Pen Bay Medical Center and Waldo County General Hospital’s Community Health Worker (CHW) program has now surpassed 200 referrals from the hospitals and communities.

CHWs travel out into the community to meet with participants and help community members who have historically faced barriers to accessing health care, such as lack of transportation or insurance, or discomfort with navigating the medical system. Patients are referred to the program through providers and community partners, including food pantries and soup kitchens, schools, shelters and CAP agencies.

“I could not be prouder of the work our six CHWs have been able to accomplish in the past year,” said Jemma Penberthy, director of Community Health for Pen Bay and Waldo, in a news release. “This milestone is not just about numbers; it’s about the real impact we’re making each day. Every connection we establish brings us closer to healthier, stronger lives for our community members.”

The CHW program, which is provided at no cost to patients, allows CHWs to work with patients for a period of three months. They work together to set health goals and overcome challenges, from navigating a new medical diagnosis or identifying sustainable transportation options to applying for SNAP benefits or learning to cook meals at home.

In addition to finding available resources, CHWs can help fill out applications or make phone calls on their patients’ behalf, tasks that frequently become barriers to obtaining necessary care. In just over one year, CHWs have made more than 400 connections to services for patients including housing, mental health, dental care, healthcare, and more.

“There are so many wonderful community partners who offer programs and resources that can help with social determinants of health like transportation, insurance, food insecurity,” said Penberthy. “The goal is for the community health workers to amplify the resources that already exist and help break down barriers to accessing them.”

The CHW program is open to patients 18+ who live in Knox or Waldo counties. Community members can reach out to the program directly using Mainehealth.findhelp.com.

Pen Bay Medical Center

Pen Bay Medical Center is part of MaineHealth, a not-for-profit integrated health system consisting of nine local hospital systems, a comprehensive behavioral healthcare network, diagnostic services, home health agencies, and more than 1,600 employed and independent physicians working together through an Accountable Care Organization. With more than 19,000 employees, MaineHealth is the largest health system in northern New England and provides preventive care, diagnosis and treatment to 1.1 million residents in Maine and New Hampshire. For more information, please visit pbmc.org.

Waldo County General Hospital

Waldo County General Hospital is part of MaineHealth, a not-for-profit integrated health system consisting of eight local hospital systems, a comprehensive behavioral healthcare network, diagnostic services, home health agencies, and more than 1,600 employed and independent physicians working together through an Accountable Care Organization. With more than 19,000 employees, MaineHealth is the largest health system in northern New England and provides preventive care, diagnosis and treatment to 1.1 million residents in Maine and New Hampshire. For more information, please visit wcgh.org.