New head of EMHS

BANGOR – The Eastern Maine Healthcare System board of directors unanimously approved the recommendation of the search committee for the new president and CEO of EMHS. The position will be filled by Michelle Hood, president and CEO of the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth Health System, Montana region.

“I want to thank the search committee for its excellent work and congratulate them for finding us the best possible candidate to carry on the successful development of EMHS as the premier health system in the state of Maine,” said EMHS board chairman Jack Palmer. “When the board learned about her experiences and accomplishments, especially in a rural state that in many ways mimics Maine, they were enthusiastic about the recommendation.”

Hood also is president and CEO of the Sisters of Charity’s flagship hospital, St. Vincent Healthcare in Billings, Mont. The system includes hospitals from critical access to a tertiary trauma center, 25 clinics, 19 joint ventures and both helicopter and fixed-wing air medical transport.

Hood has a bachelor’s degree from Purdue University and a master’s degree in health care administration from Georgia State University. Her career included roles as associate hospital director at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta, executive vice president and chief operating officer of St. Vincent’s Hospital in Birmingham, Ala., and chief administrative officer of Norton Hospital in Louisville, Ky. She is vice chairwoman of the Montana Healthcare Association and chairwoman of the Northwest Research and Education Institute. She expects to be in her Brewer office within 60 days.

Hospice volunteers

BANGOR – Hospice of St. Joseph is accepting applications for volunteers to provide nonmedical support to the program’s patients and their caregivers. Individuals accepted into the program can attend the hospice volunteer training session in May. To learn more about hospice volunteer services, the application process and volunteer training, call the hospice coordinator at 262-1810 or (800) 646-5000.

Hospice volunteers provide physical, spiritual and emotional comfort to hospice patients and their families. They provide two hours of service a week during a time that is mutually agreeable to the patient, family and the volunteer at the patient’s home or a local healthcare facility. Hospice volunteers work with physicians, nurses, physical therapists, chaplains, social workers, occupational therapists, pharmacists and dietitians as part of the hospice team.

Diabetes Expo

BANGOR – St. Joseph Healthcare’s Diabetes & Nutrition Center will hold a bus trip to the American Diabetes Association’s 2006 Diabetes Expo in Boston. The expo will be held 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Saturday, March 18. Those with diabetes and their family members are encouraged to attend.

The expo includes exhibits featuring the latest diabetes products and services, free health screenings; lectures, questions answered by medical professionals, cooking and exercise demonstrations, family fun, a Youth Zone, giveaways and prizes. The cost is $26 for the bus trip. To reserve a space on the bus, call St. Joseph Healthcare’s Diabetes & Nutrition Center at 262-1870.

Go Red for Women

BANGOR – Women of all ages are invited to the annual Go Red for Women Conference and luncheon on Saturday, April 1, at the Spectacular Event Center.

It’s no April Fools. Heart disease is the leading killer of Maine women. Stroke is the third-highest killer. One in five females in the U.S. has some form of cardiovascular disease and the signs of heart disease are showing up in young women at an alarming rate.

The one-day conference is organized in collaboration with the American Heart Association and area health-care professionals, to be held in conjunction with the annual Women’s Week.

“Our theme for the conference is “A ‘Can Do’ Attitude for Women’s Heart Health,” said Sue Bridges, conference chairwoman. “We do hope women of all ages – teens through senior citizens – will join us.”

Teens and young women need to clearly understand that the poor choices made during one’s youth can have a detrimental impact on heart health in later years. Middle-aged and more mature women need to understand that it’s never too late to switch gears and take charge of one’s health.

“The challenge for all of us is in finding that inner strength and personal motivation – that “can do” attitude – that will help us enjoy a longer, stronger life,” Bridges said.

The conference committee has designed a program that will help attendees learn about the risk factors associated with heart disease and stroke, and empower them to talk with health care professionals.

Dr. Lynette Fahnestock, Department of Cardiac Services at Maine Medical Center, will present the keynote address, “Assessing Cardiovascular Disease in Women: What’s the Big Deal.” Other presentations will offer information on stress reduction, relaxation techniques, nutrition and heart healthy recipes, blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes and more.

One of the highlights will be a session designed for wellness coordinators, human resource directors, school nurses and others wishing to share the healthy heart message in their place of work, worship, school, clinic, community or family.

“We know that wellness is a hot topic in the business community,” said Bridges. “We’ve prepared a ‘canned’ presentation and a packet of companion materials, which we’ll demonstrate, and attendees can take this important health concern back to work for a lunch ‘n’ learn, or other type of staff learning session.”

The cost is $20, which includes a heart healthy luncheon. Space is limited. For additional information and a registration form, e-mail bangorgored@yahoo.com or call Sue Bridges at 990-4463.

Cardiac wellness programs

BANGOR – EMMC’s Cardiac Wellness of Maine provides ongoing lifestyle modification programming. Classes are held at Cardiac Wellness of Maine on the second level of the parking garage:

. “Using the Internet to Improve Your Health,” 9-11 a.m. Saturday, March 18. Free. The Internet is a valuable place to find health information. But how do you determine whether the information is fact?

. “Cooking for One or Two,” 5- 6:30 p.m., Monday, March 20 and 27. $20. The session on preparing healthy food for one or two will offer demonstrations.

. “Parenting Parents: Concerns for the Sandwich Generation,” 6-7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 30. Free. Taking care of our parents is one of the most difficult challenges, even more daunting for those who also have children of our own to take care of. The class will address coping mechanisms as one’s parents go through the aging process.

. “Heart Healthy Cooking Demonstration,” 4, 5, 6 and 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 4. Free. With registered dietitian Eileen Smith-Porter.

. “Helping Your Husband Cope with Heart Disease,” 6-7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 6. Cardiac Wellness of Maine’s Risk Reduction Series. Free. How to adopt a heart-healthy lifestyle will be part of the discussion, as well as ways to cope and how to be helpful, without being over-protective.

. Heart disease awareness series, 5:30-7 p.m. Tuesdays, April 11, 18 and 25; May 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30. $80. Focus on risk factors for heart disease. A pre- and post-lipid evaluation is part of the program.

. “Cooking for Women and Family,” 6-7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 13 and 20. $20. The class will address food choices and preparation to improve the cardiac health of women, along with those in their household.

. Weight Management Support Group, 4:30-5:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 28 and April 25. $50.

. Heart Support and Education Group, 4-5:30 p.m. second Thursday, March and April. Free.

Registration is required for all classes as space is limited. To register, call Cardiac Wellness of Maine at 973-8476 .

CMN Radiothon

BANGOR – The Children’s Miracle Network of Eastern Maine Healthcare Systems, along with the Bangor Mall, has announced the annual CMN Radiothon.

Beginning at 5:30 a.m. Thursday, March 23, Mike Elliot and Mike Dow, “Mike and Mike” of KISS 94.5, will kick off the “KISS KARES for KIDS” CMN Radiothon 2006. The three-day event will broadcast live from center court of the Bangor Mall, and will continue through 3 p.m. Saturday, March 25.

The on-air talent from KISS 94.5 will interview CMN’s “Miracle” children and patients, their families and physicians while asking for listeners throughout the weekend to call in their donations. “Mike and Mike” will co-host the three-day broadcast with Cindy Michaels. Health care providers, physicians, nurses, patients and their families will share stories of the services provided by the Children’s Miracle Network at the hospitals of Eastern Maine Healthcare Systems.

The Children’s Miracle Network of Eastern Maine Healthcare serves the health care, wellness and injury prevention needs of 200,000 children. One hundred percent of the funds raised by CMN through Healthcare Charities stays in this area to benefit local children.

AIDS TV series

BANGOR – Jamie Cotnoir, community education coordinator at the Eastern Maine AIDS Network, will be the host for a 12-episode TV series, “Life with HIV.” The show takes an in-depth look at many of the issues related to HIV, including testing, risk reduction and living HIV positive.

“I’m very excited and grateful for the opportunity to bring HIV back into the public consciousness,” Cotnoir said.

The series, which began March 7, airs at 9:30 p.m. Tuesday and Saturday on Adelphia Channel 9 and will run for 24 weeks. To learn more about the series, call Cotnoir at 990-3626.