Psychosocial Support Services at the Harold Alfond Center for Cancer Care

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A key improvement of the Harold Alfond Center for Cancer Care expansion is having the space for a true one-stop-shop for psychosocial support, with staff now co-located, offering a full range of support to patients and families. The cancer center offers a variety of programs to enhance the quality of life for patients and family members while they navigate the complexities of cancer diagnosis, treatment and life after treatment. The team consists of licensed clinical social workers (LCSW), financial counselors and dietitians, as well as an oncology care manager and community resource navigator. These compassionate professionals are available at any point in your journey. To learn more about these services, visit www.mainegeneral.org/cancer-support or call (207) 621-6123.

HealthReach welcomes new clinician, Sharon Lopez FNP

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Sharon Lopez FNP

This July, staff of the Belgrade Regional Health Center are happy to welcome Sharon Lopez, FNP, to their professional healthcare team.

Sharon earned her Master of Nursing degree from Purdue University Global. Previously, she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from the University of New Brunswick in Frederickton. Sharon’s wealth of medical experience includes a variety of care types and settings — including travel nursing, home healthcare, postpartum and neonatal care, and hospital intensive care. With her wide range of experience and knowledge, Lopez will be a wonderful addition to the Belgrade team.

When asked about her approach to care, Lopez said, “True healing goes beyond medical treatment; it involves genuine caring for a patient’s wellbeing.”

Lopez joins the existing Belgrade clinical team — Doctor Amy Madden; Doctor of Podiatry, Daniel Keane; Family Nurse Practitioners, Abigail Dalzell-Dixon and Andrew Twaite; Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Theresa Rush; and Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Rita Alfonso LaBarbera.

Founded in 1977, Belgrade Regional Health Center is a part of HealthReach Community Health Centers — headquartered in Waterville, Maine. HealthReach is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating twelve family medical practices with the mission of serving the otherwise medically underserved. In 2025, HealthReach proudly marks 50 years of delivering high-quality healthcare to the rural communities of Central and Western Maine since its founding in 1975! HealthReach services include general primary and preventative healthcare, including behavioral, substance use disorder, dental, and podiatric care services. To ensure access for everyone, HealthReach accepts Medicare, MaineCare, and major insurance providers, and there are no eligibility requirements to access care through HealthReach; all are welcome. An Affordable Care Program is available to both uninsured and underinsured people. Assistance is available for applications to programs that help with your healthcare and medication costs, including enrollment support for Maine’s Health Insurance Marketplace.

The above is issued in furtherance of HealthReach Community Health Centers’ federally funded health center project. In 2025, HealthReach is projected to receive $4,436,654 in federal assistance, which is estimated as constituting 12% of project costs. Of total project costs for 2025, HealthReach estimates 88% to be financed with non-governmental sources.

The contents above are those of the author, and do not necessarily represent the official views of or an endorsement by, HRSA, DHHS, or the U.S. Government.

Northern Light Inland Hospital ends clinical services

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On Tuesday, May 27, 2025, Northern Light Inland Hospital and clinical services ended. The facility, associated services, and most practices have been winding down services and working to transition patients to new care locations since announcing the closure earlier this year.

On Tuesday, May 27, 2025:

• The emergency department stopped accepting new patients at noon.
• All clinical services ended.

The following practices will remain open to serve patients and the community:

• Northern Light Primary Care, Unity, as part of Northern Light Sebasticook Valley Hospital
• Northern Light Walk-In Care, Waterville, as part of Northern Light Mercy Hospital
• Northern Light Primary Care, Madison, as a practice of Redington-Fairview General Hospital.

Many providers will continue to offer care in Waterville and the surrounding area at new practice locations, and many current patients can choose to continue care with their current provider. Letters have been mailed to established patients of closing practices advising on any action needed to continue care with their current provider or to transition care to a new provider/practice.

As a reminder, this closure does not affect Northern Light Continuing Care, Lakewood, which operates as a separate entity in Waterville.

Additional information about the closure, answers to frequently asked questions, and up to date information about providers, can be found at NorthernLightHealth.org/InlandNotice.

Spectrum Generations seeks subcontract for older and disabled adults with local providers

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Spectrum Generations, Central Maine’s Area Agency on Aging, provides community- based services through the Older Americans Act (OAA) Title III, parts B, C, E, and D. Spectrum Generations serves Kennebec, Somerset, Waldo, Knox, Lincoln, Sagadahoc Counties as well as the towns of Brunswick and Harpswell. The mission of Spectrum Generations is to promote and advance the well-being and independence of older and disabled adults, with the support of their care partners, to live in their community of choice.

To best serve local communities, Spectrum Generations seeks proposals to subcontract Older Americans Act services with local providers. Those services include:

OAA Title IIIB

– Money Minders
– Community Center Activities for Older Adults
– Telephone Reassurance
– Adult Day Services
– In-home Supportive Services (chore, personal care, and homemaker

OAA Title IIIC

– Home Delivered Meals
– Congregate Dining
– Nutrition Counseling and Education

OAA Title IIID

– Health Promotion and Disease Prevention.

OAA Title IIIE

– Care Partner Support Groups and Training

Refer to Older Americans Act service definitions and reporting requirements for information on these services.

Single-year grant agreements will cover a period of one fiscal year, beginning October 1 and ending September 30. Providers must be familiar and compliant with rules and policy sections of the Office of Aging and Disability Services, Maine Nutrition Standards, the Older Americans Act, and standard terms and conditions required by Maine employment law and contracting guidelines.

Providers must also demonstrate the capacity to continue quality services in the case of delayed state payments or reduced award amounts due to state contractual amendments. Federal Funds through the Older Americans Act are often not received until January for contracts starting in October and typically include 2 to 3 amendments during the contract year. Award amounts are based on service type, service area, and units of service.

Any services provided by a subcontractor must fall within Spectrum Generations planning and service area listed above, though they need not cover the entire area. Providers must meet all requirements and submit all data prior to receiving payment. Providers may not means test or subcontract services.

Interested organizations must submit a Letter of Intent by June 23, 2025. Submissions will not be accepted after the closing date. Submissions should demonstrate the capacity to meet all requirements herein as well as the regulatory requirements from the sources listed above. Current subcontractors are not required to submit a letter of intent for those services currently under contract.

New Dimensions FCU announces 2025 scholarship winners

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Sofia DeRosby

New Dimensions Federal Credit Union (NDFCU) is proud to announce the recipients of its 2025 Scholarship Program: Sofia Derosby and Alan Crawford III. Each student has been awarded $2,500 for their college tuition this fall, recognizing their outstanding academic achievements, community involvement, and exemplary essays.

Sofia Derosby, a graduate of Messalonskee High School, will attend the University of Maine to pursue a degree in music education. Alan Crawford III, a Forest Hills Consolidated School graduate, will study computer technology, at Central Maine Community College. Both students impressed the scholarship committee with their academic excellence and strong recommendations.

Alan Crawford

Ryan Poulin, CEO of New Dimensions, expressed his pride in this year’s winners, stating, “We are excited to support these talented students as they take the next step in their educational journeys. Both Sofia and Alan demonstrate the qualities we admire: dedication, hard work, and a passion for learning. We look forward to seeing their continued success.”

For more information on New Dimensions FCU’s scholarship program, please visit https://www.newdimensionsfcu.com/resources/youth-scholarships/ or contact the Marketing Department at marketing@newdimensionsfcu.com.

CM Growth Council welcomes Kaitlyn Philbrick

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Kaitlyn Philbrick

The Central Maine Growth Council (CMGC) is pleased to announce the appointment of Kaitlyn Philbrick as its new Innovation & Development Coordinator. In this role, Philbrick will support CMGC’s mission to drive economic growth, foster innovation, and strengthen workforce development across the mid-Maine region.

Kaitlyn brings a wealth of experience in municipal finance, community engagement, and business development, having served as Finance Manager for the Town of Winslow, where she played a key role in budgeting, community development, and strategic planning. Her background also includes roles with the Town of Farmingdale and the City of Waterville, where she specialized in financial administration, tax collection, and public communications.

As Innovation & Development Coordinator, Kaitlyn will focus on expanding CMGC’s high-profile programs, including Dirigo Labs, the region’s premier startup accelerator, and the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Resource Center. She will work closely with local businesses, investors, and stakeholders to implement economic development strategies, attract funding, and foster regional business growth.

Kaitlyn expressed enthusiasm about her new role, stating, “I am excited to join CMGC and contribute to its efforts in strengthening Maine’s economy. I look forward to collaborating with local businesses, investors, and community leaders to foster innovation and create new opportunities for economic development.”

“With Kaitlyn joining our team, bringing her deep understanding of municipal operations, finance, and community development, the Growth Council gains an invaluable asset. Her experience navigating the intricacies of local government will be instrumental in seamlessly aligning our economic development and planning initiatives, fostering stronger partnerships, and ultimately propelling impactful projects across the region,” Garvan Donegan, Director of Planning, Innovation, and Economic Development at CMGC.

HealthReach welcomes new clinician, Rachel Palmer, FNP

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Rachel Palmer

This May, staff of the Sheepscot Valley Health Center are happy to welcome Rachel Palmer, FNP, to their professional healthcare team.

Rachel earned her Master of Nursing degree from Herzing University, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Previously, she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from the Univer sity of Maine at Fort Kent, and her Associate’s Degree in Nursing from the Maine College of Health Professions. Rachel’s wealth of medical experience includes a variety of care types and settings – including in-patient physical rehabilitation, community program planning, and primary care nursing. We are certain that with her wide range of experience and knowledge, she will be a wonderful addition to the Sheepscot team.

Rachel shares, “I am deeply committed to providing comprehensive, patient-centered care that focuses on building lasting, trusting relationships with individuals and families across their healthcare journey. My approach emphasizes preventive care and health promotion, believing that empowering patients with knowledge and support leads to better health outcomes and improved quality of life. I am thrilled to join the HealthReach team, where I can continue my passion for delivering accessible, compassionate care while making a meaningful difference in our community’s health and wellbeing.”

Rachel joins the existing Sheepscot clinical team – Doctors, Daniel Keane and Ann Schwink; Physician Assistants, Brooke Perez, Craig Urwin, and Zachary Wissman; Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Melanie Morin; and Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, Kristina Mont.

HealthReach celebrates 50 years of providing rural healthcare services

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Connie Coggins, HealthReach President & CEO, is happy to commemorate an important milestone: in 2025, HealthReach Community Health Centers marks its 50th year of providing high-quality, affordable care to rural Maine. Founded in 1975, HealthReach’s mission continues to be serving the otherwise medically underserved areas of Central and Western Maine. HealthReach offers rural communities convenient healthcare close to home, including general primary and preventative, behavioral, substance use disorder, dental, and podiatric care services.

In 1975, when the local doctor in Bingham retired, the tightknit community pulled together and imagined a family medical practice where everyone felt welcome.

Working together, neighbors helped raise funds to renovate an old house, which they converted into a community health center. This is how the very first HealthReach clinic — Bingham Area Health Center — was formed!

Since its founding, HealthReach has gradually grown to now operate 12 community health centers across Maine, including one school-based health center, as well as integrated dental centers in two towns: Bingham and Strong.

HealthReach is a 501c3 nonprofit that offers patients high-quality care without high costs by putting patients before profits. Nearly 300 HealthReach staff serve 26,000 patients each year. The majority of the volunteer HealthReach Governing Board are patients of HealthReach. This model has led to steady success by building the voice of the patient into the organization’s strategy and priorities.

HealthReach proudly celebrates a half-century of patient-centered care while looking forward to the future!

Bar Harbor Bank accepting applications from seniors for 2025 career & technical education scholarship

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Bar Harbor Bank & Trust

Bar Harbor Bank & Trust is currently accepting applications for the Bank’s 2025 Career & Technical Education Scholar­ship. The $1,000 scholarship is awarded to income-eligible high school seniors who attend a technical career program as part of their high school curriculum and are planning to attend a college or technical school in the academic year immediately following graduation.

Students must reside in counties in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont where the Bank has a branch location. Applicants selected to receive a 2025 scholarship will be eligible to apply for an additional $1,000 scholarship in 2026 to be used for their second year of college or technical school.

The deadline to apply for the 2025 Career & Technical Education Scholarship is May 1, 2025. Interested students can visit www.barharbor.bank/scholarships for more information about eligibility and to download the application.

Winter greetings from SymmeTree Arborist

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Gosh it feels nice to have a protective and insulative layer of snow on the ground. We hope you have been staying safe and warm during these winter months.

This time of year, cozied up by our woodstoves or taking long walks through the woods, we begin to remember the cold season of trees and the transformations they, too, experience. Soon the Maples will run their sap. It’s this coming time of winter: cold nights and warming days, we’ll begin to prune our orchard trees. It’s nice to have some sun and warmth for this annual task, which takes place before winter ceases.

If you have any fruit trees that need tending, Galen & Ashton will begin serving our Central Maine community starting at the end of this month (February) – early April.

Please reach out to schedule a free estimate, or be in touch if Galen has pruned your trees before and they are in need of another haircut this winter. We’ll put you on the schedule!

Benefits of Fruit Tree Pruning According to FEDCO:

If you have any fruit trees that need tending, Galen & Ashton will begin serving the Central Maine community starting at the end of this month (February) – early April.

Once your fruit tree begins to bear you will want to prune annually.

Most pruning should be done in late winter or early spring.

Good pruning brings sunlight to all parts of your tree. Maximum sunlight encourages more and higher-quality fruit. Sunlight also encourages fruit buds to form for next year’s crop.

A well-pruned tree will produce larger fruit and will tend toward more annual bearing.

Good pruning discourages fungal diseases and promotes greater spray penetration.

There’s an old saying that a bird should be able to fly through your fruit tree.

You can call or text us at: 207-458-7283 or respond to this email: office@symmetreearborists.me.