Jonathan Henry, University of Maine at Augusta vice president of enrollment management and marketing, received the Martin Gallant Distinguished Counseling Professional Award from the Maine Counseling Association recognizing his distinguished career in the field. Jeremy Bouford, UMA coordinator of recruitment and outgoing president of the counseling association, presented him the award at the organization’s annual meeting this May.

“It was my distinct pleasure to present this award to Jon Henry not only on behalf of the Maine Counseling Association but also as a trusted and valued colleague,” said Bouford, according to a news release from UMA.

“I am honored to receive this award from the Maine Counseling Association,” said Henry. “Over 36 years in the admissions counseling and enrollment profession, I recognize now more than ever the role that having a counseling background has played in helping me succeed in my work with students, and helping to administer a university.”

Henry has worked in college admissions counseling and enrollment management for 36 years, the last 22 in Maine.

“Marty” Gallant was a long-serving school counselor in Caribou, who was actively involved with and dedicated to the Maine Counseling Association and the profession of school counseling. Maine Counseling Association established this award to honor him upon his retirement in 2016.

Association members work in a variety of settings across the profession including K-12 schools, colleges and universities, community-based agencies, clinical facilities and private practice.

Benton company names director of programs

BENTON — Assistance Plus,  a 29-year-old home health care, behavioral health and intellectual disability agency headquartered in Benton, has promoted Natalie Childs to director of programs.

Childs has been employed by Assistance Plus since June 2010, starting as a daily living support specialist, and most recently serving as the organization’s BH/DD program manager. According to Crystal Bailey, the agency’s human resources director, the promotion is a result of her hard work and dedication. Natalie will remain in her current office location at the company’s headquarters in Benton.

Childs graduated from Erskine Academy and holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Thomas College. She  is completing a master’s degree in health care administration from Fitchburg State University.

Assistance Plus has offices in Benton, Waterville and Wilton.

2021 Mainebiz Woman to Watch nominees sought

PORTLAND — Mainebiz seeks nominations for female business owners, CEOs, presidents and top executives with established track records of success and who have been trailblazers and mentors to be its 2021 Women to Watch.

Criteria:
• The nominee must be the president, CEO or executive director at her company or organization.
• The nominee should have an established track record of business success.
• The nominee and her company must have made outstanding contributions to their company, industry and community.

Nominate a 2021 Mainebiz Woman to Watch by June 28. Visit mainebiz.biz/nominations and complete the short form.

The Women to Watch awards program is sponsored by Drummond Woodsum, Northeast Delta Dental, TD Bank and Vistage. Chosen nominees will be featured in the Aug. 9 issue of Mainebiz and will be honored at the annual Women to Watch reception in person during the middle of September. The date and location will be announced soon.

Kennebec Savings Bank announces new hires

AUGUSTA – Kennebec Savings Bank President and CEO Andrew Silsby recently announced two new hires, each of whom come with strong backgrounds in banking and customer service.

Paige O’Donnell, who has joined Kennebec Savings Bank as vice president of retail banking, brings more than eight years of banking experience. Her most recent position was on TD Bank’s Small Business Banking Team as their team manager.

“Paige brings new insight and energy to our retail team,” said Silsby, according to a news release from the bank. “We are fortunate to have her join Kennebec Savings Bank at such an exciting time in our history. The bank is growing, and Paige will help us continue to offer competitive and quality products to our customers.”

Amanda Dyer joins the bank with 12 years of experience. Prior to joining the bank, Dyer served as branch manager and loan officer for Norway Savings Bank at their Topsham location. Dyer is originally from the Freeport area and graduated from Freeport High School.

“Amanda will be a great asset to our Freeport Team,” said Silsby. “She is familiar with the Freeport area, and will bring valuable knowledge and expertise to our team. We look forward to her leadership.”

Kennebec Behavioral Health leaders recognized

AUGUSTA — At the 2021 Maine Prevention Professionals Conference held on May 19, KBH’s Robert Rogers was recognized with the 2021 Neill E. Miner Memorial Prevention Award. This award recognizes an individual who has made a significant contribution in the field of prevention. He has been at the forefront of so many initiatives and approaches to evidence-based prevention in Maine. He has been able to forge a unique bridge between the prevention and treatment disciplines. “Rob is an extraordinary prevention professional who has made significant contributions to the field and positively impacted the lives of countless youth and adults throughout central Maine,” said Tom McAdam, KBH chief executive officer, according to a news release from KBH. A surprise guest, McKenna Rogers, Rob’s daughter who also works in behavioral health, presented him with the award.

At the Co-Occurring Collaborative Serving Maine Annual Summit held on May 6, the Visionary Leadership award was presented to Dr. Alane O’Connor. O’Connor is the first director of perinatal addiction treatment at Maine Medical Center, serving pregnant women in the Portland area. O’Connor also provides addiction medicine through Kennebec Behavioral Health’s Opioid Health Home in Skowhegan and is chairperson of Maine’s Opioid Response Clinical Advisory Committee. The collaborative’s Visionary Leadership Award recognizes an individual, organization or an initiative in the behavioral health care field that has demonstrated outstanding leadership in improving the lives of individuals with mental illnesses and substance use disorders and/or their communities. “For her dedication to advance the quality of substance use treatment and raising awareness to the needs of pregnant and parenting women living with this disease,” said Liam Shaw, CCSME Board Member, in the release.

Kennebec Behavioral Health was founded in 1960 and operates clinics in Waterville, Skowhegan, Winthrop, Augusta and Farmington.

Northern Light Health announces finance leadership changes

Chris Frauenhofer, vice president of finance of Northern Light Inland Hospital and interim administrator of Northern Light Continuing Care, Lakewood in Waterville, has been named as the new vice president of finance for Northern Light Health’s system Medical Group.

Frauenhofer joined Northern Light Health in 2013, starting at Maine Coast Memorial Hospital before moving to Inland Hospital in 2017. Before joining Northern Light Health, he served in senior finance roles for more than 20 years at hospitals in New York, including Alice Hyde Medical Center and Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center.

Frauenhofer received a master’s in business administration degree from Niagara University (New York) and a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration/registered accounting (program from State University of New York at Buffalo).

Frauenhofer lives in Mariaville. He will remain in the interim role at Lakewood until a new administrator is recruited.

Randy Clark, vice president of finance and operations at Northern Light Sebasticook Valley Hospital in Pittsfield, will expand his duties to include Inland Hospital and Lakewood, becoming vice president of finance for both hospitals and the continuing care facility.

A resident of Vassalboro, Clark just celebrated 25 years with Northern Light Health. He started as a controller at Sebasticook Valley Hospital in 1996 and became vice president of finance in 2005. In 2016, operations was added to his leadership role. For a few years, he oversaw finance as vice president for both CA Dean Hospital in Greenville and Sebasticook Valley Hospital.

Clark earned his Bachelor of Science degree in business administration from the University of Maine (Orono) and his Master of Business Administration degree from Thomas College (Waterville).

“Chris and Randy have been vital to our local leadership teams, and integral to system finance work. We know they will continue to help our system and member organizations succeed in their new and expanded roles — not only when it comes to finance, but with all aspects of our mission to improve the health of the people and communities we serve. Both Chris and Randy have a passion for excellent service and finding new ways to deliver on our brand promise,” said Terri Vieira, president of Inland Hospital, Continuing Care, Lakewood, and Sebasticook Valley Hospital, according to a news release from Northern Light Health.

Maine Dental Association partners with Maine Needs

The Maine Dental Association recently partnered with nonprofit organization Maine Needs to assemble and distribute 200 cleaning and hygiene kits to four sites.

The association, though its donation campaign called Maine Needs a Smile, collected personal hygiene items such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, deodorant and shampoo, and basic cleaning supplies, such as laundry detergent, all-purpose cleaner and trash bags, to help Maine families in need.

The initiative was started by three MDA member dentists, Dr. Meg Dombroski, Dr. Kathryn Horutz and Dr. Nicole Kimmes, along with MDA Executive Director Angela Westhoff. The group was familiar with the Maine Needs nonprofit organization, which strives to help individuals and families in Maine meet basic, material needs by providing donated clothing and essential products and household items, and which partners with schools, caseworkers, nurses and nonprofits throughout the state to provide those material resources.

“One of the most rewarding aspects of dentistry is the opportunity to make a difference in people’s lives every day. The Maine Needs A Smile community effort made it possible for dental professionals across Maine to join together to have a positive impact beyond our chairs,” said Kimmes, according to a news release from the association

One of the ways Maine Needs provides for individuals and families is through different “kits” that the public can put together and donate.

The Maine Needs a Smile initiative originally had a goal of assembling 100 cleaning and hygiene kits. Because of the support of MDA member dentists, dental staff, and the general public, 200 kits were put together and were distributed between four sites. Kits were distributed at the Community Concepts Early Learning Center in Farmington, River Valley Free Store in Mexico, Kaydenz Kitchen Food Pantry in Lewiston, and Penney Memorial United Baptist Church in Augusta.

Gardiner FCU gives to local food pantries, organizations

Gardiner Federal Credit Union recently hosted a small reception to distribute the funds raised in 2020. The guests were representatives of area food pantries and organizations that help local people with food insecurities. There are eight organizations, each receiving a check in the amount of $2,482.38.

When the pandemic hit the number of people in need of these services grew. There were many new faces. Initially, some pantries were overwhelmed. Thankfully, those able to give dug deep and helped them make certain no one was turned away empty-handed. Individuals, grocers and businesses helped keep them afloat.

The Tanzanian proverb, “Little by little, a little becomes a lot.” In most cases, GFCU raises its Ending Hunger funds, one dollar at a time. So, to the staff and the members, they may think that dollar won’t make a difference, but it does. In this case it added up to almost 20,000 of those dollars. Their efforts and the generosity of many, do make a difference and the funds add up to a lot.

Throughout the months of June and July, GFCU will sell Cash Calendars for Ending Hunger. The calendars are $10 each. A total of $2,400 in prizes, will be drawn each weekday in August. Winners will receive either $100 or $200, depending on which day(s) they win. Anyone with $10 can purchase a calendar. It is not necessary to be a member to support any of its fundraisers.

For more business news, visit CentralMaine.com.

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