McPherson is new director of Home Health Services

    Ralph McPherson, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and native of Washburn, has been appointed executive director of Aroostook Home Health and Valley Home Health Services.  McPherson, who currently heads the Department of Social Work and Education at the Aroostook Medical Center, brings a passion for home health care and considerable experience in the health care sector.      McPherson is a graduate of Washburn High School and earned a bachelor of arts in behavioral science at the University of Maine at Presque Isle.  He later was awarded his masters degree in social work from the University of Maine at Orono.  McPherson joined Visiting Nurses of Aroostook in 1992 and in 1996 was appointed director of Hospice of Aroostook and coordinator of program development.  In 2001 he joined the Aroostook Mental Health Center as director of their Presque Office.  He joined the Aroostook Medical Center in 2004 as senior manager for social services, and utilization review, taking on additional responsibility in 2007 when he was appointed director of educational services for TAMC.   
      Kris Doody, RN and chairman of the board of directors for Aroostook Home Health and Valley Home Health Services said  the agency was thrilled to have McPherson on board.
    “We are certainly thrilled to have Ralph take the leadership position with our organizations”, said Doody, who along with Martin Bernstein, CEO at Northern Maine Medical Center serves on the board.  “Ralph is a high quality individual who brings exceptional talent, a strong base of experience and a real passion for delivering the very best home health services to patients in the County. I have personally admired Ralph for a number of years and he has something very special about his personality that will meld very well with our culture”, Doody added.
    McPherson describes his management style as one that works with the unique talents of everyone involved in delivering quality service.
    “We all bring something to the table”, said McPherson who sees the executive director position as a great opportunity.  “I think it is important to treat people fairly, with respect and recognize that there has to be a balance in life between work, home, family, and self.”  He also said that he was excited about working with Cary and Northern Maine Medical Center.
    “Both Cary and Northern Maine have excellent reputations as does Aroostook and Valley Home Health Services.  I look forward to getting to know the organizations, working with the staff and bringing the skills that I have to the growth and development of home health services here in the county, ”said McPherson.
    McPherson, who is engaged to be married, is an exercise enthusiast and has been training at the Quest Training Center over the past five years.  He is an avid health educator and is deeply committed to the Hospice Movement in Aroostook County.
    He will assume his new position on Sept. 29, replacing current Executive Director, Tanya Sleeper, who is joining the nursing faculty at the University of Maine at Fort Kent.   
    Aroostook Home Health Services has been a long term home health care provider for more than twenty years.  Valley Home Health provides Skilled Nursing Services.  Both Aroostook Home Health and Valley Home Health provide services throughout Aroostook County. The agencies have their main offices in Caribou, with outreach offices in Houlton and Fort Kent.