Electronic imaging service

BANGOR – St. Joseph Hospital’s board of trustees has voted to take part in Eastern Maine Medical Center’s electronic imaging service.

Since EMMC went online with its Picture Archival Communication System more than three years ago, nine hospitals have said they will participate. St. Joseph Hospital brings the total to 10. Currently, there are three hospitals and three MRI sites using EMMC’s PACS digital imaging program.

PACS allows a physician to acquire, store and share electronic X-ray images, putting information at the fingertips of a specialist in a matter of seconds.

EMMC chief of radiology Dr. Paul Templeton said, “So much of what we radiologists do is interpretation. We rely on our ability to compare different images and when they’re done at different hospitals, using different imaging techniques, it can slow down a diagnosis. Regional collaboration will allow us to more rapidly diagnose our patients and reduce repeat exams.”

St. Joseph Hospital President and CEO Sister Mary Norberta said that, “after reviewing several proposals for this service, we felt it was in the best interest of our patients, the community and physician efficiency that we enter into a collaborative agreement.”

EMMC president and CEO Deborah Carey Johnson believes this is the model that could be used for more regional corporation in the future.

“It’s not outside the realm of possibility that EMMC could offer other support products and services, like its electronic patient medical record system, using this same voluntary cooperative model,” she said.

Certification

BANGOR – Eastern Maine Medical Center’s Cardiac Wellness of Maine has been certified by the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation. The association’s certification is the gold standard for cardiac and pulmonary rehab programs.

Certification verifies that programs meet established guidelines such as appropriate supervision, case management, mix of professionals, risk stratification, education and counseling. Achieving the three-year endorsement signifies that Cardiac Wellness of Maine programs meet the criteria necessary for clinical and educational excellence.

Maine Buddy Program

BANGOR – The Cancer Community Center’s Maine Buddy Program is seeking volunteers to participate in a one-day training Saturday, Nov. 12, for its statewide one-on-one peer matching network that provides support to those with cancer across Maine and the seacoast of New Hampshire.

The Maine Buddy Program offers a complement to the support typically provided by family and friends, connecting those facing their own or a loved one’s cancer diagnosis and treatment, or grieving a loss to cancer with a trained volunteer who has “been there” in a similar experience.

Buddies can be an extremely valuable resource, using their unique insight to provide support, hope and encouragement to those moving through their own or their loved one’s cancer journey or grief process. They can provide a forum for sharing information and for talking through treatment options and other decisions, sharing their own cancer stories and strategies for coping.

The program is flexible, connecting people in many ways. Buddies are available at any stage of the treatment or loss experience, and matches may be made using a wide variety of individual criteria, including type of cancer or treatment, age and geographic location. Matches can be made between people anywhere in the state. Some talk with their Buddy once, while others stay connected for many months.

Cancer Community Center programs are made possible by the generosity of the community and are offered free to adults living with cancer, their families and friends.

To learn more about the Maine Buddy Program and the volunteer training being offered on Nov. 12, call Jess Colamaria, at the Cancer Community Center at (877) 774-2200, e-mail jcolama@maine.rr.com, or visit www.cancercommunitycenter.org.

Health and wellness series

The Maine Rehab Outpatient Center’s health and wellness series begins with “Common Sports Medicine Injuries and Appropriate Treatments,” presented by Dr. Peter Arabadjis, at 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 24, in the physical therapy gym, Eastern Maine Health Mall, Union Street, Bangor. Attendance is free, but preregistration is required. Space is limited to 100 people. To register, call 973-8998. Refreshments will be served and a tour of the facility will follow the lecture.

Diabetes support group

BANGOR – A free diabetes support group sponsored by St. Joseph Healthcare will feature guest speaker Dr. John Hersey, director of clinical services at Vision Care of Maine, at 1 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 3. His topic will be “Diabetic Retinopathy.”

The group meets the first Thursday of each month in the Diabetes and Nutritional Center, Building 1, St. Joseph Healthcare Park, 900 Broadway. The group is open to those with diabetes and family members. For information, call 262-1836.

Well Workplace University

BREWER – The Bangor Region Chamber of Commerce will serve as host for “Well Workplace University, Changing Lives and Transforming Organizations,” 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 24, at Jeff’s Catering in Brewer.

Kelly Stobbe, director of council affairs for the Wellness Councils of America, will be the keynote speaker. Her topic will be “Harnessing the Power of the Internet.” Stobbe is responsible for the development, production and advancement of margin and mission activities among the councils’ nine affiliated wellness councils.

Well Workplace is an internationally recognized learning opportunity where business leaders, health care professionals and wellness practitioners come together to learn the art and science of building work site wellness programs.

Drawing from the experiences and practices of North America’s best corporate wellness programs, the training session offers a framework for building comprehensive health promotion initiatives.

To learn more, call Katrin Teel, Bangor Chamber of Commerce, 947-0307.

Buddy Walk

BANGOR – The 10th annual Buddy Walk will take place 1-4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 22, at Cascade Park on State Street.

The Buddy Walk was developed by the National Down Syndrome Society in 1995 to promote the acceptance and inclusion of people with Down syndrome.

Children, teens and adults with Down syndrome and their families, friends, teachers, health care professionals and members of the community are welcome to join the walk.

The schedule is:

. 1 p.m. – Arrival and registration. Pick up Buddy Walk T-shirt. Sponsored by Jason’s NY-Style Pizza, Modern Woodmen of America, Unicel, Hannaford, Precision Auto, Pepsi-Cola Bottling, Coca-Cola Bottling and Garelick Farms.

. 2 p.m. – Walk from Cascade Park to the “gingerbread house” on State Street.

. 2:45 p.m. – Return to the park; bounce house courtesy of Grand Rental Station.

. 3:45 p.m. – Guest speaker and closing.

To obtain more information, or to make a donation, call Michelle Harmon, 478-1274.

Flu clinic

BANGOR – An influenza and pneumonia clinic will be held 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 26, at the First United Methodist Church, 703 Essex St.

A special flu clinic for children will be held 3-6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 9, also at the First United Methodist Church.

The cost of the flu shot is based on the provider and may vary from clinic to clinic. The cost may range from $20 to $30. Payment is by cash or check. Credit cards cannot be accepted. Medicare B will be accepted and reimbursement receipts will be provided.

Fire safety for seniors

BANGOR – October is National Fire Safety Month. “Fire Safety for Seniors” will be offered at 10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 21, at the Bangor Grange Hall, 1192 Ohio St.; and again at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 2, at the Old Town Riverside Grange Hall, 1266 North Main St., Brewer. Refreshments will be served.

Come to the class and learn how to keep home and family safe. The most important things to do for fire and life safety are:

? Properly install, maintain, and test smoke detectors on each floor of the home, outside each sleeping area, and in each bedroom.

? Develop and then practice the fire escape plan. Everyone should know exactly what to do if it’s necessary to escape.

Here are a few cold weather tips:

? Have the home furnace inspected. Install and then test the carbon monoxide detectors.

? When using a space heater, make sure that it has the following safety features: UL-listed with an illuminated pilot light; variable temperature controls; and tip-over shutdown. Three feet of clear space should be maintained around any space heater. Be sure to maintain the heater per the manufacturer’s instructions.

? It’s nice to have a fire in your fireplace or wood burning stove, but never leave a fire unattended. Before lighting the first fire of the season, have the chimney and or smokestack cleaned and inspected.

Learn more about fire safety at one of these classes. Call Eastern Agency on Aging at 941-2865 to register.