Jan 8, 2026
Joanne Joy
Melinda Corey
Karen Sennett
WATERVILLE – Connie Coggins, President & CEO of HealthReach Community Health Centers, is pleased to announce that three new members have joined the organization’s Governing Board of Directors. Melinda Corey, Karen Sennett, and Joanne Joy will join returning Board members for the 2026 year.
Melinda Corey is the Outreach Specialist for Help Me Grow Maine, a free resource focused on providing information, systems navigation, and connections to parents and providers around child development and community supports. She has spent over 16 years in the early childhood field, and holds various certifications that support child assessment, advocacy, and safety. She also holds a Masters of Special Education degree with a specialization in Early Intervention.
Karen Sennett is a seasoned Registered Nurse, Certified Nurse of the Operating Room (CNOR), and Registered Nurse First Assistant with over 25 years of perioperative, leadership, and community health experience. She is a member of the Association of Perioperative Registered Nurses and the American Society of Plastic Surgical Nurses. Karen has been recognized for improving patient experience, supporting surgical excellence, and building a strong presence in the community.
Joanne Joy led a public health nonprofit focused on primary prevention for over 20 years. Education and advocacy were key strategies she employed in changing policy and environments to support prevention of tobacco and other substance use, and to improve access and use of daily health foods and activities. She holds a Master’s degree in Examination of Discrimination in Health Care and Social Services through the Lens of Generational Poverty.
HealthReach looks forward to the expertise and unique experience that all three of these new Board Members will bring to the existing Board. In 2026, returning to serve on the Board are: Jenny Boyden, Paula Callan, Paul Forman, Buffy Higgins, Jim Higgins, Michelle Kelley, John Opperman, and Susan Tedrick.
HealthReach Community Health Centers — founded in 1975 and headquartered in Waterville, Maine — is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating twelve family medical practices with the mission of serving the otherwise medically underserved communities of Central and Western Maine. HealthReach delivers high-quality, accessible healthcare services, including general primary and preventative healthcare, behavioral healthcare, substance use disorder treatment, 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 received approximately $4,436,654 in federal assistance, which is estimated as constituting 12% of project costs. Of total project costs for 2025, HealthReach financed 88% 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.
Oct 17, 2025
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.
Jun 25, 2025
WATERVILLE – Connie Coggins, President & CEO of HealthReach Community Health Centers, is pleased to announce that two new members have joined the organization’s Governing Board of Directors.
Paula Callan
Paula Callan, of Oakland, Maine, is a retired educator and administrator. After a 10-year high school special education career, she transitioned into the role of assistant principal, and then principal, where she stayed for the remainder of her impressive 40-year career in education. Callan’s unique perspective will be an incredible asset to the HealthReach Board. The HealthReach team looks forward to what she will be able to accomplish alongside her new colleagues.
Buffy Higgins
Buffy Higgins, of Fairfield, Maine, has held many roles in healthcare operations and finance. She serves as Director of Operations at Redington-Fairview General Hospital in Skowhegan. Previously, she held a variety of positions at MaineGeneral Health, and worked closely with former HealthReach board member Terry Brann and MaineGeneral’s finance team. HealthReach is thrilled to welcome Buffy to the Board of Directors, and looks forward to the positive impact she will make for the organization.
Paula Callan and Buffy Higgins will join Board officers: Jim Higgins, Chair; Jack Ducharme, Vice Chair; and John Opperman, Secretary & Treasurer; as well as Board members: Jenny Boyden, Michelle Kelley, Juliana Richard, Susan Tedrick, Carolyn Tranten, 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. Government.
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Feb 12, 2025
Susan Tedrick
WATERVILLE – Connie Coggins, President & CEO of HealthReach Community Health Centers, is pleased to announce that a new member has joined the organization’s Governing Board of Directors.
Susan Tedrick of Farmington, Maine, has a deep understanding of healthcare, having served as in-house counsel at Maine Hospital Association, Vice President of Legal Administration at MaineGeneral Health, and Chief Compliance Officer at Franklin Memorial Hospital. In her free time, Susan enjoys music, having participated in many shows, theater, and ensembles. She also enjoys spending time with her son and 3-year old granddaughter; traveling; and restoring antique and classical architecture. Susan has restored 12 antique homes built between 1789 and 1920! We look forward to the well-rounded expertise that Susan will bring to our Board.
Of her addition to the Board, Susan says,
“I am delighted for the opportunity to serve on the HealthReach Community Health Centers Board of Directors. I have represented the Southern Seven Community Health Centers (now part of Southern Seven Health Department) in Illinois, and serve on the Heart of Florida Health Center Board of Directors in Marion County, Florida. Each FQHC serves a unique population, but all strive to provide the highest quality care and easy access to services. Whether well-insured, underinsured, or uninsured, high-quality nonprofit healthcare is available to all.”
In 2025, returning to serve as Board officers are: Jim Higgins, Chair; Jack Ducharme, Vice Chair; and John Opperman, Secretary & Treasurer.
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.
-END-
Sep 20, 2024
Bethany Shalit
Waterville – Connie Coggins, President & CEO of HealthReach Community Health Centers, and the HealthReach Governing Board of Directors are pleased to welcome Bethany Shalit as their newest volunteer Board Member.
Shalit brings a wealth of experience to HealthReach, including from her work at Redington-Fairview General Hospital — a longtime organizational partner of HealthReach — as their current Director of Education and former HR Recruitment Coordinator. She is also a current member of the Board of Directors for the Skowhegan Regional Chamber of Commerce.
Shalit shares, “I am honored to join the HealthReach Board of Directors, and look forward to working with such a talented group of leaders who are committed to making a difference in rural healthcare in Maine.”
The HealthReach Governing Board of Directors is comprised of an incredible group of volunteer leaders, the majority of whom are 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 made at HealthReach.
Working alongside Shalit on the HealthReach Board are: Jack Ducharme, Chair; Bruce Harrington, Vice Chair; John Opperman, Secretary & Treasurer; Jenny Boyden, Jim Higgins, Michelle Kelley, Juliana Richard, Candy Sherman, Brenda Stevens, Carolyn Tranten, and Allen Wicken, Members.
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 treatment, 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.
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