This holiday season, put safety at the top of your list when it comes to gift giving. Did you know that there are more than 250,000 toy-related injuries in hospital emergency rooms each year? When purchasing toys look for the letters “ASTM” (American Society for Testing and Materials). This designation means the product meets the national safety standards set by ASTM International.

Follow these toy safety tips to ensure your children’s and family’s safety.

• Read all warnings and instructions on packaging.
• Always supervise children, and demonstrate how to use their toys safely.
• Make sure your child’s toys are safe. The Consumer Products Safety Commission provides a list of recalled toys with photos and descriptions on their website: cpsc.gov/

New Year’s Eve is a time to celebrate, and we’re here to help you celebrate safely!

Follow our guide to a safe New Year’s celebration:

• Drink in moderation.
• Have a designated driver.
• Celebrate with friends – don’t go out alone.
• Alternate alcoholic drinks with water.
• Eat before you drink, and snack while you drink.

Thank you all for a wonderful year. We wish you the happiest of holidays and all the best for a happy, healthy 2017.

Due to hazardous driving conditions DFD Russell Medical Centers will be closed Monday, December 12. We will reopen Tuesday, December 13, at 8 am.

Dr. John P. Meserve

DFD Russell is extremely saddened by the untimely loss of Dr. John P. Meserve, a practitioner at our Monmouth location. Dr. Meserve died unexpectedly in an early-morning car accident on his way to work Thursday, Nov. 17.

More than anything, Dr. Meserve loved his family, friends, and his profession. Over his 30-year career, he cared for thousands of patients from Kennebunk to Millinocket, Portland and Monmouth. He was the type of doctor who truly listened to his patients and even made house calls.

Dr. Meserve practiced family medicine as a board-certified physician and was known in his community as a caring and knowledgeable medical provider. He touched many lives and will be truly missed by his DFD Russell Medical Center colleagues and patients.

Dr. Meserve was born in 1955 in Gardiner to William M. Meserve and Kathleen Kiley Meserve. He grew up with his two brothers, Michael and David, and many loving friends. John is survived by his wife; his brothers; his four children; his two grandchildren, Johan and Charlie; his daughter-in-law, Annette; and his sons-in-law, Joseph and Nicholas

DFD Russell Medical Center offers a full line of services to meet your needs. Meidcare Annual Wellness exams, physicals, behavioral health, sick care, lab tests, care management and community support services all in one location. At DFD Russell, we make it easy to get the care you deserve.

End Senior Malnutrition

• Senior malnutrition impacts nearly 50% of older Americans
• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) offers nutrition assistance to millions of eligible families/individuals
• 76% of people indicate that they eat healthier foods and have improved health when participating in meal programs

DFD Care managers and Patient Assistant Professionals provide clinical healthy eating education and help navigate social/financial barriers like enrolling in SNAP.

Medication Safety Tips

• Take medicine only as prescribed – with input from your healthcare provider
• Be aware of potential drug interactions and side effects
• Review prescriptions, over-the-counter medications, and supplements with your healthcare provider at each visit

Alzheimer’s Awareness

• 26,000 people have Alzheimer’s disease in Maine.
• Know the signs:
  • Memory loss that disrupts daily life
  • Difficulty completing familiar tasks
  • Changes in mood and personality
• Reduce your risk: stay socially engaged, exercise regularly, and maintain a healthy diet

Enrollment is open from November 1, 2016 – January 31, 2017.

Think you don’t qualify for assistance for healthcare through the marketplace? Chances are, you probably do. More than 95% of Mainers qualify for health insurance. Starting in 2013, most people are required by law to have health insurance, or pay a fee with their income tax return. No one plans to get sick or hurt, but most people need medical care at some point. Health coverage helps pay for these costs and protects you from very high expenses.

Did you know the average cost of a 3-day hospital stay is $30,000? Or fixing a broken leg can cost up to $7,500? Having health coverage protects you from high, unexpected costs like these.

DFD is here to offer free assistance to help go over your options and to find the best healthcare plan for you. Call our Community Healthcare Outreach workers Cami Warren or Tia Knapp to get health coverage for 2017 today. 207-524-3501

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

You can reduce your risk for developing breast cancer! To lower your risk, maintain a healthy weight, exercise regularly, and talk to your medical provider about any use of hormone replacement therapy or oral contraceptives.

Raise awareness. Share the stats.

• 1 in 8 women in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime.
• Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death among women.
• Over 250,000 women under 40 in the U.S. live with a breast cancer diagnosis.
• An estimated 2,600 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer each year.
• 93% of women with early breast cancer diagnosis survive beyond 5 years.
• There are over 2.8 million breast cancer survivors in the United States today.

By raising awareness, we can beat breast cancer.

DFD is excited to support our communities and encourage others to walk, run, or bike in support of The Patrick Dempsey Center for Cancer Hope & Healing in this year’s Dempsey Challenge. 

When and where does this happen?

The 2016 Dempsey Challenge takes place in Lewiston-Auburn, Maine, October 1-2.

What does it benefit?

Proceeds from the challenge go to the Dempsey Center. The Dempsey Center offers a vibrant and compassionate environment where an interdisciplinary team of oncology professionals improves the healing experience for those impacted by cancer. Through customized programs The Dempsey Center provides support services that complement treatments, support caregivers, patients and their families equally Source: Demspeycenter.org

How to get involved:

Anyone can get involved and there is an event for everyone.

• Bike – 10, 25, 70, or 100 miles
• Tow-day 140+ mile bike ride presented by L.L. Bean
• Run or walk 5K (3.1 miles) and  10K (6.2 miles)
• Festival in the Park – Saturday 8 am – 1 pm, Sunday 9 am – 5 pm
  • Music Festival at Festival in the Park
• Kid’s Fun Run and Family Ride
• Survivor Walk

You can show your love for team DFD by donating your loose change at one of our coin jars at the front desk at each DFD Health Center location.

To learn more about The Dempsey Challenge please visit:

Dempsey Challenge

Protect your sports superstars this fall.

A concussion is a brain injury caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head. Those who suffer concussions often report trouble focusing, short-term memory loss, difficulty performing daily tasks, and feeling “slower overall. A quick crack on the noggin can make a lasting impact, so it’s important to take concussion prevention seriously.

Symptoms of concussion as reported by athletes: 

• Headache or “pressure” in head
• Nausea or vomiting
• Balance problems or dizziness
• Double or blurry vision
• Sensitivity to noise
• Sensitivity to light
• Feeling sluggish, hazy, foggy, or groggy
• Concentration or memory problems
• Confusion
• Just not “feeling right” or “feeling down”

Signs of concussion observed by coach or caregiver:

• Appears dazed or stunned
• Is confused about assignment or position
• Forgets instruction
• Is unsure of game, score, or opponent
• Moves clumsily
• Answers questions slowly
• Loses consciousness (even briefly)
• Shows mood, behavior, or personality changes
• Can’t recall events prior to hit or fall
• Can’t recall events after hit or fall

Concussion Danger Signs

In rare cases, a dangerous blood clot may form on the brain in a person with a concussion and crowd against the skull. An athlete needs to receive immediate medical attention after a bump, blow, or jolt to the head or body if s/he exhibits any of the following danger signs:

• One pupil is larger than the other
• Is drowsy or cannot be awakened
• A headache that gets worse
• Weakness, numbness, or decreased coordination
• Repeated vomiting or nausea
• Slurred speech
• Convulsions or seizures
• Cannot recognize people or places
• Becomes increasingly confused, restless, or agitated
• Has unusual behavior
• Loses consciousness (even a brief loss of consciousness should be taken seriously)

Concussion Prevention Tips:

• Make sure athletes follow the coach’s and sport’s rules for safety.
• Children should always wear the right protective equipment for the activity.
• Protective equipment should fit properly and be well maintained.
• Encourage your athletes to practice good sportsmanship at all times.
• Emphasize the importance of reporting concussions and taking time to recover from one.

Did You Know?

• Most concussions occur without loss of consciousness.
• Athletes who have, at any point in their lives, had a concussion have an increased risk for another concussion.
• Young children and teens are more likely to get a concussion and take longer to recover than adults.

By being aware of the risks, symptoms, and how to avoid concussions; your athletes can have a safe and fun season. Wishing all our athletes a fun and successful season!

This month we celebrated National Health Center Week to raise awareness of the important role health centers play in  our communities.

But, why just celebrate one week? Let’s spread awareness year-round about the positive impact health centers have.

Health centers serve 23 million patients in the United States, which is about one in fifteen people who utilize health centers as their health care home. As a Patient-Centered Medical Home, DFD meets and exceeds the healthcare needs of its patients through innovative, patient–centered primary care services. Through our system focused on care coordination, patient education, and medication management, DFD Russell has seen a:

• 20% decrease in non-preventative medical provider visits
• 50% decrease in patient visits to the ER
• 38% decrease in patients requiring hospital stays

Health Centers across the United States perform just as well or better than private physicians on 94% of quality measures and save an average of $1,263 per patient per year.

DFD is the highest-ranking community health center in Maine and the nation for its commitment to quality care. Each year DFD serves more than 8,000 local patients with 25,000 encounters.
But what makes DFD different from other providers?

• More night and weekend hours
• More likely to accept new patients
• Community-governed
• More services under one roof

Health Centers make a tremendous impact in our communities. DFD alone employs 54 individuals, providing over $3,900,000 in salaries and benefits that go back into our community each year.

Together, let’s raise awareness about the positive impacts health centers have on our communities, Share with friends and family on how DFD is supporting our neighborhoods and can help support them.

Summer is finally coming to an end, and it’s time to start gearing up for another school year. We’ve got a list of tips to help make your students ready for a fun and safe school year.

Backpack Safety:

Backpacks that are too heavy can cause back and shoulder pain and promote poor posture for your kids. Your child’s backpack should weigh no more than ten percent of your child’s weight, and they should always use both shoulder straps.
When selecting a backpack look for:

• Wide, padded shoulder straps.
• A padded back.
• Multiple compartments to better distribute the weight.
• The correct size–never wider or longer than your child’s torso, and never hanging more than 4 inches below the waist.

Bullying is Never OK:

Bullying can have life-long effects on our children. You can help prevent bullying by educating your kids at home:

• Teach your child when and how to ask a trusted adult for help.
• Be sure your child knows that bullying is never OK.
• Encourage your child to include all students/peers in activities they are participating in.

Develop Good Homework Habits:

Getting back into the swing of a school schedule can be tough after a summer packed with fun. Help your child develop good homework habits and to avoid schoolwork frustration:

• Schedule ample time for homework–this provides consistency for your child to get in the habit of sitting down and completing homework.
• Supervise internet use–The internet is a useful tool for students, but can also be an easy distraction.
• Be available to assist your child with homework but never do homework for them.

Schedule a Visit with DFD:

Make sure your child is up-to-date with their well-child visits, immunizations, and sports physicals. Call to schedule an appointment today!