A delicious birthday cake was the special dessert at last Thursday’s Rotary meeting, celebrating the birthday of The Rotary Auction’s co-chair, Debbie Graves. American chop suey with salad was the main course, enjoyed by a smaller than usual number of members and guests who were not off escaping the snow in warmer climes. Those present enjoyed a social time before dinner and viewed the current art exhibit on display of the paintings of local artist Sally Giddings Smith.

President Jonathan Tindal opened the meeting with the introduction of the Kreahlings’ daughter, a happy result of the recent storm since her flight out of Maine had been canceled. President-elect Alice Mutch, just back from Rotary Training in Boston, announced that 12 members were signed up to attend Rotary Leadership Training,  and in addition three Interact students from Boothbay Region High School plan to attend. Interact is the Roatary International’s youth organization. 

The 50/50 raffles were won by Chip Griffin and Tom Hagen. The first Fellowship Night was held at The Carriage House with a small but dedicated group. The new feature of the Boothbay Rotary hopes to encourage members to get together outside of regular meetings to get to know each a little better. 

Patty Seybold introduced our speaker, Dr. Chip Teel. Dr. Teel has been in practice in the Damariscotta region for many years, and has joined the staff of the new Boothbay Region Health Center. Patty first spoke of the new Health Center’s origins and plans for the future.

Much ground work was laid for the opening of the Center. After the closing of St. Andrews as the local hospital, a group headed by Jerry Homer began to dream of a local health care center that would be patient-centered and focus on preventative care. The group of volunteers interviewed area residents to discover what they wanted and needed, did a public health survey to see what services were being used, and ran design sessions with five teams of patients and providers to further identify what the new Health Center would look like. The Boothbay Region Health Center opened in January and so far the numbers have been strong.

Dr. Teel applauded the community’s efforts and the audacity of thinking of doing healthcare in a new way. How do we do patient-centered medicine? This was the challenge and the goal. This new way allows providers more time to be with patients to thoroughly evaluate symptoms and solutions. This new service treats the full spectrum of needs from students being depressed due to bullying, to the fisherman who can’t see the doctor during regular business hours. This is a system designed by patients, for patients, and run by patients. The board, which still has openings, is populated by community members. There are no healthcare professionals on the board, by design. Availability, accessibility and affordability are the hallmarks, and it’s working. The Boothbay Region Health Center is located in the Meadow Mall and is open seven days a week. Walk-ins are welcome and transportation can be arranged if needed.

The club’s next meeting will be Thursday, March 22 at 6 p.m. at the Rotary Clubhouse on Montgomery Road.  Those interested in Rotary are welcome to attend.