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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.

Central Maine Medical Center (CMMC) this month became the first hospital in Maine to complete a dual chamber leadless (wireless) pacemaker implant.

The electrophysiology team at Central Maine Heart and Vascular Institute (CMHVI) successfully performed several implants, using the AVEIR ™ dual chamber pacemaker, an implantable device that stimulates the heart’s two main chambers.

While traditional dual chamber pacemakers include wires that risk breaking and may cause infection, the Aveir pacemaker is wireless and therefore has a lower risk of infection.

The new pacemaker was approved by the FDA in 2023 and is ideal for patients who have abnormally slow heart rhythms and require pacing in both chambers of the heart. 

“We have had single chamber leadless pacemakers for many years,” said Joseph Dell’Orfano, MD, electrophysiologist at CMMC. “However, when patients experience slow heart rates, they often require pacing in both the top and bottom chambers of their heart. Now we can do this without the need for surgically implanted wires or battery packs. This represents the future of pacemakers. I’m proud that we could bring this technology to our patients in Maine.”

This isn’t the first time in recent history CMHVI has led the way in Maine. Last spring, CMMC became the first hospital to successfully treat atrial fibrillation using Pulsed Field Ablation, a non-thermal device designed to minimize potential damage to the heart.

CMHVI offers advanced treatments for all arrhythmias including atrial fibrillation and ventricular tachycardia. Last year, its vascular lab earned a three-year accreditation in peripheral arterial, peripheral venous and extracranial cerebrovascular testing from the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission. CMHVI has also started a dedicated hypertension and lipid clinic and a new preventive cardiology program. Additionally, the vascular surgery team recently performed its 50th TCAR, the latest in minimally invasive procedures to treat carotid disease.

Pictured: CMHVI’s electrophysiology team poses with Aveir equipment

Central Maine Healthcare team members are wearing red on Fridays throughout the month of February.

February is American Heart Month, a time when everyone-especially women-are encouraged to focus on their cardiovascular health. Cardiovascular disease is the number one cause of death for women in the US. and around the world.

The team at Central Maine Heart and Vascular Institute (CMHVI) encourages everyone to adopt and maintain healthy lifestyle choices that include a balanced diet, exercise and stress management.

“Heart Month is a chance for us to remind everyone that you can make a difference in your life by taking charge of your own health,” said Michael Berlowitz, MD, chief of CMHVI. “Get your blood pressure and cholesterol checked. If you smoke, quit. Get a good night’s sleep and be sure to get regular heart health screenings.” 

Every Wednesday this month, CMHVI will host a heart health booth in the lobby of 60 High St. on the CMMC campus from 11 a.m.-1 p.m.  

A Central Maine Healthcare (CMH) family medicine doctor recently found himself in the baby delivery business, unexpectedly.

Jan. 15 was a typical day at Minot Avenue Family Medicine in Auburn with the team taking care of respiratory illness cases, injuries and other common healthcare issues. But after the last patient of the day went home, the team faced an unexpected challenge.

Nathan Raby, DO, was finishing up paperwork after 5 p.m. when team member Alexis Libby, a medical assistant at the family practice, suddenly went into labor. 

An ambulance was called, but the baby wasn’t waiting. Dr. Raby and the team were quickly pressed into service. They called the Central Maine Medical Center (CMMC) maternity team right away, knowing they would have expert help on the line. 

“I noted the look on Alexis’ face. I had seen it before, and I knew what it meant. I told her we needed to get her into a room and onto a table,” Dr. Raby said.

Just a few short minutes later, Alexis became a new mom.  Dr. Raby and Alexis could hear the CMMC maternity team cheering in the background.

Dr. Raby said, “Instinct kicked in and I gently pulled down on the head to expose the upper shoulder, pulled gently again and out slid the entire baby, a boy. He came out singing, much to my relief, moving all his extremities with great tone and color.

“We don’t deliver babies at Minot Avenue Family Medicine. This was the first for our team and my first delivery since residency,19 years ago.

“The ambulance team arrived, and I used their maternity kit to suction out the baby’s mouth. I clamped and cut the cord and handed the baby to his mother.”

Dr. Raby is more than grateful for the support from the CMMC maternity team.

“I talked him through the delivery; he really just needed moral support because he knew just what to do,” said Janice Locke, CMN, the midwife on call at CMMC that afternoon. “I recall him chuckling, ‘I haven’t delivered a baby in 19 years!’ It was a jovial conversation with people laughing and celebrating in the background!”

The mother and baby were then taken by ambulance to CMMC for postpartum care.

Alexis has named the boy Logan. Mom and baby are doing fine.

“I’m very thankful I was in the right place at the right time and very thankful for Dr. Raby who made me feel calm during the whole experience,” she said. “I can’t wait to tell Logan his birth story when he gets older!”

Minot Avenue Family Medicine has named the exam room where the boy was born “Logan’s Room.”

Minot Avenue Family Medicine consists of six family practice professionals as well as clinical and clerical staff who work together to provide care for patients of all ages in the greater Lewiston-Auburn area.

U.S. News & World Report has recognized CMMC as “High Performing in Maternity Care.” Last year, Newsweek also named CMMC one of the best hospitals in the nation for maternity.

Additionally, CMMC received a near-perfect 97 (out of 100) score on the Centers for Disease Control’s (CDC) Maternity Practices in Infant Nutrition & Care survey which evaluates categories such as immediate postpartum care, breastfeeding education, and support after patient discharge. The national average score was 82.

Central Maine Healthcare (CMH) and New England Cancer Specialists (NECS) recently marked the one-year anniversary of their agreement to enhance medical oncology and infusion services in the central Maine region.

The agreement was signed last year at CMH’s state-of-the-art Cancer Care Center, and according to John Hamilton, senior vice president, Service Line Operations, the relationship between the two is exceeding the already lofty expectations that existed going into the agreement.

“The total visit volume for all three CMH hospital’s cancer care services greatly exceeded projections,” Hamilton said.  “This unexpected influx of new patients was driven, in part, by CMMC being the only provider of cancer care in the region, but also speaks to the growing need for cancer care in the communities CMH serves.”

Central Maine Healthcare and NECS are currently recruiting additional providers to prepare for future growth.

Under the co-management agreement, NECS oversees operations and development of the cancer care program’s hematology and oncology practice and oncology infusion centers at CMMC, as well as CMH’s two critical access hospitals, Bridgton Hospital and Rumford Hospital.

Maine is among the U.S. states with the highest cancer mortality rates. Androscoggin County, where CMMC is located, has an elevated incidence of cancer, particularly lung cancer.

“Having this partnership and the support of NECS has empowered us to deliver exceptional cancer care to patients across central and western Maine,” said Nicholette Erickson, MD, oncologist at New England Cancer Specialists. “We are extremely proud of this collaboration and the life-changing impact we’ve been able to achieve together so quickly in these communities.”

“Our patients are benefiting greatly from this arrangement,” said Tim Counihan, MD, chief of surgery and the Oncology Institute at Central Maine Healthcare. “They are able to get the important care they need close to home, and at the same time have access to the resources of some of the best cancer specialists in the country.”

Central Maine Healthcare has achieved full accreditation from the Commission on Cancer which is awarded only to those institutions that provide patients with comprehensive, state-of-the-art services from a multi-specialty team coordinating all aspects of cancer care.

Pictured: physicians and leaders from New England Cancer Specialists and Central Maine Healthcare at the Dec. 2023 signing event

Central Maine Medical Center (CMMC) is partnering with the American Red Cross and LifeFlight of Maine to host quarterly blood drives that will be held at the Lewiston hospital.

The first will be held on Jan. 20 on the CMMC campus at the A,B,C Conference Room, 12 High Street, from 10 a.m.-2:45 p.m.

Donations will be made by appointment only.

There will be different themes for each of these blood drives. The theme for the first is “Grateful.” Those who attend will be encouraged to sign a “Grateful Board” that will be on display at the blood drive.

“This is a meaningful way for the people of central Maine to help ensure we have adequate blood supplies on hand,” said Jennifer Bodger, senior vice president, Operations, Central Maine Healthcare. “As we have seen in recent years, we can never know when the demand for blood will spike. That is why we decided to hold these blood drives on a regular basis and attach themes to them that underscore the importance of donating.

“I would like to thank our partners at LifeFlight of Maine and the American Red Cross for helping make this happen.”

To make an appointment to donate, please click here or scan the QR code below.

The Central Maine Healthcare (CMH) Board of Directors and Prime Healthcare Foundation (PHF) announced today that they have reached an agreement for PHF to become the sole corporate member and parent company of Central Maine Healthcare, pending regulatory approvals.

Under the agreement, Prime Healthcare Foundation, headquartered in Ontario, California, a 501(c)(3) public charity founded in 2006, affiliated with Prime Healthcare and operating 14 not-for-profit hospitals in six states, would become the owner of all CMH services and facilities, which will retain their current names and local leadership. PHF will offer substantially all CMH team members positions at comparable wages and benefits, and they will honor provider and physician contracts.

CMH Chairman of the Board Devore Culver, said PHF was chosen after a thorough evaluation of the system’s mission, vision, and values, and a review of their track record of investing in hospitals to improve healthcare, especially in vulnerable communities throughout the country. “I was convinced Prime Healthcare Foundation would be the right partner for Central Maine Healthcare after meeting with their senior leaders and visiting its hospital in Woonsocket, RI,” he said. “We saw first-hand how Prime cares about people, invests in technology, and values community partnerships to secure the vibrant future of critical healthcare resources.”

 “Prime Healthcare Foundation has made a tremendous commitment to investing in our people, our facilities and equipment, and to improving access to quality healthcare throughout central Maine,” said CMH Chief Executive Officer Steve Littleson. “As part of Prime Healthcare Foundation, we will now have the capability and the resources to attract and retain top talent, improve quality and access to care, and address unmet healthcare needs across Central Maine.”

Prime Healthcare Foundation has provided more than $3.4 billion in charity care and sponsored local and global initiatives to promote health, support medical education, provide humanitarian aid, expand access to quality compassionate care and address healthcare disparities nationally and globally.

“Prime Healthcare Foundation is a steward of a mission to improve lives and uplift communities by ensuring access to the highest quality, compassionate care when people need it the most,” said Kavitha Bhatia, MD, President and Chair of the Prime Healthcare Foundation. “We look forward to welcoming the CMH staff, physicians, patients, and communities to the Prime family. Through our dedication to health equity, clinical quality and patient-centered, physician-led care, we are deeply committed to ensuring the CMH legacy continues for generations to come.”

The CMH facilities will have access to Prime Healthcare’s resources and nationally recognized leadership team that currently operates and manages 44 tax-paying and not-for-profit hospitals, more than 300 outpatient locations, and nearly 45,000 employees and affiliated physicians dedicated to providing the highest quality healthcare.

Rebecca Brakeley, MD, CMH’s interim chief medical officer, said, “Prime Healthcare Foundation’s nationally recognized commitment to quality and patient safety, as well as expanding access to medical education, is shared by our 600 medical staff providers who are and will remain dedicated to caring for people in our communities.”

Terms of the agreement include a commitment by Prime Healthcare Foundation to invest $150 million in facility improvements including investments in technology and infrastructure across the system. Charity care and community benefit programs will continue, preserving CMH’s role as a valued community partner.

“We know our team members, patients, and community supporters will have a lot of questions,” said Littleson. “Over the next several months, as we pursue regulatory approvals, we commit to communicating as much as we can, as soon as we can. Until we receive final approvals, our team members will remain focused on taking care of our patients and each other. We appreciate the support of our team members, our patients, and our community as we make this exciting partnership a reality.”

“The people we serve, and our team members who care for them, can look forward to a bright future, full of optimism about what we will do together to provide state-of-the art care in state-of-the-art facilities across central Maine.”

The first baby of 2025 was born at Central Maine Medical Center CMMC on New Year’s Day. The baby boy was born at 2:34 a.m. on Jan. 1 and weighed in at seven pounds, 14 ounces and was 20 inches long. 

The boy’s mother is Liliana Kimbela of Lewiston. She has not given her boy an official name yet and, for now, is calling him “Baby Boy Kimbela.”

“What a great way to start the new year, not only for the family of the newborn, but for all of us here at CMMC,” said Tasha Duval, DO, chief of obstetrics and gynecology at Central Maine Healthcare. “Our team members in maternity are committed to providing a safe and nurturing environment to have a baby, and we look forward to welcoming many more newborns at CMMC in 2025.”

When a baby is born at CMMC, a chime that is heard around the hospital is played to share the good news.

In 2024, about 750 babies were born at CMMC.

Late last year, U.S. News & World Report once again recognized CMMC as “High Performing in Maternity Care.” Earlier this year, Newsweek also named CMMC one of the best hospitals in the nation for maternity.

Additionally, CMMC received a near-perfect 97 (out of 100) score on the Centers for Disease Control’s (CDC) Maternity Practices in Infant Nutrition & Care survey which evaluates categories such as immediate postpartum care, breastfeeding education and support after patient discharge. The national average score was 82.

A Rumford Hospital nurse is the recipient of the DAISY Award. Penny Savage, RN, works in the hospital’s Emergency Department.

The DAISY Award is an international program that recognizes nurses for their compassionate care and the difference they make in patients’ lives.

Savage was nominated by Merideth Alanskas, RN, ED nurse leader and Tina True, RN, supervisor at Rumford Hospital.

Her fellow team members nominated her for her actions on two separate occasions that involved motor vehicle accidents and multiple victims. She helped the families that were impacted find alternate transportation and living arrangements in the area. On one occasion, Savage loaned one of the families her own car.

“She worked collaboratively with the team and family to make them safe and as comfortable as possible,” True said. “I am always proud to work with her.”

“Penny’s charitable actions on behalf of these families in need exemplify what the DAISY Award is all about,” said Stephany Jacques, RN, president of Rumford Hospital. “She always goes the extra mile for patients in her care and sets a great example for her fellow team members. The River Valley community is very fortunate to have her.”

Photo: DAISY Award winner Penny Savage, back row, fifth from right, with team members from Rumford Hospital