Personal StoriesShare your experience at your health center Norma Fisher, patient at Belgrade Regional Health Center "I love it here," she says. "The extra drive is worth it for me because they go to bat for you here." Norma says that when her previous provider refused to transfer her medical records, the staff at Belgrade stepped in and made sure they arrived in a timely manner. "Everyone here, from the office staff to the providers, is courteous, respectful and they really do care about my health. They are really great." Norma has suffered from a chronic ear infection and, being on MaineCare, was having a hard time finding health care that suited her needs. She was grateful to find the Belgrade Regional Health Center, a federally qualified health center, in 2010. "The providers here are wonderful," she says. Christel Kozak, patient at Mt. Abram Regional Health Center "I can't stand to wait at the doctor's office," she says. "I'm not patient at all. After 15 minutes, I get cranky. They do a good job of getting me in under 15 minutes." Christel has been a patient at Mt. Abram Regional Health Center for seven years. Born in Germany, the artist emigrated to New York in 1965. In the early 1980's, she moved to Maine permanently and continued her successful art career, opening the Stadler Gallery for Contemporary Art in 2001. Her primary care provider is Shannon Doughty, FNP and she is impressed with her care. "Shannon is the best nurse practitioner I have ever seen," she says. "She radiates a lot of confidence, is honest and knowledgeable. She likes what she is doing, which is handed down to the patient." Christel admits that she has had lots of physical problems lately and is thankful that the health center is close by. Before she was a patient at Mt. Abram she would drive 45 minutes to receive care, not the easiest thing to do when you are in pain. Mentally, however, Christel is as sharp as she has ever been and appreciates the way the Mt. Abram staff allow her to play a role in her care. "I am a scientist and pretty knowledgeable," she says. "At the health center I can discuss things, there is a dialogue between myself and the provider, and they are very helpful and friendly." The German-born artist is proud to call Maine her home now. She believes that rural health centers like Mt. Abram, that offer convenient, affordable health care, play an important role in the well-being of Maine communities. Norma Campbell, patient at Mt. Abram Regional Health Center "I had no feeling in my left side and it was difficult to talk," she says. "I knew I was having a stroke." Ten years prior, Norma had helped her mother deal with a stroke, so she was quite familiar with the symptoms. "They performed lots of tests, everything but a CAT scan," she says. "The ER doctor didn’t know what was wrong, so they sent me home." Norma sat in fear for the rest of the weekend, still numb and drooling, until Monday morning when she went to the health center. "My doctor here at the time knew I had a stroke right away and sent me back to the hospital," says Norma. "She ordered a CAT scan and told me not to leave the hospital until they called her with the results. She saw me through the end of my ordeal." The CAT scan revealed that Norma did have a stroke and the provider suspected that the Aspirin she took prevented other symptoms. Norma now sees our newest provider, Shannon Doughty, FNP, and says that she wouldn't want to go anywhere else for care. Her husband is also a patient, and Norma says that they both keep coming back for the friendly, quality service. "I like the personal approach and fast service," she says. "It is better when you get to know the staff and feel comfortable around them. They know me well enough to know my daily schedule and what time I am driving home from work, so they try to get me in." Susan P. Therrien-Fenn, patient at Belgrade Regional Health Center "For me, it's all about how I connect with a provider," she says. "I feel like I am an active participant in the decisions that my provider makes here. It is a partnership." For the past five years, both Susan and her husband have been patients of Vickie Chapman, APRN, who retired this fall. Both patients are currently seeing Megan O'Brien, FNP and have found the transition to be smooth and enjoyable. "Megan is a good listener, caring, and open to what I have to say," says Susan. "From my experience, I find that most doctors have a God syndrome, but you don't find that obstinate, holier than thou approach here at the health center." Susan has been paying for her own health care since 1997, a time when she and her husband were patients at another HealthReach facility, the Bethel Family Health Center. "We are very aware of the cost of health care," she says. "The health centers do a good job of providing good care and are more reasonable with cost. I would absolutely refer others to receive care here." Seth Farmer, patient at Mt. Abram Regional Health Center “I can get in, do what I need to do and get back to work,” he says. "Its close and convenient and the staff do a good job of getting me in during my lunch break. The staff make me feel comfortable when I come in … They aren't afraid to joke around.” Seth is currently seeing our newest provider, Shannon Doughty, FNP and says that the transition seems to be going smoothly. “I got a real good impression of Shannon,” he says. “I'm looking forward to seeing her again.” Tisha C., patient at Lovejoy Health Center Kendall Arthur Merriam, patient at Richmond Area Health Center Anonymous, patient at Lovejoy Health Center Marsha Morton, patient at Rangeley Family Medicine “The health center is a huge asset to the community,” she says. “It helps to have a health center right here in town and not have to drive to Farmington to receive care. It’s especially difficult for elderly residents to drive to Farmington or Rumford to be seen.” Marsha especially likes the new mini-pharmacy at Rangeley Family Medicine, a new service that allows patients to receive medications after a visit with one of our providers. “Now I don’t have to take a day off of work to make a long trip to pick up medications,” she says. “It’s a real pain when you are trying to take care of a sick child.” Marsha also says she feels right at home when she visits Dr. Amanda Hepler. “I know most everyone in here. It’s a nice place to come into,” she says. “They usually get me right in, too. Veria Parsons, patient at Strong Area Health Center “Everyone here is very good with him and they provide excellent service for kids,” she says. “The staff is friendly, personable and they all try to build good relationships with their patients. It’s just a real cheery place to come into.” She says her son has a particularly tough time with x-rays but that the Strong Dental staff “makes it happen.” Veria and her son have been patients at the dental center since they opened next door to the health center in 2003. She says that having quality, affordable dental care in a rural area like Strong is a great benefit to the surrounding communities. “I take advantage of the sliding fee scale (Affordable Care Program),” she says. “I’d only be able to get my teeth checked maybe once a year without it. A lot of people in the area are unemployed right now and they are more apt to get their teeth taken care of because of the location and the fact that they accept MaineCare. “The dental center is close to my son’s school and my work. The location itself is just extremely convenient.” Ann Leigh, patient at Belgrade Regional Health Center “We’re so isolated here,” she says. “The health center is a gift to the area. It saves people from trekking all over the place to go to the hospital. I love the idea that it is open to everybody, regardless of their financial situation.” “My family and I went to a doctor in Waterville for 4 years, but we came back to the Belgrade Regional Health Center,” says Ann. “They support the local community and offer high quality care. We are really lucky.” Ann has been under the care of Amy Madden, MD for several years now and is grateful for the support she receives from her and the entire health center staff. In 2009, Ann suffered through the death of her son. During that time, Dr. Madden reached out to her, calling and checking in on a regular basis. “During a crisis like that, your immune system crashes,” says Ann “I kept getting sick. Amy kept calling to check up on me and asking, ‘What can I do?’ She is an excellent doctor and a really good human being.” “I wish everyone in the area could find out about the health center,” she says. “There are a lot of dedicated people here working really hard to get health care to our community.” John Honas, patient at Richmond Area Health Center John has Type II diabetes and is on his way to becoming insulin independent. He has lost six pounds this winter, just one of more than 175 Richmond patients who have lost a total of over 1,400 pounds in a community weight loss program created by Bartol. When a patient loses weight, he writes his name on a star and puts it on the health center wall. “I put my name up on the wall, then another puts his name up until the wall is filled … It’s like a support group,” he says. “I learn something from someone else and that person is inspired by another.” With encouragement from the health center, John exercises daily, practices portion control and is on his way to a healthier life. Renée White, patient at Belgrade Regional Health Center Ruthie Stone, patient at Belgrade Regional Health Center The health center has also helped Ruthie pay for medications that she cannot afford. When she had health insurance but not enough money to purchase all her medications, the health center provided free samples. And then, once she lost her insurance, her provider referred her to the Patient Assistance Program, run right at the health center by Crystal W. Fitch, LSW. Through this program, she is able to obtain many of her medications for free. “I would spend more money than I make on prescriptions without the Patient Assistance Program,” says Ruthie, “There is no way to get medications without insurance.” Philip Howe, patient at Mt. Abram Regional Health Center Now recovering from a stroke, Howe became a patient of the health center after his primary care physician in Farmington left the area. “Down there you never knew who you were going to see,” he said. “When it was recommended I try the Kingfield location, I thought it would be nice to simplify things and stay close to home.” Howe’s stroke left him unable to write well and he needed help filling out paperwork for MaineCare and Social Security, and that’s where Crystal W. Fitch, LSW stepped in through the company’s Navigator Program. “If Crystal had not been available, I’m not sure who would have helped me fill out all the paperwork,” said Howe. “I don’t have any family in the area so I may have had to hire someone to do it for me.” A patient of Mt. Abram’s Dr. Robert Jacobs for about five years, Howe couldn’t say enough good things about him or his staff. “Dr. Jacobs takes the time to listen to me, he spends time talking to me and going over results and tests better than other practices I’ve been to,” he said. “The staff is always responsive and Dr. Jacobs is quick to bring me in for a follow-up or medication adjustment. I’ve got no complaints.” Bertha Moreau, patient at Western Maine Family Health Center Crystal Fitch, LSW, the company’s “Navigator” introduced Bertha to Eileen Castonguay who handles the Prescription Assistance Program at the Health Center. After that, Bertha learned about many other programs from Crystal that she and others in her situation don’t know about. “She helped me enroll in many programs,” said Bertha. “Some of them I qualified for and some I didn’t, but she helped me fill out all the applications for programs like the Affordable Care Program and MaineCare due to my disability.” Bertha further credits the Navigator program with helping her receive a corrective operation for a disability that she never would have had. Now she sees the doctor regularly. “I knew I couldn’t afford to see the doctor, so I just didn’t go before. It’s so much easier to go to the health center than to travel to Lewiston or Auburn,” Bertha said. “The doctors here are friendly and there’s no ‘runaround’. They get me in, make me feel welcome, listen to me, and get me out.” Alice Strait, patient at Bethel Family Health Center Linda Therrien, patient at Western Maine Family Health Center Corinne Hughes, a dental patient at Strong Area Health Center Heidi L. Ross, patient at Rangeley Family Medicine Veria Parsons, patient at Strong Area Health Center Joni James with her son Daniel, patients at Western Maine Family Health Center Kimberley Dolbier, patient at Rangeley Family Medicine Cindy Rollins, patient at Mt. Abram Regional Health Center Sue Charles, patient at Lovejoy Health Center Joanne A. Chapman, patient at Rangeley Family Medicine Carol and Leslie ‘Pal’ Clark, patients at Lovejoy Health Center Lucretia Dudley, patient at Strong Area Health Center Carroll and Joyce Bowie, patients at Western Maine Family Health Center Jay Strickland, patient at Bingham Area Health Center Heidi Dow, patient at Lovejoy Health Center Carol Rundlett, patient at Lovejoy Health Center To contribute, please use our Online Form or download our Donation Form. |
For Norma Fisher, driving the extra distance from Waterville to receive care at the Belgrade Regional Health Center is worth it - so much so, that she has convinced most of her family and friends to make the drive, as well, encouraging them to transfer their care to the health center.
Christel Kozak is a renowned artist living in Kingfield. Her works include paintings, sculptures and prints that are showcased at her downtown art gallery. Although she may pore over a work of art, patiently fine-tuning each detail, Christel admits that when it comes to getting health care, she won't wait long.
A former doctor at Mt. Abram Regional Health Center may have saved Norma Campbell’s life. One weekend in 1999, the Philips native and long-time health center patient began showing signs of a stroke. Thinking on her feet, she took some Aspirin and headed to the emergency room. 
Some patients like to take an active role in their health care. Susan P Therrien-Fenn, who has been summering in the Belgrade Lakes region for the past five years, says that the providers at Belgrade Regional Health Center allow her to do just that.
Seth Farmer of Wilton has been a patient at the Mt. Abram Regional Health Center since 1999. He works in Kingfield and says that the health center's convenient location and accommodating atmosphere are what keep him coming back. Seth says that being able to see his provider during his lunch break and not miss any work is important.
Marsha Morton has been a patient at Rangeley Family Medicine for 15 years, ever since she moved to the area, and relies on the convenient location of the health center to provide much needed services for her and her family.
Getting children to sit still for the dentist can be a difficult thing. For Veria Parsons, not only does her 11-year-old son sit still, she says that he actually enjoys going to the Strong Area Dental Center.
Ann Leigh of Belgrade has been a patient at the Belgrade Regional Health Center for nearly 25 years and considers herself lucky that the health center offers quality care right in her backyard. 
Augusta resident John Honas, a patient at Richmond Area Health Center for nine years, is achieving his health goals thanks to the staff and his primary care provider, Tom Bartol, NP. “The positive reinforcement I receive from the health center is great,” he says. “They always make sure I obtain the medications I need and help me stay on track.”
“I used to feel like a hamster on a wheel” says Renée White, a patient at the Belgrade Regional Health Center. Juggling medications and handling symptoms of several chronic illnesses were wearing on her. In early June, however, Renée decided to attend a six-week chronic disease self-management course sponsored by the health center, Living Well for Better Health. “The class made me want to better myself,” Renée says, “and now I have the drive to work on my health.” Thanks to setting weekly goals through the class, Renée successfully cut back on soda and she continues to experiment with calorie free alternatives. Renée also found it inspiring to be part of a group going through similar challenges. “Seeing [my classmate] continue to work on his own health made me decide to quit smoking.” Currently, Renée works with the Maine Tobacco Helpline and has set a quit date. What’s next for Renée now that she is off of the so-called hamster wheel? “I am motivated to get on a treadmill,” she says. 
Ruthie Stone has been a patient at Belgrade since it first opened in the old school house back in 1977. “Before that, I did not have a regular doctor and I went to the emergency room.” Not only does Ruthie rely on the health center for good, quick health information, but she also appreciates the “caring” staff members who make sure that people are physically healthy plus much more. About her medical provider, Vickie Chapman, APRN, Ruthie says, “I am taken seriously and she listens to what I say. I believe in her.” 
“I’m generally healthy, but it’s still nice to know the health center is there if I need it,” according to Mt. Abram Regional Health Center patient, Philip Howe. “Since it’s local, I’m more likely to go to the doctor, especially back when I was self-employed, because time was money.” 
Bertha Moreau, a patient at Western Maine Family Health Center, credits the Navigator Program with helping her obtain the medical assistance she needs at a price she can afford. “Before Emma (Emma Ansara, FNP, medical provider at the Health Center) told me about the Navigator program, I sometimes had to skip prescriptions because I just couldn’t afford them. Two of them were $116 alone!” exclaimed Bertha.
"Going to the health center is like receiving a big hug," says Alice. She admires Dr. DeCarolis of Bethel Family Health Center partially because, "I love how his brain works." Alice appreciates charts, graphs and, as a former teacher, the endless pursuit of knowledge. The fact that Dr. DeCarolis takes the time to share his findings and the reasons behind his diagnosis satisfies Alice’s curiosity. She wants the information, she appreciates understanding her medical situation, and she can depend on obtaining what she needs from staff at the health center. She says with warmth and enthusiasm, "Bethel is a great retirement place and the health center staff members understand the unique needs of our active senior community."
"To me, Dr. Lewis walks on water! He listens to me and is willing to go the extra mile." Linda tells of a time when she was feeling quite ill and initially Dr. Lewis wanted to refer her to Portland to see a specialist. However, knowing that Linda desired to stay close by, Dr. Lewis collaborated with a specialist in Portland to keep her much nearer to home. Linda has gone to Western Maine Family Health Center for more than ten years. She appreciates being heard and the willingness of the entire staff to assist her in meeting her health care needs.
"They treat me like a queen when I come here," states Corinne. She is pleased with the dental services she receives at Strong Area Dental Center and the cleanliness of the facility. She states that having a dentist nearby is as important to the community as "having schools for children." The shortage of dentists in the area has been difficult for area residents for many years. In fact, Corrine has at times traveled to New Hampshire for dental care. She continues to elaborate on her recent dental visit. "They are so professional and they are quick,"
she shares. "It’s pain free – I don’t feel a thing." 
Veria started obtaining health care at Strong Area Health Center as a teenager and eighteen years later is still coming. For her, the proximity of the health center to her home "makes it so much easier than trying to travel to Farmington all the time." She also notes, "It makes health care much more easily accessible to the elderly." Veira finds the staff "personable and very workable on appointments." Being able to call and receive an appointment quickly on the same day and the flexibility of staff are important to her. The availability of evening appointments "means a lot to me as a single mom."
"Emma takes the time to really listen and is patient even with two young kids who don’t always want to cooperate," says Joni. "She also respects what I have to say about my children’s healthcare." Emma Ansara, Family Nurse Practitioner, understands that parents are the best judges of her children’s situations. "If I call with a concern about one of the kids, Emma will ask me, "What is your Mommy sense telling you?" She knows that Moms know when something isn’t quite right," states Joni. Nine month old Daniel and his three year-old big sister, Zinnia, first became patients of Emma Ansara shortly after Daniel was born. "The private medical practice we had been going to was always too busy and a bit crazy," says Joni. "I often felt rushed and not listened to." That all changed when Joni transferred her family’s care to Emma Ansara at Western Maine Family Health Center.
“The health center is very important to this community. It is a bright light in the middle of the wilderness,” shares Cindy Rollins patient at Mt. Abram Health Center. “I had been seeing the same doctor for twenty years in southern Maine.” After moving to northwestern Maine, Cindy says, “I traveled back for my appointments for three years. I did not want to give up that doctor who knew me. I thought I was going to one of the best doctors in southern Maine. At first, I thought Mt. Abram Health Center was small, maybe not so up-to-date. I changed my mind. The doctors listen to me and hear what I have to say. I feel that they really check into things to find out what is wrong. They find the answer. I also appreciate that I can pick my doctor and choose between a male or female provider.”
“I think the health center is very important to the community because it serves a lot of people and it works. It has been here thirty years and two of the first providers are still here. I think that says a lot. It meets the medical needs of the community,” says long-time Lovejoy Health Center patient Sue Charles. Sue appreciates the personal attention the health center offers. Sue received an invitation from the health center to join ‘Living a Healthy Life,’ a six-week living with chronic disease class offered by the health center. “It was nice to know that someone cared enough about me to let me know about this class. I appreciated that personal touch. The invitation was a plus. I thought, ‘six weeks, two hours; seven miles... I can do that.’ ” When reflecting on her experience in the class Sue says, “I thought there was a lot of support. It was well organized. It started on time and ended on time. I think of that group almost every day. I think... ’drink water, exercise and move more.’ “
“For some people, having the health center close to home makes the difference between getting medical care or not,” says Joanne Chapman coordinator of the Rangeley Region Appointment Transport (RRAT) and a patient at the health center since 1996. “Many residents of Rangeley would only get crisis care if they had to travel to Farmington. That is a long way to go, especially if you are elderly or not feeling well. It would mean that they would be in an ambulance heading south.” Being close to home offers others advantages as well, “I think that being local and community oriented are important. I know the people here and it is a friendly atmosphere. I think they really care; it is not just a job,” shares Joanne.
“It is convenient, especially in emergencies,” says Pal Clark one of Lovejoy Health Center’s first patients. “Years ago, I passed out while driving my truck. I had been working in the woods, stacking wood. My wife and our three year old granddaughter were in the truck. I found out later I had a heart arrhythmia. It would have taken a half or three-quarters of an hour for an ambulance to get here. It would have taken another half hour to drive to Waterville.” “I would not have known what to do if the health center had not been here,” says his wife Carol. “It is comforting to know that the health center is close by.” Pal and Carol also appreciate the friendly atmosphere, “It is personal, almost like a family. We walk in and whoever is out there calls us by our names even if they are busy.” 
“It is like you do not miss the water until your well runs dry. A lot of people just would not get health care without Strong Area Health Center. It makes a big difference,” says Lucretia Dudley, Strong Area Health Center patient, as she reflects on what the health center means to her community. “The staff has been really, really friendly. They know us and they will go out of their way to help us. I think they are really concerned about each person; we are more than patients. After my husband passed away, I was having pains in my chest. I would have passed it off, but my social worker suggested that I make an appointment on my way out. They hooked me to all sorts of machines, than sent me to the hospital. I ended up having a triple bypass. I do not know what would have happened if I had not made that appointment.” Having the health center close to home has made a significant difference to Lucretia’s health care. She says,” Because of the price of gas and everything, I probably would not keep my appointments or take the medications I need without the health center close by.”
“The doctors here go above and beyond to help people,” says Carroll Bowie, of Livermore Falls. He and his wife Joyce have been patients at Western Maine Family Health Center since moving to the area more than six years ago. “The people here are good, and friendly. They explain everything when we have questions. I really enjoy coming,” shares Joyce. “Even if you don’t have an appointment, you know you will receive assistance.” Besides the health center services, Carroll and Joyce appreciate the availability of other medical and support services right on site or next door. Both Joyce and Carroll agree that having a health care facility in their town is very convenient: “It’s only about a five minute drive from our house. It’s closer than going all the way to Farmington. There’s no long wait time.” Carroll says that he would certainly recommend Western Maine Family Health Center to his friends and family. “You get treated like people should be treated. It’s good for the elderly because it’s close to home and there are good discounts.”
"Having lived in the Bingham area most of my life, I know that having the health center in our community means an awful lot," says long-time Bingham Area Health Center (BAHC) patient Jay Strickland. Strickland, father of six, is grateful that he and his family don’t have to travel all the way to Skowhegan for care, "especially considering gas prices these days," he says. In addition to the convenience, Strickland says that the health center is also vital because it offers care to everyone, those with and without insurance or means to pay. "I had good health care coverage back when I worked at Sappi," he says. Now self-employed, Strickland reports that since his layoff from the mill he feels "very fortunate that [he] and [his] family can receive the kind of quality care that the health center provides." "My job now is as good as most in the area, but it is harder and harder for people around here to keep up with health care costs, with the loss of industry and the higher paying jobs and benefits that have left with it. Having this health center here makes a real difference, as there is a great need for the services and we don’t have anywhere else to go. It makes the community a better place," he says.
"I’ve been a patient of Lovejoy Health Center since I was a child, and now my four children are patients of the center as well. I appreciate that the providers and staff here truly know their patients and are in-tune with our health care needs. Having health care available here in the community means we don’t have to travel the distance to the hospital or elsewhere. This was especially important to me during my first pregnancy when I developed gestational diabetes. I needed to have blood tests a few times each week. Having the health center close to home meant I was able to avoid many trips to Waterville and/or buying a machine, which would have been difficult for me to do. As always, the health center was able to accommodate my needs.”