Millinocket Regional Hospital Moves One Step Closer to Emergency Department Expansion
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 5, 2023
CONTACT
Katie Mackin, Marketing Coordinator
kmackin@mrhme.org
(207) 723-7273
Millinocket Regional Hospital Moves One Step Closer to Emergency Department Expansion
MILLINOCKET, ME — Officials at Millinocket Regional Hospital (MRH) received welcome news from the offices of U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King regarding their $9.89M funding request for the expansion of their Emergency Department. Both senators officially requested that funding for the project be provided as part of the Fiscal Year 2024 Congressionally Delegated Spending process.
MRH Chief Executive Officer Dr. Robert Peterson stated that “several hurdles remain but inclusion on both senators’ request lists is a critical component of the funding ultimately being approved.” He also emphasized the importance of maintaining and investing in high-quality, rural medicine.
“Critical Access Hospitals serve vast rural areas of Maine and are the sole source of emergency critical care for the residents of their designated region,” Peterson said. “Investing in rural emergency medicine ensures that lifesaving treatment and procedures are equally available to both rural and urban residents of Maine.”
In a health emergency, time and access to care are two key aspects to ensuring optimal outcomes. “Without quality emergency services readily accessible,” Peterson said “those with life-threatening illnesses or injuries will experience poorer outcomes and even avoidable death.”
It has been thirty years since the hospital made any significant upgrades to its Emergency Department, which has been operating at (or near) full capacity for the last three years. The workspace is no longer meeting the needs of the staff or community as the influx of patients with diverse physical and mental health needs continues to grow.
The plans for the Emergency Department include renovation of the current 4,823 sq. ft. footprint as well as a 5,628 sq. ft. addition. The project will provide essential treatment space and care-oriented upgrades to meet the region’s growing needs, including three specialized trauma and cardiac care rooms and four dedicated rooms for psychiatric and substance use disorder patients who are awaiting placement at other facilities.
Dr. Peterson expressed the importance the Senators’ support. “Projects of this magnitude are not achievable without the leadership and support of our elected senators and representatives. We are fortunate to be represented by two senators who understand the critical needs of the citizens they
serve, said Peterson. “We are blessed and grateful.”
The Committee will now review the requests and determine which projects will be funded. Once the final list is determined, an Appropriation Bill will need to be passed by the full Senate and House of Representatives and signed into law by the President. Senators Collins and King have committed to collaborating closely with their colleagues in the Senate to ensure that as many Maine projects as possible are supported in the final bill.
Dr. Peterson concluded, “We are eternally grateful to Sen. Collins and Sen. King for recognizing the value of critical access hospitals in Maine and the importance of maintaining them to ensure that the health and wellbeing of future generations in the Katahdin region is not compromised.”
Those interested in making a tax-deductible gift to support this incredible undertaking can do so by contacting Michael Crowley, President of Legacy Medical Foundation, at (207) 723-7419 or by email at mcrowley@mrhme.org.
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About Millinocket Regional Hospital
Millinocket Regional Hospital (MRH) is a 25-bed Critical Access Hospital nestled at the base of Baxter State Park that provides vital healthcare services to those who live, work, and play in the Katahdin Region. Beyond the friendly staff and award-winning, individualized patient care, MRH provides acute inpatient and outpatient services as well as an impressive range of general and specialty services from orthopedic and general surgery to cancer care.
Providing jobs to approximately 250 people, MRH is the largest employer in the Katahdin Region and a crucial economic driver within its community. For more information, visit mrhme.org or www.facebook.com/MillinocketRegionalHospital
About Legacy Medical Foundation
Legacy Medical Foundation was established in 2020 to continue the tradition of philanthropy at Millinocket Regional Hospital by supporting patient care, wellness, and the quality of life in our region. We are a 501(c)(3) organization with a tax identification number of 85-2352634.