Central Maine Healthcare

Changing the Face of Healthcare in Maine

Central Maine Medical Center

Plans Presented for New Low-Cost Surgery Center in Topsham

Published on

State Hears Arguments for Approval

 

Topsham Care CenterPlans for a new low-cost, convenient location for same-day surgery in the Mid-Coast—where no such facility currently exists—were presented Wednesday.

Speaker after speaker from Central Maine Healthcare—the sponsor of the ambulatory surgical center (ASC)—described the value and potential of the project, which would be the 17th ASC in Maine and the first and only ASC affiliated with a health system but untethered to hospital facilities or high costs. The roster of speakers also included representatives from insurance companies, employers, business leaders and independent physicians.

In what might be another first, the “virtual” hearing by the State of Maine’s Certificate of Need unit was conducted via the Zoom platform.

“The community has asked us for this service, which would provide much more affordable outpatient surgery and procedures close to home,” said Jeffrey L. Brickman, FACHE, CEO of Central Maine Healthcare. “We’ve been in the Mid-Coast for more than a dozen years and this is a natural progression of the care we offer the community.”

Currently, CMH is represented in three locations in Topsham, including the multi-disciplinary Topsham Care Center, Maine Urgent Care and Topsham Family Medicine.

The need for an ASC exists because while outpatient surgeries are provided at a local hospital, those procedures are billed at nearly 50 percent more than those at a typical ASC. Many patients face the choice of paying the high prices charged in hospitals or traveling long distances to receive care elsewhere.

Dr. David Salko, who has practiced at Topsham Family Medicine for 12 years and lives locally, told the state officials of patients who have made the choice to forgo important screening exams and surgeries because their health care deductibles and or co-pays are high.

The $14 million ASC would be constructed at the Topsham Fair Mall adjacent or nearby the Care Center and the urgent care site.

The facility would:

  • Be housed in a 20,000 foot building with two operating rooms and four procedure rooms
  • Offer care from top-flight CMH providers
  • Offer cancer care and reconstructive surgery, Ear, Nose and Throat, Gastrointestinal procedures and Urology care.
  • Provide care to MaineCare and Medicare enrolled patients as well as the insured (CMH also provides a disproportionate level of free or charity care throughout its system).

 

The project has won the endorsement of:

  • Anthem, the largest private insurer in Maine.
  • Harvard Pilgrim
  • The Healthcare Payers Alliance of Maine (representing employers and business owners)
  • Martins Point (the largest group of primary care providers in Maine)
  • The Board of Topsham Development Inc., the municipal economic development panel

 

“The Midcoast needs additional alternatives to support models premised on consumer choice,” said Denise McDonough, president of Anthem in Maine. “Looking to greater Portland, as well as New Hampshire and other markets, we see that hospitals can successfully coexist with ASCs as the delivery system seeks to meet the choice, access and affordability needs of patients.”

Nationally, in-hospital surgeries are projected to decrease over the next decade as patients increasingly turn to the convenience and safety of ambulatory centers. And, as the government and insurance companies scrutinize costs and push toward more value-based care, outpatient surgery is expected to increase by 11 percent in the next two years. The federal government has responded by adjusting Medicare payment policy to be more neutral regarding ASCs.

 

For more information:
Kate Carlisle
207-786-1810 (o)
703-589-8605 (m)

 

Central Maine Healthcare Stands for Justice and Equality

Published on

Justice - Hands together

As healers, hospitals and providers have an important role to play in the wellbeing of their communities. Along with healthcare systems across the nation, Central Maine Healthcare believes in a vision of society where all individuals reach their highest potential for health.

The senseless killing of an unarmed black man in Minneapolis and the protests occurring in cities across the country highlight racial, ethnic and cultural inequities—including in healthcare—that are everyday realities for far too many people. As we’ve seen in the pandemic, communities of color have been disproportionately affected, both in infection rates and economic impact. The ongoing protests give voice to deep-seated frustration and hurt and the very real need for systemic change.

Raising our voices to speak out against injustice and stand up for our neighbors and communities is an essential part of our democracy. There are peaceful protesters who are trying to bring attention to long-simmering frustration and anger. And there are others whose actions are not reflective of what the protests are truly about. As many protest leaders have shared, the destruction of businesses and attacks on the law enforcement community are not only inexcusable but also undermine the focus on inequities that we all need to address.

At Central Maine Healthcare, we will continue to work toward our vision of a healthy society—for everyone. We recognize that while progress has been made, we have so much more work to do.

Central Maine Healthcare Plans Ambulatory Surgery Center in Topsham

Published on

The new facility will bring lower-cost, more convenient Out-patient care to the Mid-coast area.

Topsham Care Center

TOPSHAM, Maine — Central Maine Healthcare is proposing a new ambulatory surgery center (ASC)—offering high-quality care in a less-expensive and more convenient outpatient setting—to serve Mid-coast Maine. Plans for the center, which will be located in Topsham, were revealed in a letter of intent filed with the state on May 8.

Developed in response to requests from patients, independent providers and insurers, the ASC will serve a region that currently lacks an outpatient alternative to more expensive in-hospital care. ASCs enable patients to receive routine surgeries and treatments without being admitted to a hospital and to return home the same day.

The ASC will offer care in breast health and surgical oncology, along with orthopedics, gastroenterology, urology and ear, nose and throat surgeries and procedures.  The ASC  will build on the success of the services of the nearby Topsham Care Center in Topsham Fair Mall and Maine Urgent Care, both operated by CMH.

“Our proposed ambulatory surgical center is all about our commitment to improving access to high quality care in the most innovative, convenient and cost-effective setting,” said CEO Jeff Brickman, FACHE. “This is really about the future of healthcare in Maine.”

The healthcare system’s letter of intent precedes a formal application for “certificate of need,” which CMH will file shortly. According to CMH, the facility will:

  • Be housed in a 20,000 square-foot building with two operating rooms and four procedure rooms
  • Be located near or adjacent to the Topsham Care Center and Maine Urgent Care
  • Offer care from top-flight CMH providers

Nationally, costly in-hospital surgeries are projected to decrease over the next decade as patients increasingly turn to the convenience of high quality ambulatory centers. As the government and insurance companies scrutinize costs and push toward more value-based care, outpatient surgery is expected to increase by 11 percent in the next two years. The federal government has responded by adjusting Medicare payment policy to be more favorable regarding ASCs.

“Our goal is to provide top-quality care to people near where they live, work, shop and play,” Brickman said. “We’ve done that at the Topsham Care Center, with specialty services, diagnostics, radiology and cancer care. The new Topsham ASC expands those offerings for the people of Mid-coast Maine.”

Brickman stressed that plans for the ASC in Topsham were well underway before the COVID-19 outbreak struck Maine and that no resources have been or will be diverted from CMH’s response to the pandemic or its ongoing commitment to providing the highest levels of care at Central Maine Medical Center and other CMH facilities.

“Like hospitals throughout Maine and the nation, we have been focused on treating COVID-19 patients and dealing with the impact of the state shutdown,” Brickman said. “We look forward to returning to normal operations as soon as it is safe to do so. At the same time, we are committed to moving ahead with our plans to serve Maine people with high quality, convenient and cost-effective healthcare services.”

Brickman added that while the ASC will be operated and staffed by CMH, the actual $14 million facility will be financed and built by a private developer who will lease it back to CMH, greatly reducing the need for a large capital outlay.

Distinguished Cancer Surgeon Joins CMH

Published on

Hector Tarraza, M.D., to Lead Central Maine Cancer Center

LEWISTON, Maine —Dr. Hector Tarraza, M.D., a celebrated cancer surgeon specializing in women’s health, has joined Central Maine Healthcare as its new Chief of the Oncology Institute.

Until recently chief of obstetrics and gynecology at Maine Medical Center in Portland, Tarraza has had a distinguished career serving thousands of patients in the state since 1988. He joins CMH as the system launches its new Central Maine Cancer Center.

“Dr. Tarraza is renowned in the state of Maine and beyond for his leadership in the ob/gyn field and in healthcare generally,” said Dr. Jason Krupp, M.D., president of Central Maine Medical Group. “Beyond his unquestioned talent, he has a deep commitment to providing care to all communities.”

Tarraza has led or participated in more than 100 medical mission trips to provide needed surgical care to communities around the world.

A graduate of Harvard Medical School, he is double board-certified in gynecologic oncology and ob/gyn and held fellowships at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital.

“Good health care is a basic right, and providing that access to care is critical,” Tarazza said. “Patients should not have to travel long distances for the services they need. That’s the beauty of the Cancer Center—we will be providing a whole array of care right here.”

He will continue to operate and take cases while leading the Oncology Institute and serving as associate chief of surgery for CMH. “It’s what I do,” he said. “It’s important to me to see and care for patients.”

Joining a new system during a pandemic offers a timely perspective on the challenges of healthcare in the age of COVID-19, Tarraza said.

“When I was a young doctor in Boston, we were seeing the first cases of AIDS—another horrible virus—in the hospital. I’ll never forget having to deliver by C-section a baby whose mom had full-blown AIDS. It was terrifying—there was a lot we didn’t know about it—and there wasn’t the focus on supplies of PPE and other protection that we’ve seen in the coronavirus.

“But, looking back on that time, you realize that medicine advanced with multiple treatments—what was a scary, always fatal virus is now a chronic but manageable condition.  We will get there and prevail again. It just shows you how far we’ve come.”

Tarraza began his new role on April 27.

 

About Central Maine Medical Center

Central Maine Medical Center located in Lewiston, is a Level II Trauma Center serving Androscoggin County and the surrounding region. CMMC’s “Centers of Excellence” include the Central Maine Heart and Vascular Institute, the Central Maine Comprehensive Cancer Center, the Neonatal Intermediate Care Unit, and a Trauma Services Program. CMMC is also the southern Maine base for LifeFlight of Maine, the state’s only medical helicopter service. Supported by the latest technologies, CMMC’s skilled professionals provide outstanding care delivered with compassion, kindness, and understanding. Learn more at: www.cmmc.org.

 

About Central Maine Healthcare

Central Maine Healthcare (CMH) is an integrated healthcare delivery system serving 400,000 people living in central, western, and mid-coast Maine. CMH’s hospital facilities include Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston, Bridgton Hospital, and Rumford Hospital. CMH also supports Central Maine Medical Group, a primary and specialty care practice organization. Other system services include the Central Maine Heart and Vascular Institute, a regional trauma program, LifeFlight of Maine’s southern Maine base, the Central Maine Comprehensive Cancer Center, and other high-quality clinical services.

 

Contact: Kate Carlisle | carliska@cmhc.org |703-589-8605 (m) | 207-786-1810 (o)

Seasoned Healthcare Leader Joins Central Maine Healthcare

Published on

LEWISTON, Maine – A seasoned healthcare professional with Steven Littlesonleadership experience at multiple hospitals on the East Coast has joined Central Maine Medical Center as president, Central Maine Healthcare officials said today.

Steven G. Littleson, FACHE, who most recently served as chief integration and operating officer for Lancaster (Pa.) General Health, starts his new role May 11.

“Steve has more than 35 years of health care experience with progressive leadership and chief executive roles,” said Jeffrey L. Brickman, FACHE, CEO and President of Central Maine Healthcare. “He brings the talent and energy that a great institution like CMMC so richly deserves. He’s a dynamic leader with a passion for quality, innovation and excellence.”

Prior to his service in Lancaster, Littleson was the regional president of Jefferson Health in Philadelphia. He also served as president, hospitals division and chief operation officer for Hackensack Meridian Health (NJ). Additionally, Littleson has had senior roles at Meridian Health, Southern Ocean County Hospital in New Jersey, and Sentara Healthcare in Virginia.

“It’s exciting to join Central Maine at a time of growth,” said Littleson.  “The medical center is not only an incredible community resource, it’s consistently at the forefront of high quality care in the state of Maine.”

A fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives, Littleson served as an officer and chairman of the boards of the New Jersey Hospital Association and the New Jersey Council of Teaching Hospitals. He has served on the boards of numerous community service organizations including Boy Scouts of America, United Way, Rotary International, American Red Cross, and Big Brothers Big Sisters. He currently serves as an adjunct faculty member of New York University’s Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service and he has been a regular guest lecturer for the Peking University Executive MBA program in Beijing, China. He is a certified youth lacrosse coach and served for ten years as the president of a recreational soccer league.

Littleson earned his bachelor of arts in business administration from Gettysburg College, his master of health administration from Milken Institute School of Public Health at The George Washington University, and his doctorate in business administration from Walden University.

 

 

About Central Maine Medical Center

Central Maine Medical Center located in Lewiston, is a Level II Trauma Center serving Androscoggin County and the surrounding region. CMMC’s “Centers of Excellence” include the Central Maine Heart and Vascular Institute, the Central Maine Comprehensive Cancer Center, the Neonatal Intermediate Care Unit, and a Trauma Services Program. CMMC is also the southern Maine base for LifeFlight of Maine, the state’s only medical helicopter service. Supported by the latest technologies, CMMC’s skilled professionals provide outstanding care delivered with compassion, kindness, and understanding. Learn more at: www.cmmc.org.

 

About Central Maine Healthcare

Central Maine Healthcare (CMH) is an integrated healthcare delivery system serving 400,000 people living in central, western, and mid-coast Maine. CMH’s hospital facilities include Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston, Bridgton Hospital, and Rumford Hospital. CMH also supports Central Maine Medical Group, a primary and specialty care practice organization. Other system services include the Central Maine Heart and Vascular Institute, a regional trauma program, LifeFlight of Maine’s southern Maine base, the Central Maine Comprehensive Cancer Center, and other high-quality clinical services.

It’s a Four-Peat: Central Maine Medical Center Gets Fourth ‘A’ Grade for Safety

Published on

LEWISTON, Maine — Central Maine Medical Center was CMMC Leapfrog A Spring 2020awarded an ‘A’ in the Spring 2020 LeapfrogHospital Safety Grade, the fourth time in two years this national distinction has recognized CMMC’s achievement in protecting patients from harm and providing safer health care.

The Leapfrog Group is an independent national watchdog organization, driven by employers and other purchasers of health care, and committed to improving health care quality and safety for consumers and purchasers. The Safety Grade assigns an ‘A’, ‘B’, ‘C’, ‘D’ or ‘F’ grade to all general hospitals across the country based on their performance in preventing medical errors, injuries, accidents, infections and other harms to patients in their care.

“We are honored to be recognized—for the fourth consecutive survey—with this commendation from the Leapfrog Group,” said Dr. John Alexander, chief medical officer of Central Maine Healthcare. “We are consistently dedicated to providing the highest quality of care to our community, and our staff is unrelenting toward achieving a goal of zero patient harm.”

Developed under the guidance of a national expert panel, the Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade uses 28 measures of publicly available hospital safety data to assign grades to more than 2,600 U.S. acute-care hospitals twice per year. The Hospital Safety Grade’s methodology is peer-reviewed and fully transparent, and the results are free to the public.

The Spring 2020 award follows ‘A’ grades for CMMC in Fall and Spring 2019, and Fall 2018.

“As the Nation copes with a challenging pandemic, our gratitude extends to hospital leadership and health care workers everywhere for their tremendous dedication,” said Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group. “We hope this ‘A’ helps to thank the people who work and volunteer for Central Maine Medical Center. They are role models in putting patients first, and their service has been extraordinary in our country’s time of need.”

 

About Central Maine Medical Center

Central Maine Medical Center located in Lewiston, is a Level II Trauma Center serving Androscoggin County and the surrounding region. CMMC’s “Centers of Excellence” include the Central Maine Heart and Vascular Institute, the Central Maine Comprehensive Cancer Center, the Neonatal Intermediate Care Unit, and a Trauma Services Program. CMMC is also the southern Maine base for LifeFlight of Maine, the state’s only medical helicopter service. Supported by the latest technologies, CMMC’s skilled professionals provide outstanding care delivered with compassion, kindness, and understanding. Learn more at: www.cmmc.org.

About Central Maine Healthcare

Central Maine Healthcare (CMH) is an integrated healthcare delivery system serving 400,000 people living in central, western, and mid-coast Maine. CMH’s hospital facilities include Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston, Bridgton Hospital, and Rumford Hospital. CMH also supports Central Maine Medical Group, a primary and specialty care practice organization. Other system services include the Central Maine Heart and Vascular Institute, a regional trauma program, LifeFlight of Maine’s southern Maine base, the Central Maine Comprehensive Cancer Center, and other high-quality clinical services.

About The Leapfrog Group

Founded in 2000 by large employers and other purchasers, The Leapfrog Group is a national nonprofit organization driving a movement for giant leaps forward in the quality and safety of American health care. The flagship Leapfrog Hospital Survey collects and transparently reports hospital performance, empowering purchasers to find the highest-value care and giving consumers the lifesaving information they need to make informed decisions. The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade, Leapfrog’s other main initiative, assigns letter grades to hospitals based on their record of patient safety, helping consumers protect themselves and their families from errors, injuries, accidents and infections.

 

 

Media contact:

Kate Carlisle
207-786-1810 (o)
703-589-8605 (m)
carliska@cmhc.org