FARMINGTON – Maine’s chief healthcare official will be the keynote speaker at the Heart to Heart: 4th Annual Women and Heart Disease Conference on Saturday, March 6, at Central Maine Medical Center.

The program will also be telecast to Franklin Memorial Hospital and hospitals in Bridgton and Rumford.

Heart to Heart is open to the public and being offered at no charge through an educational grant from AstraZeneca, in conjunction with the Women’s Heart Advantage campaign.

Dr. Dora A. Mills, medical director of the Maine Bureau of Health, will discuss “Can Lifestyle Prevent Heart Disease?” in a presentation at 9 a.m. She will consider whether changes in lifestyle can help prevent cardiovascular disease. She will approach the topic from a woman’s perspective and offer suggestions on how to take action now.

Humorist and registered nurse Susan Goran will discuss “What Laughter Can Do To Heal Your Spirit And Enhance Your Well-Being.” Her presentation will begin at 10:15 a.m.

A cooking demonstration with CMMC chef Lee J. Walker Jr. will be featured from 11:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Following the demonstration, a heart healthy lunch will be served free of charge.

Walker has extensive experience in the food service industry, including work at several Maine hospitals. He assisted with the implementation of a healthy heart cafeteria at Franklin Memorial Hospital in Farmington. The effort resulted in a menu that was 98 percent heart healthy.

Reservations to participate in the Franklin Memorial Hospital telecast may be made by calling Kristen Grondin at 779-2381. The program will take place in the Bass Room of the Ben Franklin Center beginning at 8:30 a.m.

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