Honor for Beta Theta Pi

BANGOR – A fraternity at the University of Maine was honored during the 20th anniversary auction and awards night of Rape Response Services.

The organization presented its special Teal Ribbon Award to the Beta Eta chapter of Beta Theta Pi at UM. The award is presented to a person or group in honor of outstanding commitment to ending sexual violence.

The brothers of Beta Theta Pi have been holding a fundraising and awareness raising Sleep-Out each February for the last 15 years. All the brothers camp out on the lawn, no matter what the weather. They hold a bonfire, raffle, and educational and inspirational speeches.

“The brothers of Beta Theta Pi are to be commended for not only holding this important event for the last 15 years, but for challenging themselves and the community the last few years to increase their goals. Their commitment led to the most successful events since the first Sleep-Out,” said Kim Roberts-Fer, executive director of Rape Response Services.

The activism of Beta Theta Pi helps address the negative stereotypes of campus fraternities and shows that they do not tolerate sexual violence, thus taking an active role in ending sexual violence on campus and in our communities.

Jack Keenan, public relations chairman for Beta Theta Pi, said, “All of us at Beta … look forward to holding our Sleep-Out for Rape Response Services each year. It has become a major event for our chapter and something every brother puts a lot of time into. I think all of us are appreciative of having the opportunity to work with an organization that does so much for the community. We are just glad to help and do our part in keeping their services available to those who need it.”

Visit www.rrsonline.org for more information.

New CEO for Acadia

BANGOR – Eastern Maine Healthcare Systems CEO Michelle Hood and the Acadia Hospital Board of Trustees announced the hiring of Dr. David Proffitt as the next president and CEO of Acadia Hospital.

“He has extensive experience in leading both hospital-based and community-based mental health and substance abuse treatment services, most recently as superintendent of Riverview Psychiatric Center,” Hood said.

Proffitt will begin his responsibilities with Acadia and EMHS on Oct. 27. Current Acadia President and CEO Dorothy Hill will retire at the end of September. Long-time Acadia nurse Marilyn Dennis will serve as interim CEO.

“Dr. Proffitt is an excellent candidate to lead Acadia Hospital into the future. His energy and passion for serving the mental health and substance abuse treatment needs of Maine’s citizens are palpable, and his knowledge of Maine’s health care environment will serve Acadia and EMHS very well,” said Acadia Hospital board chairman and local business leader John Bragg.

While looking forward to welcoming Dr. Proffitt, Hood was quick to point out the impact made by Hill, who helped open Acadia in 1992 and has served as president and CEO nearly eight years.

“We want to share our deep gratitude for the work Dottie has done as president and CEO of Acadia since November 2001. Thanks in large part to Dottie’s leadership and vision, Acadia is positioned to move into the future and fulfill its mission of caring for generations to come,” Hood said.

During his four-year tenure at Riverview in Augusta, Proffitt was recognized for leading that organization to significant improvements in care. He was awarded the 2006 Hero in The Fight Award from Eli Lilly and Company and NAMI-Maine for providing exemplary care and support for patients and their families.

Of his new position, Proffitt said, “I am extremely excited by the opportunity to be a part of such a vibrant and quality oriented system of care in such a beautiful and refreshing community. Opportunities such as this one, to learn and grow with an organization such as Acadia and EMHS, are rare indeed. I am proud to be invited to be a member of this organization.”

Gamblers Anonymous

BANGOR – Gamblers Anonymous, a support group for those who have a desire to stop gambling, meets 7-8:30 p.m. every Tuesday in the Leonard Room at Acadia Hospital, 268 Stillwater Ave.

For information, call 773-7867 or visit the Web site at www.gamblersanonymous.org.

Support to stop smoking

OLD TOWN – A Stop Smoking Support Group will hold meetings 6:30-7:30 p.m. Mondays beginning Sept. 8 at the Old Town-Orono YMCA, 472 Stillwater Ave.

Classes will be held every Monday. Those interested in stopping tobacco use, as well as family and friends supporting their loved ones, are welcome to attend.

For information, call Lynn at 973-7242.

I AM THE CURE program

BANGOR – The Maine affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure is making sure participants of the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure set for Sunday, Sept. 21, leave the race with breast health messages they can take home and put into action.

“I Am The Cure” incorporates a series of messages and rallying cries that are emotional, memorable and motivational. They speak to the importance of early detection, understanding that early detection is the best defense against breast cancer.

“We have so many people who come to our race in support of a loved one who’s faced breast cancer,” said Jenifer Lloyd, education chairwoman. “We are so happy they are here to honor loved ones and support the cause, but we also want to make sure people leave the race with tools to manage their own breast cancer risk.”

One of the key messages of “I Am The Cure” is that breast cancer knows no gender, geographic or social boundaries. Other important breast health messages that Komen for the Cure will share with race participants are:

. The greatest risk factors for breast cancer are being female and growing older.

. The key to survival is early detection.

. Simple steps toward early detection are regular mammograms and breast exams.

. A healthy lifestyle may make a difference.

Those messages will come to life through outreach leading up to the race, and specifically on race day through signage, key chains for race participants and a program called Cure Leaders, who are the official “cheerleaders” of the race.

Cure Leaders lead sideline supporters in cheering on runners and walkers along the race course while reminding them about steps to take for breast health. Cure Leaders will impart messages as runners and walkers travel the race course:

. Best protection is early detection! I am the cure.

. Every person, everywhere! I am the cure.

. Raise your voices for healthy choices! I am the cure.

. With mammograms and breast exams! I am the cure.

It’s easy to sign up to be a Cure Leader. Register as an official Cure Leader by contacting Jenifer Lloyd at 862-6670. Sign up individually or participate as a group. Cure Leaders will receive an official Cure Leader T-shirt, pom-poms and other cheering supplies.

“As we celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, we have seen the great progress that has been made in diagnosing and treating breast cancer,” Lloyd said.

The Maine Race for the Cure will be held on Sunday, Sept. 21, on the Bangor waterfront. For information, visit iamthecure.org.

Pathways to Excellence

BANGOR – The Maine Health Management Coalition has awarded Bangor Internal Medicine Associates, St. Joseph Healthcare’s internal medicine practice, three of its Pathways to Excellence Blue Ribbon Awards.

Ribbons were awarded in recognition of the practice’s outstanding heart disease care, outstanding results measurement of diabetes care and outstanding clinical office systems.

Three is the maximum number of Blue Ribbons awarded by the coalition to any one practice. In 2007, Bangor Internal Medicine Associates earned two blue ribbons, one for outstanding diabetes care and another for effective use of clinical office systems.

Bangor Internal Medicine Associates operates two offices in Bangor, one at St. Joseph Hospital, 360 Broadway, and another in the St. Joseph Healthcare Park, 900 Broadway.

The coalition is an initiative of large area employers that uses guidelines set by the national Committee for Quality Assurance. It is made up of some 60 organizations aimed at improving health care quality in Maine. Many health plans, physician offices, hospitals and employers across the state are members.