Personal Stories

Testimonial from Joni James with her son Daniel, patients at Western Maine Family Health Center, Livermore Falls
"Emma takes the time to really listen and is patient even with two young kids who don’t always want to cooperate," says Joni. "She also respects what I have to say about my children’s healthcare." Emma Ansara, Family Nurse Practitioner, understands that parents are the best judges of her children’s situations. "If I call with a concern about one of the kids, Emma will ask me, "What is your Mommy sense telling you?" She knows that Moms know when something isn’t quite right," states Joni. Nine month old Daniel and his three year-old big sister, Zinnia, first became patients of Emma Ansara shortly after Daniel was born. "The private medical practice we had been going to was always too busy and a bit crazy," says Joni. "I often felt rushed and not listened to." That all changed when Joni transferred her family’s care to Emma Ansara at Western Maine Family Health Center.

Testimonial from Cindy Rollins, patient at Mt. Abram Health Center
“The health center is very important to this community. It is a bright light in the middle of the wilderness,” shares Cindy Rollins patient at Mt. Abram Health Center. “I had been seeing the same doctor for twenty years in southern Maine.” After moving to northwestern Maine, Cindy says, “I traveled back for my appointments for three years. I did not want to give up that doctor who knew me. I thought I was going to one of the best doctors in southern Maine. At first, I thought Mt. Abram Health Center was small, maybe not so up-to-date. I changed my mind. The doctors listen to me and hear what I have to say. I feel that they really check into things to find out what is wrong. They find the answer. I also appreciate that I can pick my doctor and choose between a male or female provider.”

Testimonial from Sue Charles, patient at Lovejoy Health Center
“I think the health center is very important to the community because it serves a lot of people and it works. It has been here thirty years and two of the first providers are still here. I think that says a lot. It meets the medical needs of the community,” says long-time Lovejoy Health Center patient Sue Charles. Sue appreciates the personal attention the health center offers. Sue received an invitation from the health center to join ‘Living a Healthy Life,’ a six-week living with chronic disease class offered by the health center. “It was nice to know that someone cared enough about me to let me know about this class. I appreciated that personal touch. The invitation was a plus. I thought, ‘six weeks, two hours; seven miles... I can do that.’ ” When reflecting on her experience in the class Sue says, “I thought there was a lot of support. It was well organized. It started on time and ended on time. I think of that group almost every day. I think... ’drink water, exercise and move more.’ “

Testimonial from Joanne A. Chapman, patient at Rangeley Region Health Center
“For some people, having the health center close to home makes the difference between getting medical care or not,” says Joanne Chapman coordinator of the Rangeley Region Appointment Transport (RRAT) and a patient at the health center since 1996. “Many residents of Rangeley would only get crisis care if they had to travel to Farmington. That is a long way to go, especially if you are elderly or not feeling well. It would mean that they would be in an ambulance heading south.” Being close to home offers others advantages as well, “I think that being local and community oriented are important. I know the people here and it is a friendly atmosphere. I think they really care; it is not just a job,” shares Joanne.

Testimonial from Carol and Leslie ‘Pal’ Clark, patients at Lovejoy Health Center
“It is convenient, especially in emergencies,” says Pal Clark one of Lovejoy Health Center’s first patients. “Years ago, I passed out while driving my truck. I had been working in the woods, stacking wood. My wife and our three year old granddaughter were in the truck. I found out later I had a heart arrhythmia. It would have taken a half or three-quarters of an hour for an ambulance to get here. It would have taken another half hour to drive to Waterville.” “I would not have known what to do if the health center had not been here,” says his wife Carol. “It is comforting to know that the health center is close by.” Pal and Carol also appreciate the friendly atmosphere, “It is personal, almost like a family. We walk in and whoever is out there calls us by our names even if they are busy.”

Testimonial from Lucretia Dudley, patient at Strong Area Health Center
“It is like you do not miss the water until your well runs dry. A lot of people just would not get health care without Strong Area Health Center. It makes a big difference,” says Lucretia Dudley, Strong Area Health Center patient, as she reflects on what the health center means to her community. “The staff has been really, really friendly. They know us and they will go out of their way to help us. I think they are really concerned about each person; we are more than patients. After my husband passed away, I was having pains in my chest. I would have passed it off, but my social worker suggested that I make an appointment on my way out. They hooked me to all sorts of machines, than sent me to the hospital. I ended up having a triple bypass. I do not know what would have happened if I had not made that appointment.” Having the health center close to home has made a significant difference to Lucretia’s health care. She says,” Because of the price of gas and everything, I probably would not keep my appointments or take the medications I need without the health center close by.”

Testimonial from Carroll and Joyce Bowie of Livermore Falls, Maine, patients at Western Maine Family Health Center
“The doctors here go above and beyond to help people,” says Carroll Bowie, of Livermore Falls. He and his wife Joyce have been patients at Western Maine Family Health Center since moving to the area more than six years ago. “The people here are good, and friendly. They explain everything when we have questions. I really enjoy coming,” shares Joyce. “Even if you don’t have an appointment, you know you will receive assistance.” Besides the health center services, Carroll and Joyce appreciate the availability of other medical and support services right on site or next door. Both Joyce and Carroll agree that having a health care facility in their town is very convenient: “It’s only about a five minute drive from our house. It’s closer than going all the way to Farmington. There’s no long wait time.” Carroll says that he would certainly recommend Western Maine Family Health Center to his friends and family. “You get treated like people should be treated. It’s good for the elderly because it’s close to home and there are good discounts.”

Testimonial from Jay Strickland, patient of Bingham Area Health Center
"Having lived in the Bingham area most of my life, I know that having the health center in our community means an awful lot," says long-time Bingham Area Health Center (BAHC) patient Jay Strickland. Strickland, father of six, is grateful that he and his family don’t have to travel all the way to Skowhegan for care, "especially considering gas prices these days," he says. In addition to the convenience, Strickland says that the health center is also vital because it offers care to everyone, those with and without insurance or means to pay. "I had good health care coverage back when I worked at Sappi," he says. Now self-employed, Strickland reports that since his layoff from the mill he feels "very fortunate that [he] and [his] family can receive the kind of quality care that the health center provides." "My job now is as good as most in the area, but it is harder and harder for people around here to keep up with health care costs, with the loss of industry and the higher paying jobs and benefits that have left with it. Having this health center here makes a real difference, as there is a great need for the services and we don’t have anywhere else to go. It makes the community a better place," he says.

Testimonial of Heidi Dow, Patient of Lovejoy Health Center
"I’ve been a patient of Lovejoy Health Center since I was a child, and now my four children are patients of the center as well. I appreciate that the providers and staff here truly know their patients and are in-tune with our health care needs. Having health care available here in the community means we don’t have to travel the distance to the hospital or elsewhere. This was especially important to me during my first pregnancy when I developed gestational diabetes. I needed to have blood tests a few times each week. Having the health center close to home meant I was able to avoid many trips to Waterville and/or buying a machine, which would have been difficult for me to do. As always, the health center was able to accommodate my needs.”

Testimonial from Carol Rundlett, Patient of Lovejoy Health Center
When Carol Rundlett moved to Maine she transferred her care to Lovejoy Health Center. As she began building relationships with her various providers, she noticed how different her health care team operated. "I never had communication between my doctors [before]; I had to be my own spokesperson." "One of the things I was so impressed with [at Lovejoy] was that Dr. West was wonderful in selecting specialists, and then with the communications he was able to maintain with each person he referred me to." As a patient at Lovejoy, Carol explained, "Here, they have to [monitor the condition], they test you when you come in, they check up every three months, and talk about all the different aspects - diet, exercise...everything." In addition, Dr. West encouraged Rundlett to join a chronic illness class to begin working on the personal maintenance of her diabetes. In discussing her involvement in the class Rundlett remarked, "Dr. West never said 'you have to'- it was enticing that he left the decision in my hands." After receiving education as to how the class could be helpful and what part it played in her general health, Carol began attending the class once a week for six weeks. As a participant in the chronic illness class she related, "I set my own goals. I'm doing things that are manageable... and I realize... I don't have to do it all in one day."

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