Running Start is a co-ed exercise program for all age groups that incorporates the proper technique of warm-up, stretching, calisthenics, and aerobic exercise tailored to your personal needs. This is NOT a "track and field" program and there is no running involved unless you choose to do so yourself.

The classes allow everyone to increase or maintain their fitness level in their own way. A clinical exercise physiologist facilitates this program.

Medical Release from a physician and Waiver of Liability are required prior to participation.

Regular physical activity improves your cardiovascular system, muscle tone, and flexibility, as well as reduces the risk of heart disease, the number one killer of adults in the United States. If you increase your physical activity level, you will improve your quality of life. You'll look better, feel better, and have more energy to enjoy your leisure time.

This program is held at the Bowdoin College track inside Farley Field House.

Running Start Swim is a co-ed exercise program for all age groups with shallow-end aerobics and lane swimming. A clinical exercise physiologist facilitates this program.

Medical Release from a physician and Waiver of Liability are required prior to participation.

Regular physical activity improves your cardiovascular system, muscle tone, and flexibility, as well as reduces the risk of heart disease, the number one killer of adults in the United States. If you increase your physical activity level, you will improve your quality of life. You'll look better, feel better, and have more energy to enjoy your leisure time.

This program is held at the Bowdoin College Gleason Pool.

The registration fee includes costs for the registrant and one support person. To avoid duplicate charges, please register only ONE participant per class. A receipt will be provided for insurance reimbursement purposes. Reimbursement is subject to individual insurance plans, refer to your plan for additional information.

If you cannot afford the registration fee due to financial hardship, please contact childbirth education at childbirtheducation@mainehealth.org.

Rescheduling or canceling your class registration can be done by contacting childbirtheducation@mainehealth.org. Refunds for class cancelations include a 10% processing fee. No refunds will be given after class begins.

Couples expecting more than one baby will receive information specific to multiple pregnancy, birth, and parenting. Early participation in this class is advised (before 30 weeks gestation). If this is your first pregnancy, participation in one of our childbirth education classes is also strongly encouraged.

We recommend attending this class between the 24th and 28th week of pregnancy.

We are offering this class online. After you are registered, shortly before the class starts you will receive an email with information as to how to participate in the class. Thank you for understanding.

Please join our postpartum support group to find the village you deserve! You will get to meet other new moms and find out that many of the struggles you may be experiencing are common and you are not alone. You will also get good ideas for coping. We vent, we celebrate, we cry, we encourage, we drink coffee and eat snacks! You can weigh your baby here and ask any questions at all to another mother or a nurse. 

The group meets every Wednesday morning at 10:30am at MidCoast Hospital. Sometimes we meet in Conference Room 1, right next to the cafeteria. If that room is not available, our back up location is the waiting room outside the Maternity unit. The group is led by our breast/bottle feeding specialists. Mothers with children 0-6 months are welcome. 

This informal support group for breastfeeding families provides interaction as well as individual assistance when needed. Women wanting more information about breastfeeding are also welcome. This group is facilitated by a lactation consultant from the Women and Infants unit.

MaineHealth Pen Bay Hospital Campus, 3 Glen Cove Drive, Suite 2 
Please call (207)301-8337 for more information. 

Coastal Communities Youth Kicking Asthma Breathe Well Group
Join us for a program that educates and empowers children ages 8 to 11 through a fun, interactive approach to asthma self-management. Children will learn how to recognize warning signs, avoid triggers and talk confidently about their health.

The class follows the Open Airways for Schools® (OAS) curriculum, the nation’s most widely recognized asthma management program for children. Since its introduction more than three decades ago, OAS has reached hundreds of thousands of children nationwide and has been proven effective.

Children who complete the program learn to prevent symptoms, recognize them early, take appropriate management steps and work with parents, teachers, medical professionals and friends to manage asthma daily.

Classes will be offered both in person and via Zoom. The Zoom link will be provided after registration.                                 

To register, email or call Suzan Michelle Collins at: 207-301-5892 or Suzan.Collins@mainehealth.org

Suzan Michelle Collins, BSRT, RRT, is a second-year graduate student working on her graduate degree in Respiratory Care at Boise State University. She is a certified asthma educator and holds specialty certifications as a COPD educator, pulmonary disease educator, tobacco treatment specialist and in pulmonary rehabilitation.

She has received national awards for her work in Asthma Management from the Environmental Protection Agency, the Dr. Charles H. Hudson Award for her work in Cardiopulmonary Health from the ARCF and the Nick Jones Breathe Strong Rally Champion Award from the COPD Foundation. Locally, she has received the 2024 Operations Transformation Advocate Award from MaineHealth Pen Bay Hospital and has been invited to present her research and work performed here for several national conferences.  

Suzan volunteers for many organizations, supporting and advocating for patients and the cardiopulmonary profession.

PLEASE NOTE THIS $10 FEE IS NON-REFUNDABLE:

*The $10 fee is for 2 people to attend the tour. To avoid duplicate charges register one person only.  

* Do not include the name of the 2nd person attending with you as this will automatically generate a 2nd charge, which is non-refundable.  

*Please only register for 1 tour only to ensure that there is room for everyone who would like to attend a tour.  Do not register for multiple tours, thank you!

* There is always a chance that all of the rooms are full and we are unable to view one

After you are registered you will receive details of where to meet, etc. Thank you and we look forward to seeing you soon!

*Please note for our Winter tours: If the weather forecasts unsafe driving conditions, the tour will be cancelled. Be sure to check your email! We will do our best to reschedule you tour. If where you are coming from has bad weather, please reschedule a tour with us!

We are offering this class in person at Maine Medical Center, Portland. You will receive directions to parking and the classroom once you have registered.

To avoid duplicate charges, please register only ONE participant per class. The registration fee includes costs for the registrant and one support person. A receipt will be provided for insurance reimbursement purposes. Reimbursement is subject to individual insurance plans, refer to your plan for additional information.

If you cannot afford the registration fee due to financial hardship, please contact childbirth education at childbirtheducation@mainehealth.org. 

Rescheduling or canceling your class registration can be done by contacting childbirtheducation@mainehealth.org. Refunds for class cancelations include a 10% processing fee. No refunds will be given after class begins.

Expectant first time parents can learn about common newborn needs and behaviors and how to prepare for bringing baby home. This class includes information about how to care for and comfort a newborn, feeding, safe sleep and other ways to keep your baby safe, and tips on how to make this newborn period an easier transition for you.

We recommend attending this class between the 32nd and 36th week of pregnancy.

*Please note for our Winter classes: If the weather forecasts unsafe driving conditions, the class will be cancelled. Be sure to check your email and/or voicemail! We will do our best to reschedule or transfer you into another class. If where you are coming from has bad weather, please contact us to reschedule!