New doctor joins MaineGeneral Surgery

Dr. Judith Wood Cook has joined MaineGeneral Surgery, according to a news release from the hospital.

Cook joins vascular surgeon Dr. Mark Bolduc and will work with other MaineGeneral Surgery services, including general surgery, thoracic surgery, plastic surgery and otolaryngology (ear, nose and throat).

Cook comes to MaineGeneral from Penn State Hershey Medical Center in Hershey, Pennsylvania. She earned her medical degree from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine in Philadelphia. She completed her residency at Oregon Health and Science University in Portland, Oregon, and a fellowship in vascular surgery at the University of Washington Medical Center in Seattle. She is certified by the American Board of Surgery, with a specialty certification in vascular surgery.

Cook has a special interest in endovascular procedures including aneurysm repair using stent grafts, laser vein procedures for varicose veins, and treatment of artery and vein blockage with balloon angioplasty and stenting. She also has extensive expertise in limb salvage and challenging dialysis issues.

Surgeries are performed at the Alfond Center for Health in Augusta and the Thayer Center for Health in Waterville.

Orthopaedic surgeon joins MaineGeneral Orthopaedics

Dr. John A. Bradford has joined MaineGeneral Orthopaedics, according to a news release form the hospital.

Bradford joins MaineGeneral from EMMC Orthopedic Surgical Specialists in Bangor. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Bowdoin College in Brunswick and his medical degree from Medical College of Wisconsin. He completed his residency in orthopaedic surgery at George Washington University Hospital in Washington, D.C., and completed a fellowship in reconstructive surgery at Nuffield Orthopaedic Clinic at Oxford University in England.

Bradford specializes in total joint replacement. He is certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery. He joins a veteran team of orthopaedic surgeons, podiatrists and sports medicine physicians.

MaineGeneral Orthopaedics specializes in arthroscopic surgery; joint replacement surgery; post-trauma reconstructive surgery; comprehensive care of athletic injuries for both recreational and competitive athletes; nerve compression for chronic numbness and tingling caused by such conditions as carpal tunnel syndrome; spine surgery for neck and low-back conditions, including disc herniation and nerve compressions; and surgical and nonsurgical podiatry.

Oil dealers deliver free heating oil

Some members of the Maine Energy Marketers Association delivered a little extra warmth and savings to unsuspecting customers last week.

Augusta Fuel Co., in Augusta; R.H. Foster, in Hampden and Machias; Cole & Gale, in Damariscotta; Estes Oil, in York; and Giroux Oil, in Portland, hit the road in various parts of Maine to top off several customers’ oil tanks for free.

Customers were selected by participating companies, with some choosing to select customers randomly, others by collecting nominations from neighbors and community members and others selecting based on need.

This is year two of the Fuel Your Love program. Building upon the successful pilot last year at Augusta Fuel, MEMA decided to expand the campaign statewide.

The association is a trade group consisting of 300 members, including 125 heating oil, propane, biofuel, pellet, electric and motor fuel providers, as well as convenience store owners.

Central Maine Realtor elected to National Commercial Advisory Board post

Bruce M. Holmes, president of Century 21 Venture Ltd, has been elected by the 15-member national Century 21 Commercial Advisory Board as its secretary for 2017-18.

Other officers elected include Thayer Morgan, of Century 21 Commonwealth of Boston, Massachusetts, as vice president; and Ken Kujawa, of Century 21 Signature Realty, of Saginaw, Michigan.

Holmes has served on the national Century 21 Commercial Advisory Board since 2006. The board oversees development and operation of the Century 21 Commercial Investment Division for Century 21 Real Estate.

Allstate offers ride sharing insurance coverage

Maine residents who use their personal vehicles to drive for a transportation network company now have an additional insurance option: Allstate Ride for Hire, according to a news release from the company.

This new option can help cover some of the gaps that might arise in a driver’s auto insurance coverage when the driver uses his or her insured vehicle to drive for such a company. Allstate Ride for Hire can provide Allstate customers protection when they have their company app turned on and are awaiting a passenger assignment from the company.

Allstate expects that, on average, a customer will pay roughly $15 to $20 each year to add this optional coverage.

“For many Maine residents, ride-sharing services have become a part of everyday life,” said Peter DeSchamp, Augusta Allstate agency owner. “Allstate Ride for Hire is another way that Allstate is demonstrating a commitment to designing new products that help meet the evolving needs of our customers.”

Allstate Ride for Hire launched in 2015. Today, in the states where it is available, more than 60 percent of Allstate auto customers who indicate that they drive for a transportation network company and buy auto insurance from an Allstate company offering Allstate Ride for Hire buy the added coverage. By the end of the month, Allstate anticipates having Ride for Hire coverage available in 28 states.

Augusta public relations firm lands Orvis Co. as client

Nancy Marshall Communications has been named the agency of record for The Orvis Co., Inc., a worldwide retail and travel brand focused on conservation, headquartered in Manchester, Vermont, according to a news release from the public relations firm.

The firm will manage public relations for the company and create a Marshall Plan, the agency’s trademarked marketing communications plan.

Founded in 1856, Orvis operates more than 80 retail stores in the U.S. and the U.K., and maintains a network of more than 400 dealers worldwide as a source of discovery and adventure in the natural world. The company promises to protect nature by committing 5 percent of its pretax profits each year to conservation efforts worldwide.

Orvis specializes in fly fishing but also sells men’s and women’s sportswear, gifts, home furnishings, luggage and travel accessories, dog beds and other pet items, shotguns, gear, and technical apparel for wing shooting and sporting clays. Orvis sporting services also include fishing and shooting schools, an international sporting and eco-travel agency, and the Orvis-endorsed network of lodges, outfitters and guides.

Gardiner Federal Credit Union earns accolades for anti-hunger effort

Gardiner Federal Credit Union raised more money than ever in 2016 for the Campaign for Ending Hunger, according to a news release from the credit union.

Credit union fundraisers held throughout the year raised a total of $21,298.71. Sixty-two Maine Credit Unions raise money for the Campaign for Ending Hunger each year. Of the 62, Gardiner Federal Credit Union placed first in per-member contribution and seventh in total money raised.

The awards earn the Credit Union additional Ending Hunger money from the Maine Credit Union League. This year that additional money added up to $2,875, meaning Gardiner FCU has a total of $24,173.71 that it plans to distribute to local food pantries and agencies that help provide food to area residents who need food. Every dollar raised provides up to $8 worth of food, so the money could provide nearly $200,000 worth of food to area families struggling with food insecurity.

The credit union’s fundraising efforts include bake sales, yard sales, cash calendars and raffles.

Gardiner FCU plans to host a reception in May to present checks to the food pantries and agencies it has committed itself to support with its Ending Hunger money. At present, it is in the midst of its Hearts for Ending Hunger fundraiser, which runs through March 3.

Compiled from contributed releases. For more business news, see centralmaine.com.

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