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Island Health

Island Health

By MDI Hospital

Hosts Molly Moon and Justin Starbird dive deep into the Bar Harbor, ME community to hear some incredible success stories from the folks that are helping make Mount Desert Island a healthy place to live, work, and vacation.
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Island Health Episode #2: Dr. Mark Kandutsch & patient Robin Clarke talk about the benefits of Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy

Island HealthDec 10, 2018

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18:26
Dr. Kandutsch talks about care, career, and patient-centered philosophy | Season 2 Episode 3

Dr. Kandutsch talks about care, career, and patient-centered philosophy | Season 2 Episode 3

Dr. Mark Kandutsch rejoins the Island Health Podcast for his 3rd appearance, but first in season 2. Dr. Kandutsch specializes in family medicine. His medical interests include orthopedic and sports medicine, and he is certified in regenerative injection therapies including platelet-rich plasma therapy and prolotherapy.

What has been great about having Dr. Kandutsch participate in the podcast is that he has worked within MDI Hospital to help shape the organizational philosophy. He mentions that, "we discuss regularly at our strategic planning meetings and at other occasions... the real deep commitment to what we call patient-centered care." 

Folks that visit MDI Hospital feel that patient-centric care at every level. Listen as Dr. Kandutsch talks about his beginnings all the way through, what he calls the "culmination" of his career and what has allowed him to keep pushing the envelope. 

May 06, 202140:37
Dr. Ormanda Johnson talks about her unique journey to MDI Hospital | Season 2 Episode 2

Dr. Ormanda Johnson talks about her unique journey to MDI Hospital | Season 2 Episode 2

Dr. Ormanda Johnson joins the Island Health podcast with hosts Molly Moon and Justin Starbird. She is board-certified, a family physician specializing in family medicine, dermatology, and public health. Her medical interests and expertise include occupational health and medical education. She previously practiced in the UK and Bahamas, which is also where she is originally from.

Dr. Johnson is originally from The Bahamas and then "ended up completing my medical journey by doing my last two degrees in England. Then I practiced for several years as a family medicine physician. 

How I got to Maine? Well, I always wanted to come back to the US because I had originally done another degree in the US in Atlanta at Emory.

I wanted to be closer to home, but still wanted that rural feel. I had a friend who was originally from Maine and said, "Why not come here?" I researched it and looked at it, loved it, came up to Mount Desert Island. Even though we're separated by several degrees of temperature, it reminded me a lot of The Bahamas. The island, the people, the water. I felt at home, and that is how I came to Maine."

Her journey to the US and Bar Harbor is one of perseverance and hard work. We are fortunate to call her one of own in this community!


Apr 28, 202120:52
Dr. Stuart Davidson new Chief Medical Officer position at MDI Hospital | Season 2 Episode 1

Dr. Stuart Davidson new Chief Medical Officer position at MDI Hospital | Season 2 Episode 1

Dr. Stuart Davidson joins host, Justin Starbird, and new cohost Molly Moon to discuss his recent promotion, how he got to Maine, and his philosophy on practicing medicine. 

As Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Davidson envisions the role as a liaison between the medical staff and the hospital administrative staff. In his words, "The role here, continues to evolve... we're trying to, between the medical staff and the administration, ensure that patients receive the highest standard of medical care that they can. We're involved in safety issues and quality issues but also medical staff affairs, and also the development of the facility, all being different service lines as they can be further developed. We're developing more complicated electronic medical records, and trying to keep that all in line is a challenge. Basically, I think that the very chief role of this is just basically being a communicator."

Kicking off this season, we also welcome Molly Moon as the new cohost to the "Island Health" podcast. She joins us with great enthusiasm and fresh ideas to make this the best year yet!

Apr 12, 202120:48
Island Health Episode #10: Kate Worcester joins Oka & Justin to talk about the health benefits of Botox

Island Health Episode #10: Kate Worcester joins Oka & Justin to talk about the health benefits of Botox

Kate Worcester, PA-C, specializes in family medicine and general surgery at Cooper Gilmore Health Center. Today, she’s joining Oka Hutchins & Justin Starbird to talk about Botox and its therapeutic applications.

Her medical interests and expertise include internal medicine, critical care, cardiology, pulmonology and general surgery. Since joining MDI Hospital in 2006, she has practiced in the emergency department, on the hospitalist service, provided critical care at Maine Medical Center, and primary care and general surgery.

Dec 09, 201922:35
Island Health Episode #9: Dr. Peacher joins Oka & Justin to talk Urogynecology

Island Health Episode #9: Dr. Peacher joins Oka & Justin to talk Urogynecology

Dr. Jorge Peacher recently joined MDI Hospital’s Lisa Stewart Women’s Health Center, and is one of only a handful of board-certified Urogynecologists practicing in the state of Maine.

Today, Dr. Peacher joins Oka Hutchins & Justin Starbird to walk through some of the common misconceptions about Urogynecology. Urogynecology is also know as female pelvic medicine. Dr. Peacher’s expertise includes the surgical and nonsurgical treatment of female urinary incontinence and pelvic floor disorders. He also treats chronic pelvic pain, abnormal uterine bleeding and other gynecological disorders. If surgery is needed, he is skilled in both gynecological and urogynecological procedures including reconstructive and minimally invasive surgeries.

Listen in to the latest episode of Island Health to learn more about how symptoms, treatments, and the quality of care available in our community.


Nov 25, 201923:30
Island Health Episode #8: Prenatal Health Talk with Dr. Katie Gassman

Island Health Episode #8: Prenatal Health Talk with Dr. Katie Gassman

Dr. Katie Gassman is a board-certified Family Medicine Physician specializing in Family Medicine with Obstetrics, and she's also the medical director of Lisa Stewart Women's Health Center here on MDI. She joins Justin Starbird & Oka Hutchins to discuss her new role, the community, and best practices. 

Jul 02, 201925:50
Island Health Episode #7: The Myths Surrounding Diabetes Part 2

Island Health Episode #7: The Myths Surrounding Diabetes Part 2

Amory Gray, RD, LD, Clinical and Outpatient Dietitian and Patty Zavaleta, RN, Diabetes Educator and Care Manager both provide diabetes education to our community, Amory as a nutritionist and registered dietitian and Patty as a care manager and diabetes educator. Join Oka and Justin as they dive in to discuss the common myths surrounding diabetes to address questions Amory and Patty hear everyday from our community.

Apr 16, 201925:40
Island Health Episode #6: The Myths Surrounding Diabetes Part 1

Island Health Episode #6: The Myths Surrounding Diabetes Part 1

Amory Gray (RD, LD, Registered Dietitian) and Patty Zavaleta (RN, Nurse Care Manager & Diabetes Educator) both provide diabetes education to our community, Amory as a nutritionist and registered dietitian and Patty as a care manager and diabetes educator. Oka and Justin dive in to discuss the common myths surrounding diabetes to address questions they hear everyday from our community. Part 1.

Apr 16, 201925:52
Island Health Episode #5: Community Health Education with special Guest Mary Parham

Island Health Episode #5: Community Health Education with special Guest Mary Parham

On this episode of Island Health, Oka Hutchins & Justin Starbird speak with Mary Parham, the new Community Health Educator for MDI Hospital. As a Community Health Educator, she works to provide integrated care out in the community. As part of her new role at MDI Hospital, Mary organizes activities such as blood drives at our local town office, free blood pressure screenings at area nursing homes, low cost flu shot clinics, community exercise classes, free smoking cessation sessions and annual health fairs. The health fairs draw on area health and wellness professionals from both in and out of our hospital system to help educate and inform the community. Mary will also be leading our annual Walks in the Park series, which take place in Acadia National Park in the spring and fall. She recently participated in a food insecurity talk at our local library that also featured Jennifer Jones, Executive Director of the Bar Harbor Food Pantry.

Mar 21, 201923:04
Island Health Episode #4: Cancer Patient Navigator Program with Julie Pelletier & Heather Sinclair

Island Health Episode #4: Cancer Patient Navigator Program with Julie Pelletier & Heather Sinclair

Cancer Patient Navigators Julie Pelletier, RN and Heather Sinclair, LSW join hosts Oka Hutchins and Justin Starbird to talk about the MDI Hospital’s new Cancer Patient Navigator Program. The new Program gives patients and their families an extra layer of support as they move through the healthcare system. The Cancer Patient Navigator Program is funded by a grant from the Maine Cancer Foundation and can assist patients through all phases of cancer care, from screenings and diagnosis to treatment and survivorship.

Feb 15, 201923:13
Island Health Episode #3: Melissa Violette, talks about and teaches us about Music Therapy

Island Health Episode #3: Melissa Violette, talks about and teaches us about Music Therapy

On the latest episode of Island Health, Oka Hutchins & Justin Starbird spoke with Melissa Violette, Birch Bay's music therapy program director. Melissa has been working as a music therapist for more than 25 years and in Maine since 2015. On Island Health this week, she details what makes music therapy work, how it helps, and how she has been instrumental in growing the therapy option here in Maine. 

Jan 24, 201940:35
Island Health Episode #2: Dr. Mark Kandutsch & patient Robin Clarke talk about the benefits of Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy

Island Health Episode #2: Dr. Mark Kandutsch & patient Robin Clarke talk about the benefits of Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy

In this episode of Island Health, Dr. Mark Kandutsch & runner Robin Clarke join Oka Hutchins and Justin Starbird to talk about Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy. Robin was able to run and WIN a 5k within 10 days of here procedure. She was also able to run in her second Boston Marathon a short time later.
Dec 10, 201818:26
Island Health Episode #1: What is platelet rich plasma therapy with Dr. Mark Kandutsch

Island Health Episode #1: What is platelet rich plasma therapy with Dr. Mark Kandutsch

In this episode, Oka and Justin learn all about Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy (PRP) and the benefits it can have when recovering from injury, and aches and pains.
Dec 05, 201832:24