Maine People LivingSafe, Healthy and Productive Lives

Department of Health and Human Services

M

E M B E R N E W S L E T T E R

MEQuality Care

FOR

Summer 2014

TABLE OF CONTENTSA Message from the Program Director ........................... 3

Welcome Dr. Edward Pontius! .... 4

Program Implementation ............. 5

5th Annual Conference ................. 6

Provider Advisory Council ........... 8

Member Advisory Council ............ 8

APS Healthcare’s State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2013 Annual Report ........... 9

APS by the Numbers ..................... 10

Spring Data Forum ......................... 11

Why I Run ......................................... 11

Staff Updates ................................... 12

In Loving Memory of Jeffrey Pert .................................. 13

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FROM THE PROGRAM DIRECTOR:

After such a long and grueling winter, I am happy to enjoy summer and its refreshing rains and bright sun and warmth.

One of the reasons that we here at APS Healthcare are especially enjoying the summer is that for the first time in our seven plus years of working with DHHS and our provider partners, we are not implementing any contract changes in the month of July!

Summer always finds me attending a baseball game or two. Much like America’s pastime of baseball we here at APS are fielding a solid team which is experienced and well-practiced together. We have worked hard to fill our roster with solid performers who look to the success of the team over individual accomplishment. Like a team there is a focus and goal of excellent customer service and member support. The cross teaming efforts have paid off and we are able to pinch hit for each other if needed. In this newsletter, we will highlight some individual staff people’s successes, welcome new players and say good bye to others. As the team manager, I can say that we are happiest when we are working together, meeting our goals and looking forward to the playoffs in the fall.

Over the past several months, we have been working closely with the Office of MaineCare Services (OMS) and 23 providers to implement the Behavioral Health Home initiative. APS Healthcare worked to transition 2,275 persons into the new service of Behavioral Health Homes (BHH). Several of the BHH providers were new to working with APS for authorizations and clinical review. These early adapter providers are to be commended for working so diligently to provide a place for consumers to call their behavioral health home and for being on the cutting edge with a new service model. APS Healthcare looks forward to partnering with OMS on other initiatives as they arise and expand. We pride ourselves on our collaborative work with all the stakeholders.

BHH Providers enrolling three or more persons as of June 30, 2014

Enjoy the sunshine,

Sincerely,Kelly Bickmore, LCSW APS Healthcare Program Director

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Acadia Healthcare Assistance Plus Catholic Charities Maine Charlotte White Center Common Ties Community Counseling Center Community Health & Counseling Services Cornerstone Behavioral HealthcareDirigo Counseling Clinic Kennebec Behavioral Health Maine Behavioral Health OrganizationNortheast Occupational Exchange

OHIPenobscot Community Health CenterProvidence Saco River Health Service The Opportunity AllianceTri-County Mental Health UCP VIUnited Cerebral Palsy of Maine Volunteers of America Waban Projects Wings

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WELCOME DR. EDWARD PONTIUS!APS Healthcare’s New Maine Medical Director

Even before joining APS in July as APS Healthcare Maine’s Medical Director, Dr. Ed Pontius has had a personal commitment to addressing health issues in our community. Trained as a physician and psychiatrist, Dr. Pontius has in his 35 years of practice provided direct service to patients, taught medical students, physicians and other health professionals, and participated in administration and research. He is very enthused about joining the APS team where he is confident there are great opportunities to continue to make a difference in Maine.

But aside from professional activities, Dr. Pontius believes that there are opportunities that each of us have to make a difference. Dr. Pontius urges patients, students and colleagues alike to consider how choices we all make each day impact own health, the health of our community, and the health of the planet.

Which is why Dr. Pontius chooses to commute to APS whenever possible on his bicycle. A recent arrival to the Portland area, Dr. Pontius has recently learned a lot about urban biking. “It takes a little longer

commuting 12-15 miles a day by bike, but I get great exercise and a chance to be outdoors. People come from all over just for the chance to bike here in Maine. But the real deal is the bike is a great weight loss tool- each day I bike instead of driving I’m saving the planet from gaining that additional 10 pounds of carbon dioxide.” And while Dr. Pontius acknowledges that one person biking might not seem to make much of a

difference, he notes that whenever you look you find opportunities to team with others, and together great things can be accomplished. Coming together we can meet big challenges.

And so in the past month, when Dr. Pontius learned that a former colleague and close family friend had succumbed to the incurable lung disease Pulmonary Fibrosis, he knew what he had to do. “My friend Kay was always so generous throughout her life with her time, her skill, her creativity, her caring…the very least I could do in her memory was to sign up for the American Lung Association’s Trek Across Maine.” And that’s why next June Dr. Pontius will be leading “Team Kay” and along with thousands of riders completing the 3 day, 180 mile fund-raiser from Sunday River to Belfast.

Dr. Pontius is always alert for the opportunity to make a difference, personally and professionally, and for him that explains why APS is a good fit. “We are all about making a difference here—whether we’re planning a day of community service or digging in to the data to find ways to better understand and serve or connecting with members and providers to help them get the support they need—we’re here to make a difference.”

“Dr. Pontius is always alert for the opportunity to make a difference, personally and professionally, and for him that explains why APS is a good fit. ”

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PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION by Keara DuPont, LCSW

In December 2013, APS Healthcare received new contracts through Maine Department of Human Services, Office for Children and Families (OCFS) to provide oversight of the determination for eligibility for Intensive Temporary Residential Treatment Services (ITRT) and for School-Based Services for both Section 65 (Mental/Behavioral Health) and Section 28 (Rehabilitative Community Support Services). APS Healthcare also provides on-going utilization review for Section 65 Day Treatment and Section 28 School-Based. The second round of Individual Education Plans (IEPs) are rolling in to the Intake Team. There is a lot of collaboration between APS Healthcare and the schools and school-based providers assuring that the members are receiving appropriate services during their school day.

ITRT applications for residential treatment continue to arrive nearly daily. APS Healthcare continues to improve processes to allow for a streamlined flow of information to assure that the applications are moving quickly through the intake process and on to the Clinical Team for determination of eligibility. Another change that was implemented was to inform those making referrals for residential treatment when a determination is made via email and to suggest that the referent watch for a letter of approval via fax. Targeted Case Managers now have a larger role as the lead in the process of setting up residential services for children who need this service, from referral process to determining which facilities are contacted for interviews.

The school-based services are receiving a lot of guidance from our Intake Team and Care Manager, Jenni Stafford, LCSW. The new process for requesting school-based services is different in a lot of ways from how the schools were managing these services in the past. Due to audits by Office of Maine Care for the services being billed through MaineCare, APS Healthcare is now responsible for helping schools request the appropriate number of units of treatment based on the child’s Individual Education Plan (IEP) or Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP). This has been a big adjustment for most schools, and they have been working hard to make the changes to have all the needed information for students to request authorizations for services.

In April 2014, approved Behavioral Health Home Providers were required to obtain Behavioral Health certification through APS Healthcare. There were twenty-three agencies that enrolled with APS. To ensure a smooth transition, APS Provider Relations staff submitted the new certifications for providers. APS will continue to offer support for the provider agencies, member community and department.

APS Healthcare welcomes feedback at any time to make this process work well for everyone involved. If you have comment or questions that arise for any of these new services, please call 866-521-0027 and talk to our clinical team.

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Nearly 300 people from 89 different agencies attended APS’ 5th Annual Conference. This year, the theme was “Evidence Based and Promising Practices – Integrating Best Care Models”.

Mary Mayhew, Commissioner of Maine’s Department of Human Services gave the first keynote, outlining the specific ways that her department is transforming health care. These included: accountable care communities, behavioral health homes, pilot projects like the one to reduce emergency room visits among people who have had three or more visits in a year and through the SIM (state innovation models) federal grant initiative. In the afternoon, her staff offered a panel to discuss these initiatives further.

The other keynote speaker was Eileen Elias, from JBS International, Inc., of Baltimore Maryland. A former Commissioner herself in Massachusetts, Eileen gave an overview of the issues of integrating services for persons with developmental disabilities and mental health needs. She noted that this group is not a “special population” because one in three people with a developmental disability also have a mental health issue.

APS HEALTHCARE’S 5TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE, MAY 7, 2014by Helen Hemminger

Commissioner Mary Mayhew presenting at APS Healthcare’s 5th Annual Conference

APS Registration DeskBack Row: Jaleesa Penn, Kathy Scott, Paul Dunton Front Row: Brianna Walton, April Laverriere, Melissa Rodriguez

AM Session Dialectical Behavior Therapy at the Maine DBT – Kristen Flynn, LCPC and Barbara Rachel, LCSW – The Maine DBT

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Evidence-based practices included:■■ Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is an evidence-based cognitive-behavioral treatment for both adults and children. Presenter: Dialectical Behavior Therapy at the Maine DBT Center

■■ Family Functional Therapy (FFT) is an evidenced-based family treatment model leading to enhanced family functioning.Presenter: Catholic Charities

■■ Multi-Dimensional Treatment Foster Care (MTFC) is an evidenced-based treatment for adolescents with severe conduct. It helps youth live successfully in their communities while also preparing the family for positive reunification. Presenter: Community Health & Counseling Service

Promising Practices included:■■ Diagnosis and Assessment Procedures for

Individuals with IDD and MH Presenter: Port Resources

■■ The Clubhouse Model—The Road to Meaningful Employment for people with mental illness. Presenter: Kennebec Behavioral Health

■■ Successful Combinations of Treatments for Eating Disorders – psychotherapy, family approaches, self-help approaches, nutrition management & medication. Presenter: Mercy Hospital

■■ Peers providing Daily Living Support Services Presenter: Tri County Mental Health

Ethics Training included:■■ Embracing the Ethic of “Equal but Different” and Possibly Transcending the Peer vs. Provider Dilemma Presenter: The Opportunity Alliance

(…CONTINUED) APS HEALTHCARE’S 5TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE

PM SessionEmbracing the Ethic of “Equal but Different” and Possibly Transcending the Peer vs. Provider Dilemma – Pat McKenzie, LCSW –The Opportunity Alliance, Hilary Andreoli and Ilana Schreiber, IPSS

Workshops were held both in the morning and in the afternoon on evidence-based and promising practices.

Pat McKenzie of Opportunity Alliance again offered her Ethics Training. It was among the most popular offering with 175 attendees.

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PROVIDER ADVISORY COUNCILby Rob Noble

The PAC is back! The provider advisory council or PAC is a group of providers that take the time out of their busy work schedules to join APS Healthcare and the Department of Health and Human services to make recommendations regarding improving the Maine ASO program. The PAC was established in 2008 and meet on a quarterly basis.

In 2013, participation began to dwindle; therefore, we put out a request for participation. We received such an overwhelming response that we decided to increase the council membership from 25 to 35 participants (not including a 10 provider waitlist). The participants are reflective of Adult MH/ID, Children’s MH/ID, Child Welfare, Substance Abuse, Community-Based, Residential and Hospital Services.

To date, we have had two successful provider advisory council meetings with a broad range of discussion from new business to the change in the healthcare landscape to the legislative session with a guest speaker. We will meet twice more throughout the year and we at APS are excited to continue our partnership with the provider community.

MEMBER ADVISORY COUNCIL: KAREN EVANS IS RECIPIENT OF THE HEIDI WHITEHOUSE AWARDby Roger Lavigne, LCSW, LADC

As the APS HealthCare Member Liaison, I have the privilege of meeting and working with a very special group of people from the community. I am the chair of the Member Advisory Council which is made up of MaineCare members and their family or guardians. These members give their time to meet on a quarterly basis, or more frequently if needed, for the primary purpose of improving the service that APS offers to its members. They each bring a unique perspective to the table as they have a wealth of knowledge/experience with the local mental health delivery system. They review various presentations and documents to ensure that each is accurate and offered in the most clear and “easy to read” format.

Because these individuals volunteer within the community, they are able to gather information from MaineCare members and families, which can be reviewed and acted upon at our advisory council. I have found that members of the advisory council not only bring issues to the table, but they offer sound recommendations. APS Healthcare’s reliance on their input is invaluable to improving the quality of the service offered.

We are always looking for MaineCare members, family members, teens who receive services, guardians and parents in order to continue having the broadest possible representation on our Advisory Council. If you qualify and would be interested in joining this very special group of people please contact me either by phone or email. I can be reached at 1-866-521-0027 option 3 or rlavigne@apshealthcare.com.

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APS HEALTHCARE’S STATE FISCAL YEAR (SFY) 2013 ANNUAL REPORTby Helen Hemminger

Each year, APS Healthcare summarizes the results of a year’s work in its annual report. Here is a short summary of APS Healthcare’s State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2013 Annual Report.

APS Healthcare accomplishes these goals listed above through a collaborative utilization management model. APS facilitates a process with providers to support the movement of MaineCare members to clinically appropriate levels of care and for clinically appropriate lengths of stay. It is a consultative process between APS’ clinical and medical staff and the providers of behavioral health services. The focus is on maintaining positive relationships with members, provider and state staff; offering excellent customer service and eliminating administrative burden.

Here are some examples. APS influences these measures: through coordination with Maine Department of Human Services, through the utilization review process and by providing data to the state and to individual providers related to the desired outcomes.

Improve Outcomes: ■ The 30-day readmission rate back to inpatient

psychiatric care has been reduced in statistically significant ways for both children and adults. (For children the rate went down from 13.8% in SFY 10 to 9.0% in SFY 13. For adults it was reduced from 13.1% in SFY 11-the first year the data was available for adults- to 11.8% in SFY 13.)

■ The percentage of youth who go to a higher level of care within 6 months of discharge from Targeted Case Management (TCM) has decreased from 10.6% to 8.7% from SFY 11 to SFY 13.

Increase Access to Care Coordination: ■ In the last two years from SFY 11 to SFY 13, the

number of admissions to the two services that

offer care coordination for people with mental health issues has gone up 17% for both children’s targeted case management (TCM) and for the adult service of community Integration (CI).

■ APS has worked with the Office of Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services (SAMHS) to increase the percentage of people assigned to the service of community integration (CI) more quickly. The most recent quarter result was that 81% assigned of the people seeking services were assigned within 7 working days and 69% within 3 working days. Both of these rates are the best results of the last 5 quarters.

Assist the State of Maine Ensure Compliance with Consent Decree & Settlement Agreements:

■ Eight APS reports are included in the package of quarterly reports to the Court Master who monitors the State’s compliance with the Bates versus State of Maine consent decree.

■ APS maintains automated online wait list reports for twelve different services including children’s targeted case management (TCM) and home and community treatment (HCT) in compliance with the French and Risinger Settlement Agreements.

Manage Costs: ■ Maine Department of Health and Human Services

(DHHS) and APS Healthcare worked together to return youth to their homes and communities. Since SFY 10, there has been a 23% reduction in average daily bed occupancy of residential treatment, from 387 youth per night to 297 youth.

■ In February 2013, APS Healthcare began reviewing child inpatient services at Spring Harbor and Acadia with the goal of having youth be discharged to community-based settings as soon as is medically appropriate and to reduce the average length of stay from 20 days to 18 days. With a process of utilization review every 3 days, the average length of stay is 16.5 days at these two hospitals (excluding the developmental disabilities unit at Spring Harbor).

APS Healthcare Partnering with the State of Maine to… improve health outcomes increase access ensure compliance manage costs

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APS BY THE NUMBERSby Helen Hemminger

During FY 2013, ■ In February 2013, APS added new services to review during FY 2013. These were:

– Section 21 Agency Home Support & In Home Support for Adults with Intellectual Disabilities

– Section 28 Agency-based and School-based Services for children with intellectual disabilities

– Intensive Outpatient Services delivered in hospital-based and community-based settings

– Partial Hospitalization Services

– Inpatient psychiatric services for children at private psychiatric hospitals(Spring Harbor & Acadia)

■ APS Healthcare conducted utilization review for approximately 25 different categories of service, (Over 130 different codes)

– Number of services: 334,425

– Number of new cases: 126,273

■ Approximately, 73,000 people were authorized by APS Healthcare for one or more mental health services: 26,397 youth & 46,445 adults

■ Approximately, 17,450 of these adults had a serious mental illness.

■ Approximately, 625 providers (hospitals, agencies, schools & private practices) review services with APS during the year.

■ APS Healthcare receives approximately 28,500 requests per month from providers in Maine.

■ Nearly 2 million requests have been submitted by providers since 12/1/07.

■ There are approximately 5,000 individual users of APS CareConnection®.

■ Over 95% of providers use APS CareConnection® to authorize service via our HIPAA-compliant internet based web portal.

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SPRING DATA FORUMby Helen Hemminger

APS Healthcare and Maine’s Office of Continuous Quality Improvement conduct four data forums each year for providers of MaineCare behavioral health services and for staff at the offices of the Maine Department of Human Services (DHHS). Using a webinar and call-in format, past presenters have included staff from the DHHS’s Office of Continuous Quality Improvement Director including Dr. Jay Yoe, Dr. Raymond Taylor, Kirk Duplessis, and other DHHS staff; APS’ Quality Improvement Manager, Helen Hemminger and other APS staff; and researchers from the Muskie School of Public Service and from Hornby- Zeller.

The purpose of the data forums is to provide stakeholders opportunities to look at data about behavioral healthcare needs of the MaineCare members together; discuss what the data means; talk about areas that can benefit from further analysis; and ultimately to use the data to improve systems of care.

On May 26, Dr. Raymond Taylor, the Director of Data Analytics, Office of Continuous Quality Improvement, Maine Department of Health and Human Services did a presentation at the Data Forum about the Characteristics

of Young MaineCare Clients with the Highest Total Net Claims. His presentation is now posted to our website at: www.qualitycareforme.com/documents/APS-MaineDataForumPresCharYoungClientsHighClaims.pdf

Some of his key points were:

■ In this study of youth with MaineCare, 5% of the MaineCare clients had 59% of all the MaineCare dollars spent on net claims for State Fiscal Year 2013. This is similar to the findings from other state and national studies.

■ Lewiston and Caribou were among the cities and towns that had higher counts of youth with high claims than would be expected.

■ The median age of youth with claims in the top 5% was 13 and the prevalence rose every year from ages 10-15.

■ For youth with high claims, more costs were associated with behavioral health than with physical health.

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WHY I RUNby Sue McCarthy, LCPC - Elite Track Competitor

My name is Sue McCarthy and along with working at APS as a Clinical Care Manager, I am a national competitor in the Masters Track and Field community. In March 2014, I won 4 gold medals in my age group (50-54) at the Indoor National Championship in the 60 meters, 200 meters and 400 meters and the 4x200 meter relay. For the 2014 indoor season, I am ranked 6th in the world in the 400meter, 8th in the world in the 200meter and 12th in the world in the 60 meter dash.

Buoyed by my recent success at the 2014 Indoor Masters Track and Field National Competition, and urged on by both teammates and competitors alike, I hope also to compete in my specialties “the sprints” at the XXI World Masters Athletics Championships in Lyon France August 2015.

Despite being side lined three times for significant athletic injuries over the past 5 years I have come back strong. “Why do I do it? “I want to be a good role model for my daughter as a woman, (everybody needs goals and some passion they can focus on in life; it’s healthy!) I hope I can inspire her and other individuals to never give up on their health and endeavors in life that make them happy, make their life worth living. It helps me stay healthy and strong in body and mind”. When I see the individuals in the 95 and over age categories get on the track it touches me, and it inspires me. One of my teammates and I recently reflected on the fact that when we hear people say that we should “act our age” we

are not sure what that means! I think there is a new age sprouting around us. We seem to be redefining the expectations of what it means to grow older. The sense of community of USA Track and Field competitors is astounding in the support and encouragement we give one another, team mates and competitors alike. I am very grateful to be a part of this community and to be able to compete physically at the level that I do.

I am always juggling my time including being a single moth-er to my 15 year old daughter, full time employment here at APS, and an extensive training regimen, often with two workouts per day. During the winter months I am up at 5am working out before work starts at the USM Gorham track in-cluding weight training, power yoga, and distance training days. In the summer months, I am outside running, stretch-ing and working out until the sun sets.

I have competed in Delaware, New Mexico, California, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, New Brunswick Canada, and Illinois over the past few years. These away meets are mostly the National competitions. Most of my “local” meets are in Massachusetts—still a few hours drive away.

I face the daunting task of traveling from Maine to France where I will represent the USA on the world stage of Masters Track and Field. Wish me luck!

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STAFF UPDATESIntake Team

MARK MACDONALDCustomer Service Specialist II

Mark MacDonald had previously worked for two years with APS as a

Provider Relations associate. Upon leaving APS he spent two years as a stay at home dad and recently returned to APS taking a position on the intake team. He brings with him knowledge of the organization and the systems. He has lived in Maine his whole life and has a love for the different seasons, yes, even the snow sometimes. In his free time, he is usually playing with his little 3 year old girl, Corinne. She definitely keeps him busy. He has been known to even let her paint his nails at times. Mark is a Customer Services Specialist.

JALEESA PENNCustomer Service Specialist II

Jaleesa was born and raised in Manhattan, New York where she attended Touro College. In 2013 she

completed her Bachelors of Science degree. Her degree was in Special Education with a co-major in Psychology and English. Her career goal is to work in the mental health and special needs field, whether it consist of teaching, social work outreach or counseling. She has a passion for helping and caring for individuals with special needs and/ or disabilities. Before moving to Maine, she worked at a Special Education preschool for over 6 years, teaching children with Autism and other developmental disabilities. Jaleesa is currently a Customer Services Specialist.

TRACEY LAVERRIERECustomer Service Specialist II

Tracey came to APS with three years of Customer Service experience having worked in the Real Estate Industry

as a Receptionist/Real Estate Agent. She has a variety of experience with dealing with Customers and focusing on organization and maintaining professional communication with Customers when follow ups are needed. Tracey is a Customer Service Specialist.

Clinical Team

KEARA DUPONT, LCSWClinical Team Lead

Keara has been working in the field in Maine since 2001, when she started working in children Day and

Residential Treatment. Next to try something different, she did about 3 years in Outpatient, with adults, kids- in-home, in schools and in the office. She also worked in an agency providing in-home services to children and families before returning to APS after leaving for a few years. Working at APS and focusing on children’s services is important work, to assure that families are getting the quality services that they deserve to be successful. The warm weather coming is also very important to Keara, as she enjoys spending more time outside. Keara is the Clinical Team Lead.

JENNI STAFFORD, LCSW, CADCHealth Professional III

Jenni started in the field in 2004 working primarily in day and residential treatment in Conn. She

began her career in locked residential unit in CT as well as performing court evaluations for adjudicated adolescents. In 2006 she moved to Maine where she began working at Spurwink as a day/residential clinician. Prior to joining APS she worked as a residential program director. Jenni is a Care Manager who focuses on reviewing section 65, 28 school based, CFSNs, PAs, and cross training on section 28 home and community.

JAYNE BANNISH, LCSWHealth Professional III

Jayne joined APS from Massachusetts and upstate NY, with over 25 years of behavioral health experience particularly in the field of Child and

Adolescent Services. She started in child residential services however worked in children and adult psychiatric inpatient units as a clinician, intake/assessment coordinator, and in leadership /administration. Jayne worked in Medicaid managed care for the last eight years as both an intensive clinical manager for children services and a youth network

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manager working with providers to implement a new state initiative; wrap around model system of care. More recently she worked briefly as a consultant to help build the Maine behavioral health system with an MCO (an outgrowth of the affordable care act). Jayne is a Care Manager who will be primarily reviewing children services.

BETHANY MITCHELL, LCSWHealth Professional III

Beth Mitchell began working in children’s mental health in Maine in 1996. She has experience as a provider of children’s case management,

outpatient therapy and Home and Community-Based Treatment. She also has experience providing supervision and oversight to programs providing RCS Section 28, child and adult case management, outpatient therapy and HCT. Beth has a small private practice in which she provides individual and family therapy and also enjoys teaching the Behavioral Health Professional Curriculum. Beth is a Clinical Care Manager at APS with a focus on children’s services.

Operations Team

LYDA SEALEYAppeals & Grievance Specialist

Lyda came to APS after working at Spring Harbor Hospital as a Psych Tech on the children and adolescent units. She has previously worked with children with learning disabilities in an after-school program. She also has experience in the health insurance industry, including educating consumers on their mental health benefits. She is currently in graduate school for Clinical Counseling and hopes to focus on family therapy. Lyda joins the Appeals team.

APRIL BOGARTCustomer Services Specialist II

April is new to APS as a member of the PR team. She has a vast background in customer service with an emphasis

on computer technology, and is excited to begin this new adventure. She graduated in 2013 with her Bachelors in Sociology with a focus on welfare and minority issues. In her free time, April enjoys kayaking, amateur photography (with a big emphasis on amateur), and is looking forward to beginning pilot lessons in the near future. She is currently working on visiting two new states per year with her longtime boyfriend, with whom she has two cats.

(…CONTINUED) STAFF UPDATES

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IN LOVING MEMORY OF JEFFREY PERTIt is a sad time for the APS family. Jeff Pert, one of our provider relations representatives, unexpectedly passed away this spring. Jeff was an accomplished cartoonist and Maine humorist known for his cartoons featuring Bob the lobster as well as various moose, bears and other Maine critters. It is not often or a small thing that a sense of humor can be translated through a pen onto paper. Jeff was a master at his craft.

Jeff brought his sense of humor to work at APS and was friendly and engaging to many he spoke with on the phone. He often drew lobsters and other doodles on a scratch pad next to desk while talking to callers. Our staff meetings were enlivened by his sense of fun and the perfect timing of his punch lines. APS Healthcare staff grieves his loss, misses him each and every day and work to keep his spirit alive in our own storytelling.

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