Provides information and support to those who have loved ones coping with Alzheimer's disease or related dementias. 

For more information, contact Cheri R. Blouin, LSW, at 207-301-6237 or at Cheri.Blouin@mainehealth.org. 

Coastal Communities Live Well Better Breathers Group (adults)

Join us for a support group that provides a welcoming space for individuals with chronic lung diseases, as well as their family members, friends and caregivers. Learn about disease management, share experiences and get tools to stay active and healthy. The group covers everything related to breathing, including oxygen equipment, medications, CPAP machines and more. Guest speakers will provide specialized knowledge and education.

Classes are led by trained facilitators and are offered both in person and via Zoom on the third Wednesday of each month. A Zoom link will be provided after registration. Families and caregivers are welcome.

The American Lung Association's Better Breathers Club program has connected people living with lung disease to education, support and each other in communities around the country for over 50 years.

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.

Coastal Communities Teens Kicking Asthma Breathe Well Group
Join us for a self-management education program designed for teens ages 11–16 (grades 6–10). Through a fun, interactive approach, the program empowers teens by using learning techniques tailored for their age group.

The curriculum highlights asthma self-management practices, including recognizing early warning signs, identifying and avoiding triggers and using medications properly. By practicing these skills in a supportive setting, teens will gain the knowledge and confidence needed to better manage their asthma every day.

This program is taught by an American Lung Association-trained facilitator that delivers structured curriculum in a community-based small group setting.

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.

You don’t have to walk the caregiver path alone. This group is for caregivers interested in sharing, learning, and supporting each other in a confidential and friendly environment.

For more information, contact MaineHealth employee facilitators Kim Danforth, LMSW-cc at 207-301-3095 or Catherine Athay, LCSW at 207-301-8977.

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.

Proper car seat use saves lives! Many parents are shocked to find out that car seats are usually used incorrectly.

This class will teach you how to install and use your car seat correctly.

After this course, parents will be confident and prepared to use infant car seats.

We will talk about safety in and around cars and the do’s and don’ts for infant safety in regards to the car seat. 

You will also learn when to transition your child to another seat and how to keep your child safe as he or she grows.

Registrants are asked to bring their car seats with to the class, including the car seat base for hands-on practice.

We recommend attending this class anytime before the 37th week of pregnancy.

 This class will be held virtually. You will receive an email with the link to join the class the day before class is held.  If you have any questions please contact Jami Gilbert at Jami.Gilbert@mainehealth.org or (207) 662 1572.

Basic Life Support in Obstetrics (BLSO) is designed to improve the management of normal deliveries, as well as obstetric emergencies by standardizing the skills of first responders, emergency personnel and maternity care providers.

The BLSO curriculum is designed to train:

•Pre-hospital care providers 

•First responders and emergency personnel

•Medical, nursing, and physician assistant students

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.

The One-Day Express Course covers all of the same information as the Childbirth Education weekly evening series in one full day.

Recommended for all first-time pregnant people and their birth partners, this class is designed to provide you and your labor partner with the information, skills, and resources to prepare you for the birth of your baby.

• Introduction to Labor & Delivery You can expect to learn the stages and phases of labor, what to expect physically and emotionally, the importance of labor support, and more. You will also see birth videos.
• Practical Skills and Comfort Measures You will learn comfort measures such as relaxation, breathing, and positions that you can use both at home and while at the hospital. Even mothers planning to use medication for pain relief will utilize skills to manage labor prior to and in conjunction with the use of medication.
• Medications and Interventions Be an active participant in the decisions that affect you and your baby. Learn about induction of labor, unplanned cesareans, vacuum, fetal monitoring and more. Whether you are planning on using pain medications, or just want to understand the available options, you will take home the information you need to make informed decisions about pain relief.

We recommend attending this class between the 28th and 32nd 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!

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!