HealthReach Announces New Board Member

Dr. Paul Forman

WATERVILLE – Connie Coggins, President & CEO of HealthReach Community Health Centers, is pleased to announce that Dr. Paul Forman has joined the organization’s Governing Board of Directors.

Dr. Paul Forman, of Albion, Maine, is a retired medical clinician. After graduating with his Doctor of Medicine degree and completing his residency as Chief Resident at Central Maine Family Practice Residency (now Maine-Dartmouth Family Medicine Residency), Dr. Forman worked as one of the founders and as a staff member of the Lovejoy Health Center. He continued serving at Lovejoy from its opening in 1978 until 2007. Additionally, Dr. Forman served as Chairman of the Department of Family Medicine, Chief of Medical Staff, and At-Large Director on the Board of Directors all at the Mid-Maine Medical Center (now MaineGeneral). Currently, he is a member of the MaineGeneral Medical Center Honorary Medical Staff. The HealthReach team is grateful to have Dr. Forman back as a member of the HealthReach Board of Directors, and looks forward to all that we can accomplish with his support.

Dr. Forman will join Board officers: Jim Higgins, Chair; Jack Ducharme, Vice Chair; and John Opperman, Secretary & Treasurer; as well as Board members: Jenny Boyden, Paula Callan, Buffy Higgins, Michelle Kelley, Juliana Richard, Susan Tedrick, and Allen Wicken. HealthReach appreciates the volunteer efforts of its Board members, who contribute to the leadership, direction, and success of the nonprofit. Without them, HealthReach would not be able to serve the people of rural Maine as effectively as it does with local, high-quality, and affordable healthcare.

HealthReach Community Health Centers — headquartered in Waterville, Maine — is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating twelve family medical practices with the mission of serving the otherwise medically underserved. In 2025, HealthReach proudly marks 50 years of delivering high-quality healthcare to the rural communities of Central and Western Maine since its founding in 1975! HealthReach services include general primary and preventative healthcare, including behavioral, substance use disorder, dental, and podiatric care services. To ensure access for everyone, HealthReach accepts Medicare, MaineCare, and major insurance providers, and there are no eligibility requirements to access care through HealthReach; all are welcome. An Affordable Care Program is available to both uninsured and underinsured people. Assistance is available for applications to programs that help with your healthcare and medication costs, including enrollment support for Maine’s Health Insurance Marketplace.

The above is issued in furtherance of HealthReach Community Health Centers’ federally funded health center project. In 2025, HealthReach is projected to receive $4,436,654 in federal assistance, which is estimated as constituting 12% of project costs. Of total project costs for 2025, HealthReach estimates 88% to be financed with non-governmental sources.

The contents above are those of the author, and do not necessarily represent the official views of or an endorsement by, HRSA, DHHS, or the U.S.

HealthReach welcomes new Clinician, Dr. Teresa Farrington

Dr. Teresa Farrington

Belgrade — This September, staff of the Belgrade Regional Health Center are happy to welcome Teresa Farrington, DO, to their professional healthcare team.

Dr. Farrington earned her Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree from The University of Health Sciences, College of Osteopathic Medicine, in Kansas City, MO. Previously, she earned her bachelor’s degree in Biology from Bowdoin College. Dr. Farrington’s wealth of medical experience includes a variety of specialties — including internal medicine, pulmonary medicine, critical care medicine, and sleep disorders. Her extensive experience will make her a great addition to the Belgrade team.

When asked about her approach to care, Dr. Farrington said, “I have enjoyed practicing in the Waterville/Oakland area for the past 23 years. I am happily looking forward in taking this next step with HealthReach and feel blessed to be continuing to provide care for the community I know and love.”

Dr. Farrington joins the existing Belgrade clinical team — Doctor, Amy Madden; Doctor of Podiatry, Daniel Keane; Family Nurse Practitioners, Abigail Dalzell-Dixon and Sharon Lopez; Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Theresa Rush; and Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Rita Alfonso-LaBarbera.

Founded in 1977, Belgrade Regional Health Center is a part of HealthReach Community Health Centers — headquartered in Waterville, Maine. HealthReach is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating twelve family medical practices with the mission of serving the otherwise medically underserved. In 2025, HealthReach proudly marks 50 years of delivering high-quality healthcare to the rural communities of Central and Western Maine since its founding in 1975! HealthReach services include general primary and preventative healthcare, including behavioral, substance use disorder, dental, and podiatric care services. To ensure access for everyone, HealthReach accepts Medicare, MaineCare, and major insurance providers, and there are no eligibility requirements to access care through HealthReach; all are welcome. An Affordable Care Program is available to both uninsured and underinsured people. Assistance is available for applications to programs that help with your healthcare and medication costs, including enrollment support for Maine’s Health Insurance Marketplace.

The above is issued in furtherance of HealthReach Community Health Centers’ federally funded health center project. In 2025, HealthReach is projected to receive $4,436,654 in federal assistance, which is estimated as constituting 12% of project costs. Of total project costs for 2025, HealthReach estimates 88% to be financed with non-governmental sources.

The contents above are those of the author, and do not necessarily represent the official views of or an endorsement by, HRSA, DHHS, or the U.S. Government.

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HealthReach welcomes new Clinician, Sharon Lopez, FNP

Sharon Lopez, FNP

Belgrade — This July, staff of the Belgrade Regional Health Center are happy to welcome Sharon Lopez, FNP, to their professional healthcare team.

Sharon earned her Master of Nursing degree from Purdue University Global. Previously, she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from the University of New Brunswick in Frederickton. Sharon’s wealth of medical experience includes a variety of care types and settings — including travel nursing, home healthcare, postpartum and neonatal care, and hospital intensive care. With her wide range of experience and knowledge, Lopez will be a wonderful addition to the Belgrade team.

When asked about her approach to care, Lopez said, “True healing goes beyond medical treatment; it involves genuine caring for a patient’s wellbeing.”

Lopez joins the existing Belgrade clinical team — Doctor Amy Madden; Doctor of Podiatry, Daniel Keane; Family Nurse Practitioners, Abigail Dalzell-Dixon and Andrew Twaite; Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Theresa Rush; and Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Rita Alfonso LaBarbera.

Founded in 1977, Belgrade Regional Health Center is a part of HealthReach Community Health Centers — headquartered in Waterville, Maine. HealthReach is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating twelve family medical practices with the mission of serving the otherwise medically underserved. In 2025, HealthReach proudly marks 50 years of delivering high-quality healthcare to the rural communities of Central and Western Maine since its founding in 1975! HealthReach services include general primary and preventative healthcare, including behavioral, substance use disorder, dental, and podiatric care services. To ensure access for everyone, HealthReach accepts Medicare, MaineCare, and major insurance providers, and there are no eligibility requirements to access care through HealthReach; all are welcome. An Affordable Care Program is available to both uninsured and underinsured people. Assistance is available for applications to programs that help with your healthcare and medication costs, including enrollment support for Maine’s Health Insurance Marketplace.

The above is issued in furtherance of HealthReach Community Health Centers’ federally funded health center project. In 2025, HealthReach is projected to receive $4,436,654 in federal assistance, which is estimated as constituting 12% of project costs. Of total project costs for 2025, HealthReach estimates 88% to be financed with non-governmental sources.

The contents above are those of the author, and do not necessarily represent the official views of or an endorsement by, HRSA, DHHS, or the U.S. Government.

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HealthReach Celebrates 50 Years of Providing Rural Healthcare Services!

WATERVILLE — Connie Coggins, HealthReach President & CEO, is happy to commemorate an important milestone: in 2025, HealthReach Community Health Centers marks its 50th year of providing high-quality, affordable care to rural Maine. Founded in 1975, HealthReach’s mission continues to be serving the otherwise medically underserved areas of Central and Western Maine. HealthReach offers rural communities convenient healthcare close to home, including general primary and preventative, behavioral, substance use disorder, dental, and podiatric care services.

In 1975, when the local doctor in Bingham retired, the tightknit community pulled together and imagined a family medical practice where everyone felt welcome. Working together, neighbors helped raise funds to renovate an old house, which they converted into a community health center. This is how the very first HealthReach clinic — Bingham Area Health Center — was formed!

Since its founding, HealthReach has gradually grown to now operate 12 community health centers across Maine, including one school-based health center, as well as integrated dental centers in two towns: Bingham and Strong. HealthReach is a 501c3 nonprofit that offers patients high-quality care without high costs by putting patients before profits. Nearly 300 HealthReach staff serve 26,000 patients each year. The majority of the volunteer HealthReach Governing Board are patients of HealthReach. This model has led to steady success by building the voice of the patient into the organization’s strategy and priorities.

HealthReach proudly celebrates a half-century of patient-centered care while looking forward to the future!

HealthReach Community Health Centers — headquartered in Waterville, Maine — is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating twelve family medical practices
with the mission of serving the otherwise medically underserved. In 2025, HealthReach proudly marks 50 years of delivering high-quality healthcare to
the rural communities of Central and Western Maine since its founding in 1975! HealthReach services include general primary and preventative healthcare, including behavioral, substance use disorder, dental, and podiatric care services. To ensure access for everyone, HealthReach accepts Medicare, MaineCare, and major insurance providers, and there are no eligibility requirements to access care through HealthReach; all are welcome. An Affordable Care Program is available to both uninsured and underinsured people. Assistance is available for applications to programs that help with your healthcare and medication costs, including enrollment support for Maine’s Health Insurance Marketplace.

The above is issued in furtherance of HealthReach Community Health Centers’ federally funded health center project. In 2025, HealthReach is projected to
receive $4,436,654 in federal assistance, which is estimated as constituting 12% of project costs. Of total project costs for 2025, HealthReach estimates 88% to be financed with non-governmental sources.

The contents above are those of the author, and do not necessarily represent the official views of or an endorsement by, HRSA, DHHS, or the U.S.
Government.

HealthReach welcomes Osteopathic Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine Clinician, Jenna Martini, DO

Jenna Martini, DO

Central Maine – This November, HealthReach staff in Strong, Livermore Falls, and Belgrade are happy to welcome Dr. Jenna Martini to their care teams.

Dr. Martini grew up in Peru, Maine. She earned her Doctorate degree, Doctor of Osteopathy, from Touro University’s College of Osteopathic Medicine in Vallejo, CA. She previously earned her Bachelor’s degree in Biology from The University of Vermont.

Dr. Martini has a wealth of experience across the healthcare field. After completing family medicine training, she worked as a primary care physician and education faculty in a remote region of Northern California. She recently completed a second residency training program in Osteopathic Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine through Maine-Dartmouth Family Medicine Residency in Augusta, Maine. Dr. Martini will bring these experiences to her position at HealthReach by providing osteopathic manipulative treatment to patients at three HealthReach locations.

Dr. Martini shares, “I believe in meeting people where they are at and working as a team to help achieve their goals. I consider each person as a whole – including body, mind, and spirit. Osteopathic treatments can help the body to function optimally so a person’s underlying health can shine through. It’s amazing to see how much a person’s life can improve in all areas when they feel healthy and well.”

Dr. Martini joins the existing mission-driven, values-focused care teams at the Belgrade Regional Health Center, Strong Area Health Center, and Western Maine Family Health Center (of Livermore Falls). Our clinicians offer medical and behavioral health services for patients of all ages and from all walks of life.

Belgrade Regional Health Center, Strong Area Health Center, and Western Maine Family Health Center are all part of HealthReach Community Health Centers – a Federally Qualified Health Center consisting of twelve community health centers located across Central and Western Maine. Dedicated clinicians deliver high-quality healthcare – inclusive of behavioral health and dental services – to residents from 9 of Maine’s 16 counties. To ensure access for everyone, HealthReach accepts Medicare, MaineCare, and major insurance providers. In addition, an Affordable Care Program is available to both uninsured and underinsured residents. Assistance is available for applications to programs that help with the cost of your healthcare and medications, including Maine’s Health Insurance Marketplace.

A private non-profit with a 48-year history, HealthReach is funded by patient fees, grants, and by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of an award totaling $4,815,606 with 82.2% financed by non-governmental sources. The contents above are those of the author, and do not necessarily represent the official views of or an endorsement by, HRSA, HHS, or the U.S. Government.

HealthReach Receives “Let’s Go! 5-2-1-0” Recognition at Eight Sites

Western Maine – This year, HealthReach Community Health Centers is happy to announce that it has received Let’s Go! 5-2-1-0 program recognition across eight of its local healthcare practices.

Let’s Go! 5-2-1-0 is a program focused on education around obesity and healthy living for primary care practice teams. The program provides materials to support “simple changes for better health, such as moving more, eating real food, drinking water, and getting adequate rest.”

HealthReach’s longstanding partnership with Let’s Go! 5-2-1-0 has had positive impacts on both HealthReach patients and their care teams. This year, HealthReach was recognized for excellence in obesity prevention. The sites recognized include Belgrade Regional Health Center, Bethel Family Health Center, Lovejoy Health Center (of Albion), Rangeley Family Medicine, Richmond Area Health Center, Sheepscot Valley Health Center (of Coopers Mills / Whitefield), Strong Area Health Center, and Western Maine Family Health Center (of Livermore Falls).

Connie Coggins, HealthReach President & CEO, shares, “HealthReach is proud to once again be recognized for our staff’s efforts to help our patients achieve their best health. Local, affordable, quality care is only possible through effective partnership between clinician and patient – so we also must thank our community members for engaging so well in our programs. Thank you!”

HealthReach Community Health Centers is a Federally Qualified Health Center consisting of twelve community health centers located across Central and Western Maine. Dedicated clinicians deliver high-quality healthcare – inclusive of behavioral health and dental services – to residents from 9 of Maine’s 16 counties. To ensure access for everyone, HealthReach accepts Medicare, MaineCare, and major insurance providers. In addition, an Affordable Care Program is available to both uninsured and underinsured residents. Assistance is available for applications to programs that help with the cost of your healthcare and medications, including Maine’s Health Insurance Marketplace.

A private non-profit with a 48-year history, HealthReach is funded by patient fees, grants, and by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of an award totaling $4,815,606 with 82.2% financed by non-governmental sources. The contents above are those of the author, and do not necessarily representthe official views of or an endorsement by, HRSA, HHS, or the U.S. Government.