New Old Town pharmacy

OLD TOWN – Patients at the Helen Hunt Health Center will now be able to walk a few steps to the on-site, full service pharmacy that opened for service March 1. The pharmacy is open to all patients of Penobscot Community Health Care in the Bangor region.

The pharmacy’s hours of operation are 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. It provides access to prescription medications as well as low-cost, over-the-counter medications and supplies.

Lead pharmacist Leslie M. Ohmart III said, “Our experienced staff will work with each patient to simplify the process of filling prescriptions and will assist patients who are in need of affordable alternatives to meeting their medication needs. The staff will work proactively to resolve any insurance issues that may arise.”

Ohmart has 36 years of pharmacy experience and is assisted by two experienced staff members – Desiree Shaw, certified pharmacy technician; and Virginia White, licensed pharmacy technician.

Penobscot Community Health Care director of pharmacy services Robin Brittelli said, “One of the unique advantages of our on-site pharmacy is the collaboration between the health practitioner and pharmacy staff. This allows for the immediate resolution of questions and gives an integrated approach to care leading to an improved treatment outcome for the patient.”

The pharmacy is stocked with both generic and name-brand pharmaceuticals and a variety of medical supplies including diabetes testing and other monitoring devices. The pharmacy soon will add durable medical equipment such as crutches, canes and other items to support on-site physical and occupational therapy services.

The Helen Hunt Health Center Pharmacy offers one-on-one counseling to patients filling prescriptions in a private and confidential area of the pharmacy and will support the delivery of additional education as needed.

“Patient education is key to managing one’s health, and the Helen Hunt Health Center Pharmacy staff will actively collaborate with the medical staff to provide this service,” Ohmart said.

For information, call the pharmacy at 992-4100.

Talk for grand-families

BANGOR – More than 400 grand-families contact Maine Kids-Kin each year for help and most are raising a relative’s child whose parents used drugs or alcohol. If it feels as though your family is the only one that has to deal with the effects of a parent’s substance abuse on the children, you are not alone. Maine Kids-Kin can help.

The second part of its series, Resilient Families: Overcoming Histories of Substance Abuse, will feature Dr. Virginia Holmes, who will be speak 5:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 27, at Families And Children Together, 304 Hancock St.

She will discuss how children and their behavior are influenced by substance abuse and strategies to help manage the situation. Grand-families are invited to attend this free event.

A free pizza dinner and free child care will be available onsite during the seminar. Registration is required. For information, or to register and reserve child care, call Janelle Wuoristo at 941-2347, 866-298-0896 or e-mail jwuoristo@mainekids-kin.org by Monday, March 24.

Maine Kids-Kin, a program of Families And Children Together, assists extended family members who are stepping in to care for relatives’ children. Currently, there are more than 11,000 Maine children who live with their relatives. The agency offers legal, educational and financial information to assist these families.

March of Dimes

BREWER – The March of Dimes Northern Maine Division announced that Susan Faloon will serve as honorary chairwoman for the March for Babies. A respected and admired member of her community, Susan Faloon has long been active in volunteer work.

Faloon serves as communications officer for Bangor Hydro and brings many years of leadership experience to her new role with the March of Dimes.

Faloon encourages all leaders of the business community to support the March for Babies and to form teams of employees to participate and raise money to support the March of Dimes successful fight to save babies.

“Babies born prematurely must struggle just to survive,” said Faloon. “By participating in March for Babies, you can help give them a fighting chance. I urge you to join me on May 4 and be a hero for babies. I have experienced the mission of the March of Dimes personally. My son Camden, who is 2 years old, was born with Down syndrome. The March of Dimes has invested nearly $6 million in the last several years to study this chromosomal disorder.”

Among March of Dimes lifesaving breakthroughs is pioneering surgery that corrects certain defects before a baby is born, surfactant therapy to help premature babies breathe and other new tests and treatments that help babies be healthier.

“We are pleased to have Susan Faloon as the Bangor, Brewer, Orono, Old Town honorary chair,” said Gene Staffiere, the Northern Maine Division director for the March of Dimes. “With her leadership and guidance, along with the community’s support, we can make this year’s March for Babies one of the best ever and help save babies right here in Maine and across the country.”

For information about the March of Dimes and March for Babies, call Gene Staffiere at 989-3376 or e-mail gstaffiere@marchof dimes.com.

Red Cross disaster training

BANGOR – The Pine Tree Chapter of the American Red Cross will offer its free Foundations of Disaster Mental Health training 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday, March 28, at Acadia Hospital.

The course trains providers to identify the effect of disasters on victims, their families, responders and communities, and is designed for mental health professionals and registered nurses with two years of psychiatric experience. Participants will learn acute trauma support-services skills as they apply to disasters and address ethical and legal issues.

The training will be taught by Jan Frost, lead disaster mental health consultant for the chapter. She is a licensed clinical social worker and Red Cross instructor with more than 30 years of clinical experience.

The course is free to residents of Penobscot, Piscataquis, Aroostook, Washington, Hancock, Waldo, Knox and Lincoln counties. Participating professionals can receive 6.5 Continuing Education Units from the Maine State Board of Social Work Licensure or American Psychiatric Association.

To register or for information, call Hillary Roberts at the chapter’s Bangor office at 941-2903, or e-mail robertsh@pinetree.redcross.org