Piscataquis Public Health Council

Piscataquis Public Health Council Meeting
December 11, 2002
Mayo Regional Hospital, Dover-Foxcroft

Present: Renée Speh, Community Partnership Director; Cathy Brown, PPHC Program Assistant; Tom Lizotte, Mayo Regional Hospital; Martha Herrick, Greenville co-School Health Coordinator; Sherry Gaudette, SAD 68 School Nurse; Greg Leavitt, SAD 68 SHC; Robin Mayo, SAD 46 SHC; Greg Bellemare, SAD 4 SHC; Shirley Wright, SAD 41 SHC; Will Hunter, Mayo Drug and Alcohol Counseling; John Simko, Greenville Town Manager and DOT regional transportation advisory committee chairman.

Renée opened the meeting by distributing the December issue of the PPHC newsletter and highlighting upcoming events contained therein:

The state DOT will hold its regional planning meeting in Dover-Foxcroft Dec. 18 at the Penquis Higher Education Center at 6:30 p.m. This is a great chance for PPHC members to advocate for sidewalks and bike paths that would improve opportunities for physical activity. John Simko noted the reconstruction of Route 15 from Dover to Guilford will include paved shoulders that will help cyclists.
PPHC members are invited to meet with a representative of Medical Care Development on Monday, Dec. 16, from 2-3 p.m. at Mayo to learn more about the Active Living by Design grant.
A guest speaker from Maine Harvard Prevention Research Center will be at Mayo on Feb. 12 for a public presentation on obesity, physical activity and nutrition in youth.
Renée will be taking maternity leave in July. PPHC will need to consider interim coverage for the Community Partnership Director position while she is off.

Renée presented a draft document from State Rep. Sean Faircloth, "Overweight America: Innovative Solutions for Maine," and asked for comments from PPHC members on his proposed bill to cut health care costs and promote health. The bill includes seven suggested solutions and members rated all on a five-point scale. Renée will pass along that feedback to Faircloth, and PPHC members were encouraged to send more detailed comments by email. Much of the discussion on this issue related to nutrition in the public schools and the need to encourage healthy choices.

Renée also distributed a booklet on worksite wellness resources.

Next meeting: Jan. 15, 1-3 p.m. at Mayo. Minutes submitted by Tom Lizotte