An Investment In Maine’s Future

WOW! We’re growing! Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center recently received a $100,000 grant from the New Balance Foundation to support the hospital’s Way to Optimal Weight program. If you’re not familiar with our WOW program, it’s our pediatric weight management program.

This is the first time that WOW has received a grant from New Balance, an organization that operates three manufacturing facilities in Maine, and employs more than 700 associates throughout the state. The grant will be used to strengthen WOW’s family-focused care and expand their successful telemedicine program to rural and underserved areas of the state.

Obesity is a complex disease which affects nearly 30% of Maine kids and young adults. “Our new partnership with the New Balance Foundation is an exciting opportunity to join forces and fully address childhood obesity through the successful prevention measures currently supported by New Balance, as well as the expansion of access to treatment that WOW provides,” says WOW director Dr. Valeria O’Hara. “A focus of expansion is our TeleWOW services which bring comprehensive specialty care to our more rural communities. By combining the expertise of the New Balance Foundation, including tools developed by the New Balance Foundation Obesity Prevention Center at Boston Children’s Hospital and our WOW program, we will improve the health of children and families throughout Maine.”