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Central Maine Healthcare honors its volunteers

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Steve Littleson, DBA, FACHE, president and CEO, Central Maine Healthcare, joins volunteers from Bridgton Hospital and Rumford Hospital.
Volunteers from Central Maine Medical Center

 

During National Volunteer Week, Central Maine Healthcare (CMH) paid tribute to members of the community who donate their time and talents to provide services to Central Maine Medical Center, Bridgton Hospital, Rumford Hospital and CMH’s practices.

Volunteers were treated to lunch at the hospital and thanked for their tireless efforts. In 2022, Central Maine Healthcare volunteers contributed more than 9,714 hours to operations. This included:

  • 83 patient escorts
  • 1,835 patient discharges
  • 1,604 lab deliveres
  • 1,255 projects
  • 475 flower deliveries
  • 1,966 internal deliveries
  • YMCA volunteers contributed a total of 767 hours to the gym at CMMC.

“Our volunteers are a valued part of the CMH team,” said Dick Kropp, EdD, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, senior vice president, chief people officer, Central Maine Healthcare. “They have many choices of places to spend their time, and they choose to work side-by-side with us every day.

“We are asking all of our team members to take a moment during National Volunteer Week-and every time they see a volunteer-and say, ‘Thank you for volunteering.’ It’s the least we can do to thank them for all they do.”

Central Maine Healthcare team members go red for American Heart Month

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Heart Month activities are being organized by the nationally recognized Central Maine Heart and Vascular Institute (CMHVI), where vascular surgeons, cardiothoracic surgeons and cardiologists perform cutting-edge procedures and lead their Maine community in the prevention of heart and vascular disease.

 

The team at CMHVI asked everyone to wear red on Feb. 3, National Wear Red Day, to raise awareness and help eradicate heart disease among women. Team members are continuing to wear red on every Friday in February.

Even Dr. Eddy, CMH’s mascot, was spotted in a bright red t-shirt!

Additionally, the public is invited to stop by the heart booth across from the Central Maine Medical Center coffee shop from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. on Fridays this month to learn about different heart health topics, including:

  • CPR
  • Nutrition
  • Blood pressure checks
  • Exercise and mental health

 

Rumford Hospital to close maternity service in late March

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Rumford Hospital, is closing its maternity unit, effective March 31, 2023.

A number of factors played into the decision to close the service, including a declining birth rate, a severe and persistent shortage of obstetricians willing to practice in an area with so few deliveries, and the pressing need for a more consistent plan for women’s healthcare in the Rumford region.

“This was an extremely difficult, but necessary decision to make,” said Steve Littleson, DBA, FACHE, president and CEO, Central Maine Healthcare and interim president, Rumford Hospital and Bridgton Hospital. “The Rumford Hospital maternity service has a long and proud history, but given the staffing challenges and changing population, turning the page is in the best interests of our patients.”  This development mirrors what is happening to maternity units throughout the country in rural areas. Between 2006 and 2020, more than 400 rural maternity units closed in the U.S.

Rumford Hospital’s maternity unit opened in 1926 and has been delivering babies ever since. “This will certainly mark the end of an era here in the Rumford area,” said Stephany Jacques, RN, MSN, vice president of nursing and patient care services, whose daughter was born at Rumford Hospital. “So many local people were born at Rumford Hospital, as were their parents and grandparents. We have a rich history of caring for women and families in our community.”

Rumford Hospital’s commitment to caring for women will continue through the dedicated services of family practitioners and a certified nurse midwife, who will provide prenatal care for expectant mothers who make appointments at Rumford Hospital.

Expectant mothers in the region will still be able to deliver their babies at Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston. CMMC recently expanded its maternity services by adding additional obstetrical staff and improving the capabilities of its level 2 special care nursery. CMMC’s maternity service includes neonatal intensive care, and was recently recognized as “High Performing in Maternity” by U.S. News & World Report.

The closure of Rumford Hospital’s maternity service will not result in the loss of any jobs for Central Maine Healthcare team members.
Rumford Hospital will remain committed to providing the best and most innovative healthcare available for the River Valley, including:
• Primary care
• Cancer care
• Emergency department
• Many specialty services, including gastroenterology, surgery, podiatry, and endocrinology

For our patients with questions, please reach out to Swift River Family Medicine at 207-369-0146 or discuss these changes with your OB/GYN or primary care provider.

Central Maine Medical Center nurse receives prestigious, international DAISY Award

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DAISY award winner at CMMC
DAISY award winner, Lacey Fogg, RN

Lacey Fogg, a registered nurse at Central Maine Medical Center, has been chosen to receive the DAISY Award. The DAISY Award is part of an international recognition program that rewards and celebrates the extraordinarily compassionate and skillful care nurses give their patients every day.

Lacey was nominated by Stephanie Mergenthaler, the daughter of one of Lacey’s patients. In her nomination letter, Stephanie highlighted the special attention Lacey gave to her mother following complicated surgery.

“Mom was relieved to see Lacey and immediately felt comfortable and confident in Lacey’s care. Lacey was so attentive and never gave mom or the family the feeling of stress or being rushed, even though we know she had other patients to care for,” Mergenthaler said.

“To say I’m proud of Lacey is an understatement,” said Kris Chaisson, BSN, MS, RN CCRN, senior vice president, chief nursing officer, Central Maine Healthcare. “She is an inspiration to all of us. I hope this award serves as a reminder to every Central Maine Healthcare nurse that the work you do makes a difference in the lives of our patients and the overall quality of life in our communities.”

You can learn more about the DAISY Award and its significance here: What is The DAISY Award? | DAISY Foundation

 

Central Maine Medical Center stroke team earns national certification

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CMMC Stroke Team
Kris Chaisson (far right) with members of the CMMC stroke team celebrating recertification.

Central Maine Medical Center’s stroke team has earned recertification by The Joint Commission, a non-profit organization that accredits U.S. healthcare organizations and programs.

According to the American Heart Association, this certification “is the most demanding and designed for those hospitals that have specific abilities to receive and treat complex stroke cases.” 

Angela Dubuc, RN, MSN, CPHQ, System Director of Quality Services, said, “At the closing session, the Joint Commission surveyor expressed how positively thrilled she was with our stroke program at CMMC She described a team that was engaged in performance improvement, excelling in our pre-hospital, ED and ICU care.”

At a recent ceremony at CMMC, Kris Chaisson, BSN, MS, RN, CCRN, VP of nursing at Central Maine Healthcare, presented the stroke team with the NorthSTAR Award for receiving the Primary Stroke Center recertification. “I could not be prouder of this team,” Chaisson said. “The hard work that went into earning this certification is a reflection on how committed our stroke team is to our patients. To accomplish during one of the most challenging years of the pandemic is especially impressive.”

First baby of 2023 arrives at Central Maine Medical Center

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1st baby of 2023 – Victoria Rousseau

The first baby of 2023 was born at Central Maine Medical Center on New Year’s Day. Victoria Rousseau weighed in at 6 pounds, 14 ounces and was 19 ¼ inches when she entered the world at 2:28 p.m. on January 1 at CMMC’s maternity ward.

Both Victoria and her mother, Caitlyn Rousseau of Lewiston, are doing fine after the birth.

In 2022, U.S. News & World Report recognized CMMC as “High Performing in Maternity Care” for the second consecutive year. CMMC’s maternity ward delivered a total of 763 babies in 2022.  Learn more about Maternity Care at Central Maine Medical Center.