For Immediate Release
September 02, 1999

Contact:
Beryl Wolfe
(207) 775-5115
Web Site: http://www.martinspoint.org

Physicians at Martin's Point Health Care are taking to the road, visiting workplaces throughout southern Maine to speak on a variety of health issues as part of a program to promote wellness among the state's working men and women.

The Physician Outreach program offers free presentations by one of the more than 30 Martin's Point physicians on topics ranging from healthy eating habits to hormone replacement therapy. So far, Central Maine Power and the Maine Department of Human Services have scheduled presentations, and a dozen more companies have expressed interest.

The physician lecture program is the focus of an article published in the August issue of Modern Physician, a national medical publication based in Chicago.

"It's wonderful to see our efforts recognized nationally," said Amy Weinschenk, director of marketing and communications at Martin's Point. "This is truly a great program and it provides an opportunity for people to ask questions and learn about topics they otherwise might not have taken the time to discuss with their physician."

To request a physician, employers can call Amy Weinschenk, director of marketing and communications at Martin's Point Health Care, at 774-5801, extension 1015. Or visit the Martin's Point website at www.martinspoint.org.

"It's one way to give back to the community," said David Howes, M.D., president and chief medical officer of Martin's Point. "As a non-profit health care organization, we feel it's our responsibility to be accessible to working men and women. Just seeing a doctor once or twice a year isn't enough to learn about responsible health care, so we are going out into the community to meet people and encourage them to share their thoughts and concerns when they are well."

The Physician Outreach program allows for a free presentation by a Martin's Point physician on one of a variety of topics, including the following: "Alternative Medicine: Health of Hazard," "Foods, Fads and Foolish Behavior," "10 Ways to Live to Be 100," "Hormone Replacement Therapy: Is It For You?" and "Overworked? Over the Hill? Overtired? Knowing Your Limits."

At Martin's Point, the new program fits into a concerted effort to educate patients and the community at large about healthcare issues, Weinschenk said. Its commitment already is evident in the health education center it houses. The center offers a variety of resource materials, such as publications and videos, and classes that focus on a host of topics, ranging from weight management and smoking cessation to managing a particular disease.

Martin's Point Health Care, established in 1981, is a non-profit health care provider with facilities in Brunswick, Portland, Windham, and in Newington, N.H. With a staff of 290 health care professionals, Martin's Point serves approximately 44,000 patients in the areas of family practice, internal medicine, pediatrics, radiology, cardiology, mammography and other fields. Martin's Point holds the contract with the U.S. Department of Defense to provide health care services for retired military personnel and the dependents of active duty personnel, and accepts all major health plans and insurance, including but not limited to HealthSource, Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Harvard Community Health Plan, Tufts Health Plan, Maine Partners, MSFHP and TRICARE plans.

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