January 2022 Machias – DECH welcomes its first baby of 2022!
Kristi Doten and Dan Jones’ daughter, Indira, was born at Down East Community Hospital on January 5 at 8:48am. Indira weighed in at 5 pounds and 6 ounces and was 19 ½” long. DECH presented the family with a gift basket full of items for Indira. The basket also contained several gift certificates for her parents.
Congratulations from the OB staff and everyone at DECH on the birth of your beautiful daughter!
July 2021 Calais – July 1, 2021, marks the day that Calais Regional Hospital transitioned out of bankruptcy and became Calais Community Hospital (CCH). To commemorate the day and celebrate new beginnings, CCH staff members were treated to pizza and ice cream; many sported their “Two Hospitals, One Team, One Focus” t-shirts.
DECH and CCH, President & CEO, Steve Lail, “It feels really good to officially bring Calais Community Hospital and all its staff into the fold and we look forward to many years of service to the community. We have all worked hard these last two months putting things into place to ensure we maintain some solid footing. We had to make some difficult and sometimes unpopular decisions along the way. These decisions were not made lightly but were needed to maintain core operations, to become sustainable, and to work towards being a stable organization. Our plans for the facility remain the same as they were when we began this endeavor. We want Calais to have a fully functioning hospital and want to bring back full-time general surgery, add primary care providers, and eventually bring additional specialties that will benefit all of Washington County. The hospital still does not earn enough patient revenue to pay its operating expenses, so the work to get the hospital on solid ground will continue. We all need to work together to stabilize this hospital and make our new mini healthcare system financially strong. It will take time to get us to that point but once we stabilize, we hope to rebuild bigger and better than before.”
Down East Community Hospital, through an affiliated entity and with the cooperation of many of the creditors of Calais Regional Hospital, acquired substantially all the assets of CRH. The petition to acquire the hospital was filed with the bankruptcy court on February 19, 2021; it was approved by bankruptcy judge presiding over the chapter 11 bankruptcy case of CRH on March 24, 2021.
June 2021 Machias – On June 23, Down East Community Hospital held its 2021 Annual Meeting of Corporators to report on the accomplishments of 2020.
DECH, CEO, Steve Lail, “We are pleased to announce that DECH had another strong financial year in 2020 and are proud to continue to maintain and support a variety of services to our community, especially during the pandemic. Even without the support of the stimulus funds, the hospital was able to maintain its profitability. We were able to update equipment and the facility. We purchased a new CT Scanner and Digital Imaging equipment and expanded the Pharmacy and the Infusion Clinic. We also began construction on the Family Practice Clinic in East Machias. We remained financially strong throughout the year because our community continued to support our hospital throughout the pandemic by using our services and by giving a hand wherever they could. We are grateful for them and our dedicated staff.”
Three new Trustees have joined the DECH Board: Ian Pratt of Calais, Gwen Jones of Pembroke, and Judd Bragg of Machias. Four new Corporators were also added: Aleisha Milburn of Eastport, Todd Smith of Perry, Robert Lacy of Jonesboro, Alfred May of Trescott, and Benjamin Edwards of Machias. Down East Community Hospital is pleased to welcome them to the organization and look forward to their participation in future meetings and activities.
Dr. Eric Burke and Wayne Peters completed their years of service, and we want to take this opportunity to publicly thank them for the countless hours dedicated to our hospital. Dr. Burke served 12 years during which he served as Quality Improvement Patient Safety Chair, Vice Chair and Chairman. Wayne Peters served 9 years during which he served as Governance Chair, Board Secretary, Vice Chair and most recently Chairman. They will be greatly missed.
We would also like to thank all who currently sit on the DECH Board of Trustees: Kathy Land, Chair; Lisa Carlisle, Vice Chair; Michael Hennessey, Treasurer; Nate Martell, Secretary; Jack Corrigan; Jackie O’Clair; Betty (BJ) Marshall; Rose St. Louis; Corey Schwinn; Karen Eldridge; Dr. Rita Ten; Dr. Christian Inegbenijie; Gwen Jones; Ian Pratt; Judd Bragg. The time they dedicate to this hospital is invaluable and deeply appreciated.
An electronic copy of the 2020 Annual Report is on the DECH website at www.dech.org/About Us/Annual Report.
March 2021 Machias – Today, the bankruptcy court approved Down East Community Hospital’s (DECHs) petition to purchase Calais Regional Hospital. DECH, through an affiliated entity, and with the cooperation of many of the creditors of Calais Regional Hospital (CRH), filed papers to acquire Calais Regional Hospital with the bankruptcy court on February 19, 2021.
DECH, President & CEO, Steve Lail, “We are pleased with the court’s decision and are eager to get started. The court appointed Plan Officer, Mark Stickney, has assigned a Management Service Agreement with Calais Community Hospital, which allows us to provide management services to CRH until the closing of the sale which is scheduled to take place in June. Our Senior Leaders began those services today. We look forward to this new journey and to building new relationships with the staff at CRH and the Calais community.”
March 2021 Machias – Down East Community Hospital (DECH) has been named one of America’s Best Hospitals for Emergency Care by the Women’s Choice Award®, America’s trusted referral source for the best in healthcare. The award signifies that DECH is in the top 5% of 4,542 U.S. hospitals offering emergency care services.
DECH CEO, Steve Lail, on receiving the award, “We are proud to receive this award and proud of all the staff who provided the special care that earned this recognition for our Emergency Department and our hospital. We do not take this recognition for granted; we will continue to strive to provide top quality care because that is what we should do, that is what our patients deserve.”
The methodology for America’s Best Hospitals for Emergency Care award is unique in that it combines Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) survey results with primary research about women’s healthcare preferences. The award recognizes excellence in emergency care based on several process of care measures focused on time patients spent in the emergency department, including:
Criteria for selecting Down East Community Hospital as one of America’s Best also included the percentage of patients who came to the emergency department with stroke symptoms who received brain scan results within 45 minutes of arrival. Also included this year were hospitals that performed well in responding to patients showing symptoms of severe sepsis, a very dangerous condition. The awarded hospitals represent those with emergency departments with average measure times in the highest 25th to 50th percentile in the country. Hospitals received additional credit if they have an accredited trauma center.
The award is especially significant given that long waits and high crowding can negatively impact patient outcomes, including patients leaving without receiving medical treatment, longer overall length of hospital stay and an increase in mortality rates. “We have found that recommendations are an important consideration used by women in selecting a hospital for themselves and their family. By helping women know which hospitals in their area provide the best critical care, we are able to help them make better decisions, especially when it comes to emergency situations,” says Delia Passi, CEO and Founder of the Women’s Choice Award. “Women make over 80% of healthcare decisions and have demanding lifestyles and we help simplify her life by making it easy for her to find the best care in those stressful emergency situations.”
DECH is one of 477 award recipients representing the hospitals that have met the highest standards for emergency care in the U.S. by the Women’s Choice Award. For more information about the America’s Best Hospitals for Emergency Care, please visit https://womenschoiceaward.com/best-emergency-care
ABOUT THE WOMEN’S CHOICE AWARD®
The Women’s Choice Award for Best Hospitals™ is a trusted referral source and coveted credential that identifies the nation’s best hospitals based on robust criteria that includes relevant clinical performance, patient satisfaction and appropriate accreditations. The Best Hospitals demonstrate exceptional ratings, providing the highest level of care and commitment to their patients’ health and well-being. The Women’s Choice Award is the only designation that takes into consideration the preferences of women when selecting a hospital. Visit http://www.womenschoiceaward.com/ to learn more.
The information contained in this release is not permitted to be used in a non-press related context without the express prior written consent of the Women’s Choice Award.
February 2021 Machias – Down East Community Hospital (“DECH”), through an affiliated entity, with the cooperation of many of the creditors of Calais Regional Hospital (“CRH”), announces its intention to acquire substantially all the assets of CRH. Paperwork was filed with the bankruptcy court today outlining the specifics of the potential purchase and it now awaits approval from the bankruptcy judge presiding over the chapter 11 bankruptcy case of CRH.
CRH entered chapter 11 bankruptcy in September 2019 and, since that time, has continued to provide medical services to the people of Washington County. DECH has been interested in purchasing the hospital out of chapter 11 for many months.
DECH, President & CEO, Steve Lail, “Our plans are for the facility to remain a fully functioning hospital and we hope to bring back full-time general surgery, add primary care providers, and eventually bring additional specialties that will benefit all of Washington County.”
CEO, Steve Lail, “We took on this endeavor because we strongly believe that having a thriving, financially stable hospital in Calais is crucial if the health care needs of all those in Sunrise County are to be met. As previously stated, we want to maintain a fully functioning hospital in Calais. Our leadership team, that has facilitated years of positive growth at DECH, will oversee both hospitals. They will establish financial integrity by improving profits while reducing overall expenses, and they will lessen the administrative burden. Calais wants a hospital for the long-term and so do we. We will bring all the skills and tools we have used to strengthen DECH and use them to rebuild and strengthen sustainable health care services for the people of Calais and neighboring towns. We will be two hospitals, with one team, and one focus.”
Our mission is to improve the health of the people in the Sunrise County by being as passionate, determined, and resilient as those we serve by balancing exceptional service, financial integrity, current technology, staff satisfaction and collaborative community involvement. Our pledge to you is that we will live our mission.
January 2021 Machias – DECH welcomes its first baby of 2021! Amber Norton gave birth to Neil Raymond Horn on January 1, 2021 at 7:20pm. Neil, who weighed in at 8 pounds, 10 ounces, is the wonderful addition to the family of Amber Norton and Calvin Horn and his two “big” sisters Audree and Brielle.
Amber Norton and Calvin Horn of Columbia, pictured with their son Neil Raymond Horn, were presented with a New Year’s Baby basket filled with gifts from DECH and area businesses. Amber and Calvin were happy to be presented with the basket that overflowed with gifts from Down East Community Hospital and area businesses.
Mom and baby were cared for throughout the pregnancy by Christian Inegbenijie, MD and Nurse Midwife, Bjarni Thomas. Congratulations from the OB staff and everyone at DECH on the birth of your son!
Thank you to all who helped us welcome Neil Raymond Horn to our Community: Archibald’s, Bangor Savings Bank, Berry Vines, Bluebird Restaurant, Hammond Lumber, Hannaford’s, Kay Richmond, Machias River General Store, Machias Savings Bank, Tom’s Mini Mart, True Value, Viking Lumber, Dead River Company, Pat’s Pizza.
December 2020 Machias – On Monday, December 21, Down East Community received its first shipment of 200 Moderna COVID-19 vaccines for staff and held its first clinic on Wednesday, December 23 where 73 staff were vaccinated. This group will be ready for its second dose of the vaccine on January 20, 2021.
The DECH Pharmacist and staff, the Quality Department, and Infection Preventionist did a fantastic job obtaining the vaccines, coordinating the clinics, and vaccinating staff. Everything went smoothly, and we are ready for the staff clinics scheduled for the week of the 28th and the week of January 4.
Vice President of Quality, Monique Mills, BSN, RN, CIC, on the first clinic, “This was a special day for DECH and our community. It feels like the start of hope and light in this dark pandemic. It was so amazing to see the excitement in the healthcare worker’s eyes as they received their first dose. I’m so thankful to everyone for all their hard work on clinic and to all the staff for all they have done since the pandemic began.”
CEO, Steve Lail, “As with the rest of the country, we do not yet know when the vaccine will be available to the general public, but we are optimistic that things will move as quickly as possible and are looking forward to that day. Beginning the vaccination process before 2021 is a phenomenal feat and we are so thankful. However, the infection rates in Maine and across the nation continue to rise. We implore everyone to continue to wear their mask, sanitize their hands, and keep their distance. We are almost there, let’s make it to the finish line.”
November 2020 Machias – DECH bids a fond farewell to Urologist, Dr. Dhanvant Rathod, for 16 years of dedicated service. And, gives a warm welcome to Dr. Mark Hirschhorn who will begin practicing at DECH in January.
Dr. Dhanvant Rathod has traveled the roads between Machias and New York for 16 years for the Urology practice at Down East Community Hospital (DECH). We appreciate his resolute determination to maintain urologic services in Washington County and his commitment to the community and DECH. There would have been many who would have had to travel long distances for urologic services if Dr. Rathod’s expertise was not available in Washington County. “He has been a kind and gentle presence in the DECH family; He will be greatly missed. We wish him many years of happiness and good health.” Steve Lail, CEO.
While Dr. Rathod will be missed, we are pleased to announce that urologic services will remain in Washington County. We would like you to join us in giving a warm welcome to Dr. Mark Hirschhorn who will begin practicing at DECH on January 5, 2021. Dr. Hirschhorn comes to us from SMHC Urology and York County Urology, LLC, in Biddeford, where he has practiced for the last 22 years. Dr. Hirschhorn received his Doctor of Medicine (MD) at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons and completed his residency at Lahey Clinic Medical Center in Burlington, MA.
Dr. Hirschhorn provides urologic care to men and women. Some of his specialties include: Voiding Dysfunction, Hypogonadism – Low Testosterone; Erectile Dysfunction; Stone Disease; Cancers of the kidney, prostate and bladder. Some of the many services he provides include: Minimally Invasive Surgery for Enlarged Prostate (Urolift, REZUM), Greenlight Laser Vaporization of Prostate; Laparoscopic Kidney Surgery; Bioidentical Hormone Replacement; Penile Injection Therapy and Inflatable Penile Prosthesis Implantation for Erectile Dysfunction; Minimally Invasive LASER stone surgery; BOTOX Treatment for overactive Bladder; No Scalpel Vasectomy.
Dr. Hirschhorn’s practice will be located at 229 Main Street in Machias. An appointment can be made with him through a referral or by calling his office directly at (207) 255-5600.
October 2020 Machias – Calais Regional Hospital will soon become Calais Community Hospital; a division of Down East Community Hospital. After many months of meetings, the DECH leadership and Board was convinced that, if we were to live our mission, we needed to do our part to ensure that Calais has a hospital for the long term. We are certain that the people of Calais and the surrounding towns want that, and we want that too.
The hospital’s new name will be Calais Community Hospital. The new name signals a new beginning and fits the DECH brand. Many may be concerned about our intentions for the Calais Hospital; we want to address those concerns. We want to maintain a fully functioning hospital in Calais. Our leadership team, that has facilitated years of positive growth at DECH, will oversee both hospitals. They will establish financial integrity by improving profits while reducing overall expenses, and they will lessen the administrative burden. They will bring all the skills and tools they have used to strengthen DECH and use them to rebuild and strengthen sustainable health care services for the people of Calais and neighboring towns.
Our organization decided to take on and embrace this endeavor because we strongly believe that having a thriving, financially stable hospital in Calais is crucial if the health care needs of all those in Washington County are to be met. We did not make this decision lightly. There were many months of planning and vetting. We moved ahead because it became clear we should, not only because we are confident in the abilities of our team, but also because we could not sit idly by and do nothing.
Our Pledge to You – We Will Live Our Mission
Our mission is to improve the health of the people in the Sunrise County by being as passionate, determined and resilient as those we service by balancing exceptional services, financial integrity, current technology, staff satisfaction and collaborative community involvement.
