Jim Cyr

Coverage of Telehealth services for Medicare patients has been disrupted by the federal government shutdown.

Telehealth waivers that were put in place following the pandemic expired on Sept. 30, 2025.

Without further congressional action, providers will no longer be reimbursed for telehealth visits provided to Medicare patients in their homes.

Some behavioral, mental health and substance use disorder allowances remain in place:

• Services for mental/behavioral health can continue to be provided via telehealth with the patient in their home.

• However, Medicare will cover these services only if a practitioner first sees a patient in person six months before beginning telehealth sessions, and then annually thereafter. 

• Treatment for substance use disorder and co-occurring mental health conditions also remain covered via telehealth.

Patients who have questions regarding their telehealth care are asked to contact their provider.

Central Maine Healthcare recently completed its 2,000th surgery using the da Vinci Surgical System, a milestone that reflects CMH’s commitment to delivering advanced, patient-centered care.

The da Vinci Surgical System is a state-of-the-art robotic platform that allows surgeons to perform minimally invasive procedures with enhanced precision, flexibility and control. The system translates a surgeon’s hand movements into smaller, more exact movements of tiny instruments inside the body, while providing a high-definition, 3D view of the surgical site.

Since its introduction at Central Maine Healthcare, the da Vinci system has been used in a wide range of specialties, including urology, weight loss and general surgery. Recently, the technology has been used for OB-GYN procedures. 

Patients benefit from smaller incisions, reduced pain, shorter hospital stays and quicker recoveries compared to traditional open surgery.

“The growth of the robotic surgery program at CMMC speaks volumes to the dedication that we have from administration to anesthesia to nursing staff and physicians across multiple specialties to advance patient care with technology,” said Blair Baldwin, MD, bariatric surgeon at CMMC. “Being able to provide this service to patients across multiple specialties allows us to perform minimally invasive surgery with increased complexity to help patients spend less time in the hospital and recover quicker.

“We have an outstanding team of nurses, surgical technicians, and sterile processing staff who all come together to make these numbers possible.”

Investing in the da Vinci is one of many steps CMH has taken to ensure patients have access to the latest technology that reduces the chance of post-surgical complications and allows for faster recovery. 

Central Maine Healthcare is pleased to welcome a new provider. Sheri Wagg,FNP-C, has joined Central Maine Internal Medicine as a family nurse practitioner. Sheri attended Central Maine Community College and completed her graduate studies at the University of Southern Maine.

Sheri says she enjoys partnering with patients to prevent, treat and manage health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes and blood pressure. “My role as a healthcare provider is to partner with patients to assist them in pursuing their healthiest life, in a way that best aligns with their own goals, priorities and circumstances,” she said.

“Prevention, screening, chronic conditions management, education, advocacy and assistance with navigating the healthcare system are the pillars on which primary care is built, and these are the areas I focus on in my practice.”

Central Maine Healthcare recently celebrated the opening of a new clinic that will focus on prevention of cardiovascular disease. What was once the Medication Management Clinic is now the Central Maine Heart and Vascular Institute (CMHVI) Prevention and Sub-Specialty Clinic.

“CMHVI’s main mission is to decrease the risk of heart and vascular disease here in the Lewiston -Auburn area,” said Michael Berlowitz, MD, chief medical officer at Central Maine Healthcare. “One of the mainstays of decreasing risk is prevention, so this clinic is all about controlling the risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease.”

Dr. Berlowitz said the clinic is dedicated to hypertension, hyperlipidemia and other cardiovascular subspecialties. The clinics are designed for people looking to manage their blood pressure, cholesterol as well as help with diet and lifestyle. Clinic services will continue to manage anticoagulation and provide medication management.  

The CMHVI Prevention and Sub-Specialty Clinic is located at 10 High Street on the CMMC campus which was the site of a ribbon cutting to celebrate its opening.

CMHVI brings skilled medical specialists and innovative treatments to the people of central Maine and beyond, including rural areas whose residents previously had limited access to high-quality care. We provide a wide array of services ranging from conservative medical care and rehabilitation to surgery for common, and sometimes complex, heart and vascular conditions. We also focus heavily on educating our community and preventing disease before it develops.

Pictured: Erika Tremblay, a patient of the Prevention and Sub-Specialty Clinic, cuts the ribbon to help celebrate the clinic’s opening.

Central Maine Medical Center (CMMC) is proud to announce a historic milestone: the graduation of its first surgical technology students.  

Achsah Davis and Suzanne Keene recently completed an intensive program, combining academic coursework, clinical experience and professional development. A significant part of this “earn to learn” program involves rigorous training and hands-on practice in the operating room. These graduates are now fully prepared to enter the workforce as nationally certified surgical technologists. 

This initiative, developed in partnership with regional educational providers, was designed to address the growing demand for skilled surgical support staff in Maine. The program not only strengthens the local healthcare workforce but also creates career opportunities for aspiring medical professionals in our community. These graduates will now transition into full-time roles within the surgical teams at Central Maine Healthcare’s three hospitals, contributing directly to high-quality patient care. 

“These students are not only excelling academically, but they are also making a real difference at CMMC,” said Faith McNeice, surgical technologist educator for Central Maine Healthcare. “We hope to inspire more students, families and employers to support and engage in healthcare training initiatives like this one.” 

Two more students are expected to graduate from the program in late fall.

Pictured: Suzanne Keene, Tim Counihan, MD, chief of Surgery, Central Maine Healthcare, Achsah Davis, Faith McNeice

Central Maine Healthcare will soon have some new certified nursing assistants (CNAs) among its ranks.

Earlier this month, eight CNA candidates graduated from CMMC’s Earn to Learn Program. It’s an eight-week state-approved training regimen and is free to the students. The program includes classwork, a skills lab and clinical experience. 

All eight graduates have passed the state CNA Competency Exam and have been offered positions within Central Maine Healthcare which includes CMMC, Rumford Hospital and Bridgton Hospital.

“You are the eyes and ears of the nurses,” Kaitlyn Smith, RN, director of Acute Care Nursing at CMMC, told the graduates. “You are often the first person a patient comes across. You’re often the person who helps them into their car when we discharge them. You are the face of Central Maine Healthcare. Just remember why you wanted to go into the healthcare profession: to take care of patients.”

“The Earn to Learn program is a great opportunity for those wishing to begin a career in the healthcare industry,” said Dick Kropp, chief people officer at Central Maine Healthcare. “Our CNAs are vital members of our team and the communities they serve through their care of our patients. I would encourage anyone who considering a career as a CNA to check out what CMMC has to offer.”

The next Earn to Learn program starts in October. Those interested can call (207) 795-7526.

Central Maine Healthcare is pleased to announce the arrival of a new provider. Eric Benson, MD, is now practicing at Central Maine Healthcare Orthopedics.

Dr. Benson attended Princeston University before receiving a Master of Science in Physiology at Georgetown University. He attended the Georgetown University School of Medicine before completing an orthopedic surgery residency at the University of New Mexico and a fellowship in shoulder, elbow and hand surgery at the Roth/McFarlane Hand and Upper Limb Center in London, Ontario.

Prior to joining Central Maine Healthcare, he practiced at New Mexico Orthopedics, specializing in shoulder and elbow surgery.

“I chose orthopedic surgery and shoulder and elbow surgery in particular because I have the opportunity to work with and help a wide range of patients with different interests and activity levels and at different stages of life,” Dr. Benson said.

Central Maine Healthcare Orthopedics offers a full spectrum of treatments and services, from fracture care and casting for broken bones to complicated surgical procedures, rehabilitation and therapy services, allowing delivery of comprehensive, whole-person care from one location, to help patients get back to the activities they love.

Rumford Hospital’s Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation unit has been recertified by the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (AACVPR).

According to AACVPR, this certification is recognition of the team’s commitment to improving the quality of life of patients by enhancing standards of care.

To earn accreditation, the rehab program participated in an application process that requires extensive documentation of their practices. AACVPR Program Certification is the only peer-review accreditation process designed to review individual programs for adherence to standards and guidelines developed and published by AACVPR and other related professional societies.

“Achieving AACVPR Certification for our Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation program was no easy feat, but our patients in the River Valley are absolutely worth it,” said Michelle Radloff, who leads the cardiac rehab team. “We are proud of our rehabilitation program’s commitment to delivering high-quality care and service, and even prouder of our incredible team for all they’ve accomplished.”

Founded in 1985, AACVPR is a multidisciplinary organization dedicated to the mission of reducing morbidity, mortality and disability from cardiovascular and pulmonary disease through education, prevention, rehabilitation, research and disease management. 

Pictured: members of the Rumford Hospital cardiac rehab unit, Krysty Tomkins, RN, Tammy Berry, RN, Dan Elliot, RN

Rumford Hospital and Bridgton Hospital, which are part of Central Maine Healthcare, have been recognized by the American Stroke Association and American Heart Association for their outstanding care of stroke patients.

The two critical access hospitals received the Get with the Guidelines Rural Stroke Achievement Award.

These awards recognize rural hospitals for applying the most up-to-date, evidence-based treatment guidelines to improve patient care and outcomes.

Rumford Hospital received the Gold Award while Bridgton Hospital received the Silver Award.

“I want to thank all team members who have consistently dedicated themselves to enhancing patient care,” said Stephany Jacques, president of Rumford Hospital and Bridgton Hospital.  “This recognition serves as a reminder of their deep commitment to their patients and to the community every day.”

Pictured:

Rumford Hospital Stroke Award(front): Lauren Bradley, RN (back left to right): Kelly Smith, tech, Denise Harvey, RN, Merideth Alanskas, RN, nurse leader

Bridgton Hospital Stroke Award (left to right): Jake Richards, RN, associate nurse leader, Nadine Shalabi, RN, Kevin Kralik, MD, Janette Laplante, RN, nurse leader, Kari Paradis, RN, VP of Nursing, Erica Underwood, infection preventionist, Chris Hodgkins, director of regional practices and specialty clinics and Mary Fernald, RN