Deborah Carey Johnson, RN, EMMC president and CEO, presented the first Robert P. Allen Cardiac Service Award to the family of John “Jack” Kelsey in April. The award is named after Robert Allen, MD, a cardiologist and long-time member of EMMC’s medical staff. Dr. Allen was responsible for creating the first cardiac rehabilitation program in Maine, helping EMMC patients recover from cardiac related illnesses.
It is fitting that the first award given in Dr. Allen’s name was presented posthumously to Jack Kelsey, a champion for heart health and an advocate for expanded access to the full spectrum of cardiac services in the greater Bangor region. When the State of Maine’s Certificate of Need (CON) unit initially denied approval of EMMC’s Heart Center in 1985, Jack personally led the mission to leverage region-wide community support for the state CON approval, soliciting thousands of Maine voter signatures and then personally delivering them to the State House in Augusta. Many years later, Jack and his wife, Connie, helped lead EMMC’s capital Campaign for Healthy Hearts to substantially expand the scope of preventive and rehabilitation services for cardiac patients and the community by establishing Cardiac Wellness of Maine.
Miles Theeman, executive vice president of Affiliated Healthcare Systems and friend of Jack Kelsey, commented about Jack’s commitment to the community. “Jack Kelsey never did anything half way. If he was your friend, he was a loyal friend…If he decided to support a cause, he embraced and championed it – and so it was with all things cardiac at EMMC. Jack understood how very important comprehensive cardiac services were to the community and region he loved.”
Connie Kelsey, who accepted the award on behalf of her husband, was touched by the ceremony. “Thank you,” said Connie. “This was more than I could have ever dreamed of or hoped for. Jack would have been proud.”
With the presentation of the award, EMMC Healthcare Charities also announced the establishment of the John M. Kelsey Endowment Fund. The fund will be used to support the overall goals of EMMC’s cardiac services for the benefit of our patients and community. |
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