Health news

Wheelchair basketball

BANGOR – It’s time for the ninth annual Husson College Wheelchair Basketball Event sponsored by the physical therapy students.

The event will be held 2-6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 10, in the Newman Gym at Husson College.

The event will raise funds for Alpha One, an organization dedicated to improving independent living for disabled persons.

Admission is free, and the event is open to the entire community. Families are encouraged to attend.

Teams comprising Husson College physical therapy students, amateur wheelchair basketball players from the Bangor High Rollers, a team from Eastern Maine Medical Center and community members will compete against each other.

Lots of good food, T-shirts and hundreds of dollars in prizes donated by community businesses will be raffled to raise money for this worthy cause. There will be halftime competitions for everyone, so bring the family and spend a Saturday afternoon cheering for the teams, winning prizes and supporting Alpha One. For information, call 941-7101 or e-mail opts@husson.edu.

UCP of Maine

BANGOR – United Cerebral Palsy of Maine has announced the appointment of Jennifer Hill as director of UCP’s resource redevelopment office. Hill will work with the UCP board, the executive director and senior staff to expand fundraising efforts, to build new capacities for supporting programs and services, and to launch new public advocacy for Maine people with disabilities and their families.

“We are delighted to welcome Jennifer Hill to our staff,” said UCP Executive Director Bobbi Jo Yeager. “UCP is moving forward vigorously with our efforts to better serve people who live with disabilities. Jennifer’s appointment will help UCP expand our efforts and increase our impact among members of the general public.”

Hill has a bachelor’s degree in liberal arts from the New School for Social Research in New York and a master’s degree from the University of Maine School of Business. She has worked for nonprofit organizations throughout the mid-coast, both as a staff member and as a consultant. Most recently, she served as the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program director at Coastal Community Action Program in Rockland.

Warren Center for Communication and Learning

BANGOR – The Warren Center for Communication and Learning has added new members to its staff.

. Ruth Nickerson of Hermon has been promoted to business office manager. She joined the Warren Center in February 2006 as administrative secretary. Nickerson completed an associate’s degree in public administration at the University of Maine Augusta in December 2005 and received a bachelor’s degree in public administration at UMA in December 2006.

. Mary-Anne Saxl joined the Warren staff at the end of October 2006. She has been hired as the development and marketing specialist. Before coming to the Warren Center, she took time off to care for an ill parent. Saxl taught elementary school for several years and has worked for the University of Maine Department of Public Affairs, WMTW-TV in Portland, WZON-AM in Bangor and the Bangor Daily News.

. Susannah Martinez joined the Warren Center as a speech pathologist. She works with school-age children and adults. She received a master’s degree in speech pathology at California State University Northridge in June 2006 and is completing a clinical fellowship at the Warren Center. She completed an externship at the Brewer Rehabilitation and Living Center and has tutored at the Masonic Learning Center in Bangor.