The Important Work of Telemedicine on Maine Islands

The Important Work of Telemedicine on Maine Islands

The important work of telemedicine on Maine islands
By Maine Seacoast Mission • September 12, 2019

For Maine’s island residents, accessing even basic health care is a significant challenge. Trips to the mainland, when possible, are expensive and time consuming.

Since 1905, the Maine Seacoast Mission has played a vital role connecting residents of Maine’s most isolated unbridged islands with services: access to medical and dental care, spiritual support, education, and crisis services. The first of the Mission’s ships named Sunbeam, commissioned in 1912, carried books, supplies, and pastoral care to Maine islands, lighthouses, and isolated coastal communities of Hancock and Washington counties.

The Sunbeam also transported the very ill to hospitals, and provided basic health care and vaccinations.

Today, the Sunbeam V, with a Captain and four-person crew, carries on its work, combining Mission traditions with modern telemedicine.

Full story and photos

Eye Doctor Boards ‘Moonbeam,’ Provides 18 Eye Exams on Swan’s Island

Eye Doctor Boards ‘Moonbeam,’ Provides 18 Eye Exams on Swan’s Island

BAR HARBOR, ME — On August 30 Dr Kurt H. Kelley, MD of Mid Coast Eye Associates, Bath, ME and Island Health Services Director Sharon Daley, RN traveled to Swan’s Island aboard the Mission’s interim boat, Moonbeam, to provide free eye exams.

Dr Kelley is able to provide screenings for glaucoma and cataracts and prescribe eye glasses. Eighteen people saw Dr. Kelly that day. Thank you, Dr. Kelley for the donation of your time and skill in providing this great service.

Also, thank you Swan’s Island Library librarian Jeanie Hoyle for letting us use the library, and also coordinating appointments and transportation.

Learn more about the Mission’s Island Health Services:

UM Cooperative Extension’s ‘Dining with Diabetes Down East’ at Weald Bethel

UM Cooperative Extension’s ‘Dining with Diabetes Down East’ at Weald Bethel

University of Maine Cooperative Extension to offer ‘Dining with Diabetes Down East’
Community Author: Tara Wood
Post Date: September 6, 2019 2:26 pm
Updated: September 8, 2019 3:02 pm
Contact: tara.a.wood@maine.edu

CHERRYFIELD — University of Maine Cooperative Extension will offer a free, four-week Dining with Diabetes Down East series beginning 3-5 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 3, at Maine Seacoast Mission Weald Bethel Community Center, 7 Weald Bethel Lane. Remaining dates are Oct. 10, 17 and 24.

The program complements medical care by teaching people with Type 2 diabetes or prediabetes, along with their family members and caregivers, what they can do to help control blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol.

Full story

Buy a Machias Hannaford Bag, $1 Goes to the Mission Food Pantry

Buy a Machias Hannaford Bag, $1 Goes to the Mission Food Pantry

CHERRYFIELD, ME — Thanks to the Hannaford Helps Reusable Bag program, when people purchase a $2.50 reusable bag at the Machias Hannaford, the Mission Food Pantry receives one dollar.

Thank you for your help.

Wendy Harrington
Maine Seacoast Mission
Service Program Director

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Hannaford Helps Reusable Bag Program

Hello,

It’s GO time! Today kicks off your month in the Hannaford Helps Reusable Bag Program!

In order for Seacoast Mission Pantry to receive the most donations possible, we encourage you to use the free marketing materials available in the Fight Hunger Bag Marketing Toolkit. It contains customized social media graphics, email drafts, press releases, images of the bag, and more – all ready for you to promote.

DOWNLOAD TODAY

As a reminder, Seacoast Mission Pantry will receive a $1 donation for every $2.50 Fight Hunger Bag sold during the month of September at the Hannaford store located at:

149 Dublin Street, Machias ME

Hannaford Fight Hunger Bags can be found on the dedicated reusable bag rack. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to me.

Sincerely,
Brian McKeown
Program Manager
603.380.9339
hannaford@bags4mycause.com

Sunbeam Updater – Captain Says, “Progress is Being Made”

Sunbeam Updater – Captain Says, “Progress is Being Made”

BAR HARBOR, ME — Over the weekend, Sunbeam V Captain Michael Johnson sent photo updates on the boat’s routine major refit:

The final coat of epoxy has been applied and new bilge plumbing is being installed in the accommodation section. The floor will hopefully be fitted next week. Progress is being made!

John Armstrong is responsible for all the sandblasting on the Sunbeam V — an extensive and difficult job.  When John emerges from the bilge with his suit and helmet the boat could be mistaken for Sunbeam XV being serviced at a Starfleet facility.

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