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 o...

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...

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...

The following is a conversation that I had with Anna Wind. Anna is the Healthy Eating Coordinator at Healthy Peninsula, which serves the towns of Blue Hill, Penobscot, Surry, Castine, Brooklin, Sedgwick, Brooksville, Deer Isle and Stonington. Join us as we discuss the following: 1.  Tell me about your job as Healthy Eating Coordinator at Healthy Peninsula. 2. What programs does Healthy Peninsula s...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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 health care advice. It is just for educational purposes. During our conversation we discuss...

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 m...

The following is a conversation that I had with Rene Colson of Healthy Island Project (HIP). Today we are focusing on a program that HIP is offering through the Foundation of Art & Healing called "Successful Aging Creativity Circle". During our discussion we talk about: 1. What is the Successful Aging Creativity Circle? 2. Why are offerings like this necessary for a healthy community...

Opiate Free Island Partnership, Island Health & Wellness Foundation and Healthy Acadia are partnering to host an Island Prescription Drug Take Back Day on April 21st from 9:00 a.m. to noon at Island Medical Center. This year's event will be different from past take back days. In this episode, I talk about what the event will look like and answer frequently asked questions about Deterra med...

This is a special episode of the podcast designed to highlight an upcoming healthy living series called Fuel Up! Food, Fitness and Fun being offered by Healthy Island Project beginning Monday, April 10, 2023. This is an eight week session open to all islanders 18 years of age and older at no charge. Sessions will be held on Monday evenings from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Community of Christ Chu...

The following is a conversation that I had with Melissa Jones Bayley. Melissa grew up here on Deer Isle-Stonington and is a licensed massage therapist. In addition, she founded an organization called “Island Angels”. During our discussion, Melissa answers the following questions: 1. What is Island Angels and how did it get started? 2. Although many of my listeners probably knew your mom, please te...

The following is a conversation that I had with Rose Honders. Rose is the Community Services Director for Eastern Area Agency on Aging (EAAA). This is Rose’s second time on the podcast, as she was a guest in her previous role as Director of At Home Downeast.  During our discussion, Rose answers the following questions: 1.  In your own words, tell me who you are, where you work and what y...

The following is a conversation that I had with Jo Cooper. Jo retired last year after 20 years as the Founding Executive Director of Friends in Action. Currently Jo is a Consultant and Project Manager of a Maine Health Access Foundation grant project titled “Transportation Equity for Healthy Aging.”  During our discussion, Jo answers the following questions: 1. Why are volunteer transportatio...

The following is a conversation that I had with Jessica Ames. Jessica is the Outreach and Events Director for a program called Angel Flight East.  During the episode we talk about: 1. What is Angel Flight East? 2. How did this program get started? 3. How do people qualify for a flight? 4. What is the process to sign up for a flight? 5. Is there anything people should know before signing up fo...

The following is a conversation that I had with Hancock County Sheriff Scott Kane. Our discussion focused on a very unique and valuable service that his office offers called the Wanderers Program.  Sheriff Kane answers the following questions during the episode: 1. Tell my listeners about the Wanderers Program. 2. How did this program get started? 3. What information does the Client Wandering...

**This episode features discussions about domestic and dating violence. Please listen with care. If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic or dating violence, there are resources available to help you. You can call Next Step Domestic Violence Project at 1-800-315-5579.** The following is a conversation that I had with Alli Williamson.  Alli is the Prevention and Youth Education Coor...

The following is a conversation that I had with Amanda Bowen and Jessica Shaffer. Jessica  is the Director of Community Health Partnerships at Northern Light Health and Amanda is from an organization called Find Help. This is not intended to serve as any type of medical or health care advice. It is just for educational purposes. Jessica and Amanda do a great job of answering the following que...

This is a story of lemons to lemonade. . .or eggs to egg nog this time of year. Below is a link to our first written podcast!  Denise Antonition, LCSW at Island Family Medicine, and I recorded a podcast last week about coping with holiday stress. The only problem. . .and a large source of my stress. . .was that when I played it back in editing there was a persistent noise in the background th...

The following is a conversation that I had with Angela Fochesato, Executive Director of the Beth C. Wright Cancer Resource Center.  In this episode, Angela answers these questions: 1. What does the Beth C. Wright Cancer Resource Center do and who does it serve? 2. How did the center start? 3. What has been the focus of her work so far? 4. Why is this work so important to our community? 5. Wha...

Due to the holiday, there will be no new episode of the "Just for the Health of It" podcast this week. Instead, I ask you to take a few minutes to watch the short film "Island Strong", which can be accessed here: https://ihwf.org/island-strong/ This professional short film highlights the work being done right here on Deer Isle-Stonington to address substance use prevention, treatment, recovery and...

The following is a conversation that I had with Nick St. Louis. Nick is the new OPTIONS Liaison for Hancock County. During our discussion, we talk about: 1.  What is the OPTIONS Program? 2. How did Nick end up in this position?  3. What is his role as an OPTIONS Liaison? 4. How did the OPTIONS program originate? 5. What does a typical day look like for Nick? 6. What is a program or servi...

This is a conversation that I had with Heidi Burgess. Heidi just completed the Maine Department of Transportation’s Child Passenger Certification Training.   She is eager to share what she learned with our community.  During our conversation, we discuss the following: 1. What is the certification training process like?   2. What was Heidi's favorite part of the training? 3. &nb...