Retired

he/him

Arthur Blank joined Healthy Acadia’s Board of Directors in May 2021.

Arthur Blank served as President/CEO of Mount Desert Island (MDI) Hospital from 1999 until his retirement at the end of 2020. Prior to accepting his role, he served for nearly two years as president of the MDI Community Health Plan and director of Physician Practices for the Mount Desert Island Regional Health Care Corporation.

MDI Hospital is a Critical Access Hospital with eight associated outpatient health centers. During Blank’s tenure, the organization developed a comprehensive outpatient behavioral health center, care management program, an innovative rural medical education program, and an affiliated retirement community.

From 1994 until 1997, Mr. Blank worked as a senior consultant for Northland Health Group, and as executive director of Northeast MSO in Bangor, ME. From 1983 to 1994, he served as vice president of finance and chief financial officer for St. Joseph Healthcare Foundation in Bangor, ME. Prior to joining St. Joseph Healthcare Foundation, Blank spent five years in public accounting with Ernst and Whinney, and Berry, Dunn, McNeil.

Mr. Blank is a past Chair of the Board of the Maine Hospital Association and currently serves as Secretary of the Board of Good Will-Hinckley Home Association, Vice Chair of the MDI YMCA Board, and a member of the Boards of Directors of Healthy Acadia, the Mount Desert Island Rotary Club, and the Rural Health Action Network. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Boston University in Boston, MA.

Working Communities Challenge Partnership Director

Sunrise County Economic Council

Matt Dana joined Healthy Acadia’s Board of Directors in October 2026.

Matt Dana serves as the Working Communities Challenge Partnership Director at Sunrise County Economic Council, where he leads collaborative efforts across Washington County and the Passamaquoddy Tribe to reduce poverty, strengthen community systems, and improve opportunities for families. He also serves as Director of Mecimi-te Nihtawehtunen ("We Have Always Remembered"), a Passamaquoddy youth harvest initiative that reconnects young people to land, language, culture, and traditional foodways through intergenerational mentorship.

A member of the Passamaquoddy Tribe, Matt has dedicated his career to strengthening the health and resilience of Indigenous and rural communities. His work has focused on building partnerships across healthcare, education, workforce development, housing, behavioral health, and tribal governments to create lasting, community-driven solutions. He believes that improving health begins by strengthening the social, cultural, and economic conditions that allow individuals, families, and communities to thrive.

Matt brings extensive experience in public service and nonprofit leadership, including previous work in tribal law enforcement, behavioral health, and community development. He currently serves on the Maine Criminal Justice Academy Board of Trustees and represents the Passamaquoddy Tribe on regional and national collaborative initiatives. Throughout his career, he has fostered authentic partnerships, elevated community voices, and advanced equity through collaboration.

As a member of the Healthy Acadia Board, Matt brings a strong commitment to health equity, prevention, community resilience, and meaningful partnerships that improve the well-being of all people in Downeast Maine.

SVP, Community Impact Manager,

Machias Savings Bank

she/her

Melissa Moffett Denbow joined Healthy Acadia’s Board of Directors in April 2021. Melissa currently serves as SVP, Community Impact Manager with Machias Savings Bank. She began her career with Machias Savings in October 1995 as a teller shortly after earning her Bachelor’s degree in Business Management. Over her 25 years at Machias Savings, she has also served as Commercial Banker, Branch Manager, Contact Center Manager, VP, Community Experience Manager, and VP of Corporate Giving and Community Relations.

While her background is in financial banking and management, Melissa feels that her greatest strength is relationship-building and making a difference in the community. She currently serves on the following boards: Mano en Mano, Junior Achievement, Maine Jump$tart Coalition, and the Machias Food Pantry.

Melissa’s work has always been inspired by the strong sense of community in Downeast Maine, and she looks for ways to foster prosperity across the region. “Having access to health care, healthy nutrition, and mental health programming is key for a foundation for success. Healthy Acadia strives to make this access possible, and I wanted to partner with a nonprofit that is making a difference in these areas.”

On a personal level, she really enjoys seeing the youth in our communities become successful while wanting to live and work in Maine, and watching her twin daughters flourish as they expand their knowledge at the university level. “I am inspired by their desire to be active members in the healthcare field!”

Melissa currently resides in Jonesport with her husband, twin daughters, and their springer spaniels. In her spare time, she enjoys gardening, canning, breeding springer spaniels, and spending time at their family camp.

Executive Director, Healthy Acadia

she/her

Elsie joined the Healthy Acadia team in 2009 as Community Health Organizer. She served as Development and Community Relations Director for three years before being named Executive Director in March 2014.

Elsie served as State Representative for Maine District 35 in Hancock County for two terms (2008-2012), representing the Mount Desert Island region. She is a graduate of College of the Atlantic and previously served as the Coordinator of the Union River Watershed Coalition in Hancock County, Maine, and as a legislative aide on Capitol Hill, Washington, D.C.

Elsie currently serves on the Board of Trustees of Mount Desert Island Hospital and as Governance Committee Chair, and is an active Board member with Friends of Acadia.

Elsie, her husband Richard Cleary, and their daughters Fiona and Sylvia, split their time between residences in Bar Harbor and Machias, and thoroughly enjoy all their communities have to offer.

Rector, St. Anne's Church, Calais

she/her

Sara Gavit joined Healthy Acadia’s Board of Directors in December 2020. Originally from Wayne, Nebraska, Sara was drawn to the strong sense of community in Downeast Maine. She currently serves as Rector with St. Anne's Church in Calais.

Sara’s decision to serve as a Board member is inspired by the sheer scope of Healthy Acadia’s work, and the dedication of staff and volunteers who make it happen. She feels that the mission and values of the organization match her own.

“Healthy Acadia promotes and supports the kind of community engagement and service that I strive to do in my professional and personal life. I'm inspired by the creativity, hospitality, good humor, and passion that drives all the programs Healthy Acadia offers. Starting with a vision, then making it a reality, is a gift. I am honored to be part of this group, all of us working toward the common goal of community wellness.”

The St. Croix River Valley is home and Sara’s favorite place to be. She enjoys walking and hiking the trails throughout the Downeast area, as well as visiting and exploring other areas of this beautiful state.

Wendy Harrington joined Healthy Acadia’s Board of Directors in October 2026.

Wendy has been a partner of Healthy Acadia for many years. She has been deeply involved in our collaborative food systems work, providing key support and guidance for Downeast Restorative Harvest, Washington Council Food and Fuel Alliance, Washington County Food Pantry Network, broad food systems planning efforts, and more.

Wendy’s legacy includes building the Maine Seacoast Mission’s education and family-focused programs. She has touched every program, including EdGE, Downeast Table of Plenty (DETOP), and the food pantry. Her commitment to Downeast Maine is illustrated by her deep connections with regional partners and community members - people she would call friends and family. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she was instrumental in ensuring youth, families, and seniors had access to food. 

“My favorite place has always been beside the ocean. My mother grew up on Nantucket in a fishing family. She instilled her love of the ocean in me. For over two decades, I have lived on Eastern Harbor and wake up to this beautiful sight every morning. This is my favorite place because of its beauty and because of the memories it holds for me.”

Physician, Retired

he/him

Julian Kuffler joined Healthy Acadia’s Board of Directors in May 2025.

A graduate of Harvard Medical School and the Harvard School of Public Health, Dr. Julian Kuffler delivered primary medical care on Mount Desert Island for nearly forty years, from pre-natal care, labor and delivery through end of life. Now retired, he most recently served as the Director of Care Coordination for Mount Desert Island Hospital, and previously served as the Medical Director of the Community Health Center.

Lynn Mitchell joined Healthy Acadia’s Board of Directors in May 2024.

A passionate Passamaquoddy Educator and Drummer, Lynn has worked for Maine Indian Education for 38 years, where she currently serves as Facilities Manager. She is also the Passamaquoddy Culture and Language teacher at Calais High School. 

In recognition of her lifelong commitment to Native education and community service, Lynn was honored with the 2024 Community Service of the Year Award by the National Indian Education Association (NIEA). This national award celebrates her exceptional leadership, advocacy, and innovative contributions that have profoundly shaped educational opportunities and outcomes for Wabanaki youth in Maine.

Beyond her professional role, Lynn Mitchell is deeply involved in community-driven initiatives that uplift Native students and families. Her work exemplifies a steadfast commitment to culturally responsive education and reflects the mission of Maine Indian Education to support and strengthen Native communities through learning and connection.

Vice President, Senior Physician Executive, Northern Light Blue Hill Hospital

Michael Murnik, MD, joined Healthy Acadia’s Board of Directors in April 2021. Dr. Murnik is the vice president and senior physician executive for Northern Light Blue Hill Hospital.

Dr. Murnik is responsible for clinical quality, patient experience, clinician and staff relations, community collaboration, population health, and other duties. He has over three decades experience in the medical field and is passionate about primary care and caring for the local Community. 

Dr. Murnik grew up in Concord, Massachusetts, spending his childhood summers on the coast of Maine near the mouth of the Kennebec River. After 18 years living out West in New Mexico and Montana, he and his wife returned to New England and Maine nearly two decades ago to raise their three daughters and to be near the ocean. They settled in Blue Hill and have no intentions of leaving.

Dr. Murnik is inspired by Healthy Acadia’s broad efforts that address elemental community health needs. “I was trained in Family and Community Medicine. Modern medical practice is, unfortunately, increasingly divorced from holistic and community work. Collaborations with Healthy Acadia on a number of efforts have been nourishing on many levels, so the chance to support Healthy Acadia’s mission was very welcome.”

In his spare time, Dr. Murnik enjoys activities on, in, or near the water.

Executive Director, Migrant Education Director, and Rayitos de Sol Childcare Director, Mano en Mano|Hand in Hand

Juana Rodriguez-Vazquez joined Healthy Acadia’s Board of Directors in May 2021.

Juana is the Executive Director at Mano en Mano, and the Director of Rayitos de Sol Childcare.

Juana arrived in Maine more than 20 years ago to participate in Maine’s wild blueberry harvest. Her active participation over the years and her commitment to sharing her knowledge and experience with other parents led her to become an AmeriCorps Member with Mano en Mano in 2014.

Through this position, Juana was involved in a range of outreach activities, including creating informational video shorts for other parents, helping to coordinate bi-lingual learning activities for families, and sharing her experiences through presentations at national and regional events. In 2015, Juana received national recognition as migrant parent of the year from the National Association of State Directors of Migrant Education.

Juana was hired as a full-time member of the Mano en Mano team in 2016, and promoted to Program Director in 2019. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in education from the University of Maine at Machias and General Elementary (K-8) Teacher Certification from the Maine Department of Education.

In addition to serving with Healthy Acadia’s Board of Directors, Juana is also a member of the Boards of Directors of the Women’s Health Resource Library and the Friends of the Milbridge Public Library.

Hospitality and Restaurant Business Owner/Operator, Bar Harbor

Diwas Thapa joined Healthy Acadia’s Board of Directors in November 2023.

Originally from Nepal, Diwas moved to Virginia where he earned a B.S. in Aerospace and Ocean Engineering through Virginia Tech. He had been working in the engineering field for five years when he took a trip to Acadia National Park. He relocated to Bar Harbor, Maine soon after. Diwas currently owns and operates several businesses on Mount Desert Island.

In his spare time, Diwas enjoys taking in the sunset and harbor views in Agamont Park in Bar Harbor.