To mark the end of National Volunteer Week, Central Maine Medical Center (CMMC) hosted a luncheon and celebration for the hospital’s volunteers on Friday, April 28. Central Maine Healthcare’s System Director of Volunteer Services Sue Hedrich spoke about the importance of volunteerism and how CMMC’s volunteers ensure the hospital provides high-quality service to everyone who walks through the doors. Anyone interested in volunteering should call 207-795-2472.
Central Maine Medical Center
Woman’s Hospital Association Rotating Gallery to Feature Nancy Clark and Windows to Nature Artwork in May
The Woman’s Hospital Association (WHA) Rotating Art Gallery will feature artwork by Nancy Clark and Windows to Nature, owned by Paul and Susan Boucher, through the month of May. The gallery is located at 60 High Street in Lewiston, the main entrance to Central Maine Medical Center (CMMC).
Born and raised in rural Maine, Clark draws inspiration from the magnificent landscapes that Maine offers. Clark’s exhibition will feature her new “Sea and Sky” series. The series focuses on the horizon line and the effects of changing light, allowing the audience to contemplate the mystery and calling of distant spaces.
“Sometimes when painting, it feels like a dance, and I find myself swaying back and forth as I blend the paints directly onto the canvas with sweeping brushstrokes,” said Clark of her “need” to paint.
Lewiston residents Paul and Susan Boucher are both artists and owners of Windows to Nature. Their avid love of Maine’s outdoors inspires their work and lives. (Pictured: “Chickadees”)
For Paul Boucher art has been an integral part of his essence for almost 40 years. Though he has studied under various artists he is primarily self-taught. His work combines a sense of realism with his own unique form of imagination, especially when working with his favorite subjects New England scenes and Maine birds, including Loons.
Susan Boucher has been interested in some kind of art for most of her life. She paints predominantly in watercolor utilizing her own photographic images. Boucher’s endless fascination with her surroundings often draws her to capture the undulating shapes of flowers, children, and woodland scenes.
Together they welcome their audience to experience their Windows to Nature.
The artists’ work may be purchased through the WHA Gift Shop, located adjacent to the main lobby at Central Maine Medical Center. A percentage of sale proceeds benefits CMMC.
Maine Commission for Community Service Recognizes Androscoggin Area Youths with the Governor’s Awards for Service & Volunteerism
Maine youth are volunteering at a rate that has earned the state recognition in national reports. It’s time to shine a spotlight on the young people who are serving and changing their communities. This recognition program shows appreciation and encouragement to volunteers 18 years of age and younger. The week of April 24th is National Volunteer Week.
Nine local young people have met the criteria to receive the Governor’s Award for Service & Volunteerism by volunteering time at Central Maine Medical Center through the Junior Volunteer program over the past year and have been nominated for the award by Susan Hedrich, System Director of Volunteer Services for Central Maine Healthcare which is the parent company of Central Maine Medical Center, Rumford Hospital, and Bridgton Hospital. Students must complete at least 50 hours of volunteer service and be under 18 years of age. The students will each receive a certificate of recognition from the Governor’s Office, a President’s Volunteer Service medallion, and a ticket to a Maine Red Claws basketball game in honor of youth volunteerism.
The nine local students are:
Alexa Kesaris of Lisbon Falls 118 hours of service done at Central Maine Medical Center.
Nolan Downs of Dixfield with 108 hours of service done at Central Maine Medical Center.
Emily French of Lewiston with 85 hours of service done at Central Maine Medical Center.
Nick Aripez of Sabattus with 79 hours of service done at Central Maine Medical Center.
Jayden Carpenter of Greene with 64 hours of service done at Central Maine Medical Center.
Donna Hunt of Mechanic Falls with 60 hours of service done at Central Maine Medical Center.
Hunter Young of Auburn with 60 hours of service done at Central Maine Medical Center.
Brea Gagnon of Auburn with 55 hours of service done at Central Maine Medical Center.
Hanna Mougin of Lewiston with 52 hours of service done at Central Maine Medical Center.
Arun Thukkani, M.D. Joins Central Maine Heart Associates
Arun Thukkani, M.D. has joined the staff at Central Maine Heart Associates located at 60 High Street in Lewiston.
Thukkani attended Duke University in Durham, N.C. He earned his Doctor of Philosophy and Doctor of Medicine at Saint Louis University Health Sciences Center in St. Louis. He is board certified in Interventional Cardiology through the American Board of Cardiology.
He completed his internal medicine residency and fellowships in general cardiology and cardiovascular molecular imaging at Washington University/Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis. Thukkani continued his specialized training at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston with fellowships in coronary interventional and structural heart disease interventional cardiology.
“Patients with structural heart problems can be quite complex and their specific treatment can be as well. Oftentimes, the most appropriate therapy requires a multidisciplinary evaluation between interventional cardiologists, cardiovascular surgeons, and cardiac imagers. This team-based approach to treat complex cardiovascular disease is something I enjoy,” Thukkani said of his chosen specialty.
He continued, “I connect best with patients through taking my time and thoroughly explaining many of the complex issues they may be facing. I sincerely try to inject humanity and empathy into my conversations with patients.”
Central Maine Heart Associates is part of Central Maine Healthcare and can be reached by calling 207-753-3900.
Woman’s Hospital Association Rotating Gallery to Feature Sergei Bachkovsky and Julie Breau in April
The Woman’s Hospital Association (WHA) Rotating Art Gallery will feature a new series by Sergei Bachkovsky and oil paintings by Julie Breau through the month of April. The gallery is located at 60 High Street in Lewiston, the main entrance to Central Maine Medical Center (CMMC).
Bachkovsky is a multifaceted artist working in photography, sculpting, scrimshaw, painting, and culinary arts. His exhibit features his new series entitled “Horse Spirit.” Outside of his art he is known as the “Dog Whisperer of Greene” and is co-owner of Dog Temple – Dog Rehabilitation Center and Sanctuary of Maine.
As a lifelong creative, Breau’s art captures the beauty that is all around her. She spends as much time as possible outside with her camera and her dog photographing her surroundings and translating her photos into paintings. Though she has worked in other mediums, oil painting has become her passion. Breau enjoys painting dramatic skies, ocean and snowy scenes, old barns, beautiful flowers, and even miscellaneous objects such as benches and old trucks. She has been in several juried exhibitions and is proud to be a part of the local art movement in central Maine.
The artists’ work may be purchased through the WHA Gift Shop, located adjacent to the main lobby at Central Maine Medical Center. A percentage of sale proceeds benefits CMMC.
Reza Rahbar, M.D., F.A.C.S., F.A.S.C.R.S., Joins Central Maine Surgical Associates
Reza Rahbar, M.D., F.A.C.S, F.A.S.C.R.S., has joined the staff at Central Maine Surgical Associates (CMSA) located at 12 High Street, Suite 401 in Lewiston.
Rahbar completed his undergraduate studies and received his medical degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He completed his general surgery training at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School in Boston and completed his fellowship in colorectal surgery at Louisiana State University in Shreveport, La.
Rahbar comes to CMSA from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where he has been in academic surgery practicing colorectal surgery for the last seven years. He is board certified in both general and colorectal surgery. Rahbar is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons and the American Society of Colorectal Surgery and serves as the co-editor of the World Journal of Colorectal Surgery.
He specializes in surgery for benign and malignant diseases of the colon and rectum with a focus on minimally invasive surgical techniques using advanced laparoscopic surgery, robotic surgery, and surgical endoscopy. Within the various colorectal diseases Rahbar holds a strong interest and experience in surgical management of Crohn’s Disease and ulcerative colitis.
“Surgery really is a calling, it requires a lot of you, but if you love it like I do, it gives back so much more,” said Rahbar. “I enjoy being a sub-specialist caring for benign and malignant problems. People come to colorectal surgeons with problems they want fixed. I get to help them and in return I get to meet and care for many wonderful people.”
“I realize that what I do as a surgeon is routine work for me, however, undergoing an operation or seeing a doctor in the office is anything but routine for a patient. Remembering that every day helps me keep at my best and connect with my patients,” continued Rahbar.
Rahbar practices at Central Maine Surgical Associates in collaboration with Nina Edwards, M.D., Rajeev Puri, M.D., James Reilly, M.D., David Burke, M.D., Laura Withers, M.D., Anna Royer, M.D., Kimberly Caldwell, P.A.-C., Rebecca Gardina, P.A.-C., Kate Grygiel, P.A.-C., Rebecca Pare, F.N.P., Elizabeth Pavao, F.N.P., and Sara Reeder, P.A.-C.
Central Maine Surgical Associates is part of Central Maine Healthcare and can be reached by calling 207-795-5767.