Health news

Physician of the Year

BANGOR – Dr. Vincent Michaud, a physician with Husson Family Practice, was recently named the 2006 Family Physician of the Year by the Maine Academy of Family Physicians. Michaud was nominated by colleagues and received the award March 24 at Franklin Memorial Hospital in Farmington.

“I must be doing something right,” quipped Michaud on receiving the award. “But really, I don’t get this award alone. I have a committed family and a dedicated staff that has gotten me where I am today.”

Michaud has been in private practice in Bangor since 1985. He attended Cony High School in Augusta, received an undergraduate degree from the University of Maine and a medical degree from Tufts University School of Medicine. He was a resident at Eastern Maine Medical Center 1982-1985.

Beyond practicing family medicine, Michaud helped found the Norumbega Medical practices, of which he was president from 1998 to 2000. He is the medical director for Bangor Nursing and Rehab Center.

Partners for Health

BANGOR – Bangor Region Partners for Health held a breakfast recently that brought together legislators, doctors, school administrators, local health and wellness partners, and public health advocates to honor several individuals who have contributed to Maine’s progress in addressing tobacco use and obesity.

The Maine Coalition on Smoking or Health honored Dr. Jonathan Shenkin and Dr. Robert Holmberg for their leadership in advancing public policies to promote healthful eating and exercise for Mainers.

Becky Smith, program manager for the coalition, said, “Maine’s childhood obesity epidemic is finally on the radar screen in Augusta, thanks to the efforts of Dr. Holmberg and Dr. Shenkin. Their commitment to improving school policies to support healthy eating and exercise has helped lawmakers understand the importance of using policy changes to address the deadly escalation of obesity-related disease.”

Holmberg is a pediatrician with Norumbega Medical Pediatrics. He is active with the American Academy of Pediatrics and is on the board of directors of the Maine Center for Public Health. Through his work with the center he became involved in the Maine Youth Overweight Collaborative, which seeks to improve care and outcomes for youth who are at risk of becoming overweight and those already overweight.

Shenkin is a pediatric dentistry specialist with Penobscot Children’s Dentistry Associates. He holds a master’s degree in public health. His research and interests focus on improved nutrition for children and reducing childhood exposure to second-hand smoke. He is assistant clinical professor of health policy, health services research and pediatric dentistry at Boston University.

Both physicians were appointed to the Maine Legislature’s Commission to Study Public Health and served on the Subcommittee on Schools, Children and Nutrition.

In the last legislative session, a bill was passed that requires schools to post caloric information on certain menu items. It also directs the state Department of Education to encourage nutrition education in schools and establish standards for food and beverages sold outside the school meal programs.

Edward Miller, head of the American Lung Association of Maine, recognized two legislators for their roles in helping to make Maine a national model for its tobacco prevention and treatment program.

Miller thanked state Sen. Richard Rosen and state Rep. Emily Cain for helping Maine become the first state to receive “straight As” on the American Lung Association’s annual Tobacco Report Card.

Miller said, “The Legislature’s support of tobacco program funding and policies that prevent exposure to second-hand smoke and keep cigarette prices high is why Maine is looked up to by every other state in the nation. How often do you get to vote for a bill that will save 6,500 lives and $290 million? Well, that’s exactly what the Legislature and governor did when you raised the price of cigarettes by $1 a pack last year. You can be very proud of that accomplishment.”

Living with Cancer

Conference

AUGUSTA – The American Cancer Society’s 28th Living With Cancer Conference will take place 7:45 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 3, at the Augusta Civic Center. The statewide conference brings together people with cancer, their families, friends and medical professionals.

The conference theme is “One Day … Your Issues.” Former Gov. Angus King will be the keynote speaker. He will share his personal experience of living with cancer, his involvement in a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services national commission charged with studying how to reduce the costs of Medicaid, and his thoughts on advocacy and getting one’s voice heard by local and national legislators.

The afternoon general session will feature Dr. Matthew Budd, director of the F. Holland Day Center for Healing and Creativity. In his talk, “Transferring Suffering into Gold: The Alchemy of Spirit,” he will outline steps that successful cancer voyagers take.

Conference workshop topics include writing a journal for growth and healing, understanding blood work and other diagnostic tests, pain and symptom control, the use of natural medicine, and the benefits of exercise for people living with cancer. Presentations on melanoma, breast cancer, prostate cancer, and an overview of state and national efforts to address cancer issues also will be offered. Presenters include Maine physicians, social workers and other specialists. Numerous vendor exhibits will be available.

Cancer survivors and their family members pay no conference fee, but may order lunch for $10. For other attendees the conference fee is $30, including lunch. To obtain a brochure or to learn more about the Living With Cancer Conference, call the American Cancer Society at (800) ACS-2345.