MaineHealth Lincoln Hospital held a community meeting Sept. 26 in St. Andrews Dining Hall in Boothbay Harbor which provided healthcare information to residents. President Cindy Wade welcomed the 40-plus residents in attendance, and explained financial challenges facing their community due to state and federal funding cuts. "We're paying close attention and we are quite concerned with this," she said. "We are looking at what we can do as a region to provide access to health care by working in partnership with Midcoast, Lincoln, Waldo and PenBay hospitals to provide access to care across the region."

Stephanie Field told residents about the expanding behavioral health integration program across LincolnHealth's hospitals statewide. She reported in 2006 MaineHealth entered into a collaborative effort to expand behavioral health services into their local partnerships. "Today, we have over 100 BHI clinicians treating anxiety, depression, trauma and grief," she said. "This provides services to patients and caregivers to help them through difficult times."

MaineHealth is also providing free food for patients to reduce food insecurity. Community Health Program Manager Kristina Verney informed the St. Andrews Village community about steps taken to provide free food. She reported community farms provide fresh produce and some medical partners grow produce for patients. "Seven different farms work with us providing locally grown produce and there are a number of Wellness Gardens grown by the hospitals and primary care facilities," she said. 

The final speaker was medical assistant Sara Watts, who explained how residents could use "My Chart" to monitor their health and communicate directly with their primary care physician. "My Chart is available online and can be accessed by cell phone with an app. It is a valuable tool for making appointments, updating personal information, more efficient contact with medical personnel, and paying bills," she said.