Monday, May 18, 2020

Social Call Service Offers Connection During Isolation


Healthy Acadia’s Maine RecoveryCorps and MDI Hospital are partnering to offer a new Social Call service to respond to the isolation many community members are facing during this COVID-19 pandemic.

Social calls can be a welcome break from the isolation of the physical distancing restrictions in place as part of efforts to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus which causes COVID-19. Through a newly launched pilot program, Social Calls are being made upon request by Healthy Acadia’s trained Recovery Coaches, who connect community members to needed resources and support services or simply provide a kind ear for those wanting to talk. 

Social calls offer an opportunity for connection and can serve to buffer the negative effects of physical distancing and are not intended to replace an individual's need to connect with their mental health professional. And the calls are proving beneficial to all involved. "Our Social Callers are finding that the peers they are reaching out to are not the only ones benefiting from this service. They are also developing social relationships that are helping them to stay better connected to the communities they live in. They are excited to connect with more people in our area," said Beth Alteri, Recovery Volunteer and Office Coordinator. 

Fourteen community members have utilized the Social Call service since the pilot program was launched two weeks ago on MDI. The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. “It feels rewarding to know that they appreciate the calls. I really hope that it is helping them during this difficult time. I look forward to calling them back to hear about their week,” said BillieJo Warren, a volunteer Recovery Coach and Social Caller.

“We are grateful for the opportunity to partner with Healthy Acadia to help provide the Social Call service to our community at this critical time,” added Arthur Blank, President/CEO, MDI Hospital. “As we all work together to slow the spread of this global pandemic, maintaining our connection to one another in a safe, accessible way is so important.” 

Healthy Acadia’s Maine RecoveryCorps are also exploring ways to expand the Social Call service beyond the Island to reach more residents in Hancock County.  

If you would like to receive a social call from a trained volunteer from Healthy Acadia, click here to submit your request online, or visit www.HealthyAcadia.org or www.mdihospital.org to print a form to complete and mail or fax. You may also connect with your health care provider who can submit a referral on your behalf. 

If you need help filling out this form, or would like to provide the information over the phone, please call Beth Alteri at (207) 460-2312 or email SocialCalls@HealthyAcadia.org.  
Healthy Acadia is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that engages in a broad range of initiatives to build healthier communities and make it easier for people to lead healthy lives across Washington and Hancock counties, Maine. Learn more at www.HealthyAcadia.org

Established in 1897, Mount Desert Island Hospital provides comprehensive healthcare for residents and visitors through a 25-bed critical access facility in Bar Harbor and a network of eight regional health centers, including a full-service behavioral health center and dental clinic. Learn more at www.mdihospital.org

Thursday, May 7, 2020

MDI Hospital Names New President and CEO


Mount Desert Island Hospital has named a new president and CEO. Christina “Chrissi” Maguire, current chief operating officer and senior vice president will succeed Art Blank on January 1, 2021. Blank announced in January of this year that he would retire at the end of 2020.

I speak for the entire Board of Trustees when I say how excited we are to have a professional of her caliber as our next president and CEO,” said Jim Bright, Chairman. “Chrissi’s commitment to MDI Hospital, to our patients and their families, our employees, and our community made her the top choice to be our next leader.”
Maguire has proved a strong leader in multiple roles since she joined MDI Hospital in 2011, said Bright. These roles include treasurer, vice president of finance, chief financial officer and senior vice president and COO. When she became senior vice president and COO, Maguire took on overall operational responsibilities while continuing to serve as the organization’s chief financial officer and treasurer.

Throughout her 32-year career in finance, Maguire has worked as an accountant, a reimbursement specialist, controller, director of fiscal services, and chief financial officer.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to serve this organization in the capacity of president and CEO and to work with such an amazing group of dedicated individuals,” said Maguire. “MDI Hospital will continue to be a leader in improving the health and vibrancy of our patients and the community we serve through innovation and improved integrated systems of care. I am so pleased to continue the strategic legacy that Art Blank has framed over his dynamic years of service and am deeply honored by that privilege.” 
Maguire is an active participant in various leadership and community organizations. She currently serves as a member of the CFO Council for the Maine Hospital Association, the secretary of the Maine Chapter of HFMA, a member of the Steering 2.0 Committee of National HFMA, a member of the CFO Council for Critical Access Hospitals and a member of the Operations Management Team for the Maine Rural Health Collaborative, LLC.
She is also a longtime member of the Ellsworth Lioness Club, a past president of the Ellsworth Chamber of Commerce and Ellsworth Economic Development Committee, past chair of the Lamoine School Board and current member of the Bar Harbor Chamber of Commerce Finance Committee.
Maguire graduated with a B.A./B.S. Degree in Accounting from Saint Joseph’s College of Maine in 1986 and is a current MHA candidate at Saint Joseph’s College.