CA Dean Hospital reflects on successful year, looks ahead to new hospital and ambulance station
GREENVILLE — Winter’s grip has taken hold on Piscataquis County, but the recent snowy weather has not hindered progress on one of the largest construction projects in the Moosehead Lake Region’s history. Work continues on the new Northern Light CA Dean Hospital in anticipation of a 2023 opening.
“The new main hospital structure, named the Buck Family Building, is really starting to take shape,” says Marie Vienneau, FACHE, president, Northern Light CA Dean Hospital. “Roof, soffit, and slab work continue, and interior framing will ramp up soon. Crews will be working over the next few weeks to fully close the building in.”
Like every successful construction project, the CA Dean Modernization Project has faced a few bumps in the road. Due to the worker shortage that many businesses are feeling, the construction crew has experienced delays in finishing the Buck Family Ambulance Station, which had been scheduled to open before winter. Fortunately, a temporary home for the hospital’s ambulances was found before the cold weather set in.
NEW HOSPITAL — Work continues on the new Northern Light CA Hospital in Greenville, with opening planned for 2023. The new main hospital is the Buck Family Building.
“Our equipment remains warm and secure in between calls in the Bartley Barn just down the street from the hospital,” adds Vienneau. “Northern Light CA Dean Hospital is grateful to the Bartley Family for working with us on a temporary solution for housing our ambulances. Together, we were able to find a solution that has no impact on patient care.”
The construction progress caps off a year marked by the community’s generosity, a transformational gift, and the celebration of key milestones. In January, CA Dean Hospital announced that it had received a $3.5 million donation from Dr. Peter Buck just months after the late Subway co-founder and Maine native made an anonymous $500,000 challenge grant gift. Dr. Buck’s gift of $4 million in total giving completed the $6.2 million Preserving the Promise capital campaign.
Northern Light Health staff, local and regional officials, and community members gathered on May 4 to break ground on the new building. On Sept. 9, a Topping Off Ceremony was held to celebrate the structural completion of the main hospital building.
“The past year was truly extraordinary for CA Dean,” adds Vienneau. “Now, we look ahead to a year that will be unlike any other in the hospital’s long history. The people of our region deserve to have access to a modern hospital that will serve our area for generations to come. We cannot wait to celebrate the opening of the building with you.”