Health news

Diabetes program award

BANGOR – On Nov. 6, David Wardwell and Ryan Smith were honored by St. Joseph Hospital’s Diabetes and Nutrition Center. Sheryl Sparlin, diabetes educator, and Dr. Paige Tomcho, Wardwell’s primary care physician, presented the award.

Wardwell and Smith, participants in the diabetes program, were recognized for outstanding strides in diabetes self-management during National Diabetes Education Week.

Clinical laboratory reaccredited

BANGOR – The Commission on Laboratory Accreditation of the College of American Pathologists has awarded St. Joseph Hospital clinical laboratory an accreditation with distinction, based on the results of a recent on-site inspection.

The laboratory also has been reaccredited by the American Association of Blood Banks. To receive accreditation, the laboratory must meet or exceed high standards of medical, technical and administrative performance.

Award to AIDS Network

BANGOR – The Eastern Maine AIDS Network has been awarded a grant from the Maine Community AIDS Partnership to continue the only syringe exchange-referral prevention program in eastern and northern Maine.

Established in 1993, the Maine Community AIDS Partnership develops and supports HIV education, prevention and treatment efforts.

For information about programs provided by Eastern Maine AIDS Network, call 990-3626 or go to www.maineaidsnetwork.com.

For information about the Maine Community AIDS Partnership, or to become a volunteer or community partner, call 871-2925, or go to www.mme.org/development/mcap.

WalkAmerica team

ambassadors

BREWER – Was your baby born prematurely? Do you know a family with a baby who was born prematurely and spent time in a neonatal intensive care unit? The March of Dimes is looking for such families to serve as ambassadors for WalkAmerica teams.

“WalkAmerica ambassador children and their families are visible symbols of the March of Dimes within their area,” said Gene Staffiere, Northern Division director for the March of Dimes. “When the family relates how their lives have been touched by the March of Dimes, volunteers can hear and see the connection between their fund-raising efforts, the health of this particular child and thousands of other children across the nation. We would like to identify, enlist and train families of premature infants who are willing to assist the chapter in program and fund-raising efforts.”

March of Dimes asks the ambassadors to:

. Share their story at WalkAmerica events to illustrate the serious problems of premature birth.

. Speak at March of Dimes events such as the Kickoff Breakfast, Awards Banquet and Dinner Auction.

. Allow the organization to share their story and photo in local newspapers and other media. For information, call Gene Staffiere at 989-3376, or e-mail Gstaffiere@marchofdimes.com.