Bridgton Hospital, which is part of Central Maine Healthcare (CMH), last week unveiled a new nuclear medicine camera, marking a significant investment in advanced diagnostic technology and improved access to specialized care for the Lakes Region community.
During a brief ceremony and ribbon cutting, Jared Tobolski, MD, a cardiologist at Central Maine Heart and Vascular Institute (CMHVI), highlighted how nuclear medicine—while often misunderstood—uses very small amounts of radioactive material to safely diagnose and treat disease by showing how organs and tissues are functioning, rather than just what they look like.
“This new equipment will help our clinicians detect disease earlier, make more accurate diagnoses and better tailor treatment to each individual patient,” Dr. Tobolski said. “It will allow us to see how the body is working in real time, which is critical for timely and effective care.”
The nuclear medicine camera produces detailed images of the heart, bones, lungs, kidneys, thyroid and other organs. It plays a vital role in diagnosing a wide range of conditions, including cancer, heart disease, infections and bone disorders.
For cardiac patients, the technology helps evaluate blood flow to the heart and identify areas at risk, often enabling earlier intervention and preventing more serious cardiac events. In oncology care, nuclear medicine imaging can detect cancer earlier, monitor how well treatments are working and help guide next steps in care.
In addition to its clinical benefits, the new camera offers improved image quality, faster scan times and greater patient comfort, reducing the need for repeat exams and minimizing time spent in the hospital.
Funding for the nuclear medicine camera was made possible through $820,000 in congressionally directed spending secured by Senator Susan Collins (R) Maine for Central Maine Healthcare.
“This federal investment will help Bridgton Hospital expand access to cutting-edge diagnostic services and allow patients in the Lakes Region to receive high-quality care without the need for burdensome travel,” said Senator Collins. “I was proud to secure this funding through my role on the Senate Appropriations Committee, and I will continue to advocate for investments that have a positive impact on the health of Maine’s communities.”
“This investment means fewer patients will need to travel long distances for specialized imaging,” said Marney Chalmers, a Central Maine Healthcare Board of Directors member who is based in the Lakes Region. “Care close to home makes a real difference for patients and families, and the addition of this equipment helps facilitate that.”
The unveiling concluded with a ribbon cutting to officially mark the addition of the nuclear medicine camera, reinforcing Bridgton Hospital’s ongoing commitment to bringing high-quality, modern healthcare services to the community it serves.
Pictured left to right at ribbon cutting: Marney Chalmers, Central Maine Healthcare Board of Directors, Jared Tobolski, MD, cardiologist at CMHVI, Michelle Lowell, system director of Medical Imaging at Central Maine Healthcare, Stephany Jacques, president of Bridgton