Bar Harbor Bank & Trust Sponsors 2019 MDI Marathon

Bar Harbor Bank & Trust is pleased to be a Silver Sponsor for the 2019 Mount Desert Island Marathon.  This year’s race is being held on October 20, starting in Bar Harbor and ending in Southwest Harbor, passing by all four of Bar Harbor Bank & Trust’s branches on Mount Desert Island.

“Bar Harbor Bank & Trust has been a sponsor of the MDI Marathon since its inception, 18 years ago,” said Lisa Parsons, SVP, Regional Market Manager at Bar Harbor Bank & Trust.  “This race has grown into a world-class sporting event and provides a welcome economic boost to MDI businesses as the summer season winds down.”  For more information about the race, visit www.runmdi.org.

Bar Harbor Bankshares (NYSE American: BHB) is the parent company of its wholly owned subsidiary, Bar Harbor Bank & Trust. Operating over 50 locations across Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont, Bar Harbor Bank & Trust is headquartered in Bar Harbor, Maine and has more than $3.6 billion in assets.  As a leading Northern New England community bank, Bar Harbor Bank & Trust offers a full range of personal and business banking services, as well as wealth management services through its subsidiaries Bar Harbor Trust Services and Charter Trust Company.  For more information about Bar Harbor Bank & Trust, visit www.barharbor.bank or call 888-853-7100.  Member FDIC.

Welcome to new Chamber member Compusult, Inc.!

Please join us in welcoming our newest Chamber member, Compusult, Inc.

Many of you are familiar with the vision of David's van driving up to your business to solve your latest computer crisis! But did you know that 2019 is Compusult's 20th anniversary?

David says, "Starting in 2009, Compusult began offering computer consulting services to small businesses on Mount Desert Island, ME from it's office in Southwest Harbor. And in 2014, we opened a 2nd office in Ellsworth to service Downeast businesses. Being a member of the local community, we think it is very important to forge long term relationships. 

"Whether you call it computer support, computer guy, IT support, computer consulting, computer services, computer tech support, technical support, network maintenance, website design or just plain computer help - Compusult can help your business - we are sort of like a part time IT support company for your business.

"We also offer computer support and IT service to ellsworth, bar harbor, northeast harbor, hancock, seal harbor, mount desert, hall quarry, tremont, deer isle, stonington & bass harbor."

You can learn more about Compusult at: http://www.comp-u-sult.com/home

Welcome to new Chamber Member Edward Jones Investments

Please help us welcome our newest Chamber Member, Edward Jones Investments.

Elise Frank is happy to tell us, "In 2016, I joined Edward Jones as a financial advisor, opening the firm’s first branch office in Bar Harbor. In 2018, I won the firm's coveted Zeke McIntyre Pioneer Award, which recognizes new financial advisors who achieve high levels of success early in their careers with the financial services firm. I was one of only 125 of the firm's more than 16,000 financial advisors to receive the award.

"My family and I have lived in Bar Harbor since 2014. I have been active in business and civic affairs in Mount Desert Island (MDI) for the past four years. I am a board member of MDI/Bar Harbor Rotary and the MDI Historical Society, a volunteer with the Seal Cove Auto Museum and the Bar Harbor Chamber of Commerce."

Edward Jones Investments is located at 71A Cottage Street in Bar Harbor, and is open Monday thru Friday from 9AM to 4:30PM. We encourage you to welcome Elise and Edward Jones Investments to the Chamber!

3D Mammography Aids in Early Detection at MDI Hospital’s Breast Health Center

Approximately 1,200 women in Maine are diagnosed with breast cancer each year. In an effort to provide women with the best diagnostic tools available, the Breast Center at Mount Desert Island Hospital is now offering patients the 3D mammogram, a more advanced mammography exam. While 2D mammography takes a single image of the breast, this newer technology takes multiple pictures from many angles, giving doctors a more complete picture, says Philip J. Pizzola, Director of Medical Imaging at MDI Hospital.

Also known as digital breast tomosynthesis, this 3D mammography system is the most advanced in the region that the FDA has approved as superior for women with dense breasts compared to 2D alone. “Early detection is essential to achieving the best outcomes,” says Pizzola. “3D mammography is the gold standard for early detection for women across a variety of ages and breast densities, and can be especially beneficial for women who have dense breast tissue.”

Also known as digital breast tomosynthesis, the 3D mammogram is the only mammogram approved by the FDA as superior for women with dense breasts compared to 2D alone. Nearly fifty percent of women between the ages of 40 and 74 have dense breasts. Dense breast tissue can make it difficult for doctors to detect breast cancer during annual screenings, which is concerning since patients with dense breasts can be more likely to develop breast cancer.

Because of its increased accuracy, 3D mammography also reduces the number of visits needed, which in turn reduces radiation overall. Patients won’t notice much of a difference between a conventional 2D mammogram and a 3D mammogram, the real difference is in the information available to the doctor, says Pizzola, “It’s essentially the difference between looking at the cover of a book and reading all of its pages.” The exam takes about the same amount of time – a 3.7 second scan time—and the positioning is the same.

To learn more about 3D mammography, or to schedule an appointment, contact the Breast Health Center at (207) 288-8435.

###

About the Breast Health Center at MDI Hospital

The Breast Health Center at MDI Hospital is the only Breast Imaging Center of Excellence in Downeast Maine—designated by the American College of Radiology—and one of only six in the entire state. In addition to digital mammography, the Center of Excellence status puts a gold star on other types of imaging procedures including breast ultrasound, ultrasound-guided biopsy and stereotactic breast biopsy. These minimally invasive technologies offer women a shorter recovery time, reduced pain compared to surgical biopsies, and minimal scarring. In each of these procedures, our team has undergone specialized training and education to ensure the highest standard of care for our patients.

 

About Genius™ 3D Mammography™ Exams

The breast is a three-dimensional object composed of different structures located at different heights within the breast. These structures can overlap and cause confusion when viewed as a flat two-dimensional image. This confusion of overlapping of tissue is a leading reason why small breast cancers may be missed and normal tissue may appear abnormal, leading to unnecessary callbacks. Using breast tomosynthesis technology, the Hologic system creates a 3-dimensional image of the breast structure, which enables radiologists to more clearly see through overlapping tissue to detect cancers, often at an earlier stage.

The Hologic system is the first FDA-approved breast tomosynthesis system in the U.S. Hologic Genius 3D Mammography™ exams are now available in all 50 states and over 50 countries. To date, more than 8 million women have been screened with this advanced screening system.

MDI Hospital Emergency Room Now Offers Opioid Treatment on Demand

As part of an increased effort to treat opioid addiction, Mount Desert Island Hospital is now offering buprenorphine induction for patients in withdrawal in its Emergency Room. Last year, there were 354 deaths due to drug overdose in Maine alone, with more than 68,000 deaths reported nationally.

“We want to be sure that we are doing everything that we can to combat this public health crisis,” says Dr. Nathan Donaldson, MDI Hospital’s emergency medical director. By administering the first dose of withdrawal medication when the need is identified, the hospital is able to stabilize patients earlier and fill a much-needed gap in opioid treatment.

On demand, first dose treatment is evidence-based, says Dr. Donaldson. This early intervention in the emergency room is followed by engagement with behavioral health professionals and area treatment centers. The hope is that by alleviating withdrawal symptoms earlier, patients have a better chance of participating in longer-term therapy solutions.

The hospital is one of only a handful in the state to offer an emergent Medication Assisted Therapy (MAT) program. “Essentially, we are offering buprenorphine induction in the ER to patients with substance use disorder and trying to get them to a recovery program offering MAT with a warm handoff and a soft landing,” explains Dr. Donaldson. Buprenorphine, also known as Subutex, is similar to Suboxone, which contains both buprenorphine and naloxone.

Dr. Donaldson credits Gov. Janet Mills and Director of Opioid Response Gordon Smith with raising awareness around the need for on demand opioid treatment and Mid Coast Hospital for leading the way with their emergency MAT program. “On demand opioid treatment works. Hopefully, every ER in Maine will have this available eventually,” he says.

When a patient is ready to pursue longer-term addiction treatment, MDI Hospital’s emergency room works closely with the Downeast Treatment Center and other area providers to continue their recovery through an integrated “hub and spoke” addiction treatment network.

The network was established through a collaborative partnership that includes Aroostook Mental Health Center - AMHC, Bucksport Regional Health Center, Healthy Acadia, MDI Hospital, Northern Light Blue Hill Hospital, Northern Light Maine Coast Hospital, local private primary care and substance treatment providers and others who serve as part of the network's system of “spokes.”

If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction and needs help, call the Downeast Treatment Center at 207-667-6890. If your need is emergent, visit your local emergency room.

MDI Hospital President/CEO Arthur J. Blank to Host Listening Session on Senior Health Care

Mount Desert Island Hospital President/ CEO Arthur J. Blank will meet with community members to discuss issues surrounding senior health care on Thursday, September 26 from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Jesup Memorial Library.

In this moderated session, attendees will have the opportunity to share their thoughts, questions and concerns around senior health care, retirement and rehabilitative care, aging in place, short-term and long-term care.

“With the continued growth of the retirement population in Maine and the recent closure of our local long-term care facility, we want to hear from our community about how we can best work together to address the needs of our aging population,” said Blank.

Since joining MDI Hospital in 1999, Blank has worked to strengthen the health of the community through the pursuit of innovative care and an integrated health system. Under his leadership, the organization has forged a groundbreaking teaching partnership with Penn Medicine, established a nonprofit retirement community, transitioned to a critical access hospital and incorporated eight community health centers, including the community’s first full-service behavioral health center and a nonprofit dental center.

Blank graduated with a B.S. Degree in Business Administration, magna cum laude, from Boston University in Boston, MA in 1975. He successfully completed a year of legal studies at Villanova University of Law in Villanova, PA., and is a licensed Certified Public Accountant.

All are welcome and encouraged to attend this free Age by Design event. For more information, contact Carly Ancona of MDI Hospital at 801-5046 or Dana Mastroianni of the Jesup Memorial Library at 288-4245.

If you cannot attend but would like to provide your feedback, please email listening@mdihospital.org.

Southwest harbor Public Library Presents: Maine Boats and Bicycles Show

The Southwest Harbor Public Library is pleased to announce our latest monthly

art exhibit, Maine Boats and Bicycles, by local photographer Michael Rindler.

The show features eight local working boats and seven Maine bicycles and tricycles. Working boats are primarily Southwest Harbor fishing boats and the cycles are both vintage and modern from around Maine. The show also features

Michael Rindler’s newly released book of car images, Motorcar Art.

Maine Boats and Cycles will continue on exhibit through September 30, 2019.

For the calendar: Michael Rindler is the featured artist at the Southwest Harbor Public Library in September with a photographic show of Maine Boats and Bicycles. For more info call the Library at 244-7065.

Dr. Ormanda Johnson Joins Cadillac Family Practice in Bar Harbor

Mount Desert Island Hospital is pleased to announce that Ormanda Johnson, MD, MPH has joined Cadillac Family Practice at MDI Hospital. Dr. Johnson specializes in family medicine, dermatology and public health. Her medical interests and expertise also include occupational health and medical education.

Previously in practice in the United Kingdom, Dr. Johnson is originally from the Bahamas. Mount Desert Island appealed to her because it shared the small island feel that she grew up with and beautiful scenery. “I am excited to be a part of this great community,” she says.

Dr. Johnson’s care philosophy centers on personalized, patient-centered care. “I aim to provide quality healthcare and treat others the way I would like to be treated—with respect, dignity, compassion—and a smile. I love being able to partner and build relationships across generations, and helping to look after not only my patients’ physical health, but their social well-being and mental health as well,” she says. “Coming from a public health background, I wholeheartedly believe in preventative care.”

After earning her medical degree from the University of the West Indies in 2003, she went on to earn her Master’s in Public Health from Emory University in 2008. She was also named the 2008 Bahamas Commonwealth Scholar, where she was awarded a full scholarship to complete her Master’s Degree in Clinical Dermatology at King’s College London, The University of London in recognition of her accomplishments in improving rural healthcare. This international scholarship is given annually to one resident of the Bahamas. While at King’s College London, she completed a St John’s Institute of Dermatology Fellowship. She completed her residency at The Royal College of General Practitioners in the United Kingdom in 2013.

Outside of work, she enjoys traveling, music, swimming, spending time with her young son Daniel and family in general. Dr. Johnson is now accepting new patients for both primary care and dermatology.

To learn more or to schedule an appointment, contact Cadillac Family Practice at 288-5119.

Bar Harbor Bank to Acquire 8 Bank Branches in Central Maine

 Bar Harbor Bankshares (NYSE American: BHB or the “Company”) announced that its banking subsidiary, Bar Harbor Bank & Trust (“BHBT” or the “Bank”), has signed a definitive agreement to acquire eight branches located in central Maine with approximately $287 million of deposits, $111 million of loans and $284 million of assets under management (as of March 31, 2019) from People’s United Bank, National Association (“People’s”).       

Both banks will be working closely to ensure a seamless transition for customer accounts and associates transferring to BHBT.  The Company intends to offer continued employment to the professionals associated with People’s central Maine region, which is anticipated to close in the fourth quarter of 2019.  This acquisition is subject to regulatory approval from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and the State of Maine and the satisfaction of customary closing conditions.  The eight branches will increase BHBT’s total branch count to 56 in its footprint, and 22 in the State of Maine.  The Company is well positioned to integrate the new branches into its existing operations and deliver the product depth and local responsiveness that it has become known for.  

President and Chief Executive Officer, Curtis C. Simard stated, “We are pleased to welcome our new colleagues, customers and communities to our already deep Maine roots.  We look forward to servicing their banking and Wealth Management needs, and to providing our full suite of personal and commercial deposit and loan products.  We believe this acquisition provides our existing and new customers enhanced convenience and underscores our commitment to Maine while expanding into contiguous markets in a sensible way. These branches stretch across the central Maine I-95 corridor with four branches in the greater Bangor market and includes all deposits from People’s central Maine territory.”

Mr. Simard stated “This transaction contributes to our financial and long term strategic goals with manageable risk based on our experienced team’s history of successful acquisitions and system integrations.  We plan to use the acquired deposits to replace certain existing higher cost of borrowings which will result in an immediate accretion to earnings and will support future growth with additional core funding.  Incremental earnings will allow for an estimated earn-back of tangible book value per share less than a period of five years.  At closing the Company will pay a 6.3% premium on average total deposits plus a premium of 1.2 times annualized wealth management revenue and approximately $4.4 million for the fair value of premises and equipment acquired.”

Griffin Financial Group, LLC served as financial advisor to Bar Harbor Bankshares and K&L Gates served as outside legal counsel.  A presentation with additional information regarding the branch acquisition is attached as an exhibit and can be found on our website.

BACKGROUND

Bar Harbor Bankshares (NYSE American: BHB) is the parent company of its wholly-owned subsidiary, Bar Harbor Bank & Trust. Founded in 1887, Bar Harbor Bank & Trust is a true community bank serving the financial needs of its clients for over 130 years.  Bar Harbor provides full-service community banking with office locations in all three Northern New England states of Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont. For more information, visit www.barharbor.bank.

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

Paragraphs two, three, and four of this release contains forward looking statements about the Company’s future plans, strategies and financial performance that may be considered forward looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These forward looking statements are intended to be covered by the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and this statement is included for purposes of complying with these safe harbor provisions. These statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts and often include words such as "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "plan," "estimate" or words of similar meaning, or future or conditional verbs such as "will," "would," "should," "could" or "may." These forward looking statements are based on current plans and expectations, which are subject to a number of risk factors and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control, which could cause the Company’s actual results to differ from those expressed in the forward looking statements. Risk factors relating both to the transaction and the integration of the branch customers into Bar Harbor Bank and Trust after the completion of the transaction include, without limitation:

• Completion of the transaction is dependent on, among other things, the ability of the parties to satisfy the conditions precedent and consummate the announced Transaction and to secure of regulatory approvals and third-party consents, the timing of which cannot be predicted with precision at this point and which may not be satisfied or received at all.
• The transaction may be more expensive to complete and the anticipated benefits may be significantly harder or take longer to achieve than expected or may not be achieved in their entirety as a result of unexpected factors or events.
• The integration of the acquired customers and operations into the Company, which will include conversion of data and information from the seller’s operating systems to the Company’s operating systems, may take longer than anticipated or be more costly than anticipated or may have unanticipated adverse consequences.
• The Company’s ability to achieve anticipated results from the transaction is dependent on the state of the economic and financial markets going forward. Specifically, the Company may incur more credit losses from the acquired loan portfolio than expected, deposit costs or attrition may be greater than expected, and wealth management or treasury service income may be less than expected.

Additional risks and uncertainties that could cause the Company’s actual results to differ from those expressed in the forward looking statements are identified in its reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Quarterly Reports on form 10‑Q, Annual Reports on Form 10-K, and Current Reports on Form 8‑K.  The forward looking statements included in this release are made only as of the date of this release, and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update the forward looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.

Cathy Planchart, VP

Product & Segment Marketing Manager

Marketing Department

Bar Harbor Bank & Trust

135 High Street | P.O. Box 1089

Ellsworth, ME  04605

Phone: 207-667-7100 x14655

Toll-free:  1-888-853-7100 x14655

Fax: 207-412-6420

E-mail: cplanchart@barharbor.bank

Bar Harbor Bank And Trust Presents Golf Tourney Proceeds to Beneficiaries

Jack Frost of Bar Harbor Bank & Trust presents a check for $10,500 to Jenny Jones of Bar Harbor Food Pantry and Dean Henry of Westside Food Pantry representing the proceeds from the Bank’s 26^th Annual David R. Harding Memorial Golf Tournament played at Kebo Valley Golf Club on June 12.  This year’s tournament benefited the two Mount Desert Island food pantries with event proceeds divided equally between the two organizations, resulting in donations of $5,250 each.

Bar Harbor Food Pantry and Westside Food Pantry, have provided healthy food, household products, and supplement vouchers to our neighbors in need for decades.  Their operations are heavily supported by volunteerism and donations.  These organizations make an impact on individuals and families struggling to provide for themselves and their loved ones.

Bar Harbor Food Pantry is located at 36 Mount Desert Street in Bar Harbor and has been aiding the community since 1994.  Westside Food Pantry opened its doors in 1990 and operates out of the Harbor House Community Center on Main Street in Southwest Harbor.  Learn more about the great work these organizations do for our community by visiting their websites: www.barharborfoodpantry.org and www.westsidefoodpantry.org

Bar Harbor Bankshares (NYSE American: BHB) is the parent company of its wholly owned subsidiary, Bar Harbor Bank & Trust. Operating over 50 locations across Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont, Bar Harbor Bank & Trust is headquartered in Bar Harbor, Maine and has more than $3.6 billion in assets.  As a leading Northern New England community bank, Bar Harbor Bank & Trust offers a full range of personal and business banking services, as well as wealth management services through its subsidiaries Bar Harbor Trust Services and Charter Trust Company.  For more information about Bar Harbor Bank & Trust, visit www.barharbor.bank or call 1-888-853-7100.  Member FDIC.

Bar Harbor Bank & Trust awards Career & Technical Education scholarships

Congratulations to Seth Welch, Kaylee Bosse, Charlotte Brugman, Carly Pinkham, Alexander Haire, and Lydia Gatcomb recipients of the Bar Harbor Bank & Trust Career & Technical Education Scholarship.  These six 2019 high school graduates attended a technical career program as part of their high school curriculum, and were awarded the scholarship based upon their academic success and determination to further advance their education and vocational skills.  Please join us in congratulating these young people as they prepare for their future careers. 

Seth Welch, resides in Brooksville, Maine, is a graduate of Deer Isle-Stonington High School and attended Hancock County Technical Center.  He is enrolled at Eastern Maine Community College pursuing a degree in Digital Graphic Design.

Kaylee Bosse, resides in Harrington, Maine, is a graduate of Narraguagus High School and attended Hancock County Technical Center.  She is enrolled at Bates College pursuing a degree in Bio-Medical Science.

Charlotte Brugman, resides in Southwest Harbor, Maine, is a graduate of Mount Desert Island High School and attended Hancock County Technical Center.  She is enrolled at Husson University pursuing a degree in Video Production.

Carly Pinkham, resides in Steuben, Maine, is a graduate of Sumner High School and attended Hancock County Technical Center.  She is enrolled at Husson University pursuing a degree in Secondary Education – Life Sciences

Alexander Haire, resides in Columbia, Maine, is a graduate of Narraguagus High School and attended Hancock County Technical Center. He is enrolled at Universal Technical Institute pursing a degree in Automotive/Diesel.

Lydia Gatcomb, resides in Hancock, Maine, is a graduate of Sumner High School and attended Hancock County Technical Center.  She is enrolled at Husson University pursuing a degree in Occupational Therapy.

Bar Harbor Bank & Trust awarded 15 Career & Technical Education scholarships of $1500 each to 2019 high school graduates in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont.  Application criteria included attending a technical career program (in designated geographies) as part of their high school curriculum, describing their career aspirations and college choice in a personal statement, as well as sharing their leadership and community service experiences.

Bar Harbor Bankshares (NYSE American: BHB) is the parent company of its wholly owned subsidiary, Bar Harbor Bank & Trust. Operating over 50 locations across Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont, Bar Harbor Bank & Trust is headquartered in Bar Harbor, Maine and has more than $3.6 billion in assets.  As a leading Northern New England community bank, Bar Harbor Bank & Trust offers a full range of personal and business banking services, as well as wealth management services through its subsidiaries Bar Harbor Trust Services and Charter Trust Company.  For more information about Bar Harbor Bank & Trust, visitwww.barharbor.bank or call 888-853-7100.  Member FDIC.

###

Photo caption:

Left to right: Bar Harbor Bank & Trust employees Sonya Mitchell and Jacklyn Sinclair congratulate the six recipients of the Bar Harbor Bank & Trust Career & Technical Education scholarship: (front row) Seth Welch, Kaylee Bosse, Charlotte Brugman, Carly Pinkham (back row) Alexander Haire, and Lydia Gatcomb.  These 2019 high school graduates have plans to further advance their education and vocational skills. 

News from Atlantic Brewing Company

Atlantic Brewing Company of Bar Harbor is pleased to announce the promotion of Alexander Maffucci to corporate president. Mr. Maffucci has been with Atlantic Brewing for nearly a decade, currently as Director of Operations since 2017. Mr. Maffucci holds a degree in policy economics from the University of New Hampshire and worked at Adams State University prior to coming to Atlantic Brewing in a managerial position.

For More Information:

http://www.atlanticbrewing.com/

https://www.facebook.com/atlanticbrewing/

About Atlantic Brewing Company:

The Atlantic Brewing Company began brewing in 1990 inside the Lompoc Cafe in one barrel batches. As demand grew we moved to Town Hill and began brewing on a 15 barrel system. Producing local favorites like Real Ale and Coal Porter, Atlantic has been a staple in downeast for over 20 years. Now with two locations in Bar Harbor, we strive to produce quality craft beers using Maine grown ingredients.

Welcome to New Chamber Member, Southwest Harbor Congregational Church

Please join me in welcoming our newest Chamber Member, Southwest Harbor Congregational Church. 

The Church's Mission says that "We are a congregation that endeavors to "Love God" meaning loving the Lord our God with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength; "Love Each Other" meaning loving each other as much as we love ourselves; and "Love the World" meaning loving the lost enough to share the Gospel in order to make disciples of all people."

WORSHIP SCHEDULE

Worship Service                 10:30 AM Sunday

Adult Sunday School           9:00 AM Sunday

Children's Sunday School   9:00 AM Sunday

The SWH Congregational Church has a long and interesting history. You can learn more about the church by visiting their web site at: https://www.swhcc.com/ Or stop by a service and meet the congregation.

Julie Pelletier, RN Nominated for Caregiver of the Year

Mount Desert Island Hospital Nurse Julie Pelletier, RN has been nominated for Maine Hospital Association’s Caregiver of the Year Award. As a Cancer Patient Navigator and Palliative Care Nurse, Julie cares for patients and their families dealing with cancer diagnoses and serious illness, providing hope, support and optimism during what can be an extremely difficult time. Her patients find that Julie’s strength and sunny disposition—often reflected in her wardrobe with a well-placed pop of color or pleasing print—instantly sets them at ease.

Julie was inspired to become a nurse after she experienced complications during her pregnancy with her daughter. She was put on bed rest and spent significant time in the hospital. “It really opened my eyes,” she says. “I was just so blown away by the labor and delivery nurses—even when you don’t know what you need, they know what you need.”

Today, she is a dedicated nurse with 14 years’ experience in advanced critical care and life support, intensive care, post-anesthesia care, pediatric care, infusion therapy, long-term care, skilled nursing care, palliative care and cancer patient navigation.

While patients tell her they find comfort in her strength, it is theirs that impresses her. “It takes a lot of courage to let me in and I’m so grateful for that opportunity,” she says. “It is extremely rewarding and humbling to be a part of my patients’ lives.”

Julie is a consummate team player who is always willing to go above and beyond or stay late to help a patient or a fellow staff member, say her colleagues. She was also instrumental in launching MDI Hospital’s Cancer Patient Navigator program in 2018, made possible by a grant from the Maine Cancer Foundation. The program, led by Julie and fellow navigator Heather Sinclair, LSW, provides an extra tier of support for those dealing with cancer diagnoses by addressing their physical, social and emotional needs. “Julie is caring, attentive and compassionate; she respects each individual’s right to choose how they want their medical care. She is innovative, which is often needed in our rural area which can present unique challenges. Her compassion is evident in every encounter she has with patients,” says Heather. “She works with providers within our hospital system and beyond to make sure that the circle of care is complete and that nothing is left unaddressed.”

Julie’s commitment to patient care is unparalleled, says Vanessa Little, DO, palliative care physician. “One day there was a patient dying in the hospital, comfort measures were in place and he knew he was dying. His family was unable to come and Julie sat with him, grabbed his favorite book off of his hospital tray and began reading aloud to him.”

Listening to her patients and advocating for them is something that comes naturally to Julie says Megan Tibbetts, Integrated Care Team Assistant. “Julie takes as much time as needed to fully listen to her patients and their families express their physical, emotional, and practical needs. She asks clarifying, thoughtful questions of her patients to better understand what is most important to them, and what barriers they may be facing.”

The winner of the 2019 Caregiver of the Year Award is set to be announced Wednesday, June 19 at the Maine Hospital Association’s 2019 Summer Forum Conference at the Samoset Resort in Rockport.

Bangor Savings Bank Foundation Makes $5K Gift to MDI Hospital Obstetrics Unit's New Infant Security System

THE GIFT OF SAFETY…Members of the Bangor Savings Bank Foundation present Mount Desert Island Hospital’s Obstetrics Department with a check for $5,000 in support of the unit’s new infant security system. The new system uses state-of-the-art technology and soft, comfortable protection bands to ensure the safety and security of newborns.

From left: Ellen DaCorte, RN, Senior Obstetrics Charge Nurse, MDI Hospital; Angela Nelson, Vice President of Merchant Card Sales, Bangor Savings Bank; James Robbins, Senior Vice President, Community Development Banking Officer, Bangor Savings Bank; Jennifer Johnson, BSN, RN, CCRN, Inpatient Nursing Director, MDI Hospital; Sheryl Edgecomb, Vice President, Branch Manager, Bangor Savings Bank.

Mount Desert Island Hospital Receives Wellness Workdays’ Best Wellness Employer Silver Certification

Mount Desert Island Hospital has received Wellness Workdays’ Best Wellness Employer silver certification for its worksite wellness program. Developed by Wellness Workdays in collaboration with experts from Harvard Medical School, the initiative recognizes the significant accomplishments of employers dedicated to improving employee health and well-being and helps advance the field of worksite wellness by providing data and research about current practices and wellness outcomes.

“We are proud to receive this distinguished certification for our initiatives to improve the health and well-being of our employees,” said Sara O'Connell, Human Resources Director at MDI Hospital. “We are committed to delivering wellness programs that inspire and motivate our employees to live healthier lives.”

The Best Wellness Employer certification recognizes the outstanding achievements of organizations committed to creating best-in-class wellness programs. Experts from Wellness Workdays, Harvard Medical School and many other leading organizations developed the rigorous evaluation standards for the eligibility requirements. Organizations that were awarded certification were featured at Wellness Workdays’ 6^th Annual Emerging Trends in Wellness Conference on April 10-11, 2019.

"Wellness programs are an increasingly attractive benefit for employees; a certified wellness program can build a stronger organization and help attract and retain top talent,” said Debra Wein, founder and CEO of Wellness Workdays. “Best Wellness Employer certification demonstrates an organization’s wellness culture and provides an opportunity to highlight corporate wellness program initiatives and their positive impact on employee’s health.”

About MDI Hospital

Mount Desert Island Hospital serves a close-knit island and surrounding communities through a 25-bed critical access facility in Bar Harbor and a network of area health centers—all designed to provide comprehensive healthcare for residents and visitors. Since it was established in 1897, the nonprofit hospital has grown into a premier rural healthcare organization with a retirement community and eight regional health centers, including a full-service behavioral health center and a dental clinic. Today, MDI Hospital employs more than 500 people and is the second largest employer on Mount Desert Island.

About Wellness Workdays

Wellness Workdays is a Massachusetts company with offices in New York, Florida and Texas that designs and delivers corporate wellness programs to promote employee health, productivity and a culture of well-being. Wellness Workdays has earned industry recognition and several best practices awards for its clients, which include New Balance, EMD Millipore, Putnam Investments, Cape Cod Healthcare, Brown University, Cabot Corp., the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Rockland Trust, Bentley University, Cambridge Trust and Harvard Business School. Wellness Workdays is a Certified Woman-Owned Business Enterprise (WBE). For more information about Wellness Workdays, visitwww.wellnessworkdays.com or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram. Learn more about the Best Wellness Employer certification program at www.bestwellnessemployer.com and join the conversation on Twitter #BestWellness2019.

Annual Health Fair Provides Free Screenings and Resources for a Healthy Lifestyle

                                           
                                            

Mount Desert Island Hospital is set to host their annual Health Fair on Saturday, May 4 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the second floor of Bar Harbor Town Hall. This free event is open to the public and will provide an opportunity to learn about many resources for a healthy lifestyle.

Wellness professionals from the MDI Hospital Organization will be on hand to provide health screenings including cholesterol checks, blood glucose, blood pressure, bone density, balance tests, body composition diagnostics, and much more. These health screenings will help give you the knowledge and the tools that you need to stay healthy. Emergency Department staff will also provide CPR demonstrations.

Many local wellness vendors will be on hand, complimentary healthy snacks including smoothies will be available during the fair and attendees can enter to win door prizes.

For more information, contact Mary Parham, Community Health Educator, at 801-5034.