MRH receives $3.5M, construction on Emergency Department to begin 2024
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 3, 2023
Contact:
Katie Mackin
kmackin@mrhme.org
(207) 723-7273
MRH receives $3.5M, construction on Emergency Department to begin 2024
MILLINOCKET, ME – Millinocket Regional Hospital (MRH) has received $3.5M in federal funding, which will allow site work to begin for the construction of a new Emergency Department on the hospital’s main campus pending final approval from the State.
The hospital received a Notice of Award from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the federal Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) for the funding, which was included in the Congressionally Delegated Spending package of 2023. The appropriation was sponsored jointly by Sen. Susan Collins and Sen. Angus King.
While the announcement of this funding was made earlier in the year, the Notice of Award is the last step in the process when funds are released. According to Chief Executive Officer Dr. Robert Peterson, these dollars will partially fund the multi-million project and allow construction to begin in the summer of 2024.
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 double the current capacity of the ED and provide modern treatment areas for cardiac and trauma patients. The plan will also provide a decontamination room and designated overflow space to accommodate sudden increases in patient volume. The entire department will be equipped with negative air pressure to ensure safety when treating patients with airborne pathogens. In addition, specialized rooms will be constructed to better serve patients with mental illness. And lastly, a dedicated entrance and waiting area to better serve emergency patients will be constructed.
Critical Access Hospitals like MRH serve vast rural areas of Maine and are the sole source of critical care for the residents of their designated region. Dr. Peterson underscored the importance of maintaining high-quality rural healthcare stating, “In a health emergency, minutes matter. Investing in rural emergency medicine ensures that essential lifesaving services are equally available to both rural and urban residents of Maine.”
Dr. Peterson emphasized the importance of this funding and acknowledged the Senators for recognizing the value and importance of maintaining high-quality emergency services in the Katahdin Region.
“We are eternally grateful to Sen. Collins and Sen. King. Their support ensures that the health and well-being of our rural citizens is not compromised for generations to come,” said Dr. Peterson.
Peterson continued, “Projects of this magnitude are not achievable without the support of the community and our elected officials. We are well on our way to success, but we have much more work ahead of us. This is clearly a project that will “take a village” to complete.”
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.
###
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.