The Cancer Care Center at Central Maine Medical Center took another major step to becoming a reality on May 7 as the final beam was put into place during a “topping off” ceremony. The event was held on the grounds of what will be the new facility that is expected to open in early 2022. A topping off ceremony is a construction industry tradition to mark the completion of the structure of a building.
Over the past week, Central Maine Healthcare team members, patients and visitors signed the final beam that was hoisted by crane to the top of the building.
During Friday’s ceremony, CMH providers added purple stickers that had been signed by cancer patients.
Among the speakers was patient Christina Zilius, who thanked her CMH doctors and staff. “On behalf of myself and my family, thank you. For not only saving my life and the lives of many others. But for also giving me the chance to see my daughter in her prom dress, to dance with my son at his wedding and to hold my future grandchildren in my arms,” Zilius said.
CMH President and CEO Jeff Brickman said, “It will be a critical resource for our entire region. It will expand access to world class patient-centered care delivered by the talented professionals we’ve recruited – expert, compassionate care supported by the latest technology. It will be the next level of healthcare for our region.”