State of the art facility planned for Lewiston hospital campus
LEWISTON, Maine — Central Maine Healthcare is committing to renewing and enhancing its cancer care program by investing over $38 million in a state of the art facility and updated technology. The new Central Maine Cancer Institute will become a critical regional resource for comprehensive cancer diagnosis and treatment.
CMH this week filed notice with the state of Maine that it intends to create the new facility on its Lewiston campus. The new institute can begin welcoming patients within two years, system officials said.
“As we anticipate the future needs of an aging population—with among the highest incidence of cancer located here in Central Maine—we want to provide enhanced access to quality care,” said Jeff Brickman, FACHE, CEO of Central Maine Healthcare. “We’re reinvesting in and renewing our cancer program to keep that care close to home.”
Brickman said the new facility, planned for the northeastern quadrant of the Central Maine Medical Center campus, will bring together services and resources currently in different areas of the hospital into a patient-centered, accessible location. New technology and updated equipment will augment Central Maine’s multi-specialty, team-based model of care in the new location.
Some estimates put the number of cancer patients in Central Maine at more than 200,000. Having industry-standard full service oncology services at CMMC—and not having to travel to the next closest option—could save the community $993,000 annually in travel costs and prevent patients from having to drive more than 35,000 hours each year. [1]
“In our growing market for these needed services, we’re ready and willing to invest to provide these services locally,” said David Tupponce, president of Central Maine Medical Center.
Current hospital data shows that there are 42,825 patient visits each year to CMMC’s breast center, infusion clinic, radiation oncology department and oncology clinic.
The proposed location for the new facility is currently absorbed by employee parking, and plans include developing replacement parking in another area on the hospital campus.
Development plans for the Central Maine Cancer Institute are pending state review. No date has been set for construction to begin.
Contact: Kate Carlisle | 207-786-1810 | carliska@cmhc.org
[1] Based on estimate of cancer patient population and distance to nearest other facilities.