HealthReach welcomes new Mental Health Clinician

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Kristina Mont

This October, Sheepscot Valley Health Center staff is happy to welcome Kristina Mont, LCPC, to their professional healthcare team.

Mont earned her master’s degree in Professional Counseling from Monmouth University, in New Jersey. She previously earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Northern Arizona University. Mont’s wealth of professional counseling experience includes substance use counseling, group therapy, and family therapy. She will apply this diverse skillset to her work at Sheepscot.

Mont shares, “I love the saying, ‘We don’t grow when things are easy – we grow when challenged’. Every one of us can use help navigating life’s challenges. I’m a firm believer in maintaining our emotional and physical wellness to avoid ‘dis-ease’, so I’m excited to be joining the HealthReach team. HealthReach uses a holistic approach to treatment and is dedicated to improving the lives of community members. It is very fulfilling to meet someone where they are and watch them gain confidence and courage to become the person they want to be. When a person is feeling stuck or is ready to make changes, I offer my support.”

Mont joins the existing Sheepscot clinical team in Coopers Mills: doctors, Ann Schwink, Daniel Keane, and Kathryn Wistar; physician assistants, Brooke Perez, Anna Simmler, Craig Urwin, and Zachary Wissman; and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Melanie.

Rheumatologist joins Northern Light Inland Hospital

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Sheena Henry, MD

Northern Light Inland Hospital welcomes rheumatologist Sheena Henry, MD, to Northern Light Rheumatology in Waterville.

Dr. Henry earned her medical degree from the University of South Carolina School of Medicine and her undergraduate degree from Clemson University in Clemson, South Carolina. She is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology.

Dr. Henry provides rheumatologic evaluation and treatment services for a wide spectrum of rheumatologic diseases: ankylosing spondylitis, calcium pyrophosphate disease (CPPD), gout, inflammatory eye disease, inflammatory muscle disease (ex. Dermatomyositis), lupus and other related autoimmune conditions, osteoarthritis join injections, osteoporosis, polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR), psoriatic arthritis, Raynaud’s syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma, and vasculitis.

“I treat my patients with the same passion and caliber as I would for a family member. I value the long-term relationships I have the privilege of developing with my patients. Also, my particular specialty allows me to provide interventions that get people back to enjoying their life – back to golfing or gardening, back to starting a family, back to traveling, etc. The greatest satisfaction comes when my patient’s condition is so well controlled that their treatment/disease is an afterthought in their day-to-day lives,” says Dr. Henry.

She adds, “I strive to have my patients feel that they are empowered to control their disease and understand the steps that are being taken in their care. Most of my medications require compliance for years if not lifelong; one of the biggest predictors of treatment/management success is when patients take ownership of their disease. If they feel comfortable with the plan and understand the significance/ramifications of their choices, they are more likely to have long-term success.”

Dr. Henry will be offering telehealth appointments and in-person visits. For referrals or more information, please call the practice at 861.7050, located in the Medical Arts Building on the hospital campus. Learn more at inlandhospital.org.

Timmins joins CMGC staff

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Nicole Timmins

The Central Maine Growth Council (CMGC), a public-private collaborative economic development partnership, is pleased to announce the appointment of Nicole Timmins as Grant and Finance Manager. Nicole is responsible for overseeing CMGC’s granting efforts, which include optimizing the grant administration process, preparing financial reports, and ensuring compliance with grant regulations.

Nicole’s work will directly support CMGC’s existing funding landscape in addition to being responsible for overseeing CMGC’s Economic Recovery Implementation Hub activities throughout Kennebec and Somerset Counties.

“I am excited for the opportunity to collaborate with an organization that champions business interests across all sectors, offering tailored solutions to support operational growth,” remarked Timmins. “The prospect of spearheading impactful initiatives that empower entrepreneurs and reduce obstacles they face is deeply motivating. I am committed to driving ongoing advancement in this space.”

Nicole brings previous experience as the Director of Finance at Care & Comfort, where she oversaw all aspects of the finance department, including managing staff, billing, accounts receivable and payable, payroll, and reconciling the general ledger. Her experience monitoring fee schedules to ensure compliance with various provider contracts and funding sources demonstrates Nikki’s familiarity with financial management.

Nicole holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Maine at Orono in Mass Communications.

Real estate group recognizes local state lawmaker

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Sen. Matt Pouliot, R-Kennebec (center), with MEREDA President Craig Young (left) and Executive Director Shelly Clark. (photo courtesy of MEREDA/Brian Peterson)

The Maine Real Estate & Development Association (MEREDA) honored Maine State Senator Matt Pouliot, R-Kennebec, during its 2023 Forecast Conference and Member Showcase. The organization’s annual event was held at the Cross Insurance Arena in Portland.

In recognition of his leadership in housing creation policy and for his support of MEREDA’s efforts to advance responsible, practical and predictable policies for real estate development, Pouliot was awarded the 2022 MEREDA Public Policy Award.

“Senator Pouliot has been a steadfast supporter of MEREDA policy priorities, including his help in maintaining the Maine Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit; his support for the establishment of a Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (CPACE); his vote for the 2022 Housing Act; and his sponsorship of two MEREDA priority legislation items for the 131st Legislature,” MEREDA Executive Director Shelly Clark said in a video introducing the award at the event. “Additionally, Senator Pouliot has recently risen as a leader in bipartisan discussions about smart public policy to help curb Maine’s housing crisis.”

Citing his involvement with the Legislature’s recent Commission to Increase Housing Opportunities in Maine by Studying Land Use Regulations and Short-term Rentals, MEREDA said Pouliot was instrumental in establishing the new Joint Select Committee on Housing of which the final report of the Commission will be the starting point for the work of the new committee.

MEREDA also recognized Pouliot’s development efforts in Kennebec County, including the revival of the historic Water Street corridor in Augusta through redevelopment of downtown properties.

“His support for responsible real estate development, approach to policymaking, and service as a leader both in the Legislature and in his hometown of Augusta make Senator Pouliot a clear choice for this year’s 2022 Public Policy Award,” Clark said.

Senator Matt Pouliot is in his third term representing the communities of the newly-reapportioned District #15. He is the Senate Republican Lead for Joint Standing Committee on Labor and Housing and the new Joint Select Committee on Housing.

PHOTO: Windsor Fair president receives award

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Tom, left, is pictured with his wife Karen. Contributed photo

Windsor Fair shares that their esteemed president, Tom Foster, has been presented the Catherine L. Damren Distinguished Service Award by the Maine Association of Agricultural Fairs this past weekend at their annual conference. It means so much to see this award go to someone so deserving. Tom, a farmer himself, has been an asset to the agricultural and fair communities of Maine most of his adult life.

PHOTO: New chamber board members

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The Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce new board members. From left to right, Jordan Rowan, Kristian Suttie, Gary Poulin, Molly Woodward and Jamie Plourde. (contributed photo)

Sarah Sachs named president of KFS Mortgage Company LLC

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Sarah Sachs

KFS Mortgage Company LLC, the Waterville-based lending corporation that is a wholly owned subsidiary of Kennebec Savings Bank, has named Sarah Sachs as its new president. Ms. Sachs brings extensive experience in residential mortgage, retail banking and small business lending to her new role.

Prior to joining KFS Mortgage Company LLC, Ms. Sachs served in key roles at other banks as a vice president and mortgage lending manager. Under her leadership, her teams have won local and national awards in residential lending and retail banking.

“I’m very excited to take on this new role,” Ms. Sachs said. “My mission is to expand our product offerings here at KFS Mortgage Company, hire mortgage officers, and open additional mortgage offices in other parts of the state.”

She noted that KFS Mortgage Company LLC offers government mortgage products through Freddie Mac, Maine Housing, Rural Development, and the VA that will enhance what Kennebec Savings Bank already offers.

An active member of the Central Maine community, Ms. Sachs currently serves as commissioner and treasurer of the Augusta Housing Authority; a member of the Board of Directors of the Augusta Teen Center, and president of the Board of Directors of Howell House. She is a member of the Maine Association of Mortgage Professionals and an affiliate member of the Kennebec Valley Board of Realtors and Greater Portland Board of Realtors. Ms. Sachs lives in Augusta with her husband, Alden. They have two grown children.