Archive for the ‘St. Mary’s Health System’ Category

St. Mary’s Health System Celebrates their Education Stars

Wednesday, February 22nd, 2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

St. Mary’s employees Jason Rosenberg, Therese St. Pierre, Jordon Bosse, and Evie Taylor were part of a recent College for Maine Androscoggin recognition celebration.

These employees are engaged in their own professional growth as well as supporting the growth of others.  They are instrumental in teaching others while enrolled in degree programs modeling for others their belief in lifelong learning! 

JASON ROSENBERG, RN
NURSING UNIT MANAGER, ADULT PSYCH
 
Current  Formal Education Pursuits:
University of Phoenix – Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing     
 Teaching Others:    “Í assess the educational needs of my staff and collaborate with the high knowledge personnel in the organization to provide customized education in my department.  Last year, we offered ‘Add Your Voice’ training to all staff.  This year we are going one step forward with an initiative to help us be role models in receiving feedback.  This addresses the #1 recommendation from staff to create an environment where all are comfortable speaking up.”   
THERESE ST. PIERRE, RN, BSN
NURSE EDUCATOR
 
Current Formal Education Pursuits:
St. Joseph’s College – Master’s Degree in Nursing Education   
 Teaching Others: “I have been teaching CNA’s and Earn While You Learn Students for the past 12 years. I have been teaching the CNA-Med Tech program through Auburn Adult Education for the last 8 years. I am currently on my second year teaching for Central Maine Community College as an Adjunct Nursing Instructor. My plans are to teach full time in the nursing program once I have completed my degree.”
JORDON BOSSE, RN, BSN
ADULT CHEMICAL DEPENDENCY UNIT
 
Current Formal Education Pursuits:
St. Joseph’s College – Master’s Degree in Nursing Education 
Teaching Others: “I do customized workshops as well as 1:1 education for Behavioral staff. We have been trying to address and provide education around various topics that are seen as areas for improvement before a larger issue arises. An example is ‘Care of the Patient in Acute Withdrawal.’ I am also an adjunct clinical faculty member for mental health nursing clinicals for UNE.” 
EVIE TAYLOR, RN, OCNNURSING MANAGER, ONCOLOGYSERVICES  
Current Formal Education Pursuits:
University of Southern Maine – Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing     
Teaching Others: “I encourage and empower others to take initiative in educating themselves and each other. Highlights include:

  • As of Nov 2011, 100% of nurses in department are Oncology certified.
  • Scholarship opportunities promoted to help pursue higher education.
  • All staff encouraged to participate in quality improvement and performance improvement opportunities through the use of research.

Nurses supported to pursue the professional pathway. Five nurses obtained a level 3 or 4 this year.

  • Each nurse is responsible for doing a 30-minute presentation as part of a monthly training rotation.
  • Articles on evidence based changes in the field are distributed to all staff.
  • Involvement in helping to educate others throughout the organization on the safe handling and administration of chemotherapy.
  • Active participant in development of competencies for provider based RN’s and MA’s including a Train the Trainer program and their first skills fair.
  • As President-elect of the local Lakes Region Oncology Nursing Service chapter, we set up and offered education to staff throughout the hospital, neighboring hospitals, and the community on various topics.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Never let go of hope” – Update on one of our Haiti Outreach Partners

Tuesday, February 21st, 2012

The St. Boniface Haiti Foundation strives to improve life for the poor of Haiti by facilitating access to quality, affordable health care, educational opportunities and community development programs.  Their goal is to create a model of successful, sustainable development in rural Haiti that relies on local leadership and work force and that can be replicated throughout the country. 

Some of their programs, initiatives and services include:

Health Care
Free prenatal and obstetric care
Neonatal care
Malnutrition rehabilitation
TB prevention and treatment
Community health outreach and education
Spinal cord injury rehabilitation and reintegration
Mobile vaccination and vitamin clinics
Cholera treatment center
Surgery

Education
Scholarships for primary and secondary school students
University scholarship program
Adult education classes
Teacher training
School construction and oversight

Community Development
Community garden
Food for work program
Feeding programs for pregnant and nursing mothers, children and the elderly
Queen of Peace Home for the Elderly (Kay Granmoun)
Fishing village
Water and sanitation projects
Prison outreach

St. Boniface Haiti Foundation has updated its website.  You can check it out at:  www.haitihealth.orgSt. Mary’s is proud to work with and support St. Boniface Haiti Foundation.  Thank you for your generosity!

The February 2012 Online Wellness Center Page is Now Available!

Tuesday, January 31st, 2012

Heart Health

It’s good to follow your heart. Follow it to the grocery store to buy low saturated fat foods and extra fruits and vegetables. Follow it to the gym or on a long, brisk, walk around the neighborhood. Follow it to your doctor’s office to have it listened to on a regular basis. Follow it in pursuit of a hobby that makes you happy. Follow it to a laugh-filled movie. Follow it to spend time with those you love. All are the keys to a healthy heart.

How Much Control Do You Have Over Your Life?

People who feel they have little control over what happens to them have low expectations in life. They are also more frustrated, stressed, and prone to heart attack. People who take control over their life are more resistant to stress and live healthier, more fulfilled lives. Learn how to be the latter.

Dietary Fiber – So Good For Your Heart

Dietary fiber protects your heart, normalizes blood sugar, and lowers cholesterol. Here are some practical tips for getting more fiber into your daily diet.

Take 10 Here and There – Short Brisk Walks Help Heart Health, Fitness, and Mood

The thought of doing 30 minutes of exercise a day can be daunting. This is most true for people who aren’t very active. But researchers have found that three 10-minute sessions of brisk exercise per day can have the same effect on your health as one 30-minute session. Got 10 minutes?

Gum Disease and Heart Disease:
The Link

Many people are aware of the common risk factors for heart disease: high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or uncontrolled diabetes. But few people are aware that gum disease could also be harmful to the heart. Knowing how and how often to brush and floss are vital to good gum health. So is seeing a dentist regularly. Learn how it all leads to a healthier heart.

Fitness & Exercise

For some people, exercise is a lonely venture. For others it’s fun and rejuvenating. But for everyone, it’s vital for good health. If you’re not very active, think about what you might like to do. Is it walking? Dancing? Gardening? Shopping? There’s a way to do almost anything more actively. Do jumping jacks during TV commercials. Power-walk through the mall. Go on. Start now.

Energize Your Exercise…With a Snack

Ready to exercise? Eat something first. You’ll have more energy and be able to exercise harder and ultimately burn more calories. A pre-exercise snack has other important functions too. Read more. 

How to Remove Barriers to Exercise 

How can you make physical activity a part of your daily life? It might help to first identify what’s stopping you. Are you too tired? Afraid of getting hurt? Is it the weather? Whatever the barrier is, there are ways to remove it.

Do You Need Exercise Equipment

Before plunking down hard-earned dollars for home exercise equipment, ask yourself: What kind of physical activity do I enjoy? What motivates me to exercise? Will it be more convenient to work out at home? What type of equipment is best? (The answer to that one is easy: The kind you’re really going to use!) Choose carefully.

Your First Fun Run, Bike-a-thon, or Group Walk

Thinking about doing a 5K fun run? That’s a long way. How do you prepare? Millions of first-timers take on this type of adventure each year. Millions more never get around to doing it. The limiting factor usually isn’t their ability or endurance. It’s that they don’t know how to get started.

Take the Monthly Health Challenge™

Sit Less, Move More

If you’re a high-energy person who doesn’t like to sit still, you know about being active. But what if your natural tendency is to take up your spot as a couch potato at home? Or if you stay glued to your chair at the office? To combat the downside of sitting, you’ve got to find ways to be more active. When you make the effort, you’ll burn more calories, feel healthier, and add years to your life.

Sam’s Italian Foods Works to End Hunger in Our Community

Thursday, January 12th, 2012

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
1/10/12

Thirteen of Sam’s Italian Foods locations, headquartered in Lewiston, Maine, participated in fund-raising for local food pantries throughout the month of November. By asking their customers if they would like to donate one dollar toward ending hunger they raised $4,000. The top fund-raising shops were in Brunswick and Waterville. Locally St. Mary’s Health Systems Food Pantry was the recipient of a check for $1,730. Dan Asselin (right), a volunteer for St. Mary’s, presented a plaque to District Managers, Dan Poulin (left) and Andy Morin (Center) for “Outstanding Effort” in working to end hunger in Maine.

Employee incentives were contributed by Sam’s Italian Foods, Sparetime Recreation and Flagship Cinema’s.

 

Nick News with Linda Ellerbee: “What’s for Dinner? Hungry Kids in America”

Tuesday, December 20th, 2011

At least 1 in 7 American families lack consistent access to food.  Click here to see some faces and stories of hunger in our own country and in our own neighborhood.  Meet Cameron from Lewiston, a member of Lots to Gardens, a program located at St. Mary’s Nutrition Center of Maine.

Lewiston/Auburn Community Invited to Vigil

Friday, December 16th, 2011

 Imagine spending the longest night of the year on the streets with no place to call home… 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Lewiston/Auburn Alliance for Services to the Homeless (LAASH) invites the L-A community to join their annual candlelight vigil to remember homeless people during the holiday season from 4:30 to 5:30 pm on Wednesday, December 21, 2011 in downtown Lewiston. For ten years, LAASH has held this event as part of a national movement of cities marking National Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day on or near the winter solstice – the first day of winter and the longest night of the year.

Please meet at 4:30 pm in the courtyard of the Trinity Jubilee Center (at Trinity Episcopal Church – courtyard entrance is on Spruce Street near the corner with Bates Street). After a few words and lighting of candles, vigil participants will walk several blocks up Bates Street, past the St. Mary’s Nutrition Center, to Main Street. The procession will turn right on Main and then right on Sabattus Street and conclude in front of the Calvary United Methodist Church (located in the triangle bordered by Sabattus, College, and Bartlett Streets).

Vigil participants are invited to bring non-perishable and canned food to the event, which will be collected at both Trinity and Calvary. Participants may join the vigil at any point along the route. An indoor space will be available to gather at Calvary to warm up and enjoy hot chocolate and refreshments donated by Hurricane’s Soup & Chowder and The Bread Shack. Staff from New Beginnings will provide van service back to Jubilee or the Park Street garage.

Based on a 2009 community needs assessment, LAASH and the United Way of Androscoggin County estimated that on any given night, 100 people in greater L-A are homeless – that number has likely increased with the continued recession. The route of this year’s vigil highlights a few of the local services for low-income and homeless people downtown:

  • Trinity Jubilee Center (247 Bates Street) provides daily meals and food, a warming center, refugee assistance, and resources to those in need. (207)782-5700
  •  The Nutrition Center (208 Bates Street) includes St. Mary’s food pantry, youth and gardening programs, and cooking and nutrition education programs. (207)513-3848
  • The City Mission group at Calvary Church (59 Sabattus Street) serves a hot supper downstairs from 4:30-5:30 p.m. every Wednesday and breakfast Sunday mornings from 7:30-8:30 a.m. for the community.
    207-782-3221
  • New Beginnings operates support services and housing for youth, including a drop-in center (245 Lisbon) and 24-hour emergency shelter (491 Main Street). (207)795-4077

Each year since 1990, the National Coalition for the Homeless (NCH) has co-sponsored National Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day to bring attention to the tragedy of homelessness. In an effort to maximize the impact of the day, organizers have encouraged statewide and local groups such as LAASH to hold events of their own. Last year, more than 152 cities across the nation sponsored events to recommit to the task of ending homelessness.

LAASH is a collaborative of organizations that serve local low-income and homeless people. Along with the United Way of Androscoggin County and other local supporters, LAASH has launched a 10 year plan to end homelessness in Lewiston/Auburn.

For more information, contact Bob Rowe at 207-795-4077 or go to www.newbeginmaine.org.

Give the Gift of Life

Thursday, December 15th, 2011

The American Red Cross is holding a Blood Drive on Friday, December 16, 2011 from 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm at the Lepage Conference Center at 99 Campus Avenue.

All donors will receive a coupon for a FREE regular six-inch sub at any participating SUBWAY® Restaurant in Maine in the month of December.

Please call the American Red Cross at 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to make an appointment. You can also email (Jenny Cowie) or call the Volunteer office 777-8368.

What’s Hot at St.Mary’s Gift Shop?

Wednesday, December 7th, 2011

Byers’ Choice carolers are available exclusively at the St. Mary’s Gift Shop.   “No two Byers’ Choice Carolers are ever the same. Our artisans create a unique character and personality in each figure by using a variety of techniques and materials. Each crafter leaves a little bit of herself in every figure she touches. As many as ten people will work on one Byer’s Choice Caroler. Consequently it is impossible to find two carolers that are exactly alike.” Joyce Byers

To view items over our webcam please  go to http://www.stmarysmaine.com/Gift-Shop/gift-shop-camera.html and call Monday through Friday from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm  by calling the Gift Shop at 207-777-8372 or Toll Free 1-800-601-8177.  

 

 

 

BIW Donates to St. Mary’s Food Pantry

Friday, November 18th, 2011

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
11/17/11

Shelby Rossignol and her dad Paul Rossignol delivered 242 pounds of food and $1,758 to the St. Mary’s Food Pantry on behalf of Bath Iron Works where they are employed. Every year BIW employees do a food drive before Thanksgiving to benefit the Pantry. The donation was deeply appreciated. Joyce Gagnon, the Pantry manager, says this is the most challenging year the pantry has ever had trying to fill the shelves.

Come to the Book Signing this Thursday in St. Mary’s Lobby!

Tuesday, November 8th, 2011

Come to the book signing and meet author Marguerite Stapleton and photo historian Annette Bourque.

Thursday, November 10
11:30 am to 1:30 pm
and
3:00 pm to 5:30 pm

St. Mary’s Lobby
93 Campus Avenue

You can purchase the books during the signing or after at the St. Mary’s Gift Shop.  Cost is $18.90