Maine Memory Network

In 1980, G. Peirce Webber is presented the distinguished service award.

A multi-disciplinary back pain clinic begins service.

Alice Wilson, a volunteer since 1971, earns EMMC's first 10,000-hour volunteer pin.

Critical care unit is updated with computerized heart monitors and additional wireless heart monitoring units. . .Risk management program begins.

Douglas H. Brown is elected president in 1981, succeeding Edward M. Stone.

Hadley Parrot, M.D., receives the distinguished service award.

A new family-centered maternity unit and the Hilda C. Rosen Neonatal Special Care Unit open on the newly constructed Level 7 of the main building.

A radiation oncology section is added with the appointment of Peter M. Lambert, M.D.

Trustees approve the development of a baccalaureate nursing program in affiliation with Husson College.

EMMC Federal Credit Union opens.

Camp Kee-to-Kin holds its first session for children with diabetes and their families, at Hershey Retreat in Stockton Springs.

The first mainframe computer comes on-line.

A new cell separator enhances care in the cancer clinic.

EMMC volunteers donate 40,000 hours of service.

In 1982, Level 6 in the main building opens for medical/surgical patients.

In August, Level 7 comes into service for family-centered maternity care, including the Auxiliary Newborn Nursery and the Hilda C. Rosen Neonatal Special Care Unit.

EMMC and the Maine State Nurses Association reach their first contractual agreement.

Main patient building is named in memory of John F. Grant, honoring "the dedication of a man who served the medical center in one leadership position after another for 20 years."

Lucy Arbo, L.P.N., long time EMMC volunteer, receives the distinguished service award.

A Children's Endowment Fund established by the Auxiliary with the fulfillment of a $100,000 pledge.

A new CT body scanner comes into service in the Dr. Samuel J. and Doris C. Rosen Center for Advanced Radiology.

The first argonkrypton laser is acquired to treat eye ailments.

The Wing property on State Street, housing physician offices, is purchased; 150 new parking spaces are gained.

In 1983, members of the corporation approve a major reorganization that creates Eastern Maine Healthcare, the non-profit and community owned corporate parent of the medical center and all its related activities. The goal is to "assure community control in order to make available high quality health care at the lowest possible cost."

EMH enables greater efficiency and economies of scale through new or reorganized activities: Affiliated Services provides computing, billing and data processing; Affiliated Laboratory is an off-campus reference lab; Affiliated Materiel Services enables group purchasing and warehousing.

Robert N. Haskell is presented the distinguished service award.

Energy conservation continues as a top priority: in the past two years oil consumption has dropped by 127,000 gallons, even with the opening of two new patient floors on Grant 6 and 7.

Consolidated Alcohol Institute opens in renovated space on Phillips-Oliver 3 and Kelley 3.

New "progressive care unit" on Grant 5 allows some patients earlier transfer from ICU.

In-the-field defibrillation is now available, with equipment purchased by EMMC and operated by local emergency services personnel trained at EMMC.

A second linear accelerator is installed in the Rosen Cancer Center.

Grant 6 West is designated smoke-free.

Home renal dialysis program is initiated.

In 1984, the outpatient surgery center opens in a space made available by the transfer of supplies and laboratory to off-campus sites.

Edward M. Stone is presented the distinguished service award.

"EMH is evolving as an overall plan for coping with our future...through 12 components, each independent but united through the common mission of Eastern Maine Healthcare."

New federal and state "cap" systems begin, including flat-rate reimbursement for Medicare patients based on diagnostic related groups (DRGs), and the establishment of a state commission empowered to impose ceilings on how much hospitals may charge for patient services.

Valet parking service begins.

EMMC Employee Fitness Center opens in what was originally built as a kitchen in the 1910 domestic building.

In 1985, "The task for the future will be to continue to take very good care of the acutely ill for that brief and critical time, while developing affordable, appropriate alternatives that meet with comparable quality the needs of non-acute patients in cooperation with other agencies, we can provide...a continuum of care."

Charles O. McEvoy Jr., M.O., is presented the distinguished service award.

Paul H. LaMarche, M.D., is named medical director.

The EMMC School of Nursing, founded in 1892, graduates its last class; the transition to a baccalaureate program in affiliation with Husson College is complete.

The Follies raises $20,000 toward the Auxiliary's pacesetting $350,000 pledge to the campaign to bring cardiac surgery to eastern Maine.

Lifeline program is started, offering an immediate assistance link to EMMC.

Participation in a national purchasing network saves $350,000 in supply costs this year.

A stereotactic head frame enables neurosurgeons to implant radioactive seeds within the brain, with minimum damage to surrounding skull and tissue.

High-resolution ultrasound and fluoroscopy benefits kidney stone patients.

Patients are assigned a personal account representative to answer questions about charges or insurance coverage.

As the 1986 concludes, nearly $4-million has been pledged to the campaign for "complete heart care closer to home." "No matter how often we say thank you to those who have supported the Campaign for the Heart, the most profound feelings of gratitude are yet to come. After all, it's for patients and their families that we have worked so hard." -- Campaign Chairman Doug Brown

G. Clifton Eames is elected board chairman, succeeding Douglas H. Brown.

The trustee's distinguished service award is presented to Douglas H. Brown.

Riverside Inn, operated by private developers in the EMH-owned former nurses residence, opens to the public. The inn offers convenience for patients and families who travel from outlying communities for outpatient treatment.

Husson/EMMC Baccalaureate Nursing Program graduates its first class.

Outpatient surgery has increased by 70 percent since 1984.

The Healthy Heart program promotes a preventive approach to heart disease through community health education.

Trustees vote to file a Certificate of Need application for an expanded emergency services area.

EMMC Allergy Index debuts on local TV and radio stations and in the Bangor Daily News.

Health Talk, a community health education radio talk show, features EMMC staff discussing current topics in health.

"C-Arm" X-ray equipment in the emergency department minimizes the need to move trauma patients.

In July 1987, the EMMC Heart Center admits the first surgery patient; and in October the Yacavone Cardiac Laboratory opens, making angioplasty available.

New outpatient services area on level II opens with renovated space for ophthalmology, gastroenterology, vascular and EEG services.

Thomas H. Palmer, Jr., M.D., is presented the distinguished service award.

Five-story Webber Office Building addition opens.

EMH and Jackson Brook Institute of Portland conduct a joint study of the unmet needs of psychiatric patients; a certificate of need is filed proposing construction of an 80-bed psychiatric hospital.

New physician referral service is operated by Affiliated Healthcare Systems.

Camp Grand offers a special Kee-to-Kin program for children with diabetes and their grandparents.

Wing Park Children's Center opens in affiliation with the YWCA, offering day care for employee children.

Loss prevention department is established to coordinate work place safety programs.

Transcutaneous oxygen monitor in the Rosen Neonatal Unit enables needle-free measurement in the tiniest newborns.

In 1988, a healthcare mall in the Stetson Building houses a center for continuing care information; Hospice of Eastern Maine; EMMC Hearing Center; and Affiliated Pharmacy.

The distinguished service award is presented to Wilma A. Bradford.

In its first year, the EMMC Heart Center posts 305 surgeries, 113 angioplasties, and 1,164 catheterizations. EMH Rosscare develops plans to build a nursing home and joins First Atlantic Corporation in the purchase of a 60- bed nursing home in Dexter; currently, a daily average of 42 EMMC patients await nursing home placement.

School of Anesthesia affiliates with Central Connecticut State University; graduates are awarded masters in biology with specialization in nurse anesthesia.

In 1989, the annual report notes, "As a not-for-profit organization, EMH has no stock to issue, no dollar dividends to declare. All money that comes in is returned to the community as new or existing health care services. And regardless of ability to pay, no one who needs care is turned away from our doors. The 'owners' and directors of EMH are the people of the communities we serve, people who invest their time and energy to make quality health care available for their families and neighbors."

Distinguished service awards are presented to M. Marteile Benson, R.N., and G. Marlys Clark, R.N.

In May, the Women's Center at Eastern Maine opens, providing mammography services and coordinating educational programs.

The Clinic for Cancer and Blood Disorders moves from the Grant to the Webber Building.

"Pediatric care at EMMC continues to grow toward a vision of the future which includes an area dedicated more exclusively to the health needs of children."

This year, the emergency department staff treated more than 43,000 patients in space designed for 25,000 visits annually; plans for expansion move forward.