Health news

Pharmaceutical drug collection

HAMPDEN – Hampden Public Safety, in conjunction with Penobscot Area Triad, will hold a pharmaceutical drug collection 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Friday, March 25, at Graves Supermarket.

People are encouraged to bring in their expired or unused medications for proper disposal. Drug collections can assist families in reducing the risk of theft and accidental consumption of medication. For information, call Hampden Public Safety at 862-4000.

St. Joseph Day

BANGOR – St. Joseph Healthcare’s Mission Advisory Committee has been collecting nonperishable food items and other basic necessities for Shaw House in honor of St. Joseph Day on Friday, March 18.

The items will be picked up by Shaw House for the homeless children who use its services.

St. Joseph was patron of the poor, of carpenters, of all workers, of home and family, and of the sick and dying. He was known for offering assistance to the afflicted. St. Joseph employees will exemplify the mission of the organization by extending a helping hand to the homeless children in the area and providing them with basic essentials.

The Mission Advisory Committee comprises employees with the express purpose of developing and implementing outreach activities and events in conjunction with St. Joseph Healthcare’s mission.

Executive director at EAA

BANGOR – The Eastern Agency on Aging has announced that Noelle Merrill will become executive director on May 9.

Merrill is currently chief financial officer at EAA, and will replace outgoing executive director Roberta Downey, who will retire May 6.

Expanded MRI services

BANGOR – Eastern Maine Medical Center announced recently that magnetic resonance imaging services at Eastern Maine Healthcare Mall, Union Street, have been expanded.

In collaboration with Spectrum Medical Group and InSight-Premier Health, EMMC will provide expanded MRI services on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

The new MRI services will feature state-of-the-art, high field equipment and professionally trained and certified staff. Dr. Mark Piccirillo of Spectrum Medical Group, EMMC’s radiology provider, will serve as medical director for MRI services at the health care mall.

Flu vaccination

BREWER – Flu season is here and it’s not too late to get vaccinated against the illness. Recently, the Maine Bureau of Health lifted all restrictions on eligibility requirements for receiving the flu vaccine for the 2004-2005 season.

Eastern Maine Medical Center is offering a free ongoing flu vaccine clinic for adults and children. The clinic will be held at Norumbega Medical in Brewer during normal office hours, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. No appointment is necessary and providers will administer the vaccine on a first-come, first-served basis.

Autism Awareness Month

FAIRFIELD – Hundreds will mark Autism Awareness Month at the Maine Autism Resource Fair at 9 a.m. Saturday, April 2, at Kennebec Valley Community College.

Autism is the fastest-growing developmental disability in the United States, fair organizers said.

Admission to the fair is free and no registration is required. More than 25 vendors will have tables at the fair, including resource tables from organizations countrywide. The day will include breakout sessions on advocacy, speech, language, disability awareness, autism, using videos for visual learners, PET, IEP tools and laws, and the principles of behavior.

Fair door prizes include attendance to a Temple Grandin conference, overnight stays in hotels for parents, social storybooks, Pirates game tickets, software for teachers, children’s museum tickets and whale-watching passes.