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Exercise gadget lecture

BANGOR – Which exercise machines really burn the calories? Are hand-wrist weights worth their weight in calories? Is the ellipse the way to go? Can thigh creams, belly busters and butt burners give you the body you’ve always wanted?

The answer to these questions and more will be answered during a free public program 6:30-8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 4, at the Bangor Civic Center, when John Porcari of the University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse Exercise and Health Program delivers the address, “Fitness Gizmos, Gadgets, Fallacies and Fads: What’s Out There and What Works?”

The program is sponsored by Eastern Maine Medical Center and Northeast Cardiology Associates.

Physician practice director

BANGOR – Paul McLaughlin has joined the Maine Health Alliance staff to serve as physician practice director at St. Joseph Healthcare. McLaughlin will oversee physician practices within St. Joseph Healthcare, including standardized management, information systems and policies. He also will serve community-based physicians with improved access and information sharing.

McLaughlin received a bachelor’s degree from Husson College. He also holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting. He is a certified patient accounts manager and has many years of hospital and practice management experience.

He comes to St. Joseph Healthcare from Orthopaedic Associates of Bangor, where he worked for 11 years as practice manager. Since 2002, McLaughlin also has served as an adjunct instructor at Beal College, teaching courses in medical office procedures, medical ethics and law, and coding.

Laboratory accreditation

BANGOR – St. Joseph Hospital’s Laboratory was recently awarded accreditation by the Commission on Laboratory Accreditation of the College of American Pathologists, as well as a two-year accreditation by the American Association of Blood Banks. Both accreditations were based on the results of on-site inspections.

The CAP Laboratory Accreditation Program began in the early 1960s and is recognized by the federal government as being equal to or more stringent than the government’s own inspection program. Inspectors examine the laboratory’s records and quality control procedures for the preceding two years. Staff qualifications, the laboratory’s equipment, facilities, safety program and record, as well as the overall management of the laboratory.

Participation in AABB’s accreditation procedures is voluntary. AABB accreditation assists facilities across the country to achieve excellence by promoting a level of professional and medical expertise that contributes to quality performance. It also demonstrates an organization’s commitment to advanced learning, continuous improvement and innovation by striving to sustain the highest possible level of patient and donor care.

Breast cancer awareness

BANGOR – Hannaford Supermarkets will kick off a fundraising program designed to help cancer awareness in five states on Sunday, Oct. 1. Shoppers at Hannaford stores in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, New York and Massachusetts will have the opportunity to make donations to breast cancer research, education, screening and treatment as part of their food bill. Stores will have donation coupons available at all registers.

The fundraising program was chosen for October in conjunction with Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Donations made in Maine will benefit the local affiliates of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.

Hannaford also announced that starting Sept. 16, customers can buy two boxes of Special K cereal and receive a free Special K bat with an in-store coupon. Special K and Hannaford will donate $1 to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, up to $40,000, for every two boxes of Special K that a customer purchases.

For more information, visit www.hannaford.com.

Council chairman

BANGOR – Ken Huhn of St. Joseph Healthcare was recently named chairman of the Maine Cardiovascular Health Council. Huhn has served on the council for 10 years. He most recently held the position of vice chairman. He will serve as chairman for two years.

The Maine Cardiovascular Health Council is made up of medical professionals and was organized in 1978 as the Maine High Blood Pressure Council. Over the years, the council has expanded its concerns to include the reduction of elevated cholesterol and other risk factors for heart attacks and strokes, which led the council to change its name to Maine Cardiovascular Health Council in 1989.

The council has expert working groups around each of the cardiovascular risk factors of hypertension, lipids, smoking, obesity, physical inactivity and diabetes.

“Considering the long history of successes of the Maine Cardiovascular Health Council, I am honored by my being named chair of the council,” said Huhn. “I am also excited about it.”

Health care fellow

BANGOR – Ron Skarka, vice president of business development at St. Joseph Healthcare, was recertified recently as a Fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives. In his role at St. Joseph Healthcare, Skarka coordinates the systems and relationships between physician practices and hospital services to create a user-friendly environment for all.

To obtain Fellow status, candidates demonstrate their education, experience and leadership in the healthcare field for several years. They also complete case studies or a thesis on a healthcare management topic or participate in a yearlong mentorship project. The certification is a distinction held by only 21 health-care professionals in Maine.

St. Joseph Healthcare is one of only two health care facilities to have two individuals in leadership with the honor. Sister Mary Norberta, president and CEO of St. Joseph Healthcare, is also a Fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives.

Skarka has a bachelor’s degree in political science from the State University of New York and master’s degree in health care administration from Ohio State University. Before joining St. Joseph Healthcare, he worked at Goodall Hospital in Sanford for 18 years as a vice president of administration.

Blood drive

BUCKSPORT – The American Blood Cross and the Bucksport High School student council will hold a blood drive 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 10, in the gymnasium at Bucksport High School.

Type “O” blood – the universal type – is always needed.

Some facts about donating blood:

. Blood donated through the American Red Cross is used by patients in Maine hospitals, as well as those in New England.

. One pint of blood can save as many as three lives.

. Ninety percent of the population has been or will be a blood recipient, but only 5 percent are blood donors.

. Type “O” is the universal blood type and can be transfused to anyone during an emergency.

. More patients are type “O” than any other blood type, and “O” patients can only be infused with type “O” blood, which often leads to shortages.

. Those with type “O” blood are encouraged to donate regularly and to urge family members to donate, as type “O” blood is inherited.

For more information, call 941-2900.

Good works

BANGOR – St. Joseph Healthcare’s mission advisory committee raised more than $1,500 for the Good Shepherd Food Bank from the yard and craft sale held Sept. 9, exceeding its goal of $1,000.

For every dollar donated to the food bank, more than $12.50 in food can be provided to those in need. Proceeds from the event will purchase more than $19,000 worth of food for the agency.

The Good Shepherd Food Bank has provided food to Maine people for 25 years. The organization provides food to more than 100 agencies in the Bangor region and distributes to more than 540 food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters and other assistance programs across the state.