President’s Award, Infant Mental Health Award: Seacoast health news
Imaging Director wins Wentworth-Douglass President’s Award
DOVER – Kevin Sweeney, Wentworth-Douglass Hospital’s Director of Imaging, was awarded the 2022 President’s Award last Thursday – the organization’s highest honor.
Sweeney has worked at Wentworth-Douglass for more than 14 years, leading the medical imaging team that conducts diagnostic scans for patients.
“Kevin is a long-serving leader with a tremendous and consistent record of success,” said Jeff Hughes, President and CEO of Wentworth-Douglass. “He is patient, understanding, a good listener, and exemplifies all aspects of an amazing leader. Not only does Kevin juggle a busy and growing department, but he also cares for his staff and is genuinely concerned about their happiness.
Sweeney, who was surprised during the ceremony by his wife Maria, said he was “in a state of shock.”
“It’s so extraordinary just to be nominated. The thought of winning it never would have come into my imagination,” Sweeney said. “We talk about values all the time. That’s something that we press ever single day. And I have to tell you that makes a difference. That sense of value drives all of us. Wentworth-Douglass Hospital is a very, very special place.”
In addition to his leadership responsibilities, Hughes mentioned that Sweeney can often be seen talking to patients while they anxiously await their exams, offering comfort and even transporting them to other departments if needed.
“His kindness, compassion, and knowledge really make him stand out, said Hughes.
Sweeney also promotes the field of radiology in the community, partnering with Dover High School and NHTI to showcase imaging technology and partner on clinical placement for additional training on state-of-the art equipment.
This was the first time an individual has received the award since Stacey Savage in 2020. The award was given, for the first time, to all employees in 2021 in recognition of their contributions throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
NHAIMH announces winner of Annual Mental Health Award
CONCORD — NHAIMH announced today the winner of the 2023 Outstanding Contributions to Infant Mental Health Award. Nicole Dionne, MA, LCMHC, BCBA, was chosen for her outstanding accomplishments and contributions to improve the outcomes of infants and toddlers around New Hampshire. She is generously donating her $250 award to Waypoint at Richie McFarland and the Seacoast Mental Health Center. She will receive her award at the NHAIMH Annual Meeting on Thursday, Feb. 23 at 3 p.m.
In her role at Seacoast Mental Health Center, Nicole teamed with the Waypoint Family Centered Early Supports & Services program to increase the service providers’ ability to assist families experiencing anxiety, trauma and PTSD. Since the Covid-19 Pandemic, there has been an increase in young children experiencing these, and other, mental health concerns and this partnership has allowed for an improved system of care. Nicole provided workshops on Compassion Fatigue, Anxiety/Trauma, and Mental Health Diagnoses in Early Childhood to the FCESS team. In addition, she has provided an “on call” consultation service to FCESS providers to access professional support on complex cases.
In addition to the award ceremony, members of the NH Association of Infant Mental Health and non-members are invited to attend Strengthening Families through Screen Time Management Skills presented by Jean Rogers, M.S. Ed (Screen Time Action Network at Fireplay), and Patricia Cantor, Ed.D. (Plymouth State University).
Using the national Strengthening Families Framework as well as the Appreciative Inquiry approach to parent education, participants will learn to apply the five Protective Factors — parental resilience, social connections, knowledge of parenting and child development, concrete support in times of need, and children’s social and emotional development — to increase knowledge of the impact of screen time on early development. Research-based recommendations and resources will be shared for talking with families about very young children’s screen exposure and strengthening families’ awareness of the potential impact of screen time and ability to manage it as their children grow.
Members of NHAIMH will be admitted free of charge and members of the public are welcome to attend for a $25 fee. No prior registration required.
Oceanside Physical Therapy opens a second location in Dover
DOVER — Oceanside Physical Therapy is expanding to a second location in Dover after 10 successful years with a single location in Stratham. Specializing in disorders and injuries of the pelvic floor muscles, Oceanside PT works with all genders and brings an integrated, holistic approach to pelvic health.
“The field of pelvic health is catching on,” says Cristin Zaimes, PT, DPT the founder and owner of Oceanside PT. “People are hearing their friends talk, and doctors are referring more and more patients to us.” The Stratham office has been operating at capacity for years, with many people driving as much as two hours away for the specialized care. “We can help with persistent back pain, urinary leakage, joint replacement recovery, the list is so long. We know now that trauma directly affects the pelvic floor. It is protective and therefore any trauma can cause a physical response that doesn’t just go away. The pelvis is the center of gravity for the body; it affects running, walking, standing, movement. It is just everything, and it’s all connected.”
The location in Dover also includes The Tide Strength Studio, a private gym with personal trainers who work closely with the physical therapists to develop ongoing strength training. “We added our strength training service this year and many have called it the missing piece in their recovery. Finding strength without fear is vital for recovery and is healthy for everybody. In the new Dover location, we also have a sauna, and offer massage and wellness services with our PTs,” says Cristin.
The Dover location is accessible to Portsmouth, Portland, and the college community, widening the availability of this unique approach to physical therapy. “Dover has been on our radar since Oceanside began, it is home to great provider networks and medical clinicians that deserve to have resources for their patients,” says Director of Operations Hope Hartley.
Both the Stratham and Dover locations are open and scheduling appointments for new patients and the Dover location will be hosting an open house in March to welcome the community to the new space. To learn more about their locations and services, visit oceansidept.com.
This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: President’s Award, Infant Mental Health Award: Seacoast health news
