Central Maine Healthcare

Where You are the Center

Central Maine Healthcare

Neurology

Neurology, simply put, is the branch of medicine that treats disorders of the nervous system. That encompasses the brain, brain stem, nerves and spinal cord. The largest part of the field is the central nervous system, where we find control of our most basic behaviors—movements, speech, understanding and balance.

Central Maine Neurology

Central Maine’s Department of Neurology treats adults for disorders such as stroke, epilepsy, neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s, movement disorders such as Parkinson’s, dementia, cognitive disorders and more. If it’s a disorder of your brain or spinal cord, we treat it in Neurology.

Our neurologists and other doctors are specialists in epilepsy, movement disorders and other neurological disorders. Not all of the illnesses we treat are unusual or extreme; if you’re experiencing headaches or lower back pain, we will evaluate you to be sure you have an accurate diagnosis and a solid treatment plan. If your condition is more serious, such as multiple sclerosis or head and neck cancer, we have the expertise to treat those illnesses, too.

Neurology will closely coordinate your treatment, working side by side with physical therapists, speech therapists and other clinicians to make sure your personalized treatment plan is perfectly suited to your condition and preferences.

Neurosciences

If you have a neurological disorder, we can help.

Symptoms of neurological disorders aren’t easy to navigate, but we’re here to help. Our board-certified neuroscience team is trained to diagnose and treat the full range of diseases linked to the brain, spine, muscles and nerves.

We treat the full range of neurological conditions ranging from movement disorders such as Parkinson’s disease to chronic back pain and stroke. We’re proud that our efforts to prevent and treat stroke rapidly have resulted in certification as a Primary Stroke Center by the Joint Commission.

Among the reasons we are certified is the comprehensive and holistic nature of our care. In addition to a partnership with MGH and full suite of technology, we have a team including neurologists, orthopedic surgeons and specialists from other related fields. Specialized nursing care, physical and occupational therapy, social work and other vitally important supportive services are also key components of our world-class neuroscience services.

Contact Us

Central Maine Neurology
10 Minot Avenue, Auburn, Maine 04210
Phone: (207) 795-2927

Learn About Neurological Disorders

There’s one sure way to speed up your recovery, and that’s to learn as much as possible about your disorder.

Central Maine Healthcare sponsors a series of free, informal classes each quarter, specially designed to inform patients and caregivers about how getting stronger and reaching your personal wellness goals. Whether your issue is back pain, Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy or another neuro illness, we’ll make sure you have all the information you need to move forward and live as independently as possible.

Central Maine Healthcare also maintains an extensive online health library, where you and your can access the latest medical and rehab information related to your condition. You can use out interactive tools to create lists of questions you can ask your neurologist, use our checklists to evaluate your own progress, and learn as you go so you can make confident decisions about your healthcare.

Support Groups

If you are looking for a support group, please contact Central Maine Neurology at (207) 795-2927 and we will assist you in finding a support group.

Surgical services

When you or a loved one is faced with surgery, we know how important it is to be close to home and family. That’s why Central Maine Healthcare is proud to provide the region’s most comprehensive surgical care—right in your own community.

Each of our locations in Lewiston, Bridgton, Rumford and Topsham is staffed by the same dedicated team of surgeons, ensuring you receive the highest level of care without the stress of travel. These experts perform a full range of procedures, from routine repairs to severe traumas, using less invasive techniques to help you get back on your feet faster.

With our fully integrated health system, you also have access to state-of-the-art inpatient and outpatient facilities, advanced technology, convenient lab and imaging and more resources wherever you seek care. And you can always count on us to listen and walk you through what to expect at every step, so you can feel at ease.

Expertise You Can Trust

All of our general surgeons are board certified and fellowship trained, many with advanced certifications in treating problems with the abdominal wall (hernia), colon and biliary system (gallbladder and bile ducts). They’re backed by specialty trained operating room nurses, anesthesiologists, rehabilitation specialists and more committed to your health and wellness.

Complete Range of Specialties

In addition to general surgery, Central Maine Healthcare offers experts in nearly every surgical subspecialty. From life-saving heart and cancer procedures to life-changing weight loss, joint replacement and plastic and reconstructive options, you’ll find the specialist to meet your needs.

Advanced Trauma Care

Serious or life-threatening injuries happen when you least expect them, but rest assured we are always ready to respond. At our Level III Trauma Center, our general surgeons are available around-the-clock and are specially trained to treat severe injuries. We also have on-call access to orthopedic surgeons.

State-of-the-Art Facilities

All of our hospitals feature multiple operating suites, fully equipped with best-in-class technologies, specialized labs, post-anesthesia recovery units and more to maximize your safety and help ensure the best possible outcome.

Less Pain, Faster Recovery

Our surgeons use some of the most minimally invasive techniques available for a wide range of procedures, requiring just a few small incisions. That often means significantly less pain and scarring, fewer complications and faster healing. In fact, many of our procedures can be done on a same-day basis—allowing you to go home and rest comfortably within hours of surgery. Common laparoscopic options include hernia repair, gallbladder and appendix removal and complex hysterectomies.

Comfort & Convenience

If you do require an overnight stay, you’ll find a warm, restful environment at each of our locations. Most of our inpatient rooms are all-private, with individual bathrooms and other home-like amenities. There’s also plenty of room for a loved one to stay with you and flexible visiting hours.

Support for Every Step

We understand undergoing surgery is a stressful time, so we’ve made sure to make your experience as easy as possible.

It starts with our convenient scheduling and pre-admission appointments, where one of our caring nurses will handle all testing, walk you through your instructions and answer any questions.

On the big day, we’ll make sure you feel comfortable and carefully monitor you before, during and after your procedure. We’ll also help coordinate any ongoing care, including our swing bed program for extra recovery time, as well as personalized rehabilitation to help you get back to the life you love.

Expert Surgical Care, Close to Home

Meet our providers

Kyle’s story

“I have two little girls at home, don’t let me die.” Those are the words Kyle Secor remembers saying to doctors at Central Maine Medical Center (CMMC) just before he lost consciousness and began a long journey he never imagined taking.” Read More…

Pulmonary

Meet our team!

The Central Maine Healthcare pulmonary care team is comprised of board-certified pulmonologists and critical care physicians, along with other highly trained team members.  We provide diagnosis and treatment as well as education.

Our Inhaler Educational Videos include a brief overview video and longer detailed video which goes over the use of your inhaler.

Conditions We Treat

At Central Maine Healthcare we provide diagnosis and treatment to our patients as well as education to both the patient and family.

Formal Asthma Education – We offer formal asthma education where you will meet one on one with our respiratory therapists to learn more about asthma management, preventative measures, avoidance of triggers, the medications used to treat asthma and the importance of compliance with these medications, among other topics.  Asthma education is vital to the successful treatment of this disease state.

Formal Smoking Cessation Counseling – We do offer an opportunity to meet with a certified smoking cessation counselor here in our office to discuss options for successfully achieving smoking cessation.

Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency – Alpha-1 Antitrypsin deficiency is a genetic cause of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease which often is under-recognized. We do offer screening for this in our office and if found to be deficient or a ‘carrier’ of an abnormal gene, free testing is offered to first degree family members. To learn more about Alpha-1 Antitrypsin deficiency visit www.alpha1.org. We are recognized as an Alpha – 1 Clinical Resource Center by The Alpha 1 Foundation.

Bronchial Thermoplasty – Certain asthma patients may be candidates for a procedure called Bronchial Thermoplasty and we do provide this procedure to those who qualify. To learn more about this asthma treatment visit www.btforasthma.com

Diagnostic Procedures – We offer a wide array of diagnostic and therapeutic pulmonary procedures such as bronchoscopy (including with endobronchial ultrasound) and thoracenteses. Pulmonary function testing is available at CMMC, Rumford Hospital, and Bridgton Hospital.

Pulmonary Rehab – Pulmonary rehab is a monitored exercise program and education session using a multi-disciplinary team to increase activity level and improve the health of patients with chronic lung disease.

Educational Videos

Central Maine Pulmonary provides this educational video to guide you on how to use your inhaler. Each inhaler has two videos, the short video is a quick overview and the longer video goes over the use of the inhaler in more detail.  If you have questions about your inhaler that aren’t addressed in the video be sure to contact your healthcare provider.

CLICK HERE to view the complete inhaler training video playlist on our YouTube page. 

Inhaler Overview

HANDIHALER Inhaler Review —- HANDIHALER Inhaler Review
DISKUS Quick Review —- DISKUS Inhaler Tutorial
ELLIPTA Inhaler Quick Review —- ELLIPTA Inhaler Review
FLEXHALER Inhaler Quick Review —- FLEXHALER Inhaler Review
INHALER SPACER Quick Review —- INHALER SPACER Review
PRESSAIR Inhaler Quick Review —- PRESSAIR Inhaler Review
RESPIMAT Inhaler Quick Review —- RESPIMAT Inhaler Review

October is recognized as Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month

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October is recognized as Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month—a time for families, communities, and healthcare professionals to come together to remember.

On Friday, Oct. 11, team members and guests gathered to rededicate Rumford Hospital’s Pregnancy and Infant Loss Garden, a heartfelt memorial honoring these precious young lives.

We invite you to visit the garden and take a moment to reflect, or offer support. Together, we can bring comfort.

#PregnancyAndInfantLossAwareness #NeverForgotten #SupportAndHealing

Women’s and children’s health

“The team delivered four healthy, happy babies, the most precious gifts that I have ever received. I could never thank them enough!

Women’s Health services | Breast Health | Maternity Care | Pediatrics

Women of all ages have unique health and medical needs, which is why Central Maine Healthcare has spent decades building services, treatment, education programs and facilities specifically for the care of women.

We have made every effort to make our women’s health services seamless and easily accessible because we know how hectic life can be. In addition to providing convenient, high-quality care, we also empower women to take control of their own health from the reproductive years to midlife and beyond.

From performing routine physicals to relieving symptoms of menopause or performing the latest diagnostic breast screenings, our women’s health specialists take a holistic yet personal approach, considering each woman’s lifestyle and needs in tailoring care. Our professionals are not only well qualified, but also equipped with skill and compassion to make the experience of getting healthy as good as the care itself.

Meet our providers

Baby Lena’s story

“Kim and Ben were looking forward to the birth of their second child. Everything had gone well during the birth of their son two years earlier, so they figured this delivery would be similar. When the unthinkable happened, they were thankful to have the care team at CMMC by their side” Read More…

Bridgton Hospital helps local students protect against seasonal flu with free clinic

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BRIDGTON, Maine (Oct. 9, 2024) Dozens of students lined up, rolled up their sleeves and received their annual flu shots at Bridgton Academy on Oct. 9. 

The free flu shot clinic was organized by Bridgton Hospital which is part of Central Maine Healthcare. In addition to their public outreach efforts, the healthcare system is currently in the process of getting all of it its own team members vaccinated against influenza, which is required for all healthcare workers in Maine. 

“It was so great to meet with these students and help protect them against influenza,” said Elaine Drew, RN, Bridgton Hospital. “Many thanks to the great staff at Bridgton Academy for helping us make this possible. 

“This is a great time for everyone to get immunized, because we are heading into the beginning of flu season.”

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends everyone who is six months or older to receive the flu vaccine. 

Central Maine Healthcare honors its advanced practice providers

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LEWISTON, Maine (Sept. 19, 2024) During the last week of September, Central Maine Healthcare (CMH) will join the rest of the nation in honoring its advanced practice providers (APPs).  

An APP is a health care provider who is not a physician but performs medical procedures typically performed by a physician, having undergone extensive medical education and training. Among their ranks are nurse practitioners, physician assistants, certified nurse midwives, certified registered nurse anesthetists, clinical nurse specialists and certified anesthesiologist assistants.

“As we expand healthcare access in the communities we serve, advanced practice providers are playing an increasingly critical role,” said Steve Littleson, president and CEO, Central Maine Healthcare. “The skill set these healthcare professionals provide enables our patients to receive quality and timely care, and at the same time allows our physicians to concentrate on more complex cases. I believe APPs will play an increasingly important role in our healthcare system in the years to come.”

With the U.S. experiencing a physician shortage, our APPs have become even more critical to our ability to successfully care for our patients.

“I chose to become a certified registered nurse anesthetist because I wanted to expand my clinical knowledge,” said Tina Moring, lead certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) at Central Maine Medical Center (CMMC). “I was already committed to our patients, but I wanted to do more. Being a CRNA allows me to serve our community, to meet more of the needs of our patients, and I get to do what I love, every day.” 

“I was previously working as an athletic trainer with a semi-pro basketball team,” said Angela Michalka, a physician assistant (PA) at CMH Orthopedics. “Though I was an important part of the team, I wanted to be able to do more and provide more advanced care for the players instead of having to hand them off when they had a more significant injury. As a PA I am now able to provide advanced comprehensive care for my patients and I hope I am able to help keep them active and doing the things they enjoy.”

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