Letter from Art

The Holiday Spirit of Giving

Team Memorial,

Last year for Thanksgiving, we coordinated a program where we provided Memorial team
members in need with a Thanksgiving meal for them and their families.  We are going to do this
for Thanksgiving again this year. This is the initial communication asking team members to
confidentially self-identify a need and email Becky Adams badams1@memorialhospitalnh.org,
and let her know the size of your family and any food restrictions you and or your family may
have. We would like to have all requests to Becky by this Friday, November 13, so we have
time to buy and organize the meals. Last year, we used a special email but that email went
straight to Becky anyway, and this proved to be somewhat clunky managing another email
inbox - so please email Becky directly. 
 
For Christmas last year, we also coordinated a Memorial Secret Santa Program, where team
members could reach out to us if felt they would have difficulty providing presents to their
children. We are planning to do this again this year. Team members who need Santa and his
Elves’ assistance can send information on the number of children in their family, and two to
three presents the children would love to have Christmas morning. Please send this information
to Becky by the end of November.

Becky can also provide additional information on these programs and is available to answer
questions you may have. 

I would like to close by saying that most, if not all of us, have seen hard times at some point our
lives. It happens. Last year, some of you may recall me telling you that during my Army career, I
liked to offer both of these programs during the holiday season for Soldiers and their families in
need. It’s about taking care of our own the best we can and helping others in need. I am proud
that I’m part of an organization and team that embodies this mantra!

Thanks for all you do!

Art
 
November Awareness Months (subhead)
Month-long Observances

National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month

www.alz.org

American Diabetes Month

www.diabetes.org

Eye Donation Month

DonateLifeNewEngland.org
Wednesday, November 11, Veteran’s Day

Thanks to the EEC for putting together a list of team members and volunteers at Memorial
Hospital who are veterans – and thank you, veterans for serving our country!

Team Member Name Branch Department

Art Mathisen US Army Administration
David Esmay, CRNA Air Force Anesthesia
Rudy Pavlesich, CRNA US Army Anesthesia
Ashley Cyr, CNRA Air Force Anesthesia
Kim Riddensdale US Army Cardiopulmonary
Chris Marcotte Marine Corps ED
Bob Croce Air Force ED
Martin Kelly US Navy ED
Kevin Jenckes US Army ED
Todd James US Navy EVS
Darren Evans US Army Facilities
Jim Santa Fe US Marines Facilities
Jesse Burke Army Reserves Imaging
Robert Scott US Navy IS
Deb Kerr US Navy Merriman House
 Christine Sears US Army M&S
Martha Jackson US Navy M&S
Brian Boshea CST Air Force OR
David Selby US Navy Practice Operations
Craig Smith, DO US Army Primary Care
Jessica LaMontagne,
APRN Air Force Primary Care
Mary Cordwell National Guard Security
     
Volunteer Name Branch  
Harry Smith Air Force  
Dwight Nall US Army  
Dick VanDyne US Navy  
Ed Lawton US Army  
Sam Johnson Army Reserves  
Al Frizele US Army  

Healthcare Recognition Month Spotlights (subhead)

November marks another month of important recognition weeks for healthcare workers – thank you for
all you do for Memorial Hospital!

November 1-7, National Medical Staff Services Awareness Week

November 1-7, National Medical-Surgical Nurses Week

November 1-7, Urology Nurses & Associates Week

November 8-14, National Nurse Practitioner Week

November 8-14, National Radiologic Technology Week®

November 8-14, PeriOperative Nurse Week

Welcome New Employees & Medical Staff! (header)

Please join us in welcoming the new members of our team that joined us in October.

Title
Name
Caitlin Hilton Multi-Modality Tech
Lorelei Estes EMT-Intermediate
Doriann Robinson LNA
Megan Lundrigan LNA
Sarah Riker RN - Hospital
Jordan Cargill EMT
Tracey Devine RN - Practices
Joseph Lentini EMT
Hailey Boudreau Housekeeper
Kimberly Farrington Patient Service Representative
Amy Power LNA
George Treamer EMT
Michel Twomey Housekeeper
October Orientation Attendees (subhead)

Attending the October 5 orientation were (front row, L-R): Zachary McNevich, Doriann Robinson and Karen Hanley.
(Back row, L-R): Lorelei Estes, Caitlin Hilton and Amy Proulx-DeCain.

Attending the October 15 orientation were (L-R): Megan Lundrigan, Tracey Devine, Sarah Riker, Jordan Cargill and
Joseph Lentini.
Attending the October 26 orientation were (front row, L-R): Hailey Boudreau, Michel Twomey and Kimberly
Farrington. (Back row, L-R): Amy Power and George Treamer.
November Birthdays

Name Title Department Birth Date

Susan Laufer LNA Med Surg General 11/01
Linda Roberts RN - Practices Oncology 11/01
Isabella-Rose Dunnells RN - Hospital Med Surg General 11/02
Michael Poirier Nursing Coordinator Med Surg General 11/02
Louise Marquis RN - LTC Merriman House 11/02
Christine Haine RN - Hospital Family Birthing Center 11/04
Susan Allen LNA Merriman House 11/05
Sharlene Willey RN - Hospital Emergency Department 11/07
Drew Cloutier Pharmacist Pharmacy 11/08
Cheryl Battles RN - Practices Heart Health & Wellness 11/08
Kate Everett RN - Hospital Med Surg General 11/08
Duane Anctil LNA Med Surg General 11/09
Beverly Wilson LPN Med Surg General 11/10
Benjamin Miller RN - Hospital ICU 11/10
Marlene Banhart Patient Service Representative Orthopedics 11/10
Harvey Thacker EMT-Intermediate Emergency Department 11/10
Jennifer Bartlett Schedule Coordinator Radiology 11/11
Peter Waugh Volunteer Service Supervisor Volunteer Services 11/12
Mary Pipilas RN - Hospital Emergency Department 11/14
Arlee Giannini Pharmacy Tech Pharmacy 11/14
Amy Russo Occupational Therapist Occupational Therapy 11/15
Stephen Harper Case Manager - LTC Merriman House 11/16
Kathleen Munroe Supervisor - Clinical Oncology 11/17
Matthew Dunn CMO Provider Administration 11/17
Stephanie Pavao Physical Therapist Outpatient Physical Therapy 11/17
Mary Jane Elwell Unit Sec/LNA Med Surg General 11/18
Nancy Massucco Multi-Modality Tech Radiology 11/18
Monika Lorensen RN - LTC Merriman House 11/19
Trillium Rintel RN - Hospital General Surgery 11/20
Megan Lundrigan LNA Merriman House 11/21
Sarah Bushey Medical Assistant Oncology 11/22
Amanda Leavitt Case Manager Case Management 11/23
Timothy Harmon Pharmacist Pharmacy 11/23
Kimberly Demers Nursing Home Administrator Merriman House 11/23
Ashley Quinn RN - Practices Primary Care 11/24
Deborah Hill Manager - Informatics Nursing Services 11/25
Michael Kapinos RN - Hospital General Surgery 11/26
Sherri Shaw-Davidson OR Booking Coordinator General Surgery 11/26
Christopher Madsen Paramedic Emergency Department 11/27
Sarah Williams Pharmacy Tech Pharmacy 11/30

HR Happenings (Header)
Recruitment Update (subhead)
We successfully hosted our first Virtual Career Fair on October 21, with over 30 in attendance! We are
hoping to bring on some talented new team members in the hospital and practices as a result of this
career fair. In addition to digital and print advertising, we also have continued to recruit new talent in
hard-to-fill positions by communicating via email & text to candidates in our Talent Network, through
LinkedIn, and Indeed.

We have new opportunities in Food & Nutrition services. Full time and part time openings, with great
benefits! Prior experience is preferred. Learn more here.

We have also Medical Assistant opportunities in primary care and specialty practices; new grads are
welcome! Refer a new team member and qualify for a $2,000 employee referral bonus!

Reminder: The MaineHealth Employee Referral Program rewards you for your referrals system-wide!
Check out details here.

What’s New (header)

Children’s Holiday Party – Cancelled (subhead)
The EEC wanted to share that due to COVID, this year’s Children’s Holiday Party has been
cancelled. See you in 2021!

Coming Soon – Additional Workplace Violence Prevention Classes for Care Team Members
(subhead)
Since all of our care team members completed the Crisis Prevention Institute’s
Prevention First program earlier this fall, a Workplace Violence Workgroup at Memorial
Hospital has been working with CPI to identify the next steps in training for staff
members to give them additional methods and tools to stay safe.

CPI offers various levels of training in de-escalation techniques, intervention tactics and
restraint procedures. Memorial will offer a variety of levels of training in the upcoming
months to team members depending on their identified risk and needs.
Within the next few weeks, if you work in a role where it is felt this additional training
benefits you, you will receive more details about the recommended level of CPI
 workplace violence training for you. Information about class schedules and class
formats will also follow – stay tuned.

NEW! Help Us Support Local Nonprofits (subhead)

Are you involved with a local nonprofit or passionate about a cause? We are looking for local
organizations to feature in the Pulse – we’d love to highlight nonprofit events, fundraising
efforts or any other needs for support. Please email Megan at
mpenny@memorialhospitalnh.org with information on your cause or if you are involved in
work for a local organization.

Congratulations! (subhead)
Kudos to Elaine Chick, Ambulatory Informatics Specialist, for becoming one of eleven new Ambulatory
Outpatient Behavioral Health Credentialed Trainers within the MaineHealth system.
Nursing News (subhead)
Hello Team Memorial,
It’s hard to believe that Thanksgiving is coming soon. Every month I write this feels like I just did
the month before. Thinking about the past year, I am feeling especially grateful this
Thanksgiving. 2020 has been a challenging year and most of us will be glad to see it go and start
a new year in 2021. As a team, we have been pushed to our limits some days. We have
struggled and made tough decisions. Looking back, I can’t believe all that has happened.
Honestly, I hope it has given us all time to reflect on what really is important. This holiday
season will be very different for me. I probably won’t see my family like I’m used to. Our
traditions will have to be paused until another year. Even with these concerns I am truly
thankful for my health, my family and friends. I’m very thankful for my work and the amazing
team I have around me every day. I hope you all have time this season to spend it with loved
ones and cherish today.
I have a few updates for you all:
- AHA Classes: The schedule for 2021 is being worked on now. We will be expanding the
number of classes for next year. Please make sure you are catching up with your
certifications. Thanks!
- EOC update: The Emergency Operations team is meeting more often again and keeping
up with the changing times. The Surge plan has been reviewed and updated. Please
reach out if you have questions or concerns. We will also be looking at other areas of
concern. Many outbreaks have started in areas people eat. Recently, a few of us walked
around the hospital and looked at break rooms and places to eat. We are putting firmer
restrictions in place to reduce transmission.
- COVID Testing Location: The COVID testing center moved to the back of the ED on
November 5. We have also moved admin support to the Med/Surg family Room for
easier access to the center.
- CPI Plans/Updates: Workplace Violence education and training will be starting back up
soon. October 1 marked a new year for meeting this objective. All teams will have more
education this coming. This is a new initiative that will give all staff baseline education
and will begin to build on what we learned last year through modules. MaineHealth is
working towards increasing awareness of workplace violence. It’s important to
recognize a potential threat or problem patient or visitor. Safety of our team is of the
upmost importance. CPI (Crisis Prevention Institute) is the company that will help us
with the education and training. All staff will do the online modules but some staff will
have additional trainings. More information will be coming.
- Visitor Policy: The visitor policy has changed again. As cases rise, we will need to adapt.
We have asked departments that have visitors to go case by case and to limit visitors in
their areas. Please know this is very fluid. We will still be relying on each care team to be
 make the best decision possible for the patient. Please ask your leader if you have
questions
- Evaluations: Evaluations are due November 30. Please finish these up as soon as
possible. Leaders should be finishing meetings over the next few weeks. It’s important
to have an opportunity to talk and discuss your goals and expectations. Please make
time for these meetings. It’s a great way to connect.
Please reach out to me if you have any questions or concerns. I am always happy to help! Thank
you for your ongoing dedication and support to Memorial. I truly love this Hospital and the
team in it.
Happy Thanksgiving! #memorialstrong
- Kris

Medical Staff & MEC News (subhead)

 Congratulations to Midwife Nicole Veilleux and husband, Levi Lucy, on the birth of their baby
boy!
 We welcome Dr. Joe Williams to the Emergency department and Walk In as our Department
Chair/Medical Director.
 Congratulations to Dr. Craig Smith as he begins his term on the Aligned Medical Group
representing all the medical staff at Memorial Hospital.

Nicole Veilleux, Nurse Midwife, (far left) is pictured here this summer, with members of the
Women’s Health team, Kersten Briggs, RN, Lisa Hebert, Supervisor, Christina Mayberry, RN and
Dr. Lauren Frye.
 Dr. Craig Smith

NEW! Medical Staff Scholarship - In 2021, the Medical Staff will now offer a $1000 scholarship to a
graduating senior at Fryeburg Academy and Kennett High School. Candidates are required to be entering
into a health care profession, and preferably be a Carroll County or Oxford County resident. The
scholarship is need blind and grade blind. The student’s submission must include a paragraph on the
reason why they made their specific career choice. Details will follow.

Emergency Department & Walk In Medical Staff Provider News (subhead)

On October 11 through 17, we celebrated Emergency Nurses Week nationwide, as well as “Year of the
Nurse”, Emergency Nursing Association’s 50th Anniversary and Florence Nightingale’s 200thy
anniversary. Covid19 did not allow us the opportunity to truly celebrate. However, our nurses deserve
their well-earned recognition - the work they perform on a routine basis is extraordinary, and with
current demands being made upon them daily, they continue to amaze us with their strength and
character. These nurses deal with a wide variety of patients, regardless of age, illness or injury. They
need to possess the expertise to perform quickly and competently, requiring an immense breadth and
depth of knowledge. With the challenging times of Covid19, as seen with many catastrophes, these
nurses have held their ground, serving the community in the most trying times and caring for patients
with high volume, in unusual spaces as well as environmental challenges. Hats off to all these fine men
and women!
Population Health News (subhead)
It Pays to Engage! (sub subhead)
Congratulations! Two of our own team members were top winners in the 6 Week Leap Into
Health After Labor Community Challenge. Zach Sevigny in Primary Care won first place, a $200
Amazon Gift Card and Garmin Forerunner 23. Nick Thompson in Finance won second place, a
$150 Amazon Gift Card.

First place winner, Zach Sevigny, RN.

Participate in the November Employee Wellness Challenge: Wellness BINGO! (sub subhead)
Click here to download your Bingo card.

Snowshoe Share Program (sub subhead)

We are happy to announce that the WOW! Council has purchased (4) pairs of LL Bean
Snowshoes for employee use—2 men’s and 2 women’s. These snowshoes can be signed out for
use during your lunch hour for use on our trail or for the weekend. More details and directions
about sign up will be emailed in the next couple of weeks.

Virgin Pulse Secret Level 5 (sub subhead)

Everyone should have received an email on October 26 about unlocking Secret Level 5. They
key to unlocking it is to simply keep tracking and racking up your points. Keep pushing yourself
to unlock secret level 5 by December 31 and you will automatically be entered into a raffle for
great prizes. Please note you will only be competing against all other Memorial Hospital
members so chances of winning are even greater! #JustKeepGoing

Eat Well, Get Active, and Prevent Diabetes! (sub subhead)

MaineHealth National Diabetes Prevention Program
Sometimes making healthy choices can be challenging! Session will introduce you to ways to
start building healthy habits into your daily routine, in addition to building your understanding
of why these changes are important for preventing diabetes later in life.
Join the MaineHealth Prevention & Wellness Team in a discussion about building healthy meals,
adding physical activity into your week, and incorporating small, lasting changes into your
lifestyle. This session will highlight the National Diabetes Prevention Program. Attend this
session to learn how to get started and earn 100 Virgin Pulse points for participating! The
session is one hour long.

Upcoming Brown Bags Dates:

November 19 at 12 p.m.
November 23rd at 9 a.m.
Click here to register. For more information, email prevention@mainehealth.org or call 207-
661-7294.

Healthy Paybacks (sub subhead)

Don’t wait until December to submit your Healthy Payback forms. If you have already enrolled
at a gym or weight loss program, taken a fitness, self-help or cooking class, participated in a run
or walk with a registration fee, a sports program or self-help class such as stress management
or similar, then submit your forms now so you don’t miss out on your $$$ payback. Complete
list of qualified wellness programs go to
https://www.mainehealth.org/Employees/Wellness/Earn-Rewards/Healthy-Paybacks on the
Memorial intranet page.
Click here for the July 1, 2020 - December 31, 2020 payback form.

Development News (subhead)

As we approach the holiday season, and Giving Tuesday, a national day of giving for non-profit
organizations, we wanted to share the impact our employee payroll deduction program &
annual gifts have had on our community hospital.
1,777 gifts were made during the last fiscal year through payroll deduction and annual gifts, which raised
over $24,000 to buy equipment and support program expenses for A New Life, Behavioral Health,
Oncology, Emergency Room, Nursing Education, Children’s Health & Wellness, Family Birthing Center,
Medication Access, Merriman House and many other Memorial Hospital programs.
With the support of employees, we were able to provide healthcare and support to A New Life women and
their families, purchase early reader books for young pediatric patients, provide hands-free water bottle
filling stations to local schools, offer safety education to all staff, ensure that every kid in local school
snowsports programs had a helmet, and more. Your contributions directly support and will continue to
support Memorial Hospital.
If you would like to join our payroll deduction program, please contact Melody Nester or Megan Penny in
the Development Office. If you choose to contribute $10 per pay period, you will receive the official
Memorial Hospital softshell jacket! More information will follow closer to Giving Tuesday on December
1, 2020.

Volunteer News (subhead)

NEW! Jen’s Friends Amulets
Jen’s Friends amulets are available now to purchase for $25.00 (cash or check payable to “Jen’s Friends
Cancer Foundation”) through Peter Waugh. This is just another way to support those fighting cancer in
our community. Jen’s Friends appreciates the community support - “you can never have enough
friends.” Thanks to Stephanie Pavao for setting this up!
Volunteers “Wish List” for Equipment and Programs

If your department is in need of a specific item, please ask your manager to complete the “Wish
List Request Form” that is available through Peter Waugh, Volunteer Coordinator. Requests are
then brought to the Volunteers for their consideration and review. The funds used for wish list
items are from gift shop sales. All proceeds from the shop are used to support patient care,
programs, scholarships, and medical equipment in the hospital. For more information, please
contact Peter at ext. 2291.

Main Lobby Bulletin Board Displays Available

The Bulletin Boards in the Main Lobby of the Hospital are there to bring attention to special
events and to recognize theme months for various health and wellness observances throughout
the year. Please contact Peter at ext. 2291 to reserve a spot and time for your display.

MaineHealth News (subhead)

November’s BACON Podcast: Our Medicare Shared Savings Program Results
The MaineHealth ACO’s chief medical officer, Rob Chamberlin, MD, joins co-hosts Julie
Grosvenor, MD, and Mike Clark, MD, to explore financial and quality results just in from the
2019 performance year of the Medicare Shared Savings Program. Plus, Maine Behavioral
Healthcare’s Mary Jean Mork discusses an innovative partnership between psychiatry and
primary care.
BACON is the MaineHealth ACO’s short monthly news and information podcast. Find it on Apple
Podcasts, Spotify or Stitcher by searching for “mainehealth.” Not a podcast listener? Audio and
bonus content can be found on our website.
Culture of Excellence (header)

OpEx Update (subhead)

As of Monday, November 2, the Gemba Walks are suspended once again due to an increase in COVID
cases. That doesn’t mean improvement work stops, though - Art has asked everyone to keep working
on their KPIs during this period.

The Quality Department would like to be a resource to ensure your department gets the most out of the
KPI process. We welcome the opportunity to support you in whatever way works best for you; whether
that is by attending a department meeting, a 1-on-1 meeting with the department champion or
manager, or some other way.

Please contact Nicole Boutet at x2301 or Tracy Kanzler at x2644 to set up a time to chat!

Voice of the Patient (headline)

The care was very good. A very caring group of nurses and doctors. Thank you.

Comfort & care was excellent.

The food was excellent, fresh served warm and with healthy choices.

My wife and I both attend Memorial Hospital, and we have been going there
for 20 years, and we've been very happy with the service and the people and
the caring. It was an excellent hospital and we always plan on using them.
Thank you.
Everyone was extremely nice and professional to me while I was in the ER. 
The process for the COVID test was very easy.

Kudos, Nutritional Services!

As Scene (headline)
The Merriman House Activities staff got in the Halloween spirit and visited departments in
costume.
Our driveway got repaved in mid-October – thanks to the members of our team who stepped
into direct traffic and assist with this project!
Gina McKinney, Supervisor, Orthopedics celebrated her birthday at the end of October with her
awesome team.
Thanks to the Volunteers for providing free chocolates to all departments last month!