Directors hired for new Rockland YMCA branch

ROCKPORT — The Rockland Harbor YMCA introduces Stephanie Williams, wellness director; Heath Commeau, assistant wellness director; and Meghan Gustafson, child care director as the leadership staff for the new branch of the Penobscot Bay YMCA. The Y is projecting to open this branch in November.

Stephanie Williams grew up in the Midcoast Maine area. After graduating in 2000 from George's Valley High School she attended the University of Maine at Farmington, where she graduated in 2004 with a degree in community health.  Williams worked an internship with Revolutions Fitness Center in Rockland.  From there, she became certified to teach group fitness and personal train through the American Council of Exercise. She has been in this field for 10 years and has been locally nominated for the Best of the Best Personal Trainer since 2009. In addition to being an advocate for a healthy community and healthy living, she also started the 'Back Packs for Kids' organization in 2013 which is now a successful community-driven fund to bring everyone together and help those in need. "I am honored to be joining the Y family and thrilled to be part of the team that is bringing this facility to our local community," said Williams .

Child Care Director Meghan Gustafson graduated from Plymouth State College with a bachelor of science degree in childhood studies. She has been working at the Penobscot Bay YMCA for the past 15 years in various child care positions. For seven years, she worked as in the after school program and then as a camp counselor, preschool teacher and head teacher. For eight years she served as the assistant child care director, and in 2011 became the co-director. "Working with children in so many very different stages of life has given me such a broad range of experiences as I watch them grow and learn as they advance through the different classrooms is such a joy. Another wonderful aspect of my job and of the overall tenure of being the Y is the solid, loving relationships I have developed with so many of the families. Being able to teach the children during the day is fun and rewarding, but being a part of their entire families is what makes these experiences that much more special and everlasting for all of us" said Gustafson.

The new Rockland Harbor YMCA branch is an 8,000-square foot facility located at 12 Water Street in Rockland formally occupied by Amalfi's Restaurant. Services will include a state-of-the-art fitness center, indoor and outdoor wellness studios and a childcare center to serve families with infants through preschoolers.

To learn more about the Rockland Harbor YMCA visit: www.penbayymca.org.

ROCKPORT — Pen Bay Healthcare has announced the opening of Pen Bay Surgical Skin Center to meet the growing needs of our community. Staffed by surgeon Gordon T. Paine, MD, FACS, nurse practitioner Catherine Crochetiere, CNP, and medical assistant Danielle Case, MA, the new practice will provide specialized service for skin cancer-related issues.

Dr’s. Paine and Crochetiere will diagnose, treat and offer follow-up evaluations in their office and/or perform surgeries at Pen Bay Medical Center for services including biopsies from skin cancer screenings or mole removal.

Pen Bay Surgical Skin Center is currently accepting new patients. No referral is required and all insurance is accepted. Call for an appointment at 207-921-3939. The practice is located at 731 Commercial St., Suite 1 in Rockport. For more information, visit www.penbayhealthcare.org.