Jim Cyr

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.

Central Maine Healthcare has a new DAISY Award recipient. It is Kaylee McGowan, BSN, of Farmington, who works in medical and surgical oncology at CMMC.

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.

Kaylee was nominated by Asha Mohamed, MD. Dr. Mohamed’s nomination letter is below:

“Kaylee cared for a patient who was a ward of the state with an attentiveness that went far beyond duty. Though he could only vaguely describe his symptoms, she listened intently and trusted her instincts when something did not feel right. Her worry, rooted in deep compassion, guided the team to escalate his care in a timely manner. Because of her persistence and unwavering advocacy, he was given the dignity of receiving the higher level of care he needed. Though he ultimately passed away, her fierce dedication ensured that he was not overlooked and that his voice—quiet as it was—was heard. She exemplifies the heart of nursing: advocacy.”

The SNAP-Ed nutrition education team at Healthy Androscoggin was recently presented with the NorthSTAR award by Central Maine Healthcare (CMH). Healthy Androscoggin is an affiliate of CMH.

The NorthSTAR award recognizes the efforts of teams that exceed one or more of the healthcare system’s Service Standards.

Healthy Androscoggin’s SNAP-Ed nutrition education team has been providing education to SNAP eligible participants in Androscoggin County for more than a decade. In 2024 alone, team member nutrition educators Emily Smith, Rebecca Schoen and Rachel Legendre hosted 523 nutrition education sessions throughout Androscoggin County, reaching 1,894 unique participants and making 8,415 contacts. They visited 30 different class locations to teach about food, nutrition, budgeting and cooking.

“Emily, Rebecca and Rachel are leaders in their field and well respected by partners, participants and colleagues,” said Lindsay Gannon, health promotion manager at Healthy Androscoggin. “They are held up as a model team within the entire Maine SNAP-Ed program, proudly representing Central Maine Healthcare.”

“SNAP-Ed has had a powerful impact on our youth and community,” said Fowsia Musse, executive director of Maine Community Integration. “Through its programs, we’ve been able to connect young people to critical education about nutrition, food access and healthy living, topics that are too often overlooked but are essential for long-term well-being.

Pictured left to right: Lindsay Gannon, Rachel Legendre, Emily Smith, Rebecca Schoen

Central Maine Medical Center (CMMC) has chosen not to pursue re-verification of its Level III Regional Trauma Center designation by the American College of Surgeons.

This decision, which is effective Dec. 1, 2025, is entirely voluntary and does not reflect any departure from the medical center’s clinical capabilities or commitment to providing comprehensive, high-quality emergency, trauma and critical care. This change was made due to the increasing administrative and burdensome costs related to participating in a third-party certificate program. CMMC will continue to participate as a state-designated trauma system hospital.

CMMC will continue to provide trauma care through essential, emergency and trauma-related surgical subspecialities by physicians with specific trauma training and experience in general, orthopedic, plastic, urologic, vascular and orthopedic surgery, as well as emergency medicine and trauma-related intensive care. These specialists and their trauma support team of experienced anesthesiologists, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, nurses and technicians will continue to provide the same comprehensive, expert trauma care that our community has always relied upon.

CMMC remains a vital hub within the Maine Trauma System and will continue working closely with LifeFlight of Maine, local EMS agencies—including United Ambulance, MedCare and other regional partners—to ensure patients receive timely, coordinated and expert care during critical moments.

“Our commitment to trauma care is unwavering,” said Timothy Counihan, MD, chief of surgery at Central Maine Healthcare. “We are investing in our medical staff, adding an additional trauma-trained orthopedic surgeon to our robust team and continuing our coordination with EMS and LifeFlight. Patients can be confident that emergency trauma and surgical care at CMMC remains immediate in any emergency.

“Every day our teams stabilize patients, perform lifesaving interventions and coordinate safe transfers when needed. That process isn’t changing; our emergency and surgical capabilities in this area have been proven time and again to clearly save lives.”

CMMC will also remain an active participant in the Maine EMS Trauma Advisory Committee and other regional trauma initiatives, reaffirming its dedication to collaboration, transparency and patient-centered care as an active participant in the Maine Trauma System.

CMMC remains one of only three capable medical centers in Maine that is staffed, equipped and ready to care for patients with urgent and life-threatening trauma-related injuries 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

In October, Elizabeth Moreau, RD, a clinical dietitian at Rumford Hospital, conducted a nutrition and cooking education series at Rumford Public Library. The classes were designed for children and their families.

The goal was to teach key nutrition concepts and simple recipes to help empower kids to independently make healthy food choices. Over the course of four classes, students learned about food groups, making balanced meals and snacks, fruits and vegetables and the importance of choosing healthy beverage options. Kids engaged in nutrition themed games and participated in cooking up healthy recipes to enjoy.

“It was such a wonderful opportunity to bring nutrition and cooking education into a comfortable setting for kids and families and give them the ability to explore new concepts, foods and flavors,” Elizabeth said. “I loved seeing new and familiar faces each week and the enthusiasm and questions they brought with them.”

“Libraries are dedicated to providing opportunities for learning, making community connections and offering practical resources to enrich community members’ lives,” said Sarah Cotnoir, children’s director at Rumford Public Library. “By offering workshops, cooking demonstrations and resources on healthy eating, libraries can become a catalyst for healthier habits, empowering patrons to nourish themselves, their families and build a foundation for lifelong wellness.”

Central Maine Healthcare recently welcomed a new provider. Ambia Ahmed, MD, will be practicing at Central Maine Pediatrics at CMMC in Lewiston.

Dr. Ahmed is well suited to treat central Maine’s immigrant population, as she speaks fluent Somali, Arabic and English. 

She has extensive experience both here in Maine and overseas. She attended Nile College in Khartoum, Sudan, where she received both a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery, before completing an internship in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Dr. Ahmed was a general practitioner at Family Care Hospital in Riyadh. Later, she moved to the U.S. and was employed by the MaineHealth Institute for Research.  

“We are thrilled for Dr. Ahmed to join Central Maine Pediatrics,” said Rebecca Brakeley, MD, chief of Women’s and Children’s Health at Central Maine Healthcare. “She has extensive experience practicing internationally and being a standout pediatric resident at Maine Medical Center for the last three years. Her clinical excellence, warmth and ability to connect with patients across three languages will be an outstanding addition to our diverse community.”

Dr. Ahmed said she is dedicated to showing exceptional compassion for her patients and providing quality care. “As a pediatrician, I’m committed to delivering compassionate care for each child who comes to Central Maine Pediatrics and supporting families to ensure lifelong health,” she said.