Hospital Week at St. Joseph

BANGOR – St. Joseph Healthcare will celebrate Hospital Week May 8-12. The theme for the week is “Where Miracles Happen Every Day.” Festivities will begin Monday with an employee recognition program. Also on the schedule:

. The St. Joseph Hospital Auxiliary will hold its annual meeting 1 p.m. Tuesday, May 9, at the Penobscot Valley Country Club in Orono. The auxiliary will present Sister Mary Norberta, president and CEO of St. Joseph Healthcare, with a $40,000 check representing the group’s fundraising efforts for the previous year.

. The annual Teddy Bear Clinic will be held 9-11 a.m. Thursday, May 11, in the St. Joseph Hospital cafeteria. The “clinic” gives children from All Saints Catholic School the opportunity to bring in teddy bears for “checkups” and “treatment” by medical professionals. The children will meet doctors, nurses and other medical professionals in a non-threatening setting.

. On Wednesday, May 10, each employee will be given a gift in appreciation of commitment and dedication to the organization. The thanks will continue on Friday, May 12, as Hospital Week concludes with a complementary picnic for employees from the St. Joseph Healthcare administration and the Felician Sisters.

Breast and cervical health screenings

BANGOR – The Penquis Breast and Cervical Health Coalition will sponsor four women’s breast and cervical health screening days Monday-Wednesday, May 15-17.

No-cost screening days are scheduled for May 15 in Bangor, May 16 in Millinocket, and May 17 in Dover-Foxcroft and Lincoln. Women ages 40 to 64 who meet income guidelines, have a high insurance deductible or no health insurance qualify for the program.

The screening will include a mammogram, pap and pelvic exam, and a clinical breast exam. The exams will take place at local primary care providers’ offices and in local hospital mammography units.

The program is funded by the Maine Department of Health and Human Services-Maine Breast and Cervical Health Program. Preregistration is required. To register, call (800) 350-5180.

Iris Network award

The Iris Network, Maine’s only statewide organization providing services to people who are visually impaired and blind, has presented the prestigious William J. Ryan Visionary Award to Bill Ryan, chairman, president and CEO of TD Banknorth. The presentation was made at the Iris Network’s 100th Anniversary Gala Dinner and Dance in Portland.

TD Banknorth received the award for outstanding and visionary commitment to the Iris Network and its programs; for cooperation and interest in furthering the mission of the Iris Network and other providers in the Maine community; and for technical accommodations which have significantly contributed to the independence and quality of life of people throughout the state who are visually impaired and blind.

“TD Banknorth has provided years of support and leadership to the Iris Network and those whom we serve,” said Steven Obremski, the Iris Network’s president and CEO. “However, their most important contribution has been to modify its ATM machines to make them totally accessible to people who are visually impaired and blind. Such modifications greatly enhance the quality of life for blind people as it allows for greater independence.”

The Iris Network is a statewide organization working to bring genuine independence and unlimited promise to the lives of individuals who are visually impaired and blind. Headquartered in Portland, outreach offices are located in Bangor, Brewer, Ellsworth, Houlton, Lewiston and Saco.

Director of technology

BANGOR – St. Joseph Healthcare has welcomed Eric Nelson of Holden as the organization’s director of technology and network security.

Nelson received a bachelor’s degree in computer science at North Carolina State University. He has held positions as data center manager, systems architect and project manager. He was most recently employed by ATX in Caribou.

New CEO at EMH

BREWER – Newly elected Eastern Maine Healthcare Systems president and CEO Michelle Hood has assumed her duties at the corporate headquarters. Hood comes from the Sisters of Charity Leavenworth Health System in Montana. She was also the president and CEO of its flagship hospital, St. Vincent Healthcare.

Employee recognition

BANGOR – During an Employee Recognition Program on May 8, 48 St. Joseph Healthcare employees will be honored for a total of 585 years of service. Recognition is based on each five-year anniversary at St. Joseph Healthcare. These employees will be recognized:

. 40 years – Joyce Marquis.

. 35 years – Darlene Brooks and Barbara Grant.

. 30 years – Elva Abbott, Robin Richardson and Deborah Rowe.

. 25 years – Dean Hanson, Thomas Sargent, Theresa Severance and Katheryn White.

. 20 years – David Russell.

. 15 years – Elaine Hill, Mary Hughes, Sharon McCarthy and Dr. William Wood.

. 10 years – Evelyn Appleby, Gayle Brassbridge, Patricia Brezovsky, Donna Corson, Jeri Grover, Peter Hughes III, Dr. Donald Krause and Suzanne Ripley.

. Five years – Ann-Marie Boulier, Susanne Bridges, Nancy Brown, Faith Chase, Richard Cummings, Timothy Damon, Virginia Estes, Ann Fessenden, Linda Hartstone, Theresa Harding, Amy Hussey, Faith Ireland, Phyllis Jordan, Lisa Killam, Jason Lemos, Anita Mooers, Alicia Noyes, Todd Richardson, Michelle Riitano, Pamela Roach, Catherine Ryan, Keith Sanford, Jason Shaw, April Sherman and Mary Wood.

WomenHeart anniversary

BANGOR – WomenHeart, a national coalition for women with heart disease, will mark the third anniversary of holding support group meetings in the Bangor area at 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 9, at Sunbury Village, 922 Ohio St.

Bring a gift or treat for the silent auction. For information, call 285-7592 or e-mail Bangor@womenheart.org.

NICU reunion

BANGOR – The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Eastern Maine Medical Center will hold its annual “reunion” celebration 2-4 p.m. Sunday, May 7, in Mason Auditorium at EMMC.

There will be refreshments and games. For information, call 973-8781.

Blood drive

The Orono High School Student Council will sponsor a blood drive open to the public 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Thursday, May 4, in the high school gym.

Open house and antiques appraisals

BANGOR – The public is invited to an open house and antique road show in celebration of National Nursing Home Week from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, May 18, at Westgate Manor, 750 Union St. May Andrews of Tiques and Tocks of Then in Orrington will be on hand to give a free appraisal of family heirlooms.

Other events of the day are:

. Entertainment by Janna Whitney, 2:30 p.m.

. Entertainment by Joel Morneault, 6:30 p.m.

. Free blood pressure screenings.

Call Kristie Miner at 942-7336 for more information.