Meeting for deaf and hard of hearing

BANGOR – The first area meeting of ALDA in Maine invites the public to an open meeting 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 3, at Alpha One, 1048 Union St.

ALDA – Association of Late-Deafened Adults – provides information, support, advocacy and friendship for adults of all ages with hearing loss.

“We are called ‘late deafened’ or hard of hearing,” said Lauren Storck, chairman of the Maine chapter. “Some ALDA members are born deaf and oral, some use lip reading, others use hearing aids, others use sign language – and all of us love captioning.” Those who attend the meeting will see how live captioning works.

O.J. Logue of the University of Maine will give a special presentation. His topic will be about living in the two worlds of hearing and deafness.

“Hearing loss is often an invisible experience and is very confusing to a lot of people. Some folks don’t believe we can’t hear them,” said Storck. “We hear the sounds, but we do not understand what people are saying, and this is a huge change in our lives.”

Late deaf means people of any age; it means that hearing loss happens after one learns to speak – from age 2 and upward. Young adults, families and everyone, including friends and co-workers are welcome to attend ALDA meetings, where captioning can be demonstrated and needs for clear speaking explained.

ALDA’s motto is “Whatever works.” The Web site for the national nonprofit and all-volunteer association is www.alda.org. E-mail drstorck@caregiving online.com for information.

Quit Smoking – A Pack of Tips

BANGOR – Eastern Maine Medical Center’s Cardiac Wellness of Maine will offer a four-part program for anyone looking to kick the tobacco habit. Support, encouragement and motivation are the primary principles of these meetings.

They will be held 4-6 p.m. Thursdays, Nov. 2, 16 and 30, and Dec. 7, at Cardiac Wellness of Maine, on the second level by the parking garage. The cost is $10.

Registration is required. Call 973-4600.

Physical Disabilities Support

BANGOR – The Physical Disabilities Support Group, which usually meets the first Thursday of the month, will not do so today.

The group will meet at 5:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 20, at Alpha One, 1048 Union St.

The purpose of the change in date for November is to allow group members to participate in a project being conducted by Alpha One, a survey about people’s access to health care.

Series on wellness

OLD TOWN – Dr. Michael Noonan will give a series of talks on wellness at the Old Town Library. The objective of the series is to provide the public with the tools to prevent diseases that are caused by lifestyle.

Learn lifestyle changes that will prevent and treat the modern killers of heart disease, high blood pressure, cancer and diabetes.

The first talk at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 14, at the Old Town Library, will focus on wellness principles, genetics vs. lifestyle as a cause of disease, and who gets sick in America today and why. There is no charge for the talk, but a collection will be taken for the effort to save the Old Town pool.

Future talks will cover diet and nutrition, exercise and stress control. RSVP by calling 827-5951.

Cardiac wellness

BANGOR – Eastern Maine Medical Center’s Cardiac Wellness of Maine announced its fall and winter programming. The schedule is:

. Managing Holiday Stress, 6-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 7. Free.

. Flexitarian: Is it right for you? Occasionally adding animal products to an otherwise vegetarian diet, 5-7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 14. $10.

. Heart Healthy cooking demonstrations, 4:30 and 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 30. Free.

. “Eat, Drink and Be Merry,” 6-7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 5. Free.

Registration for classes is required. Call 973-4600. Classes are held at Cardiac Wellness of Maine.

Human Genetics and Health

BREWER – The Maine Institute for Human Genetics and Health announced that Dr. Janet Hock has accepted the position as director of the institute. Hock brings a wealth of experience and leadership in research, academia and industry. She is expected to begin her duties at the institute’s headquarters at the Cianchette Building in Brewer by late December.

Hock’s career of more than 30 years in the biosciences has been highlighted by several achievements. In 1990, she received a prestigious Department of Veterans Affairs Clinical Investigator Award for research on parathyroid hormone mechanisms of action in bone.

In 1991, the global pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly and Co. recruited her to head a program for the discovery and development of anabolic drugs for osteoporosis, and then to direct its skeletal research program. She was the lead scientist for Forteo, a recombinant parathyroid hormone and first-in-class anabolic drug for the treatment of osteoporosis.

In 2000, she joined the Indiana University Schools of Medicine and Dentistry in anatomy and cell biology, as well as periodontics. It was at IU that she received the Outstanding Female Faculty Award and in 2004 the Certificate of Excellence as a mentor in the Diversity Scholars Research Program.

She also founded and directed the Indiana University Cancer Center Bone Cancers Research program, and founded Thetis Consulting LLC, a scientific advisory firm focused on the treatment of skeletal diseases and bone cancer at the university.

Hock’s most recent position was at Aastrom Biosciences in Ann Arbor, Mich., as vice president, global research and chief scientific officer, where she served as an integral member of the senior management team. At Aastrom Biosciences, she managed the company’s biological research activities and provided leadership to the pre-clinical research and clinical development of human cells for therapeutic use.

Associate Director of the Maine Institute for Human Genetics and Health Dr. Laurent Beauregard said, “We are delighted to have Dr. Hock as part of our team and look forward to her creativity and strategic leadership.”

The Maine Institute for Human Genetics and Health is a subsidiary of Eastern Maine Healthcare Systems. EMHS founded the institute in 2005 and has worked in close collaboration with The Jackson Laboratory, the University of Maine and Eastern Maine Medical Center with its development.

The institute’s success will leverage valuable contributions brought forth by nonprofit organizations in the field of bio-science research and medical care. Under Hock’s leadership, the institute will focus on cancer, genetics and regenerative medicine.