HealthReach welcomes Family Nurse Practitioner, Michelle Breen

Albion – This July, staff of HealthReach Community Health Centers are happy to welcome Michelle Breen, Family Nurse Practitioner, to their professional healthcare team at the Lovejoy Health Center.

Michelle earned her Family Nurse Practitioner Master’s degree from Purdue Global. Previously, she earned a Master’s degree in Healthcare Administration from Grand Canyon University, and a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing from the University of Maine at Orono. Michelle’s wealth of nursing experience includes Substance Use Disorder treatment and Medications for Opiate Use Disorder (MOUD). The National Association of Healthcare Quality (NAHQ) recognizes Michelle as a Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality.

When asked about her care philosophy, Michelle shares a quote from Mary Davis, activist and campaigner for the rights and inclusion of children and adults with intellectual disabilities – “We can’t heal the world today, but we can begin with a voice of compassion, a heart of love, and an act of kindness.”

Michelle joins the existing Lovejoy clinical team in Albion – Doctors, Ann Schwink and Dean Chamberlain; Nurse Practitioners, Keiko Kurita and Melanie Morin; Physician Assistant, Nichole Johnston; Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Deborah Daigle; and Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, Ashley Rancourt.
Lovejoy Family Health Center is part of HealthReach Community Health Centers, a Federally Qualified Health Center consisting of twelve community health centers located across Central and Western Maine. Dedicated clinicians deliver high-quality healthcare – inclusive of behavioral health and dental services – to citizens from 9 of Maine’s 16 counties. To ensure access for everyone, HealthReach accepts Medicare, MaineCare, and major insurance providers. In addition, an Affordable Care Program is available to both uninsured and underinsured residents. Assistance is available for applications to programs that help with the cost of your healthcare and medications, including Maine’s Health Insurance Marketplace.

A private non-profit with a 48-year history, HealthReach is funded by patient fees, grants, and by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of an award totaling $4,815,606 with 82.2% financed by non-governmental sources. The contents above are those of the author, and do not necessarily represent the official views of or an endorsement by, HRSA, HHS, or the U.S. Government.

HealthReach welcomes Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, Melanie Morin

WATERVILLE – This March, staff at Lovejoy Health Center and Sheepscot Valley Health Center are happy to welcome Melanie Morin, Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, to the team.

Melanie earned her Master’s degree in Psychiatric Nursing from Husson University of Bangor. Previously, she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Nursing from the University of Maine at Fort Kent, and her Associate’s degree in Nursing from Kennebec Valley Community College. Melanie brings a wealth of experience in whole-person (holistic) patient care, and specifically in evidence-based treatments for mental illness.

Melanie shares, “My philosophy of care is to treat patients with respect and dignity –providing care for patients in the same way as I would want to be treated if I was in a similar situation. It is my belief that this way of caring for patients creates an environment of attention that is more conducive to healing. Focusing on the whole person means caring for their physical wellbeing as well as considering their emotional and spiritual wellbeing. Each of these aspects is integral to the whole person.”

Melanie joins physicians Dean Chamberlain, Ann Schwink and Kathryn Wistar; physician assistants Nichole Johnston, Anna Simmler, Craig Urwin, and Zachary Wissman; nurse practitioner Keiko Kurita; licensed clinical social worker Deborah Daigle; and licensed clinical professional counselor Ashley Rancourt. Our clinicians offer medical and behavioral health services for patients of all ages.

Residents of Albion, Coopers Mills/Whitefield, and nearby towns have enjoyed quality care at Lovejoy Health Center and Sheepscot Valley Health Center since their establishments in 1978 and 1980, respectively.

Lovejoy Health Center and Sheepscot Valley Health Center are a part of HealthReach Community Health Centers, a group of twelve Federally Qualified Health Centers located across Central and Western Maine. Dedicated clinicians deliver high-quality healthcare – inclusive of behavioral health and dental services – to residents from 9 of Maine’s 16 counties. To ensure access for everyone, HealthReach accepts Medicare, MaineCare, and major insurance providers. In addition, an Affordable Care Program is available to both uninsured and underinsured residents. Assistance is available for applications to programs that help with the cost of your healthcare and medications, including Maine’s Health Insurance Marketplace.

A private non-profit with a 48-year history, HealthReach is funded by patient fees, grants, and by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of an award totaling $4,815,606 with 82.2% financed by non-governmental sources. The contents above are those of the author, and do not necessarily represent the official views of or an endorsement by, HRSA, HHS, or the U.S. Government.

HealthReach celebrates 2022 as a Year of Excellence, thanks its stellar team

WATERVILLE – As we look forward to the New Year, it is always good to reflect on the past – to learn what lessons we can, and to recognize success so it can be expanded upon. The staff of HealthReach Community Health Centers are pleased to celebrate many successes from 2022. Here are a few recognitions we are proud to share with our communities:
• HealthReach as an organization was once again recognized by the US Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA), as a Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH), as a Health Center Quality Leader, and for
Advancing Health Information Technology (HIT) for Quality.
• Dr. Amy Madden, HealthReach Medical Director, was recognized by Home Hope & Healing as their Physician of the Month for the month of May 2022. We are pleased to see Dr. Madden’s dedication to her patients and quality of care recognized by external partners.
• Rep. John “Jack” Ducharme III, HealthReach Board member, was recognized by the Maine Primary Care Association and received the MPCA 2022 President’s Award for his efforts to support community health centers across Maine. Jack rallied members of the Maine House of Representatives to improve the financial sustainability of rural healthcare.
Our special thanks go to Amy, Jack, and the rest of the HealthReach team for their extraordinary accomplishments in 2022. Our patients are lucky to have you in our community!

Residents of Central & Western Maine have enjoyed quality care at HealthReach practices for nearly five decades. If you are seeking a new healthcare provider and health home, consider your local HealthReach health center in Albion, Belgrade, Bethel, Bingham, Coopers Mills (Whitefield), Kingfield, Livermore Falls, Madison, Rangeley, Richmond, or Strong.

HealthReach Community Health Centers is a group of twelve Federally Qualified Health Centers located across Central and Western Maine. Dedicated clinicians deliver high-quality healthcare – inclusive of behavioral health and dental services – to citizens from 9 of Maine’s 16 counties. To ensure access for everyone, HealthReach accepts Medicare, MaineCare, and major insurance providers. In addition, an Affordable Care Program is available to both uninsured and underinsured residents. Assistance is available for applications to programs that help with the cost of your healthcare and medications, including Maine’s Health Insurance Marketplace.

A private non-profit with a 48-year history, HealthReach is funded by patient fees, grants, and by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of an award totaling $4,815,606 with 82.2% financed by non-governmental sources. The contents above are those of the author, and do not necessarily represent the official views of or an endorsement by, HRSA, HHS, or the U.S. Government.

Lovejoy Health Center welcomes Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, Ashley Rancourt

ALBION – This October, staff at Lovejoy Health Center are pleased to welcome Ashley Rancourt, Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor. Ashley has experience in both inpatient and outpatient counseling environments.

Ashley earned her master’s degree in Clinical Counseling from the University of Southern Maine. Previously, she earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Maine at Farmington. Ashley comes from years of experience providing treatment to adolescent patients through her work in local schools. Ashley brings background in both one-on-one and group therapy treatments. Ashley will be a great addition for the Albion area and surrounding communities.

Ashley joins physician Dean Chamberlain; physician assistant Nikki Kimborowicz; family nurse practitioner Keiko Kurita; and licensed clinical social worker Deb Daigle. Our clinicians offer medical and behavioral health services for patients of all ages. Residents of Albion and nearby towns have enjoyed quality care at Lovejoy Health Center since its founding in 1978.

Lovejoy Health Center is a part of HealthReach Community Health Centers, a group of twelve Federally Qualified Health Centers located across Central and Western Maine. Dedicated clinicians deliver high-quality healthcare to citizens from 9 of Maine’s 16 counties. To ensure access for everyone, HealthReach accepts Medicare, MaineCare, and major insurance providers. In addition, an Affordable Care Program is available to both uninsured and underinsured residents. Assistance is available for applications to programs that help with the cost of your healthcare and medications, including the Health Insurance Marketplace.

A private non-profit with a 47-year history, HealthReach is funded by patient fees, grants, and by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of an award totaling $4,815,606 with 82.2% financed by non-governmental sources. The contents above are those of the author, and do not necessarily represent the official views of or an endorsement by, HRSA, HHS, or the U.S. Government.

Lovejoy Health Center welcomes Nancy Johnson, Connector, and Hattie Blye, Care Manager

ALBION – This September, staff at Lovejoy Health Center welcome two new staff: Nancy Johnson, Connector; and Hattie Blye, Care Manager.

Nancy obtained her bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education, Language Arts from the University of Maine at Farmington. She also has a master’s degree in Literacy Education from the University of Maine at Orono. She worked as a Certified Title I Literacy Teacher for the Augusta School Department for over a decade. Nancy also has experience in helping people with Medicare Part D. Nancy looks forward to providing free services to help patients navigate a variety of resources, including MaineCare (Medicaid), Hospital Free Care, the Supplemental Nutritional Aid Program (SNAP, or “food stamps”), reduced-cost prescription medications through the Patient Assistance Program, and our very own
HealthReach Affordable Care program (“Sliding Fee”).

Hattie obtained her associate’s degree in Applied Medical Science, Medical Assistant from Central Maine Community College. Hattie brings a decade of experience as a medical assistant into the role of Care Manager. She looks forward to assisting patients with both the management of chronic illness and the pursuit of better health.

Nancy and Hattie join physician Dean Chamberlain; physician assistant Nikki Kimborowicz; family nurse practitioner Keiko Kurita; and licensed clinical social worker Deb Daigle. Our clinicians offer medical and behavioral health services for patients of all ages. Residents of Albion and nearby towns have enjoyed quality care at the Center since its founding in 1978.

Lovejoy Health Center is a part of HealthReach Community Health Centers, a group of twelve Federally Qualified Health Centers located across Central and Western Maine. Dedicated clinicians deliver high-quality medical and behavioral healthcare to citizens from 9 of Maine’s 16 counties. To ensure access for everyone, HealthReach accepts Medicare, MaineCare, and major insurance providers. In addition, an Affordable Care Program is available to both uninsured and underinsured residents. Assistance is available for applications to programs that help with the cost of your healthcare and medications, including Maine’s Health Insurance Marketplace.

A private non-profit with a 47-year history, HealthReach is funded by patient fees, grants, and by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of an award totaling $4,815,606 with 82.2% financed by non-governmental sources. The contents above are those of the author, and do not necessarily represent the official views of or an endorsement by, HRSA, HHS, or the U.S. Government.