Courtesy The Ellsworth American

ELLSWORTH — A joyous occasion was favored by a glorious day as 200 well-wishers turned out for last Thursday’s dedication of the $10-million F. Eugene Dixon, Jr. Emergency Center.

Maine Coast Memorial Hospital Board Chairman Robert D. Merrill welcomed the many friends gathered under a great, white tent in the hospital parking lot. He noted that the old emergency department had been built to accommodate a patient caseload of 12,000 a year. But that traffic flow had reached 18,000 by the time the board decided to build a new one.

The new center has 13 private examination and treatment rooms, two trauma treatment rooms and a LifeFlight helipad.

Former Board Chairman Karen Stanley and her husband, Dick, came forward to help recognize employees and volunteers for their support of the campaign. They presented a special recognition award to longtime administrative assistant Doris Bunker, who came to the stage and received an award and a standing ovation.

Other speakers were Dr. Kenneth G. Christian, who spoke of the need for the new emergency center; John P. Lynch, chairman of the Maine Coast Healthcare Foundation that raised $1 million for the campaign endowment; representatives of U.S. Sens. Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe and Congressman Michael Michaud; Jack McCormack, the interim CEO who had but one day left to serve; Charles D. Therrien, the newly named CEO who began work two days prior; and Edith R. Dixon, widow of hospital benefactor F. Eugene Dixon Jr., who spoke of her late husband’s legacy.

The speeches over, the gathering moved to the large granite sign carved and donated by Freshwater Stone & Brick Work of Orland for a ribbon-cutting.