ELLSWORTH
— U.S. Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine)
Wednesday announced a $140,000 federal grant
to help with construction of a new emergency
department at Maine Coast Memorial Hospital.
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U.S.
Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine)
commends Maine Coast Memorial
Hospital employees and board
members for their commitment to
the community.
—STAFF PHOTO BY
JENNIFER OSBORN
See more photos... |
“I was
successful in a very difficult year to
secure $140,000 of federal funds,” said
Collins. “This is an example of a good
earmark.”
Collins met with the board of trustees
before announcing the grant, then
watched a slideshow of plans for the new
facility.
The current emergency department was
originally designed to accommodate
12,000 patient visits a year. This year
the figure is approaching 18,000 visits,
hospital officials state.
Dr. Kenneth Christian, chief of
emergency medicine, said the number of
people who need to be seen in the
emergency department exceeds the
hospital’s physical capacity.
“It’s just not as private as people
deserve to have,” said Christian.
“People get sick 24 hours a day, seven
days a week and private care is not
available during all of those 24 hours.”
“We’ve suffered from the success of the
area growing and we’re happy about
that,” said Christian.
Collins said, “the increase in your
volume is really incredible.”
“This expansion and modernization of the
emergency department is an outstanding
example of Maine Coast Memorial
Hospital’s commitment to the people of
this fast-growing region and to our
visitors,” the senator said. “With
demand for emergency services already
far exceeding the designed capacity of
the existing facility, this expansion
will address the immediate needs of
today and better prepare you for the
future.
“As a leader of the Homeland Security
Committee, I know how essential it is
that communities throughout the country
have the resources they need to respond
to emergencies of all types, whether
natural disasters, accidents, or
intentional attacks,” Collins said.
“When I toured this facility in the
summer of 2006, I saw firsthand the need
here, and I am proud to have helped
secure $140,000 for this much-needed
project. It is essential for the federal
government to be a strong partner in
your efforts to meet crucial needs and
to enhance preparedness.”
The hospital will conduct a capital
campaign to raise $7.2 million to build
the new emergency department as well as
improve and expand patient registration
and the lobby and to increase the
hospital’s endowment.
The new emergency department will be
built in the area of the parking lot
near the medical office building.
Christian said this will allow the
hospital to build a second story, which
will house the maternity ward. The space
occupied by the maternity ward will
become patient rooms.
Board of trustees member Bob Merrill,
said although the campaign hasn’t
started, people have already begun
donating money.
Maine Coast Memorial Hospital is the
third largest employer in the region
with 720 employees and an annual budget
of $75 million.
