Health news

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Joining PCHC family

BANGOR – Penobscot Community Health Care in Bangor announced that Dr. James N. Riley and Brewer Community Clinic, formerly East Bank Health Care, have joined the PCHC family of clinics. Riley has practiced in Brewer since 1987 and has been a family physician for more than 27 years. He also practices osteopathic manipulative treatment including cranial and visceral manipulation.

Brewer Community Clinic is a family practice clinic open to all patients, including insured, uninsured, MaineCare, Medicare and self-pay. An affordable care program is available to ensure access to all, regardless of income.

Riley has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas at Austin, and master’s and doctorate degrees from the University of North Carolina. He graduated from Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine in 1985 and completed residency training at Waterville Osteopathic Hospital in Waterville.

Riley started his medical practice in 1987 at Brewer Health Center and established East Bank Health Care in 1992. He is a member of the American Osteopathic Association, American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians, American Academy of Osteopathy, Cranial Academy of the American Academy of Osteopathy and the Maine Osteopathic Association.

Home for genetics institute

BANGOR – The Maine Institute for Human Genetics and Health has announced that most of the staff will move into an interim laboratory facility on Sylvan Road.

The building, owned by EMHS, is undergoing renovation into a state-of-the-art biomedical research laboratory. The design is purposefully flexible and open, adhering to the institute’s commitment to support the development of a biomedical industry in the region.

When the institute transfers to its permanent home on the Eastern Maine Health Systems’ Brewer campus, the Sylvan Road building space will be available for use by other biomedical and manufacturing organizations.

The institute will move to the Sylvan Road facility this summer. Also to join in the move is Trillium Diagnostics LLC to occupy an 800-square-foot space at the Sylvan Road location. Faculty of the institute plan to have an open house once they move in.

Seasonal affective disorder

BANGOR – The G.E.A.R. Parent Network announced a special workshop for parents and providers.

“Seasonal Affective Disorder” will be presented by Helen Jones, G.E.A.R. support coordinator, 6:30-8 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 19, at the WINGS Office, 900 Hammond St.

Seasonal Affective Disorder can affect adults, teens and children. It’s estimated that some 6 percent of the population experience the disorder. One U.S. study found that rates of the disorder were seven times higher in New Hampshire than in Florida, suggesting that the farther from the equator the more likely people are to develop the disorder.

Through parent to parent sharing of experiences and knowledge, G.E.A.R. empowers parents of children with behavioral health needs to build on their family’s strengths and advocate for their family’s needs. Free services available to parents and families include information and support by phone, support groups, education, health and legal training, and social opportunities.

To register for the workshop or for information, call Helen Jones at 564-3361 or 800-264-9224.

Breast cancer awareness

BANGOR – The Avon Foundation Breast Care Fund has awarded a $12,000 one-year grant to Caring Connections, a cooperative women’s health program of the Bangor Y and Eastern Maine Medical Center.

The funds will be used to increase awareness of the lifesaving benefits of early detection of breast cancer and to promote Caring Connections’ free breast health services. It is the third year that the program has received Avon Foundation funding.

The breast health program at Caring Connections will educate women in northern and eastern Maine and refer them to low-cost or free mammograms and clinical breast exams. The program will assist women with other barriers to receiving breast health services, such as filling out forms, accompaniment to appointments and transportation. Many of the women who enroll in the program live in rural areas or may not have had these types of services before or for many years.

Since December 1996, Caring Connections has reached tens of thousands of women with information about the importance of early detection of breast cancer and has referred more than 1,000 women to EMMC for yearly mammograms and clinical breast exams. More than 2,300 screenings have been conducted. Should further tests or treatment of breast cancer be necessary, EMMC has made the commitment to cover all its costs in providing the services.

Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer in women in the United States and the leading cause of death in women age 40 to 55. According to the American Cancer Society, 900 new cases of breast cancer will be detected in Maine this year and 170 lives lost.

Early detection affords the best opportunity for successful treatment. Programs such as Caring Connections help ensure that all women have access to early detection information and options, even poor and medically under-served women.

“We are proud that the Avon Foundation shares our mission and has chosen to support our program. With these funds we will be able to provide more education on breast health and reach more women who are eligible for our no-cost services,” said Rosemarie LeGasse, director of Caring Connections.

Since 1993, the Avon Foundation has awarded more than 1,000 grants to community-based breast health programs.

Freezin’ for a Reason

The Hampden Kiwanis Club will hold a chilling event, the Polar Plunge, at 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 9, at Camp CaPella, on Phillips Lake in Dedham.

The goal is to raise funds to sponsor 10 families from eastern Maine at Camp Sunshine on Sebago Lake, for children with life-threatening illnesses and their families; and for 10 camperships to Camp CaPella for children with physical and mental disabilities.

The cost to sponsor a family at Camp Sunshine is $1,500 per session and $1,250 per campership at Camp CaPella.

Each plunge participant is asked to raise money through pledges from family, neighbors, friends and co-workers. Those who take the plunge will receive a commemorative T-shirt.

Businesses in the Bangor and Ellsworth areas are being asked to provide financial support for the event so it can be conducted safely and efficiently. Corporate sponsorships will be used to provide camperships at Camp CaPella. Pledges raised by those who take the plunge will be earmarked for Camp Sunshine families.

For information, call Dana Mosher, executive director of Camp CaPella, at

843-5104, or visit www.freezinforareason.com.

Grief group

BANGOR – The Grief, Loss and Healing Group for those who have lost a loved one meets 2:30-4 p.m. Thursdays at Acadia Hospital. Learn about the grief process, build coping skills and obtain support. The group is led by a clinical social worker. Enrollment is open and most insurance plans are accepted. Call 973-6199 to register.