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Successful Bridgton Hospital Golf Tournament raises funds for critical medical equipment
On September 13, 115 community members, business leaders, Central Maine Healthcare team members, volunteers and friends of Bridgton Hospital gathered at Bridgton Highlands Country Club to show their support for their local hospital.
Nearly $30,000 was raised through registrations and raffles. These funds will go towards purchasing and installing a ceiling lift system that will handle patients more safely.
“What a great day this was for the entire Lakes Region community,” said Stephany Jacques, interim president, Bridgton Hospital. “Every year people turn out for a fun day on the links and, in the process, raise funds that will directly benefit our patients at Bridgton Hospital. This year was no exception. Many thanks to the event’s sponsors, our volunteers and those who came out to help a great cause!”
Jim Mains, Bill Holden and Gary McIver of Bridgton, and Scarborough resident Jim Greenleaf took home the top honors for the day with the lowest gross score. Among the other tournament highlights was a chance to win a Dodge Challenger with a hole in one, thanks to a sponsorship from Macdonald Motor Group and a Grand Putt Off contest in which Ryan McCauley of Howell Labs was the lucky winner, taking home a brand-new e-bike thanks to a new sponsorship from Sport Haus Adventure Outpost.
Over the years, the tournament has raised more than a million dollars in support of the programs and services Bridgton Hospital provides for its patients and the community.
An Apple a Day
By Katie Davenport MS, RD, LD (Clinical Nutrition)
Can you believe it’s apple season, already?! Apples are ready for picking from August through October in Maine and many orchards are now open! There’s an astounding 7,500 varieties of apples available around the world and about 100 of those are grown in Maine. Top “picks” (haha, get it?) are McIntosh, Cortland, Macoun, and Honeycrisp.
Regardless of the variety you choose, apples are a nutritious choice any time of the year. Apples are mainly made up of carbohydrates and water. They also contain a high amount of fiber, most of which is found in the peel. Fiber is beneficial for the gut, it helps keep blood sugar levels steady, and it may lower blood cholesterol levels. In addition, they are a great source of the antioxidant vitamin C. We’ve heard the phrase “an apple a day keeps the doctor away,” and there’s some truth to the expression. Vitamin C may help protect against some cancers, heart and eye diseases, and the common cold. It’s worth thinking about how much vitamin C we consume as part of our diet year-round, especially now since the school year has started, and cold and flu season won’t be far behind.
Try one of these recipes to incorporate more apples into your eating pattern this apple season!
- Pair a whole, fresh apple with 1-2 tablespoons of nut butter, or a cheese stick, for a balanced snack
- Add fresh apple slices to a salad for extra crunch and sweetness
- Add apple slices to a grilled cheese sandwich (tip: honeycrisp apples pair well with gouda and gala apples pair well with cheddar!)
- Get apples at breakfast with this apple pie overnight oats recipe
- Warm up as the weather gets cooler with butternut squash apple soup
- For a snack or dessert that’s fun for both kids and adults, try apple “nachos”
Central Maine Healthcare announces new providers for the River Valley
Jesse Leeds, MD, is joining the team at Swift River Family Medicine in Rumford.
Lauren Mason, NP, is a pediatric nurse practitioner who is joining the Elsemore Dixfield Family Medicine practice.
Originally from Long Island, New York, Dr. Leeds graduated medical school from SUNY Downstate and completed his residency at Maine-Dartmouth Family Medicine Residency.
His journey to become a family physician started when he was a boy, helping his mother, a pediatrician, at her office. He didn’t have any immediate plans to follow in her footsteps and also spent time helping his father, who owned a flooring business.
He says the experience working with his father enables him to empathize with many different types of people, especially those who have the aches and pains that go along with tough work. He also said he realized early on in his medical training that he wanted to be a family physician. “It became clear to me that I didn’t want to specialize in one area,” Dr. Leeds said. “I am interested in treating the ‘whole person’ when I meet with patients. I very much enjoy the interaction with them and trying to get to the root of whatever medical issues they may be experiencing.”
Lauren was born at Rumford Hospital and started her career there as a CNA.
Lauren graduated from Maryville University and said she chose pediatrics for a simple reason: “I have always loved caring for children and teaching them how to be the healthiest people they can be. I have a background in labor and delivery, and have a national certification for breastfeeding support. I am here to build healthy lifestyles with the children of my beloved local community.
CMH Partner, LifeFlight of Maine, Expands and Optimizes its Fleet
CMH Chief Nursing Officer Kris Chaisson was on site at the Auburn-Lewiston Municipal Airport for the arrival of the newly expanded and upgraded fleet of LifeFlight medical helicopters. After a five-year and $20 million fundraising campaign, LifeFlight has added a third twin-engine helicopter and revamped its other aircraft enabling them to serve more patients, more safely, quickly and reliably for years to come.
“Central Maine Healthcare has a longstanding partnership with LifeFlight and their clinical team is an extension of ours,” Kris Chaisson said. “It’s great to know these enhancements will allow them to do their job and do it well, without having to compromise anything in order to take care of our patients.”
The LifeFlight Foundation began the fundraising to replace and modernize the fleet. The three critical care helicopters now feature more power, speed, a larger interior workspace and advanced aviation electronics.
(Photo left to right): Carlos Marrero, mechanic, TJ Wesoloski, pilot, Andrew John, pilot, Kate O’Halloran, Exec. Dir., LifeFlight Foundation, Tom Judge, Exec. Dir., LifeFlight of Maine, Kris Chaisson, BSN, MS, RN, CCRN, Chief Nursing Officer, CMH, Pete Tilney, DO FACEP, FAAEM, EMT-P, LifeFlight of Maine, Dr. Norman Dinerman, Greg LaFrancois, Chair of LOM Steering Committee, Pres. Northern Light AR Gould Hospital, Presque Isle
Team CMH Shows Up Strong for the 2022 Dempsey Challenge
In their signature tie-dye shirts, Team CMH made a huge showing at the Dempsey Challenge over the weekend, running, walking and biking to help raise money for the Dempsey Center. For the second consecutive year, team members represented Central Maine Healthcare as a single, unified team. This year’s Team CMH roster was larger than last, with close to 200 members. Together, they met their goal, raising $60,000, also surpassing last year’s effort, for the Dempsey Center which provides services, free of charge, for people impacted by cancer. We’re proud to say Team CMH was the third highest fundraising team this year. The Dempsey Center, itself, raised more than $1.5 million. Team CMH had a presence at the challenge throughout the weekend that was anchored by the Central Maine Healthcare tent and mascot Dr. Eddy the Teddy.
Peter Wright, FACHE, senior vice president, Central Maine Healthcare, said, “What a tremendous effort by all members of Team CMH this year. I would like to thank the many team members who made this possible. I’m already looking forward to next year’s Dempsey Challenge!”