Mercy Newsletter

Mattina R. Proctor Foundation Provides Funding for Important Diabetic Health Screenings

DID YOU KNOW DIABETIC RETINOPATHY IS THE LEADING CAUSE OF VISION LOSS IN WORKING-AGE ADULTS?

The Northern Light Mercy Primary Care team recognized diabetic retinal exams could prevent 95% of vision loss due to diabetic retinopathy and wanted to incorporate the vital screenings as part of annual patient visits. Thanks to support from the Mattina R. Proctor Foundation, Mercy primary care providers will have new retinal devices to incorporate the diabetic eye exam into the patient’s annual visit, and if necessary, assess the patient more frequently with a nurse visit using the device as well. The Mattina R. Proctor Foundation is a longtime partner and supporter of Mercy Endocrinology and Diabetes Care and the practice bears Mrs. Proctor’s name.

Karen Clements Becomes Mercy’s New Vice President of Nursing Karen came to Mercy with a robust

telemedicine, and inpatient/outpatient rehabilitation. During her final three years with our system, Karen was the Chief Nursing Officer/VP of Patient Care Services at Northern Light Acadia Hospital. Karen graduated from the University of Maine’s School of Nursing with her Bachelor of Science in Nursing; Husson University with a master’s in Business; and Dartmouth College with a master’s in Healthcare Delivery Science. She also served in the U.S. Army Nurse Corps from 1988 to 1999. She is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives and an active member of her local community, serving as a board member and volunteer with several organizations. Mercy’s former Vice President of Nursing, Bette Neville, RNC, MSN, has been promoted to Chief Nursing Officer for the Northern Light Health system.

background in nursing leadership with more than 20 years in the field, many of which were in the Northern Light Health system.

Karen had been the Chief Nursing Officer of Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center since 2016. She joined Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in 2013 and held several roles focusing on quality, patient and staff engagement, patient throughput, and elevating the role of the nurse leader. Before her time at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, Karen worked in our healthcare system for 23 years. Initially, she worked at Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center as the Nurse Manager of the emergency department, trauma, and urgent care, and then as the Administrative Director of several service lines, including emergency, trauma, LifeFlight, ICU,

We welcome Karen and congratulate Bette!

14 | Northern Light Mercy Hospital Foundation