LEWISTON – Healthy Androscoggin held its third annual strategic planning meeting at the Hartford Agency and has announced election results.

Dr. Joel Kase, a family physician, was named chairman of the Healthy Androscoggin board of directors.

Kase graduated from New York College of Osteopathic Medicine and did his residency at the Somerset Medical Center in Somerville, N.J. He has practiced as a family physician at Second Street Family Practice in Auburn since October 2000.

Kase has won numerous awards, including the New Jersey Family Practice Resident of the Year, the Carl F. Meier, M.D., Award and most recently the Healthy Androscoggin Physician Champion Award for his efforts at providing systematic tobacco cessation in his practice.

Kase said, “My involvement with Healthy Androscoggin allows me the opportunity to make a positive impact on the health of all of Androscoggin County.”

Jim Handy was elected vice chairman. Handy said that “serving on the board is a great opportunity to have an impact on the health and well being of the neighbors in my community.”

Handy is Lewiston School Committee chairman. He has been on the school board since 1998. Handy also served in the Maine Legislature for 12 years. He is a communications strategist and consultant, specializing in customer service, workplace relationships and public relations.

Formerly employed by L.L. Bean, Handy has more than 15 years of experience in customer service program design, training and as a CSR. He is a consultant trainer in partnership with Central Maine Community College where he teaches the “Customer Service Excellence Certificate” course, which he designed.

Dick Gleason, president of Gleason Media Services, was elected treasurer. Gleason has worked in the marketing communications field for more than 30 years. He has been a leader in the radio broadcast industry in Maine since 1976 and has received the distinguished Broadcaster of the Year Award from the Maine Association of Broadcasters.

He has served on the boards of numerous nonprofit and community organizations in central Maine. Gleason said, “Healthy living is successful living, and I do what I can to help Healthy Androscoggin achieve their goals.”

“We have a diverse coalition and an excellent group of community members who volunteer their time to serve on our board,” stated Executive Director Angela Westhoff. “We are extremely fortunate to have a board that consists of so many talented and passionate individuals.”

Healthy Androscoggin is a community coalition with a mission to improve the health of Androscoggin County residents by supporting tobacco-free and substance-free lifestyles, promoting healthy eating and encouraging physical activity.

For more information on how to become involved or how Healthy Androscoggin can meet the needs of a worksite, school or organization, call 795-5990 or visit www.healthyandroscoggin.org.