Professional Advisory Committee  Information and Members The Professional Advisory Committee (PAC) plays an important part in the ongoing success of The Dempsey Center.  PAC members provide personal or professional expertise and consultation regarding programming and services.  The PAC is responsible for communicating with the Center’s Program Director on the needs of people with cancer, and for helping to monitor the programs and services of The Center. Members of the PAC are expected to be skilled, knowledgeable, and experienced in either the medical or psychosocial aspect of the treatment of people with cancer.  At all times, at least two or more members shall be a cancer survivor and/or family caregiver. In addition to the cancer survivor(s) and/or family caregiver, the PAC has a balanced representation of professional disciplines, including: Physician(s) Psychologist Oncology Social Worker Oncology Nurse Spiritual/Pastoral Care Cancer Health Educator Radiation Oncology Professional Hospice/End of Life care specialist Current PAC Members Include: Patrick Dempsey is an award-winning actor and the founder of The Patrick Dempsey Center for Cancer Hope & Healing. Inspired by his mother, Amanda, who was initially diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 1997 and is living a healthy, active life today, Patrick founded the Center in order to ensure that other individuals and families who were confronting a cancer diagnosis had access to the information and support they needed in order to help them cope. Patrick serves on the Professional Advisory Committee, offering input into the programs and services of the Center. He notes that what has been especially meaningful to him was visiting the Center during a recent trip home and “hearing directly from patients how the Center had impacted their lives. Just knowing that each and every day, we help make someone’s journey a little bit easier, is very gratifying.” Deborah Taylor is a clinical psychologist who has served as a faculty Behavioral Scientist at the CMMC Family Medicine Residency Program since 1992. She is originally from the L-A area and was excited to come back to work in her "hometown." She received her PhD from the University of Kansas and did her pre and postdoctoral training at The Ohio State University Hospitals in Columbus, Ohio. Deborah and her partner, Louise, live in Portland with their 3 feline children. Her patient care practice emphasizes caring for people affected by cancer either directly or indirectly. Deborah loves serving on the Professional Advisory Committee for the Dempsey Center as their mission speaks to her, as a mental health professional and childhood cancer survivor - caring for the emotional, educational and spiritual needs of people during cancer diagnosis and treatment is paramount. Erica Lovett, MD is an integrative family medicine physician and faculty at the Family Medicine Residency here at CMMC (since 2007.) She graduated from the Integrative Family Medicine Fellowship at Maine Medical Center in September, 2006. Erica completed her medical training at Oregon Health & Science University and completed Family Medicine residency training at the Maine Medical Center. Erica notes, “As a family physician, many of my patients and families are affected by cancer. I feel the Dempsey Center and Integrative Medicine create the healing environment and community that is essential for anyone affected by cancer. Jean Libbey, graduate of the University of Maine and the "school of life's challenges", is semi-retired and the owner of the Husqvarna Viking sewing machine dealership in Portland where she also teaches machine operator classes. She and her husband Doug operate a sewing machine repair business from their home. Having been through the breast cancer experience in 1998 and the subsequent discovery that cancer is still a part of her life, she is privileged to serve as a volunteer aide in the Bennett Breast Center at CMMC. As a PAC member, Jean has seen the Patrick Dempsey Center evolve from a hope to a reality. Jean states, “Helping with this endeavor has been, and is, a satisfying way to contribute to the community. With the dedication of the Dempsey staff and volunteers, I am confident that the support they provide will continue to grow as it serves Central Maine cancer patients and their families.” Rev. Jay W. Turner is a Board Certified Chaplain and an Association of Clinical Pastoral Education Supervisor who is involved in educating and training persons to utilize spiritual and faith resources to aide themselves and others in living in meaningful and fulfilling ways. He is a United Methodist minister and Director of Pastoral Care who has practiced within institutional settings for nearly twenty-five years. Jay notes that in his interactions with cancer patients, “I am blessed by some of the wisest teachers of wisdom as persons often discover the most important and valuable gifts in life.” Sue Rivet, R.N., is a 1985 graduate of Central Maine Medical Center, School of Nursing and is currently advancing her degree at Saint Joseph College of Maine. Sue is Director of Oncology and Specialty Clinics of Bridgton Hospital. Sue has held various positions in nursing and was instrumental in implementing the oncology clinic at Bridgton Hospital. Sue states that caring for oncology patients has enlightened her experience as a nurse: “The experience of providing support and care during a life changing situation, and bringing meaning to living with a complicated disease gives me a heart full of warmth in seeing individuals make the most of each day.” Diane Mulkhey, RTT, graduated from the University of Vermont in 1976 as a radiation therapist. She was Program Director of Radiation Therapy Technology at Southern Maine Community College for two years and has been the Manager of Radiation Oncology and the Cancer Registry at CMMC since 1985. Diane shares that the patients and the staff who provide care are outstanding and are the reason she comes to work each day. “The patients who have the fortitude of living each day to the fullest and the professionals who treat each person with grace and respect remind me of the most important part of life-to live each day to the fullest." Colleen Scholer is a graduate of Dickinson College with a major in American Studies and Spanish and completed a master's degree program in public policy and management at the University of Southern Maine, where she focused on non-profit management. She was a volunteer co-facilitator for several years with the Center for Grieving Children's Program in Portland, Maine and helped coordinate the Program for Grieving Children in Lewiston/Auburn from 2002-2003. She is currently a freelance writer and raising three young children with her husband, Aaron Scholer, a pediatrician at CMMC. She lost her step-father to cancer as a teenager and was helped by a support group with other teens. She shares that what she enjoys most about serving on the Dempsey Center's Professional Advisory Committee is "getting to share my professional and personal experience to help support children and teenagers who are dealing with a loved one who has cancer. I hope that my work with the Dempsey Center will help bring a smile to a child's face.” Renee Courtemanche, RN, BSN, OCN is currently a full time nurse in the infusion center/medical oncology practice at Central Maine Medical Center's Comprehensive Cancer Program. After graduating from the University of New Hampshire in 1999, she worked for a brief time as an inpatient oncology nurse at Maine Medical Center then joined CMMC's outpatient oncology staff where she has remained for the past 10 years. Renee is nationally ceritifed in oncology nursing and has special interests in supporting clinical staff in deveolping and maintaing the center's electronic medical record as well as serving on the professional advisory committee for the Patrick Dempsey Center for Cancer Hope and Healing. Renee has dedicated her career to oncology nursing and feels as though she learns very valuable lessons from her patients every single day... "Patients with chronic, terminal illnesses, especially cancer, have great perspective on life and what is truly important. It is through all of them that I learn to keep my own life's challenges in perspective and learn to live a richer, fuller life for myself, my friends and my family." Renee lives in Lewiston with her husband, Michael, and her two children, Samuel and Anna. Marie Charleston, RN, graduated from Mercy Hospital School of Nursing in 1968. She has been employed for the past 28 years at Rumford Hospital, mainly in Peri-Operative Nursing. Marie has been working in the Lariviere Oncology Suite (outpatient medical oncology dept) since 2006. Marie is married with 2 adult children and 3 grandchildren. Her hobbies include skiing, knitting, gardening and crafts. As a member of the PAC, Marie enjoys being able to advocate for the patients and families living in the River Valley, knowing what their needs are. She states that “Working in [oncology] has afforded me opportunities to provide supportive care to patients with cancer as they make their journey.” Jackie P. Fournier is a Nurse Practitioner and Clinical Nurse Specialist working for the newly established Palliative Care Program at CMMC in Lewiston. She began her nursing career as a graduate of St. Mary’s School of Nursing and has continued at Boston College and USM. Her passion for hospice and palliative care began after working as an Emergency Department nurse as well as being part of a team that established the first hospice program in Maine. She shares her passion for nursing in her work on professional association groups, education to communities and staff and volunteering where needed. As a palliative team member she believes that delivering a palliative care philosophy empowers patients and their families to obtain what they want their health care to be. She hopes to carry this commitment further as a member of the Dempsey Advisory Committee. Dempsey Center Staff Members who also serve on the PAC include: Kerry Irish Mary Dempsey Emily Ecker Maureen Higgins