Northern Light Sebasticook Valley Hospital

03/18/2026

Delivering a baby in the emergency room is always unexpected. But when seconds matter and there’s no time to reach a birthing hospital, our ED team is ready to step in—even to help welcome a new life into the world.

Sebasticook Valley Hospital has never had a birthing unit, but since babies don't always follow a schedule, our ED team is ready to assist for an emergency delivery. Check out this story that highlights the equipment and training that staff maintain to stay ready.

As more Maine hospitals operate without labor and delivery units, local emergency departments are preparing for emergency births with critical technology and training.
🔗: https://tinyurl.com/ypchshb5

03/11/2026

While some may think concussions aren’t serious, they are actually a mild form of a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI).

3 things you should know about concussions

1. They happen more often than you think.
Concussions can happen from blows to the head during sports activities or accidents, or may result from simple mishaps, like walking into a door and banging your head.

2. Symptoms aren’t always obvious.
Common symptoms can be easy to spot – headaches, dizziness, nausea, and hearing or vision problems. Less common symptoms are harder – sleep difficulties, depression, anxiety, and slower-than-normal reaction time.

3. Screen time, alcohol, and caffeine all impact recovery.
Avoid screen time in the first 48 hours of recovery. Limit both caffeine and alcohol consumption during recovery.

To read about Carly Guerrette’s personal experience with a concussion, click here:https://ow.ly/VJFX50YrLXg

03/09/2026

“Knowing that I can help ease patients’ burdens so they can focus on getting well is very rewarding. I became a social worker to make a difference and help people in need.”

Meet Amy Banks, MSW, care manager at Northern Light Mayo Hospital and social worker at Northern Light CA Dean and Sebasticook Valley Hospitals, one of our featured social workers for Social Work Awareness Month.

“We think broadly, looking at all aspects of patient care and how all of those things fit together (or don’t fit) to gain the best outcome for every patient. As creative, outside-the-box thinkers, we can see things differently, which helps our patients.”

03/06/2026

For Social Work Awareness Month, we celebrate the unique, integral role medical social workers play within our healthcare system.

Medical social workers help navigate, and co-coordinate patient-centered care plans; advocate; educate about available treatment options, resources, and services; and provide support during crises.

For hospice patients, social workers ensure end-of-life goals are respected; provide advanced care planning; emotional and psychological support; connect families with community resources; and offer caregiver support.

💙 We honor and recognize your compassion, professionalism, and dedication to patient care - thank you! 💙

Featured are some of our incredible social workers!

03/03/2026

We’re pleased to announce that occupational therapist Michaela Yagodin, OTR/L, Rehabilitation Services, is the recipient of our first ever Patient Safety Award! 🏆

Recently, Michaela completed an evaluation on a patient, and after taking special care to listen to the patient’s concerns, important follow up testing was ordered. We appreciate Michaela's focus on ensuring that the patient received the safest, highest quality care.

Thank you for being a patient safety champion, Michaela! 🌟

02/26/2026

Changes to pediatric vaccine schedules can feel confusing, but we’re here to help. Have questions? Here’s a good place to start: https://ow.ly/fnmC50YhTxz

02/19/2026

Sandy Berry, a retired Nutrition Services employee, is making a difference in our patients’ lives, one blanket a time. As an employee, Sandy provided the food that kept our patients nourished and helped with healing. Now, she passes out blankets during the holidays and as needed throughout the year to help our patients warm and comfortable.

Thank you, Sandy, pictured left with Donna Bussell from our Nutrition Services Team, for continuing to support our patients!

02/18/2026

🎉Please join us in congratulating Isabella, Heidi, Allie, Lileighanne, and Stacy, our new medical assistants! These five recently graduated from our Medical Assistant Program and have started working in our local health centers.

🌟The group embraced teamwork, worked hard, and had a lot of fun during the course. Now, they're ready to make a difference caring for our community. We're proud to welcome them!

02/14/2026

Cardio or strength training for heart health?

Spoiler: You need both. 💪❤️

Endurance keeps your heart rate up. Resistance gives it a powerful boost. Together? They’re a dynamic duo.

Keep your heart strong—mix it up and move it daily! Learn how at https://ow.ly/3KYG50YfaaC

02/11/2026

Keep your heart pumping and your body moving. It doesn't take a huge workout for hours at a time, gentle movement is all you need. Do some squats when you're brushing your teeth, or when you're sitting watching tv, get up every once in a while, and just do some stretching. It doesn't take much, but your heart will appreciate it!

For more information on how to take care of your heart including heart healthy recipes, visit https://ow.ly/Rlli50Ycezi.

02/06/2026

Basketball is a popular school sport in Maine, and the thrill of tournament time is nearly upon us! But did you know that high school basketball has among the highest ankle sprain rates of all sports, with injury rates increasing over the past decade.

Joshua Mayich, MD, an orthopedic surgeon specializing in foot & ankle and trauma care at Northern Light Orthopedics in Presque Isle, shares these tips for preventing injuries for ball players, as well as some guidance for returning to play after an injury.

Know your risk
• Have you had a sprain or injury before? Your risk is increased by 98%!
• Contact increases your risk. Those who live “in the paint” need to be extra aware.
• A family history of ankle injuries increases your risk.

Injury Prevention
• Warmup: A 10-minute warm-up including strength, balance, agility, and aerobic components reduces your risk of injury.
• Ankle bracing: Both lace-up and semi-rigid braces greatly reduce ankle sprain risk.
• Training: Balance and coordination exercises improve control and reduce injury risk.

Rehabilitation and Return to Play
• Complete your therapy! If you’ve gotten an injury and were prescribed treatment – following through with it to the end leads to a much lower risk of re-injury.
• Address modifiable risk factors, such as body mass index, muscle strength, and ankle flexibility.

We wish all of our local high school basketball teams good luck and safe playing for the rest of their season and during the regional and state tournaments.

02/05/2026

Cleaning out your medicine cabinet? If you have…

💊Unused medications
💊Expired medications
💊Unwanted medications

Don’t toss them, bring them to our secure drop box inside of the hospital entrance—no questions asked. It’s the quick, easy way to keep children, pets, and others safe.