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Compiled by Pen Bay Communications
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Pen Bay Laboratory Improvements
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Trina Kuykendall, Laboratory site supervisor; Paul Duda, medical technologist; Sonja Tomic, MD, Laboratory medical director/pathologist; Holly Barstow, medical technologist; Cindy White, medical technologist; William Lambie, MD, pathologist; Terry Vish, Laboratory site manager; Nellie Burns, medical technologist and Frank Pavalkis, medical technologist (rear, behind Paul Duda) celebrate the go live process with Roche analyzers.
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Exciting new changes in the Pen Bay Medical Center Laboratory are expected to have a very positive impact of the level of care we provide our patients. After the integration process to become a NorDx Laboratory, a new series of Roche Cobas analyzers was installed to provide the latest technology to respond to physician requests for blood tests. "Due to the hard work and dedication of the Pen Bay Laboratory staff, the testing and implementation process occurred quickly and efficiently. The staff worked many overtime hours to meet our deadline, and many traveled out of state for instrument training," said laboratory manager Terry Vish. "I am very proud of our team and our recent accomplishments!"
Eric Waters, Pen Bay COO, added "The conversion to the Roche Analyzer is one example where our integration with NorDx is helping to improve quality and reduce cost. This initiative combines gaining the latest technology while saving close to $100,000 per year. These results would not have been possible without our relationship with NorDx."
Mike Blanchard, NorDx COO, would like to "thank the entire staff for an amazing effort that ensures Pen Bay has the latest in technology at reduced costs that facilitates further standardization throughout the MaineHealth network."
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Virginia Vaitones Named President of National Cancer Organization
 Virginia (Ginny) Vaitones, MSW, OSW-C, oncology social worker at Pen Bay Medical Center in Rockport became president of the Association of Community Cancer Centers at its 39th Annual National Meeting March 7. "I am honored to serve as president of the Association of Community Cancer Centers (ACCC)," said Vaitones. "I am a strong believer in the interdisciplinary team that is needed in today's cancer care programs to assist our patients and their caregivers navigate the complexities of their care. I can think of no other organization that understands and supports the ideas and programs of the interdisciplinary team better than ACCC."  | |
The Cancer Care team and well wishers gathered to celebrate Vaitones' announcement.
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Vaitones completed her graduate work at Simmons College School of Social Work in Boston and has worked in the field of oncology for 35 years. "ACCC, as the only interdisciplinary organization for cancer programs, is uniquely positioned to be the voice for the entire oncology team," said Vaitones. "During my term, I plan to continue ACCC's important work shaping policy at the federal level to ensure quality patient care and to support our interdisciplinary oncology workforce." Vaitones is a certified oncology social worker in the Cancer Care Center at Pen Bay Medical Center. She has been working in the field of oncology, palliative care and hospice since 1974. Pen Bay's Cancer Care Program has been accredited by the American College of Surgeons, Commission on Cancer since 1979. |
Residents and Families Highly Recommend the Knox Center
 Ninety-three percent of long-term residents and families rated their overall satisfaction and willingness to recommend the Knox Center for Long Term Care to others as "excellent" or "good," states a report released by the nursing home. These results come from the Knox Center's recent satisfaction survey conducted by My InnerView, a third-party applied research company that provides leaders in skilled nursing, assisted living and senior housing with tools to measure, benchmark and improve performance. "We are committed to providing quality care to our residents," said Carl Chadwick, Knox Center administrator. "This feedback allows us to identify our strengths and opportunities so that we can provide a safe, positive and caring environment for our residents." |
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John Welch Writes...
Hello,
I would like to give you feedback regarding my appointment on Friday, March 8, 2013 at Pen Bay Audiology located at 6 Madelyn Lane. My appointment was scheduled at 10 a.m. with your Audiology Technician, Gary Friedman.
He was very punctual and my hearing test was conducted on time and in a most professional manner. This was absolutely the most thoroughly conducted test that I have ever received. I felt as though he actually cared about how I was feeling and from reviewing my history of hearing problems to a complete education of the ear canal, anatomy, etc., I could not have asked for anything more.
I was extremely impressed with his knowledge and willingness to go over the results of my testing as well as answering any questions that I had. I felt total confidence in his ability and would highly recommend him and your Audiology facility to anyone that would need this service.
Please feel free to contact me with any further questions.
Sincerely,
John Welch
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Dorn McMahon To Speak On End-of-Life Care Decisions
 In celebration of National Healthcare Decisions Day in April, Kno-Wal-Lin Home Care & Hospice will present "Advance Directives: Communicating Your Decisions About End-of-Life Care " on Thursday, April 11 from 1-2 p.m. Learn more about the choices you have about your end-of-life care and how to make sure those healthcare decisions get communicated. Kno-Wal-Lin Hospice and Palliative Care social worker, Dorn McMahon, LCSW, will guide this discussion and assist attendees step-by-step in completing their own advance directive.
The program is part of the ongoing series, Health Matters with Kno-Wal-Lin, a collaboration with Spectrum Generations to explore the ways in which home health and community services can promote one's best health and well-being at home. Talks take place at Spectrum Generations Knox Community Center, 61 Park St. in Rockland on the 2nd Thursday of every month. Programs are free, but registration is requested.
To sign up, please call Spectrum Generations at 596-0339. For more information about Health Matters With Kno-Wal-Lin community talks or events, contact Suzanne Miller at 390-4524 or smiller@penbayhealthcare.org. |
March Is National Social Work Month
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(L-R): Cheri Alexander, LSW, Quarry Hill and Knox Center; Anne Norman, MSW, Knox Center and Janet O'Brien, Quarry Hill.
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Quarry Hill and the Knox Center for Long Term Care honored their social workers with gifts, lunches and other treats this month in celebration of National Social Work Month.
On duty at the two senior-services organizations under the Pen Bay Healthcare banner, a team of three professional social workers provide one-on-one support to hundreds of area elders and their families. The staff includes social services director Cheri Alexander, LSW, based at both Quarry Hill and the Knox Center; Janet O'Brien, LSW, at Quarry Hill; and Anne Norman, MSW, at the Knox Center. |
Patient Access Week Is April 1-7!
 Effective April 1 Patient Registration at Pen Bay Medical Center will be renamed Patient Access with the same great customer service as always!
Help celebate the 2013 theme, "Patient Access: Leaders at the Forefront of the Healthcare Experience."
Thank you for all your hard work and all you do to the Patient Access staff:
Kristie Sheridan, Deb Colson, Amanda Miller, Kim Heald, Jen Porter, Gloria Hilt, Linda Kaserman, Sarah Davis, Ashley Lowe, Christine Mercier, Brandi Briere, Jessy Flanders, Renee Walls, Aleta Mank, Karyl Breen, Eliott Bryant, Jamie Moore, Janet Smith, Cindy Pagiatakis, Bill MacFee and Kathryn Bearce.
Established in 1982, National Healthcare Access Personnel Week is a week-long celebration of the people in the patient access profession. The date marks the anniversary of the National Association of Healthcare Access Management, the only national professional organization dedicated to promoting excellence within the field. |
National Volunteer Week is April 21-27
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Pen Bay celebrates our wonderful and dedicated volunteers who share their time and talents. Every day, each of you make a difference in the lives of our patients, residents, families, visitors and colleagues. Here are a few of our volunteers...
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J.R. Guimon
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Roz Dillabough
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Hank Rohlf
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Thank you from your friends, patients, colleagues and the members of the Pen Bay Healthcare Family of Services. To learn more about volunteering at Pen Bay, call 596-8553 or visit
www.penbayhealthcare.org/volunteer. |
| April 27 is National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day
 National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day takes place on Saturday, April 27, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Rockland City Hall Council Chambers, 270 Pleasant Street. This is a great opportunity for those who missed the previous events, or who have subsequently accumulated unwanted, unused prescription drugs, to safely dispose of those medications. The service is free and anonymous.
Many thanks to Pen Bay pharmacists Vicki Wellner and Greg Abendroth who will both be volunteering during their off-duty time at the Rockland City Hall drop-off site.
In the four previous Take-Back events, the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) in conjunction with state, local and tribal law enforcement partners, collected more than 2 million pounds (1,018 tons) of prescription medications that were removed from circulation.
The National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day aims to provide a safe, convenient and responsible means of disposal, while also educating the general public about the potential for abuse of these medications.
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Picker Family Resource Center: Upcoming Programs
The Picker Family Resource Center is offering more nutrition education programs to the community and encourages you to learn more about improving your overall health and vitality through healthy eating and active living.
Check out what's happening at: www.penbayhealthcare.org/pickercenter or call 596-8950.
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John Bagnulo, PhD, nutritionist
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John Bagnulo Talk: From Seed to Supper
Tuesday, June 25, 6:30-8 p.m.
Free, No RSVP required
Penobscot Bay YMCA Community Room at 116 Union Street, Rockport.
Due to the weather on March 19, Bagnulo's fourth and final talk in his series on eating a whole foods, plant-based diet is postponed until June 25, at the Penobscot Bay YMCA, Rockport.
Co-sponsored by Pen Bay's Picker Family Resource Center and the Penobscot Bay YMCA.
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Celebrating Colon Cancer Awareness Month
Did you see Anita Goodwin, RN and Barbara Young, CGRN and (both pictured here) from Pen Bay's Endoscopy Unit getting the word out about Colon Cancer Awareness Month on Saturday, March 9 at Shaws in Rockland?
For more information about Colon Cancer or obtaining a colonoscopy, contact your doctor, call Endoscopy at 596-8424 or visit www.pbmc.org/coloncancer.
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Marcy Kyle Meets With Federal Congressional Leaders
 Marcia Kyle reports on her recent meeting with Federal congressional leaders after attending the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Public Policy Workshop 2013: Policy From the Ground Up earlier this month.
Ethan Bergman, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics' President's keynote challenge: "If Dietetics is your profession, then policy should be your passion!" was never more timely than in the current economic climate.
I've attended the Academy's Public Policy Workshop (PPW) every year since 2001, which is always followed by meetings with Maine's Senators and Representatives--from Representatives John Baldacci and Tom Allen and Senator Olympia Snowe in years past--to the current leaders, Senators Susan Collins and Angus King and Representatives Chellie Pingree and Michael Michaud. Each year, I am more energized than the last to bring the importance of nutrition policy to our Maine Congressional leaders and impressed with their knowledge of the issues.
This is the second year I was able to share the excitement with two University of Maine (U Maine) dietetic interns, Emily Noll and Kelly Koss. They were an enthusiastic and articulate duo. I was also accompanied by U Maine professor Adrienne White and Maine Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics State regulatory specialist Kate Gosselin, who made up the remainder of our Maine delegation.
Traveling to Capitol Hill and meeting with our Congressional leaders is not something most Registered Dietitians do on a regular basis. For most first time PPW attendees it can be a scary proposition but I have yet to meet someone who didn't get hooked on feeling that one can make a difference. The best part of attending PPW is hearing and seeing the passion of my fellow nutrition professionals. Karen Ehrens, this year's Academy Legislative public policy chair, said it best, "We must continue to let everyone know that our services heal, improve and help all Americans get well and stay healthy!" This was our message to our Congressional leaders on such issues as the Farm Bill, the Older Americans Act, the Ryan White Act, Medicare Diabetes Prevention Act and loan forgiveness. The people of Maine should be proud to know that the leaders who serve us in Congress are committed to policies that improve the health of all Americans.
Marcia Kyle, RD, LD, CDE, is a registered licensed dietitian, nutritionist and certified diabetes educator at Pen Bay Medical Center's Diabetes and Nutrition Care Center.
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NOTES FROM THE PEN BAY HEALTHCARE FOUNDATION
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| Pen Bay Healthcare Foundation Participated in the Penobscot Bay Regional Chamber's Business & Community Expo
 | | Betsy Saltonstall, community giving manager (far right) chats with Daina H. Hill (left) and Jean Belair (right). |
On Wednesday, March 20, the Pen Bay Healthcare Foundation staff participated in the Business and Community Expo hosted by Penobscot Bay Regional Chamber of Commerce at the Samoset Resort. Members of the Development staff were able to meet and greet many business owners and community members to update them on the exciting events and projects taking place within Pen Bay Healthcare.
Congratulations to Youthlinks operations manager Joelle Albany who won a Pen Bay Camp Chair raffle!
For more information about the Pen Bay Healthcare Foundation or community giving, contact Betsy Saltonstall at 594-6709 or bstaltonstall@penbayhealthcare.org.
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There's a lot going on at Pen Bay Healthcare! Read about Pen Bay people, services and upcoming events. These stories can also be found on the Pen Bay Healthcare website:
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