, RN

June 10, 2009
DOVER-FOXCROFT - Judy Gerrish, RN of Mayo Regional Hospital has been named 2009 "Star of Life" Award winner by the Northeastern Maine EMS Council.

This award is made annually to a person who, through their actions, has made a significant contribution to the development, support or delivery of Emergency Medical Services in the Northeastern Maine region.

Gerrish, director of the Heartwise cardiac rehabilitation program at Mayo, has been a dedicated and consistent supporter of EMS for over 30 years. Many know her for her coordination of Advanced Cardiac Life Support programs throughout Maine, but her leadership and support extends far beyond that.

Gerrish has been the guiding light and mentor for Mayo Regional Hospital's ambulance service and is the sub-regional Quality Assurance coordinator for that area; she is a long term member of the Regional EMS Council and for many years was the lead instructor for its Paramedic programs; and she has served on both the State EMS education committee and Maine EMS Board. Over the years, Gerrish has dedicated countless hours to preparation, teaching, and representing Northeastern EMS providers.

The award notice states, "Judy's goal has always been to improve EMS providers through education and a commitment to continuous quality improvement. She not only pushes us towards that goal, she is right there beside us helping to make it happen.

"Judy's support for EMS has never wavered -- not once. We can't think of a more deserving individual for the 2009 Star of Life award."

Mayo plans 1st annual Dennis Allen Memorial Golf Classic
June 24, 2009
DOVER-FOXCROFT -- Mayo Regional Hospital is planning for the 1st annual Dennis Allen Memorial Golf Classic to be held Wednesday, Sept. 23, at the Natanis Golf Course in Vassalboro.

The event will feature a four-person scramble format, with a shotgun start at 12:30 p.m. Luncheon will be served at 11:30 a.m., and the day will wind up with a buffet dinner and awards presentations at 6 p.m. The entry fee is $75 per person, or $250 per foursome.

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. Funds raised will initially be used to place Automated External Defibrillators in public access points. The AED is a portable electronic device that automatically diagnoses the potentially life threatening cardiac arrhythmias in a patient, and is able to treat them through defibrillation, the application of electrical therapy which stops the
arrhythmia, allowing the heart to reestablish an effective rhythm.

Registration forms and tournament sponsorship packages are available at 2009 Dennis Allen Memorial Golf Classic, c/o Mayo Regional Hospital, 897 West Main St., Dover-Foxcroft, ME 04426, by calling (207)564-4251, or via e-mail at allenclassic@mayohospital.com.

Questions about swine flu?
June 10, 2009

mainepublichealth.gov

Two new PAs join Mayo medical staff
June 10, 2009
DOVER-FOXCROFT - Mayo Regional Hospital has welcomed two new physician assistants to its active medical staff in June, with David Nevins, PA-C joining the staff at Dexter Family Practice, and Hilary Hudson, PA-C starting work at Mayo Orthopaedics in Dover-Foxcroft.

Nevins has over 20 years' experience as a PA in New York state, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Michigan and Maine. He most
recently worked in the Kingston (N.Y.) Hospital Emergency Department.

Nevins earned his Physician Assistant's certificate and a B.S. degreefrom Wichita State University in Kansas. At Dexter Family, he will work with Challa Reddy, M.D., Usha Reddy, M.D. and Nurse Practitioner Lisa Starkweather.

Hudson joins Mayo Orthopaedics after graduating in May with a M.S.
degree in Physician Assistant Studies from the University of New England in Portland. She earlier received a B.A. in sociology/anthropology from
Denison University in Ohio.

Prior to becoming a PA, Hudson worked as a medical assistant at MDI Orthopedics in Bar Harbor. She has also served as a volunteer Emergency Medical Technician-Intermediate for the ambulance service in Southwest Harbor.

At Mayo Orthopaedics, Hudson will work with orthopaedic surgeons
Richard Swett, M.D., Skip MacDonald, M.D., Henry Jao, M.D. and Physician Assistant Bill Bisbee.

Mayo's Gerrish wins Star of Life Award
June 10, 2009
DOVER-FOXCROFT - Judy Gerrish, RN of Mayo Regional Hospital has been
named 2009 "Star of Life" Award winner by the Northeastern Maine EMS Council.

This award is made annually to a person who, through their actions, has made a significant contribution to the development, support or delivery of Emergency Medical Services in the Northeastern Maine region.

Gerrish, director of the Heartwise cardiac rehabilitation program at
Mayo, has been a dedicated and consistent supporter of EMS for over 30 years. Many know her for her coordination of Advanced Cardiac Life Support programs throughout Maine, but her leadership and support extends far beyond that.

Gerrish has been the guiding light and mentor for Mayo Regional
Hospital's ambulance service and is the sub-regional Quality Assurance coordinator for that area; she is a long term member of the Regional EMS Council and for many years was the lead instructor for its Paramedic programs; and she has served on both the State EMS education committee and Maine EMS Board. Over the years, Gerrish has dedicated countless hours to preparation, teaching, and representing Northeastern EMS
providers.

The award notice states, "Judy's goal has always been to improve EMS
providers through education and a commitment to continuous quality
improvement. She not only pushes us towards that goal, she is right
there beside us helping to make it happen.

"Judy's support for EMS has never wavered -- not once. We can't
think of a more deserving individual for the 2009 Star of Life award."

Mayo receives national award for exceeding patient expectations
June 03, 2009
DOVER-FOXCROFT - Mayo Regional Hospital has been recognized by Avatar International with its Exceeding Patient Expectations Award for the 2008 calendar year.

The national award is given to hospitals that are performing at a 3-star level and above, and whose overall patient satisfaction score exceeds patient expectations.

Mayo finished 2008 with an overall patient satisfaction score of 91.64 and a patient expectation score of 91.20, meaning expectations were exceeded by 0.44.

Mayo’s highest score was recorded for inpatient services, where the 93.50 result exceeded expectations by 3.98 points. Mayo’s Emergency Department score of 89.35 also exceeded expectations by 0.58.

In analyzing expectations, Avatar has found that prior to visiting a healthcare organization, patients have developed impressions on the quality of care and service, the reliability of service, and how well their personal needs will be met. Those expectations are formed through previous personal experiences at the hospital, by word of mouth, by community image and from hospital marketing efforts.

The difference between patient expectations and actual experiences in the hospital can determine how "satisfied" a patient is following a healthcare encounter. Consistently meeting or exceeding patient expectations is considered a hallmark of exceptional service in healthcare.

Avatar’s patient satisfaction surveys measure different aspects of a patient’s experience and compare those results against a national database of survey results from other hospitals.

The Avatar database ranks hospitals on a 5-star scale, where 3 stars is a result in the "average" range. In 2008, Mayo rated 4 stars for both inpatient and ED care, which is an "above average" outcome.

Mayo previously earned Avatar’s Exceeding Patient Expectations Award in 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003 and 2002.

Avatar International, a research and consulting company based in Orlando, Fla., is an industry leader in healthcare quality improvement services and has provided patient satisfaction surveys for Mayo Regional since 1999.

Flu information session at Center Theatre May 16
May 08, 2009
DOVER-FOXCROFT - A free, public information session on the H1N1
influenza virus will be presented from 4:30 - 6:30 p.m. Saturday, May
16, at the Center Theatre in Dover-Foxcroft. Sponsored by the
Piscataquis County Emergency Management Agency and Mayo Regional
Hospital, the event will include advice on flu prevention strategies.

Mayo names Pratley Nurse of the Year
May 08, 2009
DOVER-FOXCROFT - Kirsty Pratley, RN was named Nurse of the Year
at Mayo Regional Hospital, receiving the award on May 8 at the
conclusion of Nurses Week activities.

Pratley also represented Mayo at the Blaine House reception in
Augusta held in recognition of National Nurses' Day. She was nominated
by her peers for the award, which is given annually to recognize
clinical expertise, leadership, commitment to Mayo's mission and service
excellence, and continued professional development. A plaque listing
Nurse of the Year winners is displayed in the hospital lobby.

A Guilford resident, Pratley began nursing as a second career in
2000, after graduating from Eastern Maine Community College. At EMCC she
received the Florence Nightingale Award and was named Student of the
Year.

She has been employed as an RN at Mayo since 2000, first working
on the Medical/Surgical Unit, and for the past four years specializing
as the hospital's infection control nurse. Earlier this year Pratley
received national certification in infection prevention.

Active in her community, Pratley organizes the annual
Thanksgiving Day meal in Guilford, which is provided free for the
public.

"Kirsty always has been so positive here at Mayo. She takes
exceptional care of her patients, is very detailed in her care and
education of her patients, mind and body," according to testimony
supporting her nomination. "She provides support and encouragement to
new nurses and doctors. Kirsty is a great example of what I think Nurse
of the Year should represent."

Pratley is married and has two children.

Diabetes education class at Mayo on May 20
April 30, 2009
DOVER-FOXCROFT - Mayo Regional Hospital's Diabetes and Nutrition Center
will be offering a "Small Steps, Big Rewards" class from 4-6 p.m. on
Wednesday, May 20, for patients who have pre-diabetes or anyone who is
interested in preventing or delaying the onset of Type 2 diabetes
through lifestyle modification.

The class will be held in the Sebec room at Mayo's Resource Center, and
the fee is $10 per person to cover the cost of materials. To register,
contact the Diabetes and Nutrition Center at 564-4416.

The "Small Steps, Big Rewards" program is used as a framework for
teaching. In 2001 the National Institutes of Health, Diabetes Prevention
Program clinical trial was concluded early because of the tremendous
success of lifestyle intervention in the delay/prevention of Type 2
diabetes. The program was developed by the NIH and the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention, using the outcomes from the clinical
trial.

Insurance providers do not typically cover one-on-one counseling
sessions with RN or RD diabetes educators for pre-diabetes. The Diabetes
and Nutrition Center designed this class to provide these patients an
opportunity to learn more about preventing diabetes by providing a
hospital-based resource.

Mayo celebrates accomplishments during Hospital Week
April 30, 2009
DOVER-FOXCROFT - Mayo Regional Hospital employees have much
to celebrate as they prepare to observe National Hospital Week from May
10-16.

Mayo has scheduled several employee recognition events
during the week, including a reception from 9-10 a.m. in the hospital
lobby on Monday, May 11, the annual barbecue picnic on Wednesday, May
13, and an ice cream social on Friday afternoon, May 15.

"The past year has been challenging as Mayo has struggled
with the economic issues facing all businesses, but Hospital Week allows
us to step back and reflect on what has also been a year marked by many
impressive achievements," said Ralph Gabarro, Mayo's Chief Executive
Officer.

During the past year, Mayo successfully met its goal of
raising patient satisfaction scores, as measured by Avatar
International, Inc. Mayo surveys patients in inpatient nursing units,
the Emergency Department and in physician offices. The overall patient
satisfaction score increased from 90.02 in 2007 to 91.81 at the end of
2008 as a result of the hospital's customer service initiatives.

Inpatient satisfaction scores were also above average as
measured through the national HCAPHS (Hospital Consumer Assessment of
Healthcare Providers and Systems) survey required by the Centers for
Medicare and Medicaid Services. This data, available to the public at
www.hospitalcompare.gov, shows Mayo ranks in the 99th percentile for
responsiveness of hospital staff.

Data from the Maine Health Management Coalition during the
past year ranked Mayo Regional second among 36 acute care hospitals in
Maine based on patient experiences, patient safety and clinical quality.
Patient data from the Coalition resulted in Mayo receiving Blue Ribbon
recognition for patient safety and clinical quality, placing Mayo on the
"preferred hospital" list for the Maine state employee health plan.

Physician offices in Dover-Foxcroft, Dexter, Milo, Guilford
and Corinna, all part of Mayo Practice Associates, also received Blue
Ribbons as part of the Pathways to Excellence primary care initiative.

Mayo's commitment to improving patient safety was recognized
when the hospital was awarded a $50,000 grant from the Maine Health
Access Foundation to improve medication management systems.

The hospital's support of professional growth for nurses,
who represent 20% of all staff, was enhanced through the continuation of
Mayo's nursing clinical ladder system. Efforts to improve employee
health resulted in Mayo receiving the gold-level Well Workplace Award
from the Wellness Councils of America.

In addition to these organizational accomplishments, many
Mayo staff received individual recognition of statewide significance:

* David McDermott, M.D., MPH, medical director of Emergency
Services at Mayo, was named president-elect of the Maine Medical
Association. Dr. McDermott was also named Physician of the Year by the
Down East Association of Physician Assistants and became a certified
physician executive.

* Lynne Gagnon, Mayo's Director of Patient Care Services,
was named president-elect of OMNE/Nursing Leaders of Maine, and became
board certified as Nurse Executive, Advanced.

* Ralph Gabarro, CEO, was named a Fellow in the American
College of Healthcare Executives, and was re-elected to the Maine
Hospital Association Board of Directors.

* William Bisbee, PA-C was elected president of the Down
East Association of Physician Assistants, which has twice named him PA
of the Year.

* Sheri Conley, manager of Mayo's Medical Information
Services, served as president of the Maine Health Information Management
Association.

* Lisa Fortier, manager of Mayo's Social Services
Department, was named Social Work Leader of the Year by the Maine
Chapter, Society for Social Work Leadership in Health Care.

* William Head, PA-C, received the Outstanding Service Award
from the Down East Association of Physician Assistants.

Penquis region March of Dimes walk on May 3
April 22, 2009
DOVER-FOXCROFT - The annual Penquis region March for Babies event for the March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation is scheduled this year for Sunday, May 3. The 3-mile walk has been held locally every year since 1975 and is one of two dozen planned throughout Maine to raise funds for March of Dimes' programs that save babies from birth defects, pre-term labor and low birthweight.

The walk is held in Dover-Foxcroft, and begins and ends at Mayo Regional Hospital's Resource Center, on Dwelley Avenue behind the hospital. The walk starts at 1 p.m. and follows a loop down Main, Essex, Lincoln, North and Park streets, and through Kiwanis Park to Mayo. Refreshments are served and prizes are awarded at the finish, at around 2 p.m.

Last year 88 walkers participated and the event raised $12,056 to help the March of Dimes. Walking teams represented Bangor Savings Bank, Mayo Regional Hospital, Camden National Bank, Maine Highlands Federal Credit Union, Dexter Family Practice, and Key Clubs from Dexter Regional High School, Foxcroft Academy, Piscataquis Community High School and Greenville High School. Many walkers also participated as individuals.

People interested in participating in the March for Babies walk on May 3 are encouraged to register online at www.marchforbabies.org/joinus.

Head receives PA Outstanding Service Award
April 06, 2009
DOVER-FOXCROFT - William Head, PA-C of Lincoln received the 2009 Robert J. Lapham Outstanding Service Award from the Downeast Association of Physician Assistants at the group’s annual membership meeting held April 4 in Manchester.

The award is presented annually to a Maine Physician Assistant in recognition of outstanding service to the PA profession and to the DEAPA. Head was unable to attend the award ceremony, but DEAPA President Bill Bisbee made the presentation to Carl Alessi, M.D., one of Head’s supervising physicians from Lincoln.

Also in attendance were Head’s wife, Susan, and son, Bert. Ben Dever represented Mayo Regional Hospital, where Head has worked on a part-time basis at Dover-Foxcroft Family Medicine since 2007.

Head came to the Lincoln area in 1983 after graduating from the Physician Assistant Program at Wake Forest University in North Carolina. He began the practice of family medicine with Dr. Bourcard Nesin and has practiced principally in primary care medicine for the past 25 years, currently sharing time between the Lincoln and Dover-Foxcroft areas.

He also serves as Associate Clinical Director of the Medical Professionals Health Program of the Maine Medical Association.

Prior to his physician assistant training, Head received his master of divinity degree in Chaplaincy from the Andover Newton Theological School and served as Chaplain at the University of New Hampshire. He maintains a strong commitment to physical, emotional and spiritual healing.

Head has been a member of the Downeast Association of Physician Assistants Board of Directors for several terms, currently serving as director at large. He is also a member of the Membership Committee, chair of the Impairment/Ethics Committee and the association’s liaison to the Maine Medical Association. His dedication to his duties on the DEAPA Board is legendary.

Head is also a prior recipient of the Rural Physician Assistant of the Year Award, in 2001.

Charlotte White, Mayo counseling centers combine programs
March 11, 2009
DOVER-FOXCROFT - The Charlotte White Center and Mayo Regional Hospital have decided to combine their counseling services to be able to ensure continued access and to provide comprehensive behavioral health services to Penquis area residents.

This collaborative effort enables Charlotte White Center and Mayo to better meet the needs of clients and their families by providing a wide array of services at one facility. The partnering of these two agencies allows clients to access mental health counseling, substance abuse counseling, and psychiatric services for individuals, couples, and families at one setting in Mayo’s newly renovated building on 69 High St. in Dover-Foxcroft. That location formerly housed the SAD 68 superintendent’s office.

As a result of this process, the status of Charlotte White counseling clients will change. Those clients will be able to continue counseling treatment with current CWC clinicians, Rich Davis, LCSW, Carol Ippoliti, LCSW, Anne Perkins, LCPC, Cathy Soden, LCPC, CADC, and Melissa Peakes-Stevens, LCSW, without interruption. However, those clients will be enrolled through Mayo Regional Hospital outpatient services.

Mayo Counseling Services will continue to provide psychiatric care by Richard Wallingford, M.D. and Laurie Mahar, PNP, as well as chemical/mental health counseling care by Allen Drucker, LCPC, Karen Staffeld, LCSW, Joel Makowski, LCSW, and Anita Cooley, LCSW, LADC. Mayo Regional Hospital clients will see no change in their services.

Clinical visits for Charlotte White clients will now be offered at the Mayo Counseling Center on High Street starting March 30, 2009. The patient chart/records for Charlotte White clients will be maintained by their existing clinicians but will be secured as part of Mayo Regional Hospital’s clinical counseling records.

Charlotte White clients with questions or concerns about this change should talk to their clinician and/or contact the CWC counseling practice administrator, Cathy Haskell, at 564-7106.

For more information contact:

Patricia Kelleher, Charlotte White Center, at 564-2464, ext. 182

or John Spieker, Mayo Counseling, at 564-4110

Physician assistant joins WorkWISE staff
February 12, 2009
DOVER-FOXCROFT - David Johnson, PA-C has joined the staff of WorkWISE, the occupational health program at Mayo Regional Hospital.

WorkWISE partners with large and small businesses to promote workplace health and wellness for their employees. Since its formation in 1997, WorkWISE has worked with 500 employers to promote employee health, prevent illnesses and injuries caused by working conditions, and to protect workers from workplace risk factors.

Johnson graduated from Kettering College of Medical Arts with his Master’s degree in Physician Assistant Studies and a B.S. in Health Professions. In addition he has an associate’s degree in Applied Sciences: Emergency Medical Management from the University of Cincinnati.

Johnson served in the U.S. Army from 1983-1996 as a Special Forces-trained Medic, with multiple deployments and combat/hazardous duty tours in Honduras (1986), Panama (1989) and Iraq - Desert Shield/Desert Storm (1991). When not deployed or training he also worked as an Emergency Medical Technician - Paramedic within the community.

Johnson is a member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants, the American Association of Surgical Physician Assistants and the Wilderness Medical Society.

For more information contact:

Roxanne Nason, WorkWISE, 564-4338

Walter Doerfler, M.D., D.O. has joined the medical staff of Mayo Regional Hospital ED
January 28, 2009
DOVER-FOXCROFT -- Walter Doerfler, M.D., D.O. has joined the medical staff at Mayo Regional Hospital as an Emergency Department physician.

Dr. Doerfler has a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree from the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine in Biddeford, Maine, and is practicing in Maine with an osteopathic license. He also has an M.D. degree from the Vienna Medical School in his native Austria.

He completed an internship at Dartmouth-New Hampshire Family Practice Residency program, and graduated in 2003 from the Family Practice Residency Program at Eastern Maine Medical Center. Board certified by the American Board of Family Medicine, Dr. Doerfler has practiced in Maine since 2003, first at the Seaport Family Practice in Searsport, then at Orono Norumbega Family Practice, and most recently in the hospital walk-in clinic at EMMC in Bangor.

Part of Dr. Doerfler’s responsibility during his tenure at EMMC was to serve as a clinical instructor for medical students from the Tufts University School of Medicine.

Dr. Doerfler’s mother tongue is German, he is also fluent in English and is working hard on improving his skills in Spanish and Portuguese. He is using these budding language skills to spend time working in various developing countries providing care to the medically underserved indigenous populations.

Fortier wins Social Work Leader of the Year award
January 27, 2009
DOVER-FOXCROFT - Lisa Fortier, manager of Mayo Regional Hospital’s Social Services Department since 1996, has been chosen 2008 Social Work Leader of the Year by the Maine Chapter, Society for Social Work Leadership in Health Care.

Fortier will receive her award at the Maine Hospital Association annual summer forum at the Samoset in Rockport in June.

A Licensed Social Worker since 1986, Fortier worked for the Dept. of Health and Human Services, Community Health and Counseling Services, and Eastern Area Agency on Agency before joining Mayo. She served as president of the Maine Chapter of the Society in 2006, and continues as an active member.

“Everyone who has worked with Lisa knows that she upholds the highest standards of practice and code of ethics for social work. Lisa has an open door policy and constantly assists and advocates for inpatients in our facility,” wrote Michele Connolly, RN, Case Manager, in her nomination letter for Fortier.

“Lisa not only listens to clients but she truly hears them. When everyone else is leaving for the day, Lisa says, ‘There is one more family I want to meet with.’ Her staff knows that not a day goes by that Lisa doesn’t tell us ‘thank you and good job,’ said Connolly.

Lynne Gagnon, Mayo’s Director of Patient Care Services, supported Fortier’s nomination.

“Lisa never says ‘never,’ despite her staff’s workload,” said Gagnon. “She is the first to step up and offer ways to reduce costs and is constantly aware of the challenges of the agencies she refers to.”

Heartwise Schedules Heart Month Events
January 19, 2009
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. 8-14, 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. 10-12. 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 labeling 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, Edward’s SuperMarket in Dover-Foxcroft, Sav-A-Lot, Bud’s Shop ‘n Save and P & L Country Market in Dexter, and the Milo Farmers Union.

Also throughout the month, Heartwise will provide information on preventing heart disease with messages on WDME radio and in the lobby at Mayo Regional Hospital.

Heartwise will participate on Feb. 6 in “Go Red for Women,” 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 1,724 visits in 2008. For more information about Heartwise, call 564-4207.

Mayo announces first baby born in 2009
January 05, 2009
DOVER-FOXCROFT - Ushering in 2009, Mayo Regional Hospital announced the first baby of the year, Halstyn Gunther, was born Saturday, Jan. 3, at 10:46 p.m. to Michelle and Eugene Gunther III of Dexter.

Baby Halstyn weighed 7 pounds, 1 ounce, and was 19.5 inches long. He is the third son born to the Gunthers, and joins brothers Haedyn, 7, and Holdyn, 2.

As one of the first of Maine’s babies born in 2009, Halstyn Gunther and all other Maine resident babies born during the year will be eligible through the Harold Alfond College Challenge to receive a $500 grant to start a NextGen College Investing Plan account. Philanthropist Harold Alfond established the program before he died to ensure access to higher education for all Maine’s children. There is no income limit or need to contribute additional money to receive the grant.

Prior to leaving Mayo, the Gunther family will be offered information about the Harold Alfond Challenge Grant and opening a NextGen account. Babies’ families must open a NextGen account before the baby’s first birthday to receive the Alfond Grant.

Through the assistance of the Maine Hospital Association, the Harold Alfond College Challenge was extended on Jan. 1 to all Maine resident babies born in Maine or who become Maine residents before their first birthday, including those born at Mayo It is expected there will be 14,000 babies born in Maine in 2009. The Alfond Grant program is administered by the Finance Authority of Maine (FAME).

For more information on the Harold Alfond College Challenge, visit www.500forbaby.org or call 800-228-3734.

Provenzano starts as Mayo’s new CFO
January 05, 2009
DOVER-FOXCROFT - Jeffrey Provenzano of Holden has been named Chief Financial Officer at Mayo Regional Hospital. He began his new position on Jan. 5.

Provenzano comes to Mayo with seven years experience as CFO at two other Maine critical access hospitals. He has been Vice President, Finance/CFO at Blue Hill Memorial Hospital since 2003, and was CFO at Charles A. Dean Memorial Hospital and Nursing Home in Greenville from 2001-2003.

At Mayo, Provenzano will be responsible for general accounting, budgeting, cash management, financial planning, third party reimbursement, financial/accounting systems, internal controls and auditing. As a member of Mayo’s senior management team he will also oversee the information technology, patient registration and financial services, physician billing and materials management departments.

“In addition to his strong financial background, Jeff has extensive experience in overseeing many key hospital departments. His approach to his leadership role will mesh nicely with Mayo’s culture,” said Ralph Gabarro, Chief Executive Officer.

Provenzano has earned his Certified Healthcare Financial Profession (CHFP) designation and is a member of the Healthcare Financial Management Association.

A Michigan native, Provenzano received a BA degree in English from the University of Michigan, and earned a MBA from the Walter Heller College of Business Administration at Roosevelt University in Chicago.

Prior to beginning his career in healthcare finance, Provenzano worked in accounting and finance for two companies in Illinois. He came to Maine in 1998 and was employed for three years by Dexter Shoe Co. in Dexter as marketing controller in the Finance Department and a project manager in the Information Technology Department.