Jim Cyr

The Diabetes Clinic at Bridgton Hospital has achieved accreditation from the Association of Diabetes Care and Education Specialists (ADCES), which recognized the program for meeting national standards in diabetes self-management education and support.

The accreditation affirms that the clinic provides high-quality education and resources to help patients better manage diabetes and reduce the risk of complications. Programs accredited by ADCES follow rigorous national standards and offer evidence-based education that supports patients in reaching their health goals.

The Diabetes Clinic provides individualized education for people living with diabetes or at risk of developing the condition. Through one-on-one counseling and group education, patients learn practical skills related to nutrition, medication management, monitoring blood glucose and lifestyle changes.

“Achieving ADCES accreditation reflects the dedication our team has to helping patients successfully manage their diabetes,” said Elaine Drew, RN, program coordinator for the Bridgton Hospital Diabetes Clinic. “Diabetes education gives people the knowledge and confidence to take control of their health, and we’re proud to provide these services to our community.”

The Diabetes Clinic at Bridgton Hospital offers several diabetes management classes throughout the year. Those interested in enrolling should call (207) 647-6064.

A Central Maine Medical Center (CMMC) lab technician reached an impressive milestone last month: 50 years on the job-all at CMMC.

Paula Bouffard, an Auburn native, was still attending the University of Maine when she reported for her first clinical shift as a lab technician. At the time, CMMC was Central Maine General Hospital.

“Well, I like what I do,” Paula said. “I enjoy doing the lab work. I liked it then and still do, obviously. It gives me something to do. I’m not bored.”

Paula says she has seen much change at CMH over half a century. The healthcare system has grown. She witnessed entire new wings being added to the hospital. The location of the lab at CMMC has changed several times. When she started, it was where the present-day security office is.

And, of course, technology has changed considerably for the better, she says. “When I first came here, there were no computers. Zero. Everything was done on paper.” Modern day equipment, she says, has improved everything, including accuracy and turnaround times for analyzing bloodwork and getting the results back to providers. 

Paula says clocking out for the last time and retiring isn’t something on her immediate horizon, although she does like to golf and spend time with her five grandkids. “We’ll see,” she said. 

Central Maine Medical Center’s (CMMC) Emergency Department recently held mass casualty incident training to prepare staff for one of the most complex situations a hospital can face.

The simulated scenario involved an explosion at a local mill, sending 18 patients to the hospital by EMS, with injuries ranging from burns and fractures to amputations. Teams focused on the resuscitation of a critically injured 45-year-old woman triaged as a red-tag patient, indicating the highest level of urgency. Although the drill centered on one patient, staff operated as if multiple critically injured patients were arriving at once.

The training included numerous departments and healthcare professionals, including emergency physicians, trauma surgeons, nurses, patient care assistants, nursing educators, radiology, blood bank, phlebotomy and other ancillary services which all participated to reinforce coordination across departments.

“We do this so it becomes muscle memory,” said Meredith Kennedy, director of Emergency Services at CMMC. “When you’re in a high-stress situation, you don’t want to be questioning what comes next. You want your team to move confidently and efficiently.”

Nearly all surviving patients who were victims of the Oct. 25, 2023 mass shootings in Lewiston were treated at CMMC.

Mass casualty trainings are held several times a year, reinforcing the hospital’s commitment to preparedness and patient safety.

Bridgton Hospital and Rumford Hospital will receive a combined $11.5 million in federal funding following passage of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Labor, Health and Human Services and Education Appropriations bill.

Senator Susan Collins (R-ME), who chairs the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced the allocations for Central Maine Healthcare’s critical access hospitals as part of nearly $71 million in Congressionally Directed Spending she secured this year for Maine hospitals and health centers. 

“As chair of the Appropriations Committee, I worked hard to secure this important funding,” Senator Collins said. “Mainers who live in the Lakes Region and River Valley should have access to the vital medical services they need. This funding will help secure much-needed equipment and facility upgrades at Rumford Hospital and Bridgton Hospital, helping to expand and improve the quality of rural health care services in those regions.”

“This critical funding will allow Rumford Hospital and Bridgton Hospital to enhance the overall health and wellness of the River Valley and Lakes Region communities,” said Stephany Jacques, president of Bridgton Hospital and Rumford Hospital.  “More specifically, it will allow us to upgrade technology, increase space at the emergency departments and streamline patient care. On behalf of both hospitals, I would like to thank Senator Collins for her ongoing support and advocacy for high-quality care in our rural communities.”

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

Wendy Hebert, RN, who works at Rumford Hospital’s Emergency Department, has won the DAISY Award.

The DAISY Award is an international program that recognizes nurses for their compassionate care and the difference they make in patients’ lives. Patients, their families, visitors, physicians and other team members can nominate a nurse for the award.

Wendy was nominated by a patient who has struggled with ongoing anxiety issues. Part of that patient’s nomination letter is below:  

“I always see the nurses who get this award help with physical injury, but not mental health. I have struggled with anxiety for many years. I have been seen many times in the ED for this, and many times have had Wendy as my nurse.

This last time I was brought in, she was there. She was real, she got down to my level and said all the things I needed to hear. I have a teenage son who lost his father at a young age. He is my life and my world, but Wendy told me I need to go live for me! I was not just put here to raise him but to enjoy this life with him. I knew I needed to get a grip on what was going on. I couldn’t suffer in my head like this every day, all day. 

I left the hospital that day with her words on repeat in my head. I can’t thank her enough for what she did for me that day.”

“We are all so glad to see Wendy get the recognition she deserves,” said Jenifer Madore, MSN, vice president of Nursing and Patient Services at Rumford Hospital. “Creating a welcoming, caring and nonjudgemental environment is one of Central Maine Healthcare’s Service Standards, and Wendy does that every day. This patient’s account is just one example of that.”

CMMC has once again been recognized as “High Performing in Maternity Care” by U.S. News & World Report. It is the only hospital in Maine to achieve this status for the 2026 rankings.

U.S. News began evaluating maternity care hospitals in 2021, rating hospitals that provide labor and delivery services and submit detailed data to the publication for analysis.

U.S. News & World Report uses patient outcomes and hospital processes, as well as structure measures to describe quality care. Measures are weighed to create a composite score. They include:

• NTSV C-section rates and VBAC rates: 35% weight
• Severe UNC rates: 25% weight
• Commitment to exclusive breast milk feeding: 15% weight
• Reporting on outcomes disparities: 10% weight
• Birthing-friendly practice: 10% weight
• Episiotomy rates: 5% weight

“What an honor to be recognized among the top in the nation for our maternity care at CMMC, said Rebecca Brakeley, MD, chief of Pediatrics at Central Maine Healthcare. “It takes unwavering teamwork and compassion to provide exceptional maternity and newborn care, and I’m very proud of our team.”

When a baby is born at CMMC, a chime that is heard around the hospital is played to share the good news.

Newsweek included CMMC in its 2025 list of best hospitals in the nation for maternity.