HealthReach partners with The Center for Tobacco Independence

Waterville – Connie Coggins, HealthReach President & CEO, is happy to announce a new partnership between HealthReach Community Health Centers and The MaineHealth Center for Tobacco Independence (CTI). CTI administers the statewide tobacco treatment contract on behalf of the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Maine Department of Health and Human Services.

HealthReach + MaineHealth Center for Tobacco Independence

Under this partnership, CTI supports HealthReach in expanding its tobacco treatment services by providing staff with enhanced skills and resources. CTI provides staff training, technical support, and data monitoring to ensure that HealthReach staff have what they need to support patients in treatment.
Coggins shares, “Our long-term collaboration with the Center for Tobacco Independence has been strengthened by partnering in a grant-funded effort in 2024. This effort has brought training opportunities for our staff to improve our engagement with patients in addressing tobacco use and offering resources – such as The Maine QuitLink – to help patients become tobacco-free.“

This partnership is a part of HealthReach initiatives in 2024 and beyond to broaden access to Substance Use Disorder services and education, and to decrease barriers that prevent patients from getting the help that they need. By integrating evidence-based tobacco treatment into routine healthcare services, HealthReach improves health outcomes and reduces the burden of tobacco-related disease. For more information about CTI and the additional resources and trainings they provide, visit CTIMaine.org.

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, substance use disorder, dental, and podiatric services – to residents from 9 of Maine’s 16 counties. To ensure access for everyone, HealthReach accepts Medicare, MaineCare, and major insurance providers. 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.

A private non-profit with a 49-year history, HealthReach is funded by patient fees, grants, and by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) 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, DHHS, or the U.S. Government.

HealthReach Announces New Board Members for 2024

Jenny Boyden

Carolyn Tranten

WATERVILLE – Connie Coggins, President & CEO of HealthReach Community Health Centers, is pleased to announce that two new members joined the organization’s Governing Board of Directors.

Carolyn Tranten of Kingfield, Maine, has a rich history with the HealthReach organization. Working with the organization for over 25 years, Tranten began as a Practice Manager for the Mt. Abram Regional Health Center before graduating to the position of Compliance Officer. In 2015, she became Director of Operations, serving in this role until her retirement in 2023.

Jenny Boyden of Clinton, Maine, comes from a finance background with particular expertise in healthcare. She spent four years with HealthReach as its Director of Finance before transitioning back to the State of Maine’s Department of Administrative & Financial Services in the role of Associate Commissioner.

Of the new board members, Coggins says, “We are glad to welcome Carolyn Tranten and Jenny Boyden back, and onto the Board of Directors at HealthReach Community Health Centers. Their previous experience in health center management and finance will be invaluable as the board continues to evaluate opportunities to improve services to our patients across rural Maine.”

In 2024, returning to serve as officers are Jack Ducharme, Chair; Bruce Harrington, Vice Chair; and John Opperman, Secretary & Treasurer.

HealthReach Community Health Centers is a Federally Qualified Health Center consisting of twelve community health centers located across rural Central and Western Maine. Dedicated clinicians deliver high-quality healthcare – inclusive of behavioral health, substance use disorder, dental, and podiatric services – to residents from 9 of Maine’s 16 counties. To ensure access for everyone, He

althReach accepts Medicare, MaineCare, and major insurance providers. 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.

A private non-profit with a 49-year history, HealthReach is funded by patient fees, grants, and by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) 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, DHHS, or the U.S. Government.

-END-

HealthReach Announces Completion of Mt. Abram Health Center Renovations

A newly renovated exam room

A newly renovated exam room

KINGFIELD – HealthReach is excited to announce that recent renovations to its Mt. Abram Regional Health Center have been completed.

The renovations enhance local healthcare service offerings and capacities. Changes include a new lab space, a new nurse’s station, and newly reconfigured waiting room and offices that allow for easier and more convenient patient navigation. These changes are already reducing patient wait times. New offices for the Connector and Care Manager provide a more comfortable meeting space for confidential and supportive patient assistance. General updates – such as new paint, flooring, and cabinets – have helped to refresh the look, feel, and function of the building.

(L) Mt. Abram Practice Manager, Amanda Smith, with (R) Strong Area Health & Dental Center's Practice Manager, Priscilla Bartlett, who visited to celebrate and support the community.

(L) Mt. Abram Practice Manager, Amanda Smith, with (R) Strong Area Health & Dental Center’s Practice Manager, Priscilla Bartlett, who visited to celebrate and support the community.

 

On July 21, Mt. Abram Regional Health Center staff were happy to welcome community members to an Open House. HealthReach invited visitors to view the upgrades to the facility, enjoy free refreshments and HealthReach-branded items, and meet with their local care team. Despite rain, the event was a success and Kingfield staff are excited for future community events.

Since its establishment in 1986, Mt. Abram Regional Health Center has been in Kingfield – in a building that once hosted a thriving family-owned grocery and general store. HealthReach is excited to see these latest changes maximize the capacity and usefulness of this important historical community hub. Today, the practice serves more patients than ever. As both stewards of and servants to the community, HealthReach reaffirms its commitment to the community with this investment.

If you have not yet made it in, please feel welcome to stop into the practice and see the results of our renovations for yourself. We look forward to being here for you for years to come.

Kingfield area community members joined HealthReach staff to celebrate recent renovations with a cookout at the Open House on Friday, July 21,

Kingfield area community members joined HealthReach staff to celebrate recent renovations with a cookout at the Open House on Friday, July 21,

Mt. Abram Regional Health Center, founded in 1986, is a 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 Announces Completion of Madison Health Center Renovations

Madison – This August, HealthReach is excited to announce that recent renovations to its Madison Area Health Center are complete.

The renovations have increased comfort and patient capacity, while also modernizing the

A new roadside sign was installed at the health center

space so that busy clinicians and staff are able to achieve the best outcomes for their patients. Among many other upgrades, these renovations included expansions to the waiting room, exam rooms, administrative areas, and medical records areas. With an updated nurses’ station, a new lab, and additional exam rooms, staff and patients will all benefit. New offices have been built for both the site’s Connector and Care Manager, improving patient comfort in their meeting spaces where they provide patient assistance. Additionally, new offices were added for both the site’s Behavioral Health Counselor and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. These changes have already improved operations, and are allowing staff to serve more community members than ever before with an emphasis on personalized, whole-patient care.

A newly renovated exam room

A newly renovated exam room

Since its foundation in 1977, Madison Area Health Center had previously expanded its spatial capacity twice. The first expansion occurred in 1980, and the second expansion was in 1989. Today, we are excited to see this newest set of renovations allow the building to move forward as the practice grows and continues to serve the grateful people of Madison, Anson, and nearby towns.

Please feel welcome to stop into the practice location to see the newest changes and updates for yourself. We look forward to continuing to serve our community in new ways for years to come.

 

HealthReach nurses enjoy the clean, well-lit, and efficient look and feel of their newly renovated nurses’ station

HealthReach nurses enjoy the clean, well-lit, and efficient look and feel of their newly renovated nurses’ station

Madison Area Health Center, founded in 1977, is a 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 welcomes longtime patient, Shirley Lataille, to Governing Board of Directors

WATERVILLE – Connie Coggins, President & CEO of HealthReach Community Health Centers, is pleased to join the HealthReach Governing Board of Directors in welcoming its newest volunteer member, Shirley Lataille.

Lataille is a longtime patient of HealthReach. The Maine Primary Care Association recently collaborated with HealthReach to feature Lataille’s healthcare journey with her integrated team of clinicians in a powerful new documentary, A Secret No More. The short 12-minute film highlights the “best kept secret in Maine” – community health centers that have provided everyone access to affordable and high-quality healthcare close to home for 50 years. Lataille is well-versed in HealthReach’s many services. She now passionately advocates for both mental health awareness and access to integrated healthcare.

 

Photo of Shirley Lataille - glasses and smiling in a tan sweater with a beige scarf.

Shirley Lataille

 

Lataille shares, “I’m really looking forward to working with everyone on the Board. I’m also looking forward to the future of HealthReach, Madison Area Health Center, and all of the improvements that we can continue to make!” You can watch and listen to Shirley’s story here – https://bit.ly/madisonstory

 

 

The HealthReach Governing Board of Directors is comprised of an incredible group of volunteer leaders – the majority of whom, like Shirley, are themselves patients of HealthReach. This model of patient representation ensures that the most important perspectives – those of rural Maine communities and, especially, of patients – form the basis for all major organizational decisions.

Working alongside Lataille on the HealthReach Board are: Jack Ducharme, Chair; Bruce Harrington, Vice Chair; John Opperman, Secretary & Treasurer; Terry Brann, Candy Henderly, Jim Higgins, Michelle Kelley, Lisa Landry, Juliana Richard, Brenda Stevens, and Allen Wicken, Members.

HealthReach Community Health Centers is a Federally Qualified Health Center organization 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 welcomes return of Allen Wicken to Governing Board of Directors

Waterville – Connie Coggins, President & CEO of HealthReach Community Health Centers, is pleased to announce the return of Allen Wicken, PT, PTMS, of Rangeley to the HealthReach Governing Board of Directors.

After earning his Master’s degree in Physical Therapy from Duke University, Allen joined Maine Medical Center as a Physical Therapist. He was promoted to Director of the Physical Therapy Division just one year later. 16 years later, he joined IMPACC, inc. as an Ergonomics Consultant, while at the same time joining the Center for Tobacco Independence at MaineHealth as their Clinical Outreach Specialist. Following several busy years with the Maine Chapter of the American Physical Therapy Association – including two terms as president – Allen joined staff at the association’s headquarters in Alexandria, Virginia, as Associate Director of the Practice & Research Division.

Allen is a prolific volunteer, dedicated to serving his community. He served 14 years as a member of the Leadership Board of the Maine Chapter of the American Lung Association. He has also previously held several high-profile positions, including as Vice-Chairperson on the Maine Governor’s Council on Physical Activity, and as a Board Member with the Healthy Community Coalition.

Allen’s many years as a clinician and in healthcare leadership roles have led to his perspective regarding HealthReach: “My first five years on the HealthReach Board of Directors have shown me how talented the organization really is. Its staff and leadership are deeply committed to the very best health services for its twelve rural communities – including the Rangeley Region, where my wife and I have lived for the past 23 years – across Central and Western Maine. I am excited to return to serve on its Board once again.” Please join us in thanking Allen for his continuing service to the people of Maine!

The HealthReach Board has seen three new members elected in 2023 – Michelle Kelley, James Higgins, and Lisa Landry. Returning Board Members include the full slate of 2023 officers: Rep. Jack Ducharme, as Chair; Bruce Harrington, as Vice Chair; and John Opperman, as both Secretary and Treasurer.

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 represent the official views of or an endorsement by, HRSA, HHS, or the U.S. Government.