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.
Dr. Kelley’s eye exam room inside Swan’s Island Public Library.
L-R: Dr. Kurt Kelley, Sharon Daley, RN, and Librarian Jeanie Hoyle
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.
BAR HARBOR, ME — The Mission boat, Sunbeam V, is never better loved, perhaps, than when island communities gather for companionship and a meal inside the Sunbeam salon. Sunbeam Steward Jillian always has delicious food to offer. Jillian’s meals, in turn, are often enhanced by homemade dishes brought aboard the Sunbeam by islanders.
With the Sunbeam V out of the water for a routine major refit, the Sunbeam crew chose to keep alive the gatherings for conversation and food in new places among the islands.
Island Health Services Director Sharon Daley, RN this week snapped some photos this week of “Taco night at the Parsonage on Isle au Haut” really capturing the spirit of celebration.
“Good to be together,” said Sharon. “Special times and people telling wonderful stories and memories and building more.”
BAR HARBOR, ME — This profile of the Captain and crew of Maine Seacoast Mission’s iconic ‘Sunbeam V’ is part of a short film by Jeff Dobbs, presented at the Mission’s Sunbeam Award Gala 2019. We present this video as the best introduction yet of the Sunbeam crew’s work among Maine unbridged island communities.
BAR HARBOR, ME — Thank you to everyone who helped make Maine Seacoast Mission’s 16th Annual Sunbeam Award Gala a success.
Mission President John Zavodny said, “This was my first Maine Seacoast Mission Gala. It was everything I hoped for and more. The outpouring of love and support for the Mission, for our shared work, and for the people and communities we serve was overwhelming.”
President Zavodny continued, “From Douglas’s moving opening prayer, to Mike and Sharon’s lovely remarks about our Sunbeam Award recipients Dr. Diehl Snyder and the MDI Hospital Behavioral Health Center and Bryan Colket and the All Hands on Deck Committee — the night was heartfelt.”
newscentermaine.com
LIFE
What healthcare looks like for Maine’s island dwellers
Living on an island adds a layer of complexity to all aspects of daily life, including managing one’s health.
Author: Hannah Dineen — August 7, 2019
MOUNT DESERT, Maine — Maine’s island dwellers are resilient and self-sufficient people.
However, with limited medical resources on the islands, it’s difficult for them to be self-sufficient when it comes to healthcare.
On most Maine islands, there are no medical professionals. Some have a team of civilians prepared to respond to emergency medical situations, but that’s it.
For many islanders, a trip to the doctor is an expensive endeavor that could take a full day of traveling.
Fortunately for them, there’s a group of health professionals who have made it their mission to bring healthcare from the mainland to the islands.
They work through a program called The Maine Seacoast Mission.
Sharon Daley has been the Director of Island Health Services for the Maine Seacoast Mission for the last 18-years.
“The work is important because life on the islands is important, yet it’s a way of life that’s somewhat challenged these days,” says Daley.
