On Saturday, April 30, FASD Maine exhibited at and hosted a mocktail reception to honor and thank Maine’s Safest Choice Learning Cooperative participants at the Maine American Academy of Pediatrics annual conference.  It was a great day for increasing understanding of FASD among Maine’s pediatricians and healthcare leaders.

Madonna Mooney, a volunteer with FASD Maine recruited three Safest Choice participants by reaching out to more than 30 health centers including FHQC’s and IHS (Indian Health Centers) over 2 years; and Shannon Coray, another volunteer who is also a director at Mid Coast Hospital, helped recruit their pediatrics practice, headed by  Dr. Deb Hagler — who is also head of the Maine AAP.  Dr. Hagler has become a strong supporter of pediatrician training on FASD in Maine and ally of FASD Maine.

It was a great day for increasing understanding of FASD among Maine’s pediatricians and healthcare leaders.

Madonna Mooney, a volunteer with FASD Maine recruited three Safest Choice participants by reaching out to more than 30 health centers including FHQC’s and IHS (Indian Health Centers) over 2 years; and Shannon Coray, another volunteer who is also a director at Mid Coast Hospital, helped recruit their pediatrics practice, headed by  Dr. Deb Hagler — who is also head of the Maine AAP.  Dr. Hagler has become a strong supporter of pediatrician training on FASD in Maine and ally of FASD Maine.

Dr. Nirav Shah, Director of the Maine CDC and recipient of the “Child Health Advocate of the Year” award,  said that he’d listened to the September 2021 “Maine Calling” podcast from Maine Public Radio featuring Dr. Douglas Waite, and wanted to meet with FASD Maine. An estimated 50 pediatricians and other professionals visited FASD Maine’s exhibit and engaged on FASD. FASD Maine was asked to give a toast to honor Maine’s Safest Choice participants. using some of the specialty  mocktails that The Samoset Inn created for the occasion.

Dr. Andrea Tracy of the Edmund N. Ervin Pediatric Clinic in Augusta and head of the MAAP foster committee is shepherding her group’s participation in the 2022-23 Safest Choice Learning Collaborative and she encouraged the other foster screening clinics to join.  She also generated a $10,000 grant for MaineGeneral on the strength of overseeing FASD education for her team.  

Thank you, Everyone, for all of your support for people affected by FASD in Maine, FASD training for clinicians, and for the mission of FASD Maine. 

— Connie, Madonna and Shannon 

Co-founders, FASD Maine

FASDMaine.org