Facility to enhance, consolidate outpatient oncology in Lewiston
LEWISTON, Maine —The Central Maine Cancer Center, a planned $38 million investment for state-of-the-art care at Central Maine Medical Center’s Lewiston campus, has received final approval from state regulators.
The Cancer Center was proposed last December by Central Maine Healthcare, and got the final okay last week from the Department of Health and Human Services. It will provide convenient, centralized access to the system’s superior outpatient oncology services, along with needed facility and equipment updates, CMH officials said.
“Cutting-edge care, in one convenient, accessible location—this will be of great benefit to our patients,” said Jeffrey L. Brickman, FACHE, CEO and President of Central Maine Healthcare. “It’s part of our commitment to offer greater access to healthcare in Maine.” Brickman noted that the new facility will house brand-new equipment, including new linear accelerators critical for radiation therapy. It will also be home to the Central Maine Cancer Institute, providing multispecialty, team-based care.
Central Maine Medical Center has been providing care to the community for more than a century. As the hospital grew on its sprawling campus, its oncology service become spread out nearly three football fields apart, separating radiation oncology, medical oncology and surgeons. Meanwhile, radiation therapy equipment cannot be replaced in its current location—in one of the oldest buildings at the hospital.
At the same time, cancer incidence in Maine has increased, and Androscoggin County remains one of the areas with the highest occurrence of cancers in the state.
In a letter supporting the project, the Dempsey Center wrote: “The {center} would offer Central Mainers another reason to get the highest quality of care close to where they live and work.”
Work on the new facility is expected to start later this year.
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 Cancer Center, and other high quality clinical services.
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 Cancer Center, 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.
Contact: Kate Carlisle | 207-786-1810 | carliska@cmhc.org