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

**Trigger warning: In this episode we discuss sexual assault. Please listen with care.** The following is a conversation that I had with Danielle Coutu. Danielle is a Registered Nurse and serves as the Regional Coordinator of the SANE Program. This program is administered by the University of New England’s School of Nursing and Population Health.  In this episode we discuss: 1. What does SANE...

The following is a conversation that I had with Linda Nelson. Linda is the Economic & Community Development Director for the Town of Stonington. Today’s discussion focuses on a newly formed Health Care Task Force that the Stonington Economic Development Committee (SEDC) has organized as a way for the Town to support health care needs on the island. In this episode, we talk about: 1. The job de...

Exciting news!! This is my first in person podcast interview!!!! This episode features a conversation that I had with Raegan Heanssler. Raegan grew up here on the island and now works as a Registered Dietitian for the VA Maine Healthcare System.  During our discussion, we talk about: 1. What is a Registered Dietitian (RD) and how does it differ from a nutritionist or nutrition coach? 2. What...

This episode features John Lindquist, the new Executive Director of Friends in Action.  In this conversation we discuss: 1. What does Friends in Action do? 2. What made John interested in leading this organization? 3. How many employees work at Friends in Action and what do they do? 4. What is the history of Friends in Action? 5. What has been the focus of John's work so far? 6. What is one t...

The following is a conversation that I had with Caroline Bloss and Sonya Connelly. Caroline and Sonya are both working with Healthy Acadia’s Prosper Initiative. Caroline serves as the Project Director. Sonya is a Community Health Navigator.  This episode is brought to you by Healthy Acadia through a grant from The Human Resources Services Administration's Rural Health Care Services Outreach P...

The following is a conversation that I had with Hallie Lartius. Hallie is an Island Institute Fellow who is working with Healthy Island Project. Her focus is digital equity and inclusion. In the episode we talk about: Hallie's first year living and working in the Deer Isle-Stonington community. What digital equity and inclusion are and why they are important to communities. What Hallie has been fo...

**Trigger warning: In this episode we discuss domestic and sexual violence. Please listen with care.** The most important part of this entire episode is the Next Step 24/7 Hotline: 800-315-5579. Anna Viertel is the Coordinator for Community Response at Next Step Domestic Violence Project, which serves the Deer Isle-Stonington community. This conversation ran long, but I hesitated to edit it becaus...

Larry Clifford is the new Healthy Aging Coordinator at Healthy Peninsula. Healthy Peninsula serves the Blue Hill Peninsula, Deer Isle and Stonington through their work on Healthy Aging, Healthy Eating and Healthy Families. During our conversation, Larry answers the following questions: What does "age friendly" mean? Why should communities be concerned about being "age friendly"? Why has Larry focu...

This episode features a conversation that I had with Traci Martin. Traci is currently in the process of becoming a licensed massage therapist. During our conversation, Traci answers the following questions: What made her decide to switch careers and become a massage therapist? Why is massage an important component of overall wellness? What happens at a massage appointment? How long does an appoint...

In this episode I talk with Jeannie Hatch, Executive Director of Island Community Center. Jeannie is a returning guest to the "Just for the Health of it" podcast. In this conversation we focus on Island Community Center's new gym, which is set to open around the end of June. Jeannie gives us all the details-hours, cost, equipment, etc. Jeannie is an inspiration, both in the skillful way she leads...

Tim Hoescht and Ronda Dodge, Island Nursing Home (INH) Board members, sit down with me again this week and continue to answer listener and community questions. In this episode we talk about how staffing is the key issue preventing the nursing home from reopening. Tim even gives me a pop quiz-which I fail! We also talk about ideas that have been shared as to possible uses for the INH building that...

In this episode, Tim Hoescht, Ronda Dodge and Skip Greenlaw sit down with me (via Zoom) and answer community questions regarding the recent report from the Island Nursing Home (INH) Board that was published in Island Advantages .  One thing that they said off-air that I think bears repeating is that they hope the community will be kind and positive about the nursing home's future.  Thank...

In this conversation I talk with Rose Honders, Director of At Home, a program of Downeast Community Partners. Rose and I discuss what At Home does, why it is an important part of our community, how people sign up, how much it costs, and how we can all support healthy aging. Rose brings warmth, enthusiasm and a sense of humor to both her job and this discussion.  To contact At Home: Phone numb...

In this conversation, I talk with Beth Alteri and Tracy Crossman about SMART Recovery. This is a new program that is being offered at the INSPIRE Recovery Center in Ellsworth on Thursday evenings from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. During our discussion, we talk about: What is SMART Recovery? Can SMART Recovery be used for other habits we would like to break? What happens during a typical session? How do...

Trigger warning: This episode contains discussions about child abuse and neglect. If you are in immediate danger or know of a child who is in danger, please call 911. This is my second conversation with Savannah Steiger, Care Coordinator and Educator for Sunrise Opportunities Prevention Council. April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. While Savannah and her colleagues work on this issue al...

The following is a conversation that I had with Erin Benson and Becky Nelson. Erin is the Senior Director of Workforce Services at Eastern Maine Development Corporation (EMDC) and Becky is an EMDC Youth Ambassador. Among many other topics, in this episode we discuss: 1. What programs does Workforce Services offer to Hancock County Residents? 2. What is a program or service that EMDC offers that Er...

The following is a conversation that I had with Renee Mozeliak. Renee is a Maine Recovery Core Intern at Healthy Acadia’s INSPIRE Recovery Center in Ellsworth. Among other things (including the universal appeal of tacos) we discuss the following: Why did Renee decide to become a Recovery Coach? What does Renee do at the INSPIRE Recovery Center? What is a program or service that is offered at the r...

The following is a conversation that I had with Caroline King. Caroline is the Executive Director at American Red Cross of Northern and Eastern Maine. I am still amazed at the scope of services that the Red Cross offers to our area. During the course of our conversation, Caroline answered the following questions: 1. Did she always want to work in the non-profit world? 2. What services does the Red...

This podcast features a conversation that I had with Ann Delaney. Ann is the new Director of Adult Education at Island Adult & Community Education. She brings warmth, enthusiasm and knowledge to her position, all of which shine throughout our discussion. Among other things we discuss how people can access offerings at Island Adult & Community Education for everything from obtaining their h...

This episode features my conversation with Dr. Hollan Oliver. Hollan is a native islander and is the owner of Coastline Physical Therapy and Performance in Deer Isle. In this episode we talk about how she ended up back on the island after years "away" and what draws her to this helping profession.  In addition, Hollan and I discuss what services she offers, how to reach her for an appointment...

In this podcast episode, I talk with Savannah Steiger, Care Coordinator and Educator at Sunrise Opportunities Prevention Council. This is the third in a series of podcasts highlighting offerings at the new INSPIRE Recovery Center in Ellsworth. In addition to the Parenting in Recovery Support Group, Savannah and her team offer a number of groups and programs throughout Hancock and Washington Counti...

In this episode, Ronda Dodge, Chairperson of the Island Nursing Home (INH), provides the community with updates, including: 1. Where to find a copy of the INH Task Force's final report and the INH Board's response to the report. 2. What needs the INH Board has that our community may be able to help fill. 3. Why a recent Bangor Daily News article said the Island Nursing Home may need millions of do...

Wow! This episode will leave you inspired and hopeful about the future of substance use recovery in Hancock County. As I talked with Beth and Tracy, it became so obvious that this is more than a job for them-it is a calling. Beth and Tracy answered all my questions, including: 1. What is the new INSPIRE Recovery Center? 2. Where is it located? 3. When is it open? 4. Can people just walk in? 5. Wha...

In this episode I talk with Esther Adams and Marti Brill of the Mariners Soar! Afterschool Program at Deer Isle Elementary School. These two ladies pour their hearts and souls into caring for our island children. Among other things, Marti and Esther answer the following questions: 1. What is the After School Program? Who does it serve and why was it created? 2. How does the After School Program im...

In this episode Ronda Dodge and I talk about a recent announcement that Island Nursing Home has engaged Covenant Health, Inc.  to conduct a three-month assessment of the organization's viability to reopen. We talk about: 1. Does this announcement mean Covenant will own INH? 2. What is meant by affiliation? 3. Is INH now a religious facility? 4. When will the Task Force recommendations be shar...