Island Health & Wellness Foundation: Just For The Health Of It Community Discussions

The following is a conversation that I had with Sherry Billings. Sherry is the Executive Director of Hancock County Habitat for Humanity. During this episode we talk about:

1. What does Habitat for Humanity do and who does it serve?

2. Is there any cost associated with the services you provide?

3.  Who can request services from Habitat for Humanity?

4. Why is your organization a vital part of a healthy community?

5. What is one program or service that you offer that you wish more people knew about?

6. How can our community help you to accomplish the goals of your program?

7. How do people reach you with questions, to sign up for one of your programs or to become a volunteer?

8. What is bringing you joy right now?

To reach Sherry and Hancock County Habitat for Humanity:

email: [email protected]

phone: (207) 702-9457

website: www.hancockcountyhabitat.org

In the second episode in a series reviewing the history of Island Medical Center, we cover the years of 1976 to 1993. These years are best summed up in an article titled "A Short History of a Big Idea" written by the Island Medical Center Board in 2016:

"The subsequent 17 years at the Island Medical Center saw a significant increase in the stability and number of medical and dental providers, interrupted for a time in the late 1980s by the challenging changes in funding arrangements for doctors' services, and a substantial community-funded renovation and expansion of the medical center building to make room for the expanding services."

Take a walk down memory lane with me as we talk about Drs. Rissi, Garland, Howes, Reynolds, George, Alpaugh and van Emmerik and of course, Ann Barrows. The medical center gets a renovation in 1986 thanks to the community's support and a lot of hard work by the Building Committee, which included Rich Dunham, Aldo Ciomei, and Richard Eaton.

The takeaway from this episode is that the island can face change with tenacity, creativity, and wisdom. We have the shoulders of giants to stand on as we look to the future with hope, possibility, and a deep sense of community.

The following is a conversation that I had with Douglas Cornman, MA, BC-DMT - Director of Island Services and Simone Babineaux, MSN, RN, FNP-C - Sunbeam Nurse.

Since 1905, Maine Seacoast Mission has been helping to grow stronger communities, resilient children, engaged families, and connected older adults. The organization focuses on meeting people where they are. The mission statement of Maine Seacoast Mission reads as follows: Rooted in a history of compassionate service and mutual trust, the Mission seeks to strengthen coastal and island communities by educating youth, supporting families, and promoting good health.

During our discussion we talk about:

1. What is the Maine Seacoast Mission? 

2. What is the Sunbeam?

3. Why is this boat and its crew vital to the health of island communities?

4. Is there any charge for the services provided on the Sunbeam? 

5. How is telemedicine being used to better serve the needs of those who live off the coast? 

6. Tell me about some of the Mission’s other healthcare initiatives.

7.  Are you able to share a story that shows the positive impact that the Sunbeam has on the health of island communities?

8. What other initiatives take place on the boat and with program staff? 

9. The Sunbeam recently hosted an event on Isle au Haut. Tell my listeners more about that event. 

10. How do people reach you with questions or for more information?

11. What is bringing you joy right now?

Maine Seacoast Mission Website:

https://seacoastmission.org/

The following is a conversation that I had with Anna Wind. Anna is the Healthy Eating Coordinator at Healthy Peninsula, which serves the

1.  Tell me about your job as Healthy Eating Coordinator at Healthy Peninsula.

2. What programs does Healthy Peninsula support in our area to address food security?  

3. Why is access to healthy food a necessary component of a healthy community?

4. What if I am listening to this and am interested in trying new fruits or vegetables, but am unsure how to cook or prepare them? 

5. How can all of us contribute to solving food security issues in this area? 

6. How do people reach you with questions or for more information? 

7. What is bringing you joy right now?

To contact Anna:

Phone: 207-374-3257

email: [email protected]

Healthy Peninsula website: https://www.healthypeninsula.org/

The following is a conversation that I had with Kathy Baillargeon, Chris Childs, and Hunt Gressitt. Kathy is the Executive Director of Hospice Volunteers of Hancock County. Chris is the Patient Care Manager at Hospice Volunteers. Hunt is the Volunteer Choir Director of Evensong. During our conversation my guests answer the following questions:

1.  What does Hospice Volunteers of Hancock County do and who does it serve? 

2.  Is there any cost associated with the services you provide?

3. Who can request services from HVHC?

4. What is your equipment sharing program? 

5. Why is your organization a vital part of a healthy community?

6. What is one program or service that you offer that you wish more people knew about?

7.  Why is the Patient Care Manager a vital part of the HVHC team? 

8. What is Evensong?

9. Why is music important for someone experiencing a life limiting illness?

10.  Do you offer all types of music to patients?

11. How big is the group of singers who come to someone’s home, nursing home, or hospital bedside? 

12. How can our community help you to accomplish the goals of your program?

13. How do people reach you with questions, to sign up for one of your programs or to become a volunteer? 

14.  What is bringing you joy right now?

**The end of this episode features four sample pieces performed by Evensong volunteers**

To contact Hospice Volunteers of Hancock County:

Phone: 207-667-2531

Website: https://www.hospiceofhancock.org/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hospicevolunteersofhancockcounty

In this episode:

1. I clarify the pronunciation of a past dentist's name from our last episode on the history of Island Medical Center. Dr. Lundin is pronounced Dr. Lun-deen. Thanks to my sharp eared listeners who pointed this out!

2. Announce that Island Health & Wellness Foundation is partnering with Island Community Center to host a thank you celebration for Drs. Alpaugh and Zelnick on Monday, August 21st in the evening. We will have a live band (weather permitting), food trucks, etc. It will be very informal-both doctors requested this. I will have more details coming, but please save this date!

3. Read an email from Drs. Alpaugh and van Emmerik requesting the community's help in finding affordable housing for a dental student.

To follow up on anything said in this episode:

A. There is no need to RSVP for the August 21st event. If you do have pictures of Dr. Alpaugh or Dr. Zelnick that you would like to share, please reach out to me at 207-801-8237 or [email protected]

B. If you have leads on affordable housing for a dental student from mid October to mid December, please reach out to Drs. Alpaugh and van Emmerik at 207-367-2631 or [email protected]

This is the first installment in a series we will be releasing over the next year that covers the history of Island Medical Center. The series is dedicated to reviewing its rich history and re-telling how this island came together to make a dream into reality, and how that vision has evolved over time.

Do you have a story, photos, newspaper article or other information pertaining to the history of Island Medical Center? Please share them with me by calling 207-801-8237 (cell) or emailing [email protected]. You might be featured in a future episode!

Did I say something in this episode that you would like to clarify or correct? Please don't hesitate to reach out to me and let me know.

We need your help on the brand new Island Outdoor Initiative. Working closely with a number of local organizations we are putting together a small but mighty group to take a close look at where we have safer spaces to run, bike and walk and how we might add more of them on Deer Isle-Stonington. The addition of safer spaces to recreate contributes to a strong workforce, a healthy community and can attract more year round residents to the island. I hope you will listen to this episode and reach out to me for more information. My cell is 207-801-8237 and my email is [email protected]. I look forward to hearing from you!

The following is a conversation that I had with Vanessa Hatch. Vanessa is the Healthy Families Coordinator at Healthy Peninsula, which serves the towns of Blue Hill, Penobscot, Surry, Castine, Brooklin, Sedgwick, Brooksville, Deer Isle and Stonington. This is not intended to serve as any type of medical or

1. Tell my listeners about your job as Healthy Families Coordinator at Healthy Peninsula. 

2. What services does Healthy Peninsula offer to help families thrive? 

3. Why is the health of families vital to the health of the entire community?

4. What is one program or service that you offer that you wish more people knew about? 

5. Is there a typical work day for you? If so, what does it look like? 

6. How can our community help you to accomplish the goals of your program? 

7.  If you could wave a magic wand and solve one issue facing families right now, what would it be? 

8. How do people reach you with questions or for more information?

9.  What is bringing you joy right now?

To reach Vanessa by email:

[email protected] 

To reach Vanessa by phone:

Cell Phone: 207-469-1119

Healthy Peninsula Office Phone: 207-374-3257

Link to LibriVox: https://librivox.org/

Note on Child Care Provide Network Meetings:

The following is a conversation that I had with Jessica Perez. Jessica is a Digital Equity Manager for the Maine Connectivity Authority. During our conversation we discuss:

1. What are the goals of the Maine Connectivity Authority? 

2. Why is internet connectivity necessary for a healthy community? 

3. What is digital equity?

4. Why is ensuring digital equity vital for Maine?

5. What do you wish more people knew about the Maine Connectivity Authority or digital equity? 

6. How can our community help to accomplish the goals of the Maine Connectivity Authority?

7. How do people reach you with questions or for more information?

8. What is bringing you joy right now?

https://www.maineconnectivity.org/