ROCKPORT and BELFAST — The Community Health team at Pen Bay Medical Center and Waldo County General Hospital introduce Community Health Worker (CHW) Richard Morin.

Morin is the first to join the CHW team at Pen Bay and Waldo, who developed the program to 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.

Based out of Rockport, Morin travels out into the community, working with clients throughout Knox County to connect them with resources and help them manage their health.

“By going out and meeting patients where they are at, we are able to care for our community members in a new way. It’s an important step in fulfilling our vision of making our communities the healthiest in America,” said Jemma Penberthy, director of Community Health for Pen Bay and Waldo, in a news release. “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. 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 provided at no cost to patients and allows CHWs to work with clients for a period of three months. Together, they set health goals and overcome challenges, from navigating new medical diagnoses or identifying sustainable transportation options to applying for SNAP benefits or learning to cook meals at home.

Morin has 20 years of experience working with people in substance abuse and mental health recovery. He comes to Pen Bay after seven years with Maine Behavioral Healthcare, where he served in a variety of peer support and case manager roles. He is a certified mental health rehabilitation technician/crisis service provider and a certified intentional peer support specialist. Morin is also a current candidate for a master’s in social work from the University of Southern Maine.

“When is saw the job description I thought, this the perfect role — I can use all of my skill sets to support people.” Morin said. “My main goal is to help people succeed, and getting out in the community, developing relationships, that’s where the real work happens.”

The CHW program is open to patients 18+ who live in Knox or Waldo counties. Patients are referred to through providers and community partners, including food pantries and soup kitchens, schools, shelters and CAP agencies. Community members can also reach out to the program directly using Mainehealth.findhelp.com.

The hospitals are looking to hire additional CHWs to help meet the needs of their communities. For more information about the position, or to apply, click here.

About Pen Bay Medical Center

Pen Bay Medical Center 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 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.