FARMINGTON — After a week full of special activities in coordination with national nurses’ week, nursing leaders and peers recognized nursing and direct care professionals who demonstrate exceptional clinical practice and professionalism, through the organization’s 10th annual Nursing and Direct Care Professionals Excellence Awards.

Those nominated for an award included Jan Bell, BSN, RN, director of Med/Surg third floor unit, Care Managers and Chaplins; Katrina Bright, RN, Franklin Health Internal Medicine; Kim Craig, RN, Emergency Department; Pamela Hadley, RN, Infection Prevention; Marian Hastings, RN, Franklin Health Women’s Care; Crystal Marchetti, CNA, Med/Surg third floor unit; Jen Nuttall, RN, Med/Surg third floor unit; April Paradis, RN, Oncology and Infusion; Kelly Salminen, RN, Med/Surg third floor unit; Tammy White, RN, Martha B. Webber Breast Care Center; Emily Wiggins-Rider, MA, Franklin Health Primary Care and the COVID-19 Testing and Acute Clinic; and Deedra York, RN, Oncology and Infusion.

All nominees were recognized for supporting the advancement of patient care by demonstrating MaineHealth’s core values of patient centered, respect, integrity, excellence, ownership and innovation.

On May 13, two nurses, one medical assistant and one certified nursing assistant were named as award recipients by the selection committee. They are Marian Hastings, RN, winner of Office Practice Nursing Excellence; Jen Nuttall, RN, winner of Hospital Nursing Excellence; Crystal Marchetti, CNA, winner of Hospital Direct Care Professional (DCP); and Emily Wiggins-Rider, MA, winner of Office Practice DCP.

“These nurses and direct care professionals have demonstrated exceptional nursing, clinical practice and professionalism while demonstrating our core values,” said Rebecca Wood, chief nursing officer, according to a news release from the hospital. “The awards we present recognize all of these outstanding individuals and their outstanding commitment to promoting optimal patient outcomes and a healthy work environment.”

Registered Nurse Maria Watson nominated Jen Nuttall: “Jen treats patients with an unmatched genuine kindness and tenderness that makes them feel safe, well cared for and respected. Jen views patients in a holistic way ensuring all of their needs are met while in her care, doing all the ‘little things’ that make a big difference. This doesn’t go unrecognized by patients, who frequently comment on her excellent nursing care that often resonates with them long after discharge. Jen’s patient-centered approach goes beyond the bedside and is seen in every quality improvement project and administrative task she performs.”

Dr. Jennifer Zeliger nominated Marian Hastings: “Marian goes above and beyond the duties of a triage nurse and seeks innovation in providing the most efficient and in-depth care. Women’s Care has a growing complex gestational diabetes service. Marian knows each of these patients well and is the constant in their care throughout pregnancy and takes responsibility to organize the complex needs of these patients. She must be recognized as the indispensable member of our team that we know her to be.”

Maria Watson, BSN, RN, nominated Certified Nursing Assistant Crystal Marchetti: “Crystal is a team player who is quick to help any patient or team member, working collaboratively for the greater good of the team and patients. She puts her heart and soul into the care she provides for patients treating them with unwavering compassion and kindness. Crystal takes pride in the care she delivers and never settles for anything less than excellence in everything she does. Crystal’s other role is as a safe patient handling super user, setting up safe patient handling training for new employees.”

Medical Assistant Jacob Hanstein nominated Emily Wiggins-Rider: “Emily not only volunteered to work in the COVID-19 Clinic this past year, but she has also been my preceptor, teaching compassion and patient care techniques in a highly stressful situation, when the symptoms and repercussions of this illness were initially unknown. She has risked her well-being for the benefit of others, remaining steadfast in her patient care excellence. Emily embodies all of what is right about health care.”

Jan Bell was declared honorary nurse for the immeasurable support she unselfishly gives to nursing staff.

Also, Franklin Memorial Hospital is one of just two hospitals in Maine to receive a 2021 Patient Safety Excellence Award from Healthgrades, a leading marketplace that connects patients and providers.

This award recognizes the top hospitals across the nation that excel in providing top quality care for their patients, while preventing serious injuries during hospital stays and providing patients with exceptional and positive experiences.

Skowhegan Savings donates $10,000 to local charities

SKOWHEGAN  — In celebration of Skowhegan Savings Bank’s 151st Annual Meeting, the bank will donate $10,000 to local charities on behalf of the 57 corporators. The five charities, one in each region that the bank serves, were selected by votes from the corporators to each receive $2,000.

Each of the following charities will receive a donation: Town of Dexter Food Assistance Program, the Skowhegan Community Food Cupboard, the Augusta Food Bank, FAEM Care and Share Food Bank based in Farmington and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southern Maine.

The annual meeting, recently held virtually, also conducted its regular business meeting where Rich St. Pierre, chief financial officer of the bank, presented the bank’s financial condition reporting that despite all of the challenges in 2020, the bank far exceeded expectations for financial performance with more than 2,000 loans originated exceeding $147 million, ending the year with a $4 million net profit which grew the capital base to over $100 million.

The bank and the Skowhegan Savings Bank Foundation made more than $250,000 in donations to local nonprofits, including more than $30,000 to local food programs, over $25,000 to business relief grant programs and other various nonprofits in the bank’s communities.

In other business, Sam LeGeyt and Katelynn Shorey were sworn in as new corporators of the bank. LeGeyt is an associate broker at NAI The Dunham Group based in Portland and Shorey is the director of engagement at Live + Work in Maine and the president of Startup Maine. John Witherspoon, Carolann Ouellette and Rick Anzelc were also reelected to the board for an additional three-year terms.

Maine Trucking Industry launches Go. Your Way campaign

AUGUSTA — The Maine Motor Transport Association has launched a workforce development initiative aimed at recruiting more Mainers to work in the state’s trucking industry. Currently, the industry anticipates it will need to fill thousands of driver positions, technician jobs, and other supporting roles in the next 10 years. The digital campaign called Go. Your Way will focus primarily on attracting Maine’s younger generation to the industry by educating and exciting them about the many high paying and essential career opportunities available while also proactively addressing some common misperceptions about the industry.

“A career in trucking is a great long-term option for individuals ready to get on the road to life, individuals who don’t necessarily want to follow the typical path of college loan debt followed by 40 years in an office cubicle,” said Brian Parke, president & CEO, MMTA, according to a news release from the association. “As many industry professionals get set to retire over the next decade, we’re excited to welcome younger individuals into a career in trucking as soon as today.”

The trucking industry provides a career path where drivers can make an annual salary of between $49,000 to $58,000, with many owner operators making $80,000 or more. A career in trucking allows people from all walks of life to grow and flourish in a rewarding industry without a college degree. The Go. Your Way campaign focuses on meeting people where they’re at and providing options that fit the lifestyle they want to lead.

For more information, visit goyourwaymaine.com.

VIP welcomes Master Technicians

AUBURN — Six of VIP Tires & Services’ technicians, five in Maine and one in New Hampshire, have earned Automotive Service Excellence Master Technician status over the last month. To achieve this high level of certification, technicians must complete demanding voluntary testing outside of regular work hours that, on average, can take up a hundred hours to finish. These six join VIP’s growing list of ASE Master Technicians, plus seven VIP professionals holding ASE World Class Technician status.

“The ASE certification process, for both World Class Technician and Master Technician, is rigorous and time-consuming outside of normal working hours,” said Tim Winkeler, president & CEO of VIP Tires & Service, according to a news release from the company. “We’re proud of our culture that gives every VIP team member the ability to get themselves promoted, and our team members’ 1,700 certifications are evidence that people will pursue continuing education when given the opportunity.”

The full list of employees to recently achieve new ASE certifications includes:
Alvin Martin, Master Technician, Biddeford
Rod Bishop, Master Technician / Service Manager, Concord, New Hampshire
Dustin Collins, Master Technician, Auburn
Lyle Labadour, Master Technician, Augusta
Bruce Morin, Master Technician / Service Manager, Bangor
Kevin Norris, Master Technician, Arundel
What It Takes to Achieve ASE Master Certifications
For more information, visit vipauto.com.

For more business news, visit CentralMaine.com.

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