WATERVILLE - HealthReach Community Health Centers President and CEO Connie Coggins is pleased to announce that Bethel resident Linda Gamble, Bingham resident John Thiele and Rangeley resident Allen Wicken have joined its Governing Board of Directors.

Linda is a 30-year resident of Bethel.  After working two years as a long-term substitute teacher in the local school system, Linda was hired by the University of Maine at Farmington and maintained several different professional roles there.  For twenty years, she was Coordinator for Special Projects until she retired in 2016.  Linda has also taught courses in Early Childhood Education, Early Childhood Special Education, Elementary Education, and continues to hold Maine teaching credentials in Elementary Education and K-12 English as a second language. She enjoys the opportunity to volunteer in her community and work at the local library.

“I have always been grateful to have a community health center that offered quality and affordable medical care that was provided by active community members who were caring professionals.”

John entered the Social Security Administration as a Claims Representative and simultaneously began work on a Master’s in Public Administration.  As a post graduate he worked at the State Health Coordinating Council. After several years, John joined MaineGeneral as a Registered Substance Abuse Counselor. As a Licensed Social Worker, he then worked at the hospital as a Care Manager until accepting the position of Program Director at The Horizon Program. In 2010, he left MaineGeneral to become the first Director the Maine Medical Marijuana Program, a part of the Maine Department of Health and Human Services. In 2014, John retired to Bingham to pursue his passion of fly fishing.

“I love my life in small town rural Maine and want to use my energies addressing the challenges that exist for the residents in these increasingly isolated areas.”

After receiving a Master’s of Science in Physical Therapy from Duke University, Allen began work as a Physical Therapist at Maine Medical Center and became Director of the Physical Therapy Division one year later. After sixteen years, he became an Ergonomics Consultant for IMPACC, Inc. and Clinical Outreach Specialist at the Center for Tobacco Independence at MaineHealth.  Allen is on the Leadership Board of the American Lung Association and has held a number of past volunteer positons including Vice-Chairperson on the Maine Governor’s Council on Physical Activity and as a Board Member at the Healthy Community Coalition.  He is dedicated to local community volunteerism.

“I look forward to applying my skills, experience, and education to the promotion of HealthReach’s mission as a member of the HealthReach Board of Directors.”

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HealthReach Community Health Centers is a group of eleven Federally Qualified Health Centers in Central and Western Maine. Dedicated providers deliver high quality medical and behavioral health care to citizens in over 80 rural communities. To ensure access for everyone, HealthReach accepts Medicare, MaineCare and major insurances. In addition, an Affordable Care Program is available to uninsured and underinsured residents as well as assistance with applications for programs that help with the cost of health care and medications including the Health Insurance Marketplace. A private, non-profit celebrating a 43-year history, HealthReach is funded by patient fees, grants and individual donations.