New dentist to serve Strong, Bingham areas

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STRONG – Captain Lawrence H. Jacoby, D.M.D., M.P.H., a dentist and ready responder in the U.S. Public Health Service will be joining HealthReach Community Health Centers (HRCHC) in a full time capacity starting in October. He will be providing dental care at both Bingham Area Health Center and Strong Area Health Center. 
 
Dr. Jacoby will provide dental care at Bingham and Strong for a three-year period during which he will be working with HRCHC to recruit a permanent dentist for the Bingham location.
 
Dr. Jacoby possesses a license in dentistry as well as a master’s degree in public health. “I feel it is very important for dental care to be integrated into the realm of overall healthcare,” said Dr. Jacoby. “My personal belief is that everyone deserves access to medical and oral health care across the entire age span.”

 

He received his Doctor of Dental Medicine degree from Oregon Health and Science University, OR in 1990 and subsequently completed a General Practice Residency at St. Anthony Hospital, OK. He received a Master of Public Health Degree from Portland State University, OR in 2001. Previously he obtained Master and Bachelor of Science degrees from Northern Illinois University.
 
At Bingham Area Health Center, Dr. Jacoby will join physician Cindy Robertson, and family nurse practitioner Sarah Andel, who provide medical care and prevention services to almost 1,800 area residents from many towns in the Upper Kennebec Valley including Bingham, Caratunk, Embden, Moscow, Pleasant Ridge, Solon, The Forks, and West Forks.
 
Dr. Jacoby will also join Dentist Amy Alexcovich and hygienists Sharon Smith-Bouchard and Barbara Lajoie who provide oral health services at Strong Area Dental Center. In addition, Ann Schwink, physician and Madelyn Besse and Ellen Newton, physician assistants provide healthcare at the practice. Almost 2,000 area residents from Avon, New Vineyard, Phillips, Strong and other towns in Franklin County utilize the community health center each year. 
 
The Ready Responder Program was initiated after the 9/11/2001 attacks. It is a unique group of primary care clinicians, commissioned by the U.S. Public Health Service, who serve in some of the neediest locations throughout America. Medical and dental providers deliver primary care or oral healthcare in underserved areas. In addition, the providers are trained to respond quickly and effectively to large-scale regional or national medical emergencies. Dr. Jacoby recently provided dental care to Gustav and Ike evacuees and in 2005 provided relief efforts to families affected by Hurricane Katrina.

HealthReach Community Health Centers is a system of 11 federally qualified health centers in central and western Maine. Dedicated providers deliver first-class healthcare to citizens in over 80 rural communities. To ensure access for everyone, HealthReach accepts Medicare, MaineCare, major insurances and offers an Affordable Care Program based on family size and income to uninsured and underinsured residents. A private, non-profit organization with a 30-year history, HealthReach is funded by patient fees, grants and individual donations.

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