MaineHealth Maine Medical Center

September is #DeafAwarenessMonth. This month is a time for honoring the achievements of Deaf individuals, raising awareness about Deaf culture, and educating the hearing community about ways of eliminating barriers to communication with those who are deaf or hard of hearing (HoH). MaineHealth Maine Medical Center has a Deaf and Hard of Hearing Patient & Family Advisory Council (DHH-PFAC), that is one of just a few in the nation.

Congratulations to these care team members who are graduating from St. Joseph’s College with their bachelor of science in nursing degrees! This is the 5th cohort to graduate through this special partnership between St. Joseph’s College and MaineHealth Maine Medical Center where care team members enrolled in the program can complete their studies on a consolidated track in two to three years, taking courses on-site in Portland. These soon-to-be new graduate nurses will all embark on careers as inpatient nurses on our team. Please join us in congratulating them! Pictured (front row, L-R): Jenn Condon, RN, Rose Brewer, RN, Jenn Rand, RN (second row, L-R) Abby Cook, RN, Lisa McLaughlin, RN, Lizz Grondin, RN (top row, L-R) Tara Joy, RN, Abby Babbidge, RN, Mary Johnson, RN, Kendra Eggen, RN

Congratulations to Deb Barber, RN, on being a Healthcare Hero! Sometimes providing the best patient experience means knowing when it is time to offer a different kind of care. Because of the compassion, caring and quiet support that Deb Barber, RN, showed, a terminally ill patient was able to spend his final hours surrounded by his loving family and comforted by prayer. The patient’s grateful wife, Eileen Lang, wrote, in part, “My husband was rushed to the hospital just days after Christmas, when his recurring throat cancer took a very bad turn. Over the next 24 hours, our children gathered in person and by phone. Nurse Deb Barber took care of all of us. Deb helped us understand what the doctor shared - that he was dying and that the decision to make him more comfortable meant his pulse and breathing would eventually stop. As the hours went by, she skillfully and unobtrusively cared for her patient as his life was ending, and nurtured his grieving, tired family with great tenderness. When the end seemed near, I asked for a Catholic chaplain. It was the middle of the night, and no chaplains of any denomination were available, so Deb used her own cell phone to track down a Protestant chaplain for us. She put the chaplain on speakerphone and, as we held hands and said the Lord’s Prayer in unison, my husband took his final breath. Deb continued to work, giving us tissues and space and more water. She gave each of us a big hug and told us his passing was gentle, and he was surrounded with his loving family. She empathized with our grief in a very immediate, real way. Her warmth and kindness supported all of us through this very difficult transition.” Eileen was able to be there as Deb received her award. Healthcare Heroes is a program through MHMMC’s Philanthropy department to honor caregivers that have made a meaningful difference in the lives of our patients and families. To recognize your caregiver, please visit: https://lnkd.in/ex5i7Yzh

Thank you to the 15 nurses who recently graduated from the Nurse Residency Program in Biddeford for their dedication and hard work! The Nurse Residency Program is a yearlong transition to practice that supports newly licensed registered nurses. Throughout the program nurses receive hands-on clinical skills practice and classroom seminars focused on professional development. Congratulations to this great group of nurses! Pictured (L to R, front row): Jessica Graham, RN, Isabelle Marceau, RN, Catherine Close, RN, Mary Steward, RN, Kimberly Loomis (L to R, back row): Amanda Ames, RN, Alexandra Volpe, RN, Michelle Tope, RN, James Wiesen, RN, Jaime Beaupre, RN, Mary Steward, RN, Eleanor DeCarolis, RN, Emma Dubois, RN and Jennifer Lansing, RN

Congratulations to Ryan Demmendaal, MD, on being a Healthcare Hero! A visit to the hospital can often be a stressful experience, especially when it is the second hospital you have been to in as many days. Fortunately, MaineHealth providers go above and beyond to help get patients the answers and treatment they need. Dr. Demmendaal, who works as a resident in the Emergency Department at MHMMC Portland, was recently recognized by a grateful patient for the outstanding diagnosis and care he provided her. She wrote, in part: “After two and half weeks of heavy bleeding and exhaustion, I had a day of not being able to get up and function. My PCP sent me to a hospital where after a very long day they diagnosed pneumonia, took me off all my cardiology medicines and gave me a bed for the night. My daughter came the next morning and brought me home where a visiting nurse stopped by and thought I may have a leg clot. She suggested I return to the hospital, but this time we came to Maine Med. I was put in triage where I met Dr. Demmendaal, and he immediately made me feel better and that he cared. He went to work to diagnose what was wrong and I felt he would not let me go until he solved my problem. He sent me down for an MRI and put me back on my meds. I felt cared for and thanked him for being such a good doctor and caring for my life. I also had a strong feeling he loved what he was doing. Bless Dr. Demmendaal. He kept me going!” Healthcare Heroes is a program through MaineHealth Maine Medical Center’s Philanthropy department to honor caregivers that have made a meaningful difference in the lives of our patients and families. To recognize your caregiver, please visit: https://lnkd.in/dZuyWwX4

Congratulations to these six students who graduated from the Intensive Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) program at MHMMC Biddeford. Over the course of the summer, CPE students of varying denominations and faiths completed 300 hours of clinical work with our patients, their families and care team members, as well as 100 hours of education in spiritual care and clinical chaplaincy. The program is accredited by the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education and the US Department of Education. It aims to provide critical interfaith education to expand the student’s understanding of ministry through supporting people in crisis. Please join us in congratulating our graduates on their remarkable accomplishments! Pictured (L to R): Rev. Shelly Snow, Director of Spiritual & Pastoral Services, Nathan Budde, Leo Levine, Fr. Alou Pilizou, Casey Cooney, Sarah Klockowski and Emily Amann.

Shout out to our Specialty Pharmacy Services team for organizing a pet supply donation drive. The Pharmacy Services and Cancer Care and IV Therapy Infusion teams joined the fun too. The result? Care team members donated almost 600 individual items including food, toys and more to the Animal Refuge League of Greater Portland! Thank you to the care team members who donated to help our furry friends in need. 🐶 🐱 From the Specialty Pharmacy Services team (L to R): Dan Pelletier, Alyssa Jones and Mackinleigh Isherwood, PharmD

The thoughtfulness with which Jeanne Lowery, RN, of MHMMC Portland’s R3 unit, spoke with a patient who had a significant injury has earned her a DAISY Award® for Extraordinary Nurses. Jeanne’s nominator said she was in a great deal of pain from an injury she sustained in a fall at home. Jeanne was her nurse for her final three days in the hospital. She wrote, in part: “Her bedside manner was amazing. She was always smiling and encouraging. She explained things to my husband and me thoroughly and clearly. Words can’t express what a difference she made in my stay and that part of my recovery. She even helped with recommending rehab facilities. She was just amazing.” The DAISY Award® for Extraordinary Nurses was created to recognize and honor the compassionate care nurses provide every day to the patients they serve. It is celebrated in over 5,400 healthcare facilities and nursing schools in 34 countries. Congratulations, Jeanne!

Congratulations to Lynne Webber, Customer Service Representative, on being a Healthcare Hero! When navigating the healthcare system, sometimes you need a helping hand when coordinating tests, visits and procedures between different providers and facilities gets tricky. MaineHealth Medical Center Portland customer service representative Lynne Webber went out of her way to listen to patient James Schutz’s needs, track down the appropriate care team members and get him in the door for lab work required for an upcoming procedure. James recently joined Lynne’s team for a special, and slightly teary, Healthcare Heroes presentation to recognize her exemplary care and dedication. He said, in part, “My wife and I both have a great deal of experience in medicine both as patients, and providers and administrators. Overall, we were both very pleased with the care we received as in- and out-patients at MHMMC. In particular, a receptionist at the front desk, Lynne, provided me with exceptional caring service. She helped me above and beyond, even spending nearly 45 minutes with me around the hospital to ensure I got the tests I needed. She made me feel cared for and seen. I wish she could be commended!” Healthcare Heroes is a program through MaineHealth Maine Medical Center’s Philanthropy department to honor caregivers that have made a meaningful difference in the lives of our patients and families. To recognize your caregiver, please visit: https://bit.ly/3yMdWaS

Congratulations to Jayde Driscoll, RN, on being a Healthcare Hero! Welcoming a new baby into the world can be an incredible and lifechanging experience. It can also be nerve wracking, as you realize you are now responsible for a tiny and fragile life. Fortunately, MaineHealth Maine Medical Center has fantastic care team members who are there to support new parents throughout their birth journey and during the first few days as new family. Jayde Driscoll, who works as a postpartum nurse on the Mother Baby unit at MHMMC Portland, was recognized for the outstanding care and assistance she provided new parents last November. “Dear Jayde, we are so grateful for the care you showed us. We still talk about how much you taught us and how you lightened our load through caring for us and our new son. You are a pro and make it look fun. Our son is now a smiley, active, babbling 5-month-old!” Healthcare Heroes is a program through MaineHealth Maine Medical Center’s Philanthropy to honor caregivers that have made a meaningful difference in the lives of our patients and families. To recognize your caregiver, please visit: https://bit.ly/3yMdWaS