Maine

Central Maine business briefs: MRI Service at Franklin Memorial Hospital accredited

Published

3 years ago

June 11, 2022

Technologist Diana Pelletier with a affected person within the non-public, open and welcoming house for sufferers at Franklin Memorial Hospital in Farmington. Submitted picture

FARMINGTON — Franklin Memorial Hospital has been awarded a three-year time period of accreditation in magnetic resonance imaging after a current evaluation by the American School of Radiology. MRI is a noninvasive medical take a look at that makes use of magnetic fields to provide anatomical photographs of inner physique components to assist physicians diagnose and deal with medical situations, in keeping with a information launch from the hospital.

The ACR gold seal of accreditation represents the best degree of picture high quality and affected person security. It’s awarded solely to services assembly ACR follow pointers and technical requirements after a peer-review analysis by board-certified physicians and medical physicists who’re consultants within the discipline. Picture high quality, personnel {qualifications}, adequacy of facility tools, high quality management procedures, and high quality assurance packages are assessed. The findings are reported to the ACR Committee on Accreditation, which subsequently gives the group with a complete report it may use for steady follow enchancment.

“MRI is used to generate photographs of inner organs and delicate tissue inside the physique,” mentioned Christopher Bailey, FMH director of radiology, cardiopulmonary and cardiology. “Usually an MRI might be used to see tendons, ligaments, and cysts or different lots. It’s the popular examination for joint and spinal issues, as a result of it may present remarkably clear photos of soft-tissue buildings close to and round bones.”

Franklin’s 2-year-old scanner options superior wide-bore expertise to enhance sufferers’ experiences by working with much less noise, reducing emotions of claustrophobia, and accommodating sufferers as much as 500 kilos. As well as, sufferers select their favourite nature video to view, lighting hue, and music throughout the process to create a soothing setting.

Taylor Harris Submitted picture

Additionally, Franklin Memorial Hospital as introduced that Taylor Harris, a speech-language pathologist, not too long ago earned three certifications: one as a modified barium swallow impairment profile clinician (MBSImP), one other as an authorized dementia practitioner (CDP) and final, as a Converse Out! clinician by means of the Parkinson’s Voice Undertaking.

Speech Language Pathology is the analysis and therapy of speech fluency, expressive language, voice and understanding because it pertains to language use and swallowing.

Harris first grew to become concerned with a health-related profession after attending the hospital’s summer time well being careers camp — Scrub Membership — whereas in highschool. She then majored in neighborhood well being schooling on the College of Maine at Farmington and accomplished a hands-on-learning internship at Franklin. “That internship uncovered me to quite a lot of well being care careers,” mentioned Harris. “Nevertheless it wasn’t till I shadowed a speech therapist that I noticed that’s what I wished to pursue.” She subsequently accomplished a grasp’s diploma in communication sciences and issues on the College of Maine earlier than beginning her new profession.

These extra certifications enhance Harris’ potential to offer specialty care to her sufferers. The MBSImP coaching, which takes 25-30 hours to finish, is a standardized method to instruction, evaluation and reporting of physiologic swallowing impairment based mostly on observations obtained from the Modified Barium Swallow examine.

As an authorized CDP clinician, Harris makes use of the newest strategies, theories and instruments associated to Alzheimer’s and Dementia care finest practices, together with key facets of dementia care corresponding to communication strategies, disruptive conduct interventions, and instruments for addressing different issues corresponding to wandering.

Harris refined her expertise by means of the Converse OUT! program to work with people with Parkinson’s to show them to talk with intent — to keep away from creating a weak voice that may result in severe speech and swallowing difficulties.

Harris has labored at Franklin since 2018. She gives affected person care within the hospital’s medical/surgical inpatient unit and the bodily rehabilitation outpatient unit within the Stanley Well being Middle on the Franklin Memorial Hospital campus.

Alison Lorenz Todd Wentworth picture

Kennebec Financial savings Financial institution pronounces new board member Alison Lorenz

AUGUSTA — William Sprague Jr., chairperson of the Kennebec Financial savings Financial institution board of administrators, has introduced the addition of Alison Lorenz to the financial institution’s board.

Lorenz is a CPA, managing director, and tax director at One River CPAs, previously PFBF CPAs. Lorenz is initially from Brewer, and earned her Bachelor of Science diploma from the College of Maine, adopted by her Grasp of Enterprise Administration on the College of New Hampshire. Previous to becoming a member of One River in 2006, she labored for an funding firm the place she began as a inventory dealer earlier than specializing within the accounting of spinoff securities, inner management compliance, and inner audit preparation and evaluation, in keeping with a information launch from the financial institution.

Immediately, Lorenz works carefully with individuals and companies to arrange tax returns and assist them plan quick and long-term targets. She is a multi-state tax specialist with shoppers in different states in addition to worldwide shoppers.

Lorenz not too long ago served on the board of administrators at Maine Mountain Youngsters’s Home, a Montessori college in Kingfield; the board of administrators for the Maine Society of CPAs; and is a member of the Maine Society of CPAs and American Institute of CPAs.

Andrew Silsby, Kennebec Financial savings Financial institution President & CEO mentioned, “Alison is extensively revered for her robust dedication to the neighborhood and is an extremely educated tax and audit skilled. We’re lucky and more than happy to have her be part of the Kennebec Financial savings Financial institution board of administrators.”

Molly Ray Submitted picture

Molly Ray joins Fontaine Household

Fontaine Household – The Actual Property Chief welcomes Molly Ray to the crew at their Auburn location.

Ray grew up in Gardiner, the place she attended Gardiner Space Excessive College. She has 13 years expertise in customer support and gross sales, primarily working in community advertising and marketing whereas being a stay-at-home mother. She’s finished just a little of every little thing, nevertheless, her favourite jobs have been when she will be able to meet the particular wants of others.

Over the previous decade, Ray and her husband have been renovating homes in western, central and coastal Maine. They’ve been on the shopping for and promoting aspect of “the most important buy of your life” many occasions. She’s discovered it’s useful to have somebody in your aspect who has been the place you might be standing, and might stroll you thru this course of.

Ray resides in Greene together with her husband, two boys, and a canine.

Ray involves Fontaine together with her gross sales agent license and appears ahead to working with each patrons and sellers with the help of the Fontaine Workforce. Her robust previous expertise in customer support will enable her to help her actual property shoppers with confidence when shopping for or promoting a house.

Command Sgt. Maj. Edward Graves, after receiving the 133rd Engineer Battalion colours throughout the June 4 ceremony. Photograph contributed by Employees Sgt. Sarah Myrick

Engineers conduct high enlisted changeover

BRUNSWICK — The Maine Military Nationwide Guard’s 133rd Engineer Battalion held a change of accountability ceremony June 4 on the Brunswick Armed Forces Reserve. Command Sgt. Maj. Alpha Williams relinquished accountability to Command Sgt. Maj. Edward Graves, in keeping with a information launch from the Maine Nationwide Guard.

Each Graves and Williams have an intensive historical past of working with the 133rd Engineer Battalion.

Command Sgt. Maj. Alpha Williams offers his feedback throughout the June 4 ceremony. Photograph by Employees Sgt. Sarah Myrick

“Working with all these high quality troopers has allowed me a possibility to get to know lots of nice leaders on this group that I hope to get the pleasure to serve with you once more sooner or later,” mentioned Williams. “The workers inside this battalion are bar none a few of the finest within the state. A battalion command crew can’t be profitable with no gifted crew, and we have now a few of the finest.”

Williams enlisted in 2000 and began his profession with the 152nd Assist Upkeep Firm. He has served as the primary sergeant for each the 133rd’s Ahead Assist Firm in Brunswick and the 185th Engineer Assist Firm in Presque Isle and Houlton. He has served because the command sergeant main of the 133rd since July 2019.

“The camaraderie and esprit de corps on this battalion are not like anything,” mentioned Williams. “Having been the CSM for this battalion and serving with you all has really been an honor.”

Graves enlisted within the Military in 1991 and transferred to the Maine Military Nationwide Guard in 1998, serving as a driver for the 133rd’s Headquarters and Assist Firm. His service within the 133rd contains time as a heavy tools operator, crew chief, squad chief, platoon sergeant and operations sergeant. Graves deployed to Iraq in 2004 and 2013 with the 133rd, and has served as first sergeant for each the 133rd’s Headquarters and Headquarters Firm in Brunswick and the 136th Engineer Firm out of Lewiston and Skowhegan.

“Thanks CSM Williams,” mentioned Graves. “Be assured that I’ll do my finest to guard, serve and information all of those troopers for a profitable future within the Maine Military Nationwide Guard and the continued legacy of the 133rd Engineer Battalion.”

Graves holds a bachelor’s diploma in science from Southern New Hampshire College. He and his spouse, Shunna, reside in Brunswick and have two kids, Haylee and Tristan.

Williams holds a bachelor’s diploma in enterprise administration from the College of Maine at Augusta. He and his spouse, Danyl, reside in Jefferson and have 5 kids: Ethan, Gavan, Alpha, Tessa and Lydia.

15 Preti Flaherty attorneys chosen as Chambers USA Leaders

PORTLAND — Sixteen Preti Flaherty attorneys and 6 follow teams have been chosen for inclusion within the 2022 Chambers USA Information to America’s Main Attorneys for Enterprise, the extremely regarded listing of main attorneys and regulation corporations.

The popularity is critical as it’s a results of impartial analysis and interviews with shoppers and friends to impartially gauge efficiency and rank high attorneys and corporations all through the USA.

Maine attorneys chosen for inclusion within the 2022 information embody:

Company M&A: Susan E. LoGiudice, Cape Elizabeth

Vitality & Pure Sources: Anthony W. Buxton, Portland; Joseph G. Donahue, Gardiner; and Todd J. Griset, Brunswick

Surroundings: Sharon G. Newman, South Portland; Jeffrey D. Talbert, Falmouth; and David B. Van Slyke, Yarmouth

Labor & Employment: Michael G. Messerschmidt, Cape Elizabeth

Litigation: Common Industrial: Timothy J. Bryant, Falmouth; Gregory P. Hansel, Cape Elizabeth; ; and Sigmund D. Schutz, Falmouth

Litigation: Medical Malpractice & Insurance coverage Protection, Daniel Rapaport, Cape Elizabeth; and Elizabeth A. Campbell, Scarborough

Every legal professional was assessed on qualities together with technical authorized potential, skilled conduct, consumer service, business consciousness/astuteness, diligence, dedication and different qualities most valued by his or her shoppers. Chambers USA researchers based mostly the rankings on tens of hundreds of in-depth interviews with main attorneys, in-house counsel, and consumer management.

Preti Flaherty follow areas ranked within the listing embody: Company/M&A, Maine, Band 2; Vitality & Pure Sources, Maine, Band 1; Surroundings, Maine, Band 2; Labor & Employment, Maine, Band 2; Litigation: Common Industrial; Maine, Band 3, ; and Litigation: Medical Malpractice & Insurance coverage Protection, Band 2.

For extra enterprise information, go to CentralMaine.com.

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Maine

Maine’s marine resources chief has profane exchange with lobstermen

Published

3 hours ago

January 10, 2025

Press Room

Maine’s marine resources chief has profane exchange with lobstermen

Maine Department of Marine Resources Commissioner Patrick Keliher said “f— you” to a man during a Thursday meeting at which fishermen assailed him for a state plan to raise the size limit for lobster.

The heated exchange came on the same day that Keliher withdrew the proposal, which came in response to limits from regional regulators concerned with data showing a 35 percent decrease in lobster population in the state’s biggest fishing area.

It comes on the heels of fights between the storied fishery and the federal government over proposed restrictions on fishing gear that are intended to preserve the population of endangered whales off the East Coast. It was alleviated by a six-year pause on new whale rules negotiated in 2022 by Gov. Janet Mills and the state’s congressional delegation.

“I think this is the right thing to do because the future of the industry is at stake for a lot of different reasons,” Keliher told the fishermen of his now-withdrawn change at a meeting in Augusta on Thursday evening, according to a video posted on Facebook.

After crosstalk from the crowd, Keliher implored them to listen to him. Then, a man yelled that they don’t have to listen to him because the commission “sold out” to federal regulators and Canada.

“F— you, I sold out,” Keliher yelled, prompting an angry response from the fishermen.

“That’s nice. Foul language in the meeting. Good for you. That’s our commissioner,” a man shouted back.

Keliher apologized to the crowd shortly after making the remark and will try to talk with the man he directed the profanity to, department spokesperson Jeff Nichols said. The commissioner issued a Friday statement saying the remarks came as a result of his passion for the industry and criticisms of his motives that he deemed unfair, he said.

“I remain dedicated to working in support of this industry and will continue to strengthen the relationships and build the trust necessary to address the difficult and complex tasks that lay ahead,” Keliher said.

Spokespeople for Gov. Janet Mills did not immediately respond to a request for comment on whether she has spoken to Keliher about his remarks.

Lobstermen pushed back in recent meetings against the state’s plan, challenging the underlying data. Now, fishermen can keep lobsters that measure 3.25 inches from eye socket to tail. The proposal would have raised that limit by 1/16 of an inch and would have been the first time the limit was raised in decades.

The department pulled the limit pending a new stock survey, a move that U.S. Rep. Jared Golden, a Democrat from Maine’s 2nd District, hailed in a news release that called the initial proposal “an unnecessary overreaction to questionable stock data.”

Keliher is Maine’s longest-serving commissioner. He has held his job since former Gov. Paul LePage hired him in 2012. Mills, a Democrat, reappointed the Gardiner native after she took office in 2019. Before that, he was a hunting guide, charter boat captain and ran the Coastal Conservation Association of Maine and the Maine Atlantic Salmon Commission.

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Maine

Opinion: Voter ID referendum is unnecessary, expensive, and harmful to Maine voters

Published

12 hours ago

January 10, 2025

Press Room

Opinion: Voter ID referendum is unnecessary, expensive, and harmful to Maine voters

The BDN Opinion section operates independently and does not set news policies or contribute to reporting or editing articles elsewhere in the newspaper or on bangordailynews.com

Anna Kellar is the executive director of the League of Women Voters of Maine.

This past November, my 98-year-old grandmother was determined that she wasn’t going to miss out on voting for president. She was worried that her ballot wouldn’t arrive in the mail in time. Fortunately, her daughter — my aunt — was able to pick up a ballot for her, bring it to her to fill out, and then return it to the municipal office.

Thousands of Maine people, including elderly and disabled people like my grandmother, rely on third-party ballot delivery to be able to vote. What they don’t know is that a referendum heading to voters this year wants to take away that ability and install other barriers to our constitutional right to vote.

The “Voter ID for Maine” citizen’s initiative campaign delivered their signatures to the Secretary of State this week, solidifying the prospect of a November referendum. The League of Women Voters of Maine (LWVME) opposes this ballot initiative. We know it is a form of voter suppression.

The voter ID requirement proposed by this campaign would be one of the most restrictive anywhere in the county. It would require photo ID to vote and to vote absentee, and it would exclude a number of currently accepted IDs.

But that’s not all. The legislation behind the referendum is also an attack on absentee voting. It will repeal ongoing absentee voting, where a voter can sign up to have an absentee ballot mailed to them automatically for each election cycle, and it limits the use and number of absentee ballot dropboxes to the point where some towns may find it impractical to offer them. It makes it impossible for voters to request an absentee ballot over the phone. It prevents an authorized third party from delivering an absentee ballot, a service that many elderly and disabled Mainers rely on.

Absentee voting is safe and secure and a popular way to vote for many Mainers. We should be looking for ways to make it more convenient for Maine voters to cast their ballots, not putting obstacles in their way.

Make no mistake: This campaign is a broad attack on voting rights that, if implemented, would disenfranchise many Maine people. It’s disappointing to see Mainers try to impose these barriers on their fellow Mainers’ right to vote when this state is justly proud of its high voter participation rates. These restrictions can and will harm every type of voter, with senior and rural voters experiencing the worst of the disenfranchisement. It will be costly, too. Taxpayers will be on the hook to pay for a new system that is unnecessary, expensive, and harmful to Maine voters.

All of the evidence suggests that voter IDs don’t prevent voter fraud. Maine has safeguards in place to prevent fraud, cyber attacks, and other kinds of foul play that would attempt to subvert our elections. This proposal is being imported to Maine from an out-of-state playbook (see the latest Ohio voter suppression law) that just doesn’t fit Maine. The “Voter ID for Maine” campaign will likely mislead Mainers into thinking that requiring an ID isn’t a big deal, but it will have immediate impacts on eligible voters. Unfortunately, that may be the whole point, and that’s what the proponents of this measure will likely refuse to admit.

This is not a well-intentioned nonpartisan effort. And we should call this campaign what it is: a broad attack on voting rights in order to suppress voters.

Maine has strong voting rights. We are a leader in the nation. Our small, rural, working-class state has one of the highest voter turnout rates in the country. That’s something to be proud of. We rank this high because of our secure elections, same-day voter registration, no-excuse absentee ballots, and no photo ID laws required to vote. Let’s keep it this way and oppose this voter suppression initiative.

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Maine

Maine Democratic Party leader won’t seek reelection

Published

20 hours ago

January 9, 2025

Press Room

Maine Democratic Party leader won’t seek reelection

Bev Uhlenhake Maine Democratic Party

The chair of the Maine Democratic Party announced Thursday she won’t seek reelection when members select leaders later this month.

Bev Uhlenhake, a former city councilor and mayor in Brewer and former chair of the Penobscot County Democrats, has served as chair of the state party since January 2023. She is also a previous vice chair of the party.

In a written statement, Uhlenhake noted some of the recent successes and challenges facing Democrats, including the reelection of Democratic majorities in both the Maine House and Senate last November, though by narrower margins, and winning three of Maine’s four electoral votes for Vice President Kamala Harris.

“While we have laid a solid foundation from which Maine Democrats can build toward even greater success in 2026 and beyond, I have decided to step away from Maine Democratic Party leadership for personal and professional reasons, and will not seek reelection,” Uhlenhake said.

Party Vice Chair Julian Rogers, who was also elected to his post in 2023, announced he also won’t seek reelection to leadership, but will resume a previous role he held as vice chair of the party’s committee on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging.

Democratic State Committee members will vote for the party’s next leaders in elections to be held on Sunday, Jan. 26.

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