Michael Lambke, MD, Clarissa Sabattis, RN, Matt Dexter, Robert Kieffer, Fowsia Musse, and Jessica Oakes
Maine Health Access Foundation (MeHAF) elected Michael Lambke, MD, and Chief Clarissa Sabattis, RN, to its statewide board of trustees and Matt Dexter, Robert Kieffer, Fowsia Musse, and Jessica Oakes to its statewide Community Advisory Committee. MeHAF’s statewide board oversees the work of the foundation and stewards its resources and the CAC provides input and provides valuable perspectives from diverse populations across Maine.
New Board of Trustees Members:
Michael Lambke, MD, is a practicing family medicine physician offering family-centered, community-based medical care in Skowhegan since 1998. He is a former medical director and a current board member at Redington-Fairview General Hospital. Aiming to improve the health of the population of Somerset County and central Maine, he has collaborated with local organizations including the Skowhegan Farmers Market, Skowhegan Maine Street, Somerset Public Health, and Maine Grain Alliance. In 2008, he was recognized as the Maine Family Physician of the Year by the Maine Academy of Family Physicians, and has received teaching awards from Tufts medical students in the Tufts University School of Medicine – Maine Medical Center “Maine Track” Program.
Chief Clarissa Sabattis, RN, is the current Chief of the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, and Native of Houlton, Maine. She is a Registered Nurse and prior to her current post, spent most of the past seven years working as part of a team to establish a Public Health Infrastructure for the Wabanaki Tribes in Maine. Ms. Sabattis is passionate about the health and well-being of her people, and her focus is to improve conditions that impact their overall health status.
New Community Advisory Committee Members:
Matt Dexter is President and Executive Director of the nonprofit Christine B. Foundation (CBF), based in Brewer, Maine. The foundation’s namesake, Christine, is Mr. Dexter’s mother, who died from stomach cancer. Mr. Dexter and his family started this organization to build a community of support for those affected by cancer in Eastern Maine. Since its inception in 2014, he has grown the foundation with values of creativity, collaboration, and committing to his community.
Robert Kieffer is the Agency Manager for United Insurance in Caribou, Maine. His responsibilities include overall management and growth of the Caribou branch of United Insurance. Mr. Kieffer also co-owns RE/MAX North Realty in Caribou with his wife, Lehrle Kieffer. In addition to his business interests, he is a registered Maine Guide, past Rotary Club president, past Cary Medical Center board chair, nordic ski coach, and has served on numerous other civic and professional organizations.
Fowsia Musse is the Executive Director of Maine Community Integration and a Community Health Outreach Worker at Healthy Androscoggin, where her work includes educating families about Lead Poisoning Prevention. Ms. Musse is a member of the Pine Tree Youth Organization board, President of the Neighborhood Housing League, board member of the 21st Century afterschool program in Lewiston High School, and is a Coordinator for Maine Community Integrations, which is an ethnic based organization. In the past, she has worked as a medically certified interpreter helping the new Mainer population navigate the very complicated health care system. Ms. Musse is a cultural broker and “bridger,” diffusing conflicts, and working toward bettering the relationships between neighborhoods.
Jessica Oakes is a licensed clinical social worker, licensed alcohol and drug counselor, and certified clinical supervisor who currently works for the Open Door Recovery Center in Ellsworth, Maine. Her work is primarily with children and adolescents, providing substance abuse assessments and substance abuse and mental health counseling in the school setting. Ms. Oakes’s work with youth stems from her belief in the importance of human relationships and the value of empowerment through education and compassionate listening.
Contact: Jeb Murphy
Phone: 207.620.8266
Email: jmurphy@mehaf.org
Health Literacy Media
Health Literacy Media turns 10 this year. As the organization celebrates a decade of health literacy, board President, Dr. Steve Pu wrote a blog post that reflects on the history and accomplishments of the organization. Additional celebrational activities will be planned throughout the year.
Phone: 314.361.9400
Email: info@healthliteracy.media
More information: https://www.healthliteracy.media/blog/10-years-of-health-literacy-changes-and-constants-in-an-evolving-field