Jim Cyr

After a hiatus due to the COVID 19 pandemic, the Woman’s Hospital Association (WHA) is back. The WHA has a long history of raising funds for critical medical equipment and programs at Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston, as well as Maine College of Health Professions (MCHP).

To announce their comeback, members held a spring bake sale at CMMC on April 16 to raise money for scholarships for students attending MCHP.

“The bake sale was a terrific success, and it’s just the beginning of a new chapter of fundraising for CMMC,” said June Van Mourik, president of the WHA. “The pioneering women who started the WHA back in the late 1800s were instrumental in establishing what is now CMMC. We are excited to continue their legacy.”

From mammography machines to defibrillators, the organization has raised $1.2 million for the hospital.

“The WHA’s contributions—from the funds they’ve raised to their role as goodwill ambassadors and passionate advocates for both CMMC and the community—are truly invaluable,” said Lisa LaVallee, system director of Philanthropy at CMH. “We’re deeply grateful for everything they’ve done over the years to support this hospital and its patients.”

The group is looking for people who want to make a difference in their community and join the WHA. Those interested can learn more by emailing giving@cmhc.org.

(Photo caption: WHA members from left to right: Sharon Poulin, Terri Mclean, and current president June Van Mourik)

An enormous achievement for CMMC’s breast health team: they have been awarded re-accreditation status by the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC), following a recent site visit by the organization.

“As a participant of the NAPBC, your breast center has earned distinction as an ACS Surgical Quality Partner. This designation recognizes that your institution is dedicated to maintaining the highest standards in surgical care,” a statement from the NAPBC says.

“This re-accreditation is confirmation of what our patients already know: they are in good hands with the breast care professionals at CMMC,” said Renee Pinette, MD, OB/GYN and breast surgical oncologist on Central Maine Healthcare. “A breast cancer diagnosis can be devastating, but this seal of approval from NAPBC demonstrates our patients can trust they’re receiving comprehensive, compassionate and coordinated care from a dedicated team of specialists.”

“It’s wonderful to hear the dedication of our team to providing exceptional care has been recognized,” said Jessica Gironi, oncology accreditation manager for Central Maine Healthcare. “The reviewer’s comments highlight the strengths of the program, especially the offering of in-house services and the proactive steps taken to support patients.”

Central Maine Healthcare offers a full range of breast care treatment, including diagnosis and advanced diagnosis, prevention, treatment, ultrasounds and MRIs, biopsies and breast cancer surgery and reconstruction.

North Bridgton Family Practice, which is part of Central Maine Healthcare, is excited to welcome a new provider.

Chaddwick McBeigh is a certified physician’s assistant (PA-C) who will be seeing walk-in patients.

Among his interests is musculoskeletal injury and rehabilitation.

“I like to make sure patients are always taking steps forward towards better health,” McBeigh said. “A series of small steps can lead to big change.”

Chaddwick graduated from the University of Nebraska and completed his residency at General Leonard Wood Army Community Hospital in Missouri.

He spent 22 years in the U.S. Army, with 15 years on active duty and seven years in the National Guard.

He will be retiring from the military in November 2025.

North Bridgton Family Practice & Walk-In Clinic provides telehealth and in-person appointments, as well as walk-in care. The practice is open Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Central Maine Healthcare’s cancer care program is among the best in the nation, according to the Commission on Cancer (CoC).

The CoC is a consortium of professional organizations dedicated to improving survival and quality of life for patients with cancer by setting and raising standards. The organization promotes cancer prevention, research, education and monitoring of comprehensive quality care.

“As a participant of the Commission on Cancer (CoC), your hospital has earned distinction as an American College of Surgeons Surgical Quality Partner. This designation recognizes that your institution is dedicated to maintaining the highest standards in surgical care,” a statement from the CoC reads.

“This is great news and confirmation of what we already know: our oncology team members are among the best in the nation,” said Tim Counihan, MD, chief of surgery. “This accreditation should serve as further proof to our cancer patients that they are in great hands at Central Maine Healthcare.”

“The Commission on Cancer has incredibly high standards, so it’s especially gratifying to receive this accreditation,” said John Hamilton, senior vice president of service line operations at CMH. “This recognition not only highlights our dedication to quality but also reinforces our role as leaders in advancing cancer care and improving outcomes for our patients.”

Central Maine Healthcare (CMH) has announced appointments to two senior leadership positions within the healthcare system.

Michael Berlowitz, MD, has accepted the position of chief medical officer for Central Maine Healthcare. Since 2021, Dr. Berlowitz has provided exceptional leadership as chief of Central Maine Heart & Vascular Institute (CMHVI). He will continue to lead CMHVI.

Before joining CMH, Dr. Berlowitz served as chief of clinical operations for the University of South Florida’s cardiovascular service line. He holds an MBA from Auburn University Harbert College of Business, specializing in operations and organizational behavior. He has also earned certificates in strategic healthcare leadership from Cornell University and patient safety and quality from the Institute for Healthcare Improvement.

Michelle Kap, MS, RN, who has been serving as interim chief nursing officer (CNO) since December, has accepted the permanent role of CNO.

Michelle brings extensive leadership experience to this position, having previously served as senior vice president of clinical operations at Steward Health Care in Massachusetts. She holds a Master of Science in Nursing with a focus on critical care from the University of Massachusetts.

“These appointments reflect our dedication to strong leadership for the health system,” said Steve Littleson, president and CEO, Central Maine Healthcare. “I am confident these two seasoned professionals will have a positive impact on the care we provide to our patients.”

Topsham Family Medicine, which is part of Central Maine Healthcare, is happy to introduce its newest provider to the Midcoast-based care team.

Emily Carle, a nurse practitioner, specializes in family medicine and is seeing patients in the Topsham area.

Carle graduated from the University of Southern Maine and is board certified by the American Association of Nurse Practitioners.

Among her specialties are women’s health and lifestyle medicine – providing coaching on diet, exercise and pillars of healthy living for quality of life and disease prevention.

“For me, being a provider is a personal calling and mission,” Carle said. “I appreciate and value patient and family-centered care, community-based health, and empowering patients to live the best version of themselves.

“I love when patients are engaged and curious about their health; I provide education to my patients to empower them to make informed decisions for wellbeing as each defines it.”

Central Maine Medical Center’s (CMMC) soon-to-be new neighbor is already making a positive impact.

cPort Credit Union is preparing to open its doors this fall at its Lewiston location on Main Street, directly across the street from CMMC. In a show of support for the hospital and its team members, cPort has generously given CMMC a $10,000 donation, reinforcing its commitment to community well-being, even before its official launch.

“We are excited to be partnering with Central Maine Medical Center,” said Gene Ardito, CEO of cPort Credit Union. “This collaboration represents an important milestone as we work together to better serve this region. We are particularly enthusiastic about being partners and neighbors, contributing to the strong sense of community in the Lewiston-Auburn area.”  

“This partnership with Central Maine Medical Center underscores our commitment to our community’s well-being by supporting both financial and physical health,” said Kelsey Marquis, President of cPort Credit Union. “Together, we can work towards ensuring a healthy future for all area residents.”

“We are grateful to cPort Credit Union for their generous $10,000 donation to support our Corporate Partnership Program,” said Lisa Lavallee, Development Director at Central Maine Healthcare. “This contribution will directly impact our ability to provide vital services and resources to our patients and team members. Their commitment to our mission strengthens our community and enables CMMC to continue delivering exceptional care.”

For more information on Central Maine Healthcare’s Corporate Partnership program, please contact System Director of Philanthropy Lisa LaVallee at 207-795-2685 or giving@cmhc.org.

Central Maine Healthcare is encouraging the communities it serves to remember the saying, “You are what you eat” throughout March, which is National Nutrition Month.

The theme for this year’s National Nutrition Month is “Food connects us.” Food is a beautiful way that we can connect with one another through culture and community, registered dietician nutritionists say.

Central Maine Healthcare, which includes Central Maine Medical Center (CMMC), Rumford Hospital, Bridgton Hospital and numerous practices, includes a team of registered dietitians that plays a critical role in helping patients and its own team members understand the connection between the food we eat and how it impacts our health throughout our lives. 

“It’s no secret: healthy food choices are key to well-being and longevity,” said Sandy Collins, RDN, LDN, clinical dietitian, Central Maine Bariatric Surgery. “Some of the steps we can take to achieve this include dining out less, eating more plant foods and fiber, choosing whole grains such as brown rice, whole wheat bread and sides such as quinoa and consuming healthy fats and lean protein. Regular physical activity can also make a big difference.”

Members of Central Maine Healthcare’s nutrition team are hosting information tables in the CMMC cafeteria in March to help spread the word about healthy food choices.

Pictured: Central Maine Healthcare dieticians at CMMC nutrition information table

Central Maine Healthcare, which includes Central Maine Medical Center (CMMC), Rumford Hospital, Bridgton Hospital and numerous practices, is recognizing its medical residents for the critical role they play in the healthcare system.

Feb. 28 is national “Thank a Resident Day,” a time to honor those team members who have graduated from medical school and are at Central Maine Healthcare to gain experience and specialize in a particular area of medicine.

These residents are committed to providing compassionate care to patients and their families while conducting important research and collaborating with doctors and nurses to strengthen patient care.

“I would like to publicly express my gratitude to our resident physicians,” said Bethany Picker, MD, medical director of Family Medicine Residency. “This diverse group of doctors honors our health system with their trust to give them the training and experiences they need to develop into competent family physicians. In the process, they provide exceptional, compassionate care to the most vulnerable of our patients, partner outside our system to improve the well-being of our community and remind us why we were drawn to healthcare ourselves.”

“Our dedicated family medicine residents have a huge impact at Central Maine Healthcare by creating a rich teaching environment,” said Rebecca Brakeley, MD, interim chief medical officer at Central Maine Healthcare. “Having residents critically think through each clinical decision ups everyone’s game and is beneficial for the patient and care team, alike.”

Central Maine Medical Center Family Medicine Residency (CMMC FMR) is a 7-7-7 ACGME certified program with an osteopathic recognition track and rural training. Founded in 1978, CMMC FMR has graduated more than 160 family physicians. The program prepares physicians to practice family medicine in communities with populations ranging from 500 to 500,000.

Pictured left to right: Michael Stadnicki, MD, medical division chief, Primary Care, Mark Steciuk, MD, chief of Pathology, Tasha Duval, DO, physician, OB GYN, Bethany Picker, MD, residency program director, Rebecca Brakeley, MD, interim chief medical officer, Tim Counihan, MD, chief of surgery and Oncology Institute

Central Maine Healthcare recently welcomed a new orthopedic surgeon.

Dennis Sullivan, MD, is the newest member of Central Maine Healthcare Orthopedics, specializing in knee and shoulder surgery at Bridgton Hospital and Rumford Hospital.

Dr. Sullivan says he chose this field because he could clearly see how orthopedic surgery directly improve patients’ lives.

“When it comes to my patients, I favor a conservative approach to injuries and arthritic conditions, whenever possible,” Dr. Sullivan said. “I also explain diagnoses in multiple ways, reviewing images and reports, and using anatomical models so my patients understand what’s happening.”

Dr. Sullivan earned his medical degree at the Hospital for Special Surgery, in New York, and completed his residency at the University of Toronto Orthopedic Sports Medicine. He has been a team physician for USA Hockey for 25 years, which included a tournament in the Czech Republic. He was also head team physician for the Portland Pirates from 1994-2008.

Central Maine Orthopedics has been named a Cigna Center of Excellence for hip and knee replacement. It has also been named a Blue Distinction Center by Blue Cross and Blue Shield.