Smith rejoining Franklin Memorial

FARMINGTON — Franklin Memorial Hospital recently announced that James Smith, D.O., will rejoin the medical staff Nov. 5 at Franklin Health Livermore Falls Family Practice.

Smith already is working at the practice on an interim basis and previously worked at Farmington Family Practice.

He received his medical degree from the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine. He then completed his family practice residency at Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor. He is board-certified by the American Board of Family Medicine.

Arts commission names new director

AUGUSTA — The Maine Arts Commission recently named Julie Richard the agency’s new director.

She most recently was the president and CEO of the West Valley Arts Council in Phoenix.

She received her master’s degree in arts administration from the University of Wisconsin and studied leadership at Harvard University.

RSU 18’s Laughlin gets leadership award

Regional School Unit 18 Assistant Superintendent Linda Laughlin recently received an Outstanding Leadership Award from the Maine School Superintendents Association for her work to improve student learning. RSU 18 includes Oakland, Sidney, Belgrade, China and Rome.

Laughlin was nominated by the Kennebec Valley Superintendents Association and was cited for promoting rigor, relevance and mass customized learning in the classroom.

The award was given at the Department of Education’s Commissioner’s Conference earlier this summer.