Northern Light Health presents the True North Philanthropy Award to Hibbard-Merrill, Merrill
Northern Light Health recently presented Jane Hibbard-Merrill and Charlie Merrill with the 2025 True North Philanthropy Award.
The annual True North Awards are a statewide recognition program honoring individuals and teams who exemplify the Northern Light Health promise. The True North Philanthropy Award specifically recognizes a person or organization whose charitable giving has significantly advanced Northern Light Health’s mission.
“Jane and Charlie have been extraordinary supporters of cancer care in rural Maine,” says Cynthia Faulkner, president, Northern Light Health Foundation. “Time and again they’ve identified opportunities to enhance care for cancer patients in their communities and stepped forward to make a difference. They help keep care close to home because they keep Maine in their hearts.”
PHILANTHROPY HONOR — Jane Hibbard-Merrill and Charlie Merrill were presented with the Northern Light Health True North Philanthropy Award at a recent Northern Light Mayo Hospital Board of Trustees meeting. From left, Guy Hudson, MD, president and CEO, Northern Light Health; Charlie Merrill; Jane Hibbard-Merrill; and Randy Clark, senior vice president of Northern Light Health and president, Northern Light CA Dean, Mayo, and Sebasticook Valley Hospitals.
In 2017 Jane made a generous memorial gift in honor of her daughter Tracy Hibbard Kasprzak, establishing the Tracy Hibbard Kasprzak Cancer Treatment Center and enabling the expansion of oncology services at Northern Light Mayo Hospital. The Cancer Center contains comfortable, private treatment spaces, a transfusion area, telemedicine capability and private consultation rooms.
Jane and Charlie have provided additional support to the cancer center over the years, including a 2024 gift to purchase four heated massage infusion treatment chairs. The chairs have improved patient comfort during treatment, which can often last several hours.
Jane and Charlie’s leadership also extends to community engagement. They are the founding sponsor of the Walk for Hope, Piscataquis County’s signature cancer care fundraiser. In just two years Walk for Hope participants have raised more than $80,000 to fund patient-focused enhancements and help patients directly through Mayo Hospital’s Patient Assistance Fund.
“Their generosity, dedication, and partnership embody the very best of Northern Light Health and make them profoundly deserving of this recognition,” adds Faulkner. “We are deeply grateful to Jane and Charlie for their commitment to cancer care — their kindness lights the way forward for patients and families and will make a lasting difference years to come.”