LEWISTON, ME — Central Maine Healthcare (CMH) and New England Cancer Specialists (NECS) recently marked the one-year anniversary of their agreement to enhance medical oncology and infusion services in the central Maine region.

The agreement was signed last year at CMH’s state-of-the-art Cancer Care Center, and according to John Hamilton, senior vice president, Service Line Operations, the relationship between the two is exceeding the already lofty expectations that existed going into the agreement.

“The total visit volume for all three CMH hospital’s cancer care services greatly exceeded projections,” Hamilton said.  “This unexpected influx of new patients was driven, in part, by CMMC being the only provider of cancer care in the region, but also speaks to the growing need for cancer care in the communities CMH serves.”

Central Maine Healthcare and NECS are currently recruiting additional providers to prepare for future growth.

Under the co-management agreement, NECS oversees operations and development of the cancer care program’s hematology and oncology practice and oncology infusion centers at CMMC, as well as CMH’s two critical access hospitals, Bridgton Hospital and Rumford Hospital.

Maine is among the U.S. states with the highest cancer mortality rates. Androscoggin County, where CMMC is located, has an elevated incidence of cancer, particularly lung cancer.

“Having this partnership and the support of NECS has empowered us to deliver exceptional cancer care to patients across central and western Maine,” said Nicholette Erickson, MD, oncologist at New England Cancer Specialists. “We are extremely proud of this collaboration and the life-changing impact we’ve been able to achieve together so quickly in these communities.”

“Our patients are benefiting greatly from this arrangement,” said Tim Counihan, MD, chief of surgery and the Oncology Institute at Central Maine Healthcare. “They are able to get the important care they need close to home, and at the same time have access to the resources of some of the best cancer specialists in the country.”

Central Maine Healthcare has achieved full accreditation from the Commission on Cancer which is awarded only to those institutions that provide patients with comprehensive, state-of-the-art services from a multi-specialty team coordinating all aspects of cancer care.

Physicians and leaders from New England Cancer Specialists and Central Maine Healthcare at the Dec. 2023 signing event

Don’t miss the final performances this weekend at The Public Theatre of their funny, moving and unforgettable production of Every Brilliant Thing, running this Thursday – Sun, Jan 30 – Feb 2.  Bonus Pre-show events include a Thursday wine-tasting, and Saturday night beer sampling! If you have ever written a “gratitude list”, or lost your reasons that make like worth living, this humorous, heartbreaking and delightfully surprising interactive play is for you. For Tickets and more information visit www.thepublictheatre.org or call 782-3200.

LEWISTON, ME – Andwell is happy to welcome Joshua A. Huppert, Au.D., who has joined Andwell Medical Partners, Andwell’s Multi-specialty Medical Group, to lead Andwell Audiology.

Originally a native of the southwest suburbs of Chicago, Dr. Huppert earned his Doctor of Audiology (AuD) degree from Pacific University in Oregon and completed his clinical residency at A.I. DuPont’s Hospital for Children in Delaware. Since then, Dr. Huppert has spent his last near-decade career providing impactful, evidence-based, and patient-centered care across the environments of pediatric hospitals, academic medical centers and the hearing industry. His clinical expertise in pediatric and vestibular audiology has earned him prestigious speaking engagements at local, national and international conferences and invitations to review many esteemed audiology journals. Dr. Huppert is also a published author, experienced leader and seasoned mentor of audiology students, medical residents/fellows and trainees.

Mathew Collins, Vice President of Medical & Community Services at Andwell Health Partners, shares “We are launching an Audiology Service Line to fill an important gap throughout the state of Maine. Maine people, of all ages, living in all zip codes, deserve better access to clinically excellent hearing healthcare services.

As Andwell works to collaborate with partners, payers, and the state of Maine to innovate care delivery and reimbursement models, Andwell has also been taking active steps to grow, evolve and diversify service offerings. While maintaining its legacy home health and hospice services,  Audiology is one of a handful of services that Andwell has launched over the last couple of years, including the Maine Center for Palliative Medicine, a mobile wound care practice, personal care and companionship, therapy and early learning, behavioral health, and outpatient therapy care clinics.

Collins continues, “Dr. Huppert is a national thought leader in the hearing healthcare space – with experience leading and personally delivering care across the full healthcare continuum.

He shared that ”the prevalence of individuals with hearing loss in Maine is one of the highest in country at just under 17% . When we further consider that individuals with untreated hearing loss are at increased risks for social isolation, depression, anxiety, and even cognitive decline, it is not difficult to see how valuable and necessary access to high-quality hearing healthcare is for communities to truly thrive.”  Dr. Huppert went on to say that he has  dreamt of living in Maine most of his adult life. “I am humbled by the opportunity to be a part of what I know will be a life-changing service with Andwell and the Maine community at large. I can’t wait to get started and look forward to meeting/serving the Maine community.”

Andwell Audiology is located at 72 Strawberry Avenue in Lewiston. The clinic opens on February 24, 2025, and is now accepting referrals. Call your primary care or specialist provider to ask for a referral.

AUBURN, ME – The Auburn Police Department is pleased to announce the addition of two new “Project Support You” (PSY) co-responders who have recently been assigned to the department.

Erica West and Scott Lesser, who are employed by Spurwink, will be co-responding with our officers to calls for service involving mental health issues, substance use, and persons experiencing homelessness.

Erica, Scott, and Tom Hibbert, who serves as the “Options” liaison for Androscoggin County, also provide outreach at the Pleasant Street Drop-In Center and other places throughout the community.

“It’s important to note that PSY and Options staff are not law enforcement officers,” said Auburn Police Lieutenant Anthony Harrington. “They are substance use, and mental health professionals working alongside law enforcement officers to engage the community and help connect some of our most vulnerable residents with available resources. We are proud of this partnership; it is meaningful to have this added layer of support and services available.”

Project Support You co-responders are also partnering with the Auburn Fire Department.

Erica West

LEWISTON, ME – ENX Magazine announced that Budget Document Technology (BDT) is among the 118 companies chosen as 2024 Elite Dealers. This is the fifth time that BDT has been cited among the nation’s top office technology dealerships.

“We’re honored to once again be recognized as a 2024 ENX Elite Dealer. This distinction highlights the dedication and passion of our entire BDT team—from administrative staff to sales and service support—who work tirelessly to serve our clients and give back to the community” says Tom Ouellette, president and founder of BDT.

All Elite Dealer applicants are judged by several metrics each year, including growth factors, marketing strategies, product/service enhancements, vendor/partner awards and charitable contributions/support. The select dealerships that qualify for the list are celebrated with a profile in the December issue of ENX Magazine.

“Our Elite Dealers roster continues to establish new, higher standards year after year, and 2024 is no exception,” said Susan Neimes, publisher and managing editor of ENX Magazine and ENX The Week In Imaging. “While last year’s growth was considered an outlier due to pent-up market demand, annual revenues continue to soar. From managed services to product diversifications, Elite Dealers continue to redefine themselves as solutions providers rather than being pigeon-holed as mere purveyors of copiers and MFPs. These dealers also continue to step outside their comfort zone in taking on non-traditional products that can be offered across their full client list. These companies are the ideal, the standard-bearer for what it means to be an impactful office technology dealer.”

AUBURN, ME — Join Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Services, along with several community partners, Thursday, January 30th from 5-7pm at the Auburn Public Library for a special screening of Sexploitation and an engaging discussion to follow.

Sex trafficking is here. It’s happening in Maine. In this special film, you’ll meet 4 brave Mainers who not only survived their experiences with sex trafficking, but have thrived in the aftermath, choosing to now serve others with similar experiences.

AUBURN, ME — Introducing Ashleigh St. Pierre’s directorial debut at Community Little Theater (CLT)! Heart and Music is sharing the love between each other, albeit complicated, romantic, or platonic. Shows are February 14th & 15th.

L/A Community Little Theatre, located at 30 Academy Street in Auburn, has been producing live theatre since 1940. A volunteer, non-profit organization, our goal is to provide affordable and quality entertainment in the performing arts as well as education, training, and experience in theatre for area youth. www.laclt.com.

From Left to Right: Gregory Judd, Justin Morin, Sara Chaloux (stage manager), Samantha Harriott, Adrian Morneau (music director), Ashleigh St. Pierre (Director), Eileen Messina, and Jacob Sutherland. Not pictured Anthony M. Delorme. Photo credit to Sophie Wood, prior editing done by Benjamin Simpson

AUBURN, ME — On February 3rd, the Stanton Bird Club will be hosting the third in its 2024- 25 lecture series presenting “Birding in the Falkland Islands” with Loring (Danny) Danforth, PhD.

Situated 300 miles off the coast of South America, the remote Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) are a destination for nature and wildlife enthusiasts. The islands are considered one of the great penguin capitals of the world with as many as a million penguins nesting there every summer. But beyond penguins, over 230 species of birds have been recorded including 70 breeding birds, 20 regular migrants, and more than 130 vagrants.

Having taught at Bates for 40 years and retiring in 2022 as the Charles A. Dana Professor Emeritus of Anthropology, Danforth has been a member of the Stanton Bird Club and an avid birder for over 35 years traveling widely to see birds and wildlife all over the world.

The talk will be held on Monday, February 3rd from 4-6pm at the Auburn Public Library. The public is welcome. The lecture series is free of charge.

The Stanton Bird Club, a leader in environmental awareness, owns and manages the Thorncrag Nature Sanctuary in Lewiston as well as the Woodbury Nature Sanctuary in Monmouth and Litchfield.

More information about other activities of the Club can be found at www.StantonBirdClub.org and on its Facebook page.

Loring “Danny” Danforth PhD

The Public Theatre starts the New Year with one of the most powerful and unique experiences you will ever have in a theatre with the critically acclaimed Off-Broadway hit Every Brilliant Thing playing Jan 24 – Feb 2.

Every Brilliant Thing is a funny, moving and unforgettable story told with the help of the audience.

If you have ever written a “gratitude list” or lost sight of the things that make life worth living, this humorous and heartbreaking interactive play is for you.

When a woman goes into the hospital because she finds it “hard to be happy”, her 7-year-old daughter starts writing her a list of all the brilliant things in life worth living for. No. 1: “Ice cream”, No. 25: “Wearing a cape”, No. 317: “The even numbered Star Trek films”. As the girl grows older, her list grows longer, ultimately reminding her of all the large and small miracles in her own life.

“The Public Theatre has never done a play like this before” says Artistic Director Janet Mitchko.  “We are altering the theatre to create a greater sense of intimacy with the performer, including seating 24 people on the stage. People in the audience both on the stage and in the auditorium will help the actress to tell the story. This play is the most unique, delightful and non-intimidating interactive play I have ever experienced and the powerful impact it makes on everyone who sees it comes from the sense of community that is created by the spontaneous way the audience works together. In fact, this play’s unique structure is a part of its charm and central message reminding us that we are never alone, and can help each other get through life’s toughest moments.

Before the show begins, the actress will mingle with people throughout the entire audience giving out slips of paper numbered with “brilliant things” to be read aloud when she calls out their corresponding number. Other audience members may also be asked to interact within the context of the story with strong guidance from the actress.

Starring in this show will be Tarah Flanagan. Tarah has previously appeared at The Public Theatre in Private Lives, The Nerd, Almost Maine, The 13th of Paris, The Language Archive, and The Ladies Foursome. A professional actress based in New York, Tarah has performed at some of the finest regional theatres the country as well as on film and tv.  The production will be directed by Laura Kepley, an award-winning artistic leader, director, producer, and educator.  Laura was the Artistic Director of Cleveland Play House for nine years during which time her theatre was awarded the 2015 Regional Theatre Tony Award.

THIS PRODUCTION WILL BE SEATING 24 LUCKY PEOPLE ON THE STAGE for only $20!

Special post-show events will include a free talkback on Sun, Jan 25 and Sat, Feb 1 following the matinee performances. Free Pre-show events included with your ticket will be a wine-tasting on Thurs, Jan 30 and a beer tasting on Sat, Feb 1 before the evening performances. Visit ThePublicTheatre.org for more details.

Every Brilliant Thing runs Jan 24 – Feb 2 at The Public Theatre, Lewiston/Auburn’s Professional Theatre located at 31 Maple St. Thurs-Friday at 7:00pm, Sat at 3pm, Sun at 2pm with a Sat evening show on Feb 1 at 7:30pm. Tickets $35 – $15. Tickets and information at www.ThePublicTheatre.org or 207-782-3200.

Tarah Flanagan, Photo by Roger Mastroianni

LEWISTON, ME – The Central Maine Healthcare (CMH) Board of Directors and Prime Healthcare Foundation (PHF) announced that they have reached an agreement for PHF to become the sole corporate member and parent company of Central Maine Healthcare, pending regulatory approvals.

Under the agreement, Prime Healthcare Foundation, headquartered in Ontario, California, a 501(c)(3) public charity founded in 2006, affiliated with Prime Healthcare and operating 14 not-for-profit hospitals in six states, would become the owner of all CMH services and facilities, which will retain their current names and local leadership. PHF will offer substantially all CMH team members positions at comparable wages and benefits, and they will honor provider and physician contracts.

CMH Chairman of the Board Devore Culver said PHF was chosen after a thorough evaluation of the system’s mission, vision, and values, and a review of their track record of investing in hospitals to improve healthcare, especially in vulnerable communities throughout the country. “I was convinced Prime Healthcare Foundation would be the right partner for Central Maine Healthcare after meeting with their senior leaders and visiting its hospital in Woonsocket, RI,” he said. “We saw first-hand how Prime cares about people, invests in technology, and values community partnerships to secure the vibrant future of critical healthcare resources.”

“Prime Healthcare Foundation has made a tremendous commitment to investing in our people, our facilities and equipment, and to improving access to quality healthcare throughout central Maine,” said CMH Chief Executive Officer Steve Littleson. “As part of Prime Healthcare Foundation, we will now have the capability and the resources to attract and retain top talent, improve quality and access to care, and address unmet healthcare needs across Central Maine.”

Prime Healthcare Foundation has provided more than $3.4 billion in charity care and sponsored local and global initiatives to promote health, support medical education, provide humanitarian aid, expand access to quality compassionate care and address healthcare disparities nationally and globally.

“Prime Healthcare Foundation is a steward of a mission to improve lives and uplift communities by ensuring access to the highest quality, compassionate care when people need it the most,” said Kavitha Bhatia, MD, President and Chair of the Prime Healthcare Foundation. “We look forward to welcoming the CMH staff, physicians, patients, and communities to the Prime family.

Through our dedication to health equity, clinical quality and patient-centered, physician-led care, we are deeply committed to ensuring the CMH legacy continues for generations to come.”

The CMH facilities will have access to Prime Healthcare’s resources and nationally recognized leadership team that currently operates and manages 44 tax-paying and not-for-profit hospitals, more than 300 outpatient locations, and nearly 45,000 employees and affiliated physicians dedicated to providing the highest quality healthcare.

Rebecca Brakeley, MD, CMH’s interim chief medical officer, said, “Prime Healthcare Foundation’s nationally recognized commitment to quality and patient safety, as well as expanding access to medical education, is shared by our 600 medical staff providers who are and will remain dedicated to caring for people in our communities.”

Terms of the agreement include a commitment by Prime Healthcare Foundation to invest $150 million in facility improvements including investments in technology and infrastructure across the system. Charity care and community benefit programs will continue, preserving CMH’s role as a valued community partner.

“We know our team members, patients, and community supporters will have a lot of questions,” said Littleson. “Over the next several months, as we pursue regulatory approvals, we commit to communicating as much as we can, as soon as we can. Until we receive final approvals, our team members will remain focused on taking care of our patients and each other. We appreciate the support of our team members, our patients, and our community as we make this exciting partnership a reality.”

“The people we serve, and our team members who care for them, can look forward to a bright future, full of optimism about what we will do together to provide state-of-the art care in state-of-the-art facilities across central Maine.”