C. A. Dean Memorial Hospital Golden Opportunities Campaign

2005 has been an exciting year C. A. Dean Memorial Hospital.  In recent months, we've acquired state-of-the-art diagnostic technology with the installation of PACS (Picture Archiving and Communications System) enabling C. A. Dean physicians to transmit digital images to radiology specialists at Eastern Maine Medical Center - or other specialty centers throughout the world - for consults which assure our patients the quickest, best diagnosis and prescribed treatments.  In addition, we have acquired a CT scanner, which began use June 1 and in the first two weeks of operation exceeded the use projected for the entire month.  Its use continues to exceed all previous projections!

Three years ago, C. A. Dean launched the initial phase of its first capital campaign in 38 years.  Since raising the money and implementing the initial goals of the campaign - including the installation of our Lifeflight of Maine helipad - we've had an opportunity to further evaluate who we are, where we come from and where we need to be to continue to provide for the healthcare needs of the people of the Moosehead Lake region.  With the recent advances in diagnostic capabilities, and in keeping with our designation as a critical access hospital, C. A. Dean is well-positioned to take the next steps forward.

While we are ever mindful of the richness of our past and the need to preserve that heritage, we are also conscious of the need to build for the future.  With that in mind, we are now moving forward to address the immediate and future needs of C. A. Dean as a community and critical access hospital.  Hospital staff named this project our Golden Opportunities Campaign.  It will address the need for an expanded ER-OR trauma unit with outpatient surgical facilities, and a medical office building to better serve patient needs for family practice and clinical care services.

Our Golden Opportunities Campaign goal is $2.3M of which we have already raised $985,254 – sufficient to prepare for construction of the new Northwoods Practice Medical Office Building. With the continued support of community leaders, fulltime and seasonal residents and grants from charitable foundations, we hope to reach the second phase of our goal for the new ER/OR Trauma Unit within the next 18 months.

We've already made our personal commitments to this goal, as have 100% of the members of the C. A. Dean board and campaign cabinet.  Employee and community support is growing every day as can be attested by published endorsements from the Greenville and Shirley boards of selectmen, the Moosehead Lake Chamber of Commerce and the Moosehead Region Economic Development Committee.

Community support in the past was the foundation of our success.  Now we hope we can count on you to walk the extra mile in assuring that C. A. Dean will be equipped to meet your healthcare needs when and if you – or a loved one – are ever a patient.  Please join us with your support.

This is, indeed, our Golden Opportunity in healthcare for the people who live and recreate in this area of Maine.  Help us assure a bright new beginning for our community's economic development and our hospital's healthcare services.