Pen Bay Medical Center
Clinical Expansion
Health Center
The opening of the new 42,000-square-foot Health Center on the campus of PBMC confirms our commitment to expanding primary care as one of the best ways to improve the overall health of our coastal communities.
“We have hired more than 40 providers in recent years, with a focus on primary care,” said Mark Eggena, MD, PhD, chief medical officer at PBMC. “Bringing these providers under one roof allows them to better collaborate to connect patients with the wellness, prevention and specialty services they need, and it makes it easier for patients to access the care they need.”
The Health Center houses Internal Medicine and Family Medicine, Pediatrics and Pediatric Physical and Occupational Therapy, Audiology and Speech Pathology, and the Ear, Nose and Throat practice. It also provides space where specialists from the Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital at Maine Medical Center can meet with patients in Rockport, reducing the need for children with special health needs to travel to Portland.
The Health Center has been funded solely through philanthropic support, including a $2 million gift from MaineHealth and a gift of $500,000 from the Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital at Maine Medical Center. Local corporate donors included Allen Insurance and Financial, Camden National Bank, Horch Roofing and Viking Lumber. Other donors included: The First National Bank, Spectrum Health and CedarWorks. Early foundation contributors include the Sunshine Lady Foundation, the Libra Foundation, the Davis Family Foundation and the Fisher Foundation.
The Your Health Our Future campaign is still raising funds for the Health Center. If you are interested in learning more about the Health Center or the campaign, please visit penbaywaldofoundation.org.
Gastroenterology
To meet growing demand, we expanded Pen Bay Gastroenterology by building a new suite of offices and exam rooms in the Physicians Building on the PBMC campus. The 700-square-foot suite more than doubles the space dedicated to the Gastroenterology Department and includes six exam rooms, waiting room, registration area and administrative offices. Construction started in late winter and was completed in June.
The new suite is an important milestone that highlights the efforts of Kirk Bernadino, MD, who was recruited in 2018 to rebuild the Gastroenterology Department. Before Dr. Bernadino’s arrival, the department provided only limited GI services after the highly respected Neil Smith, MD, retired in 2016 after more than 20 years at PBMC.
“Dr. Smith pioneered gastroenterology in our community,” said Dr. Bernadino. “Establishing a stand-alone Gastroenterology Department and building these facilities are a tribute to his superb clinical skills and his ever-present grace.”
The number of GI visits increased by 58 percent from 2018 to 2019. PBMC Chief Medical Officer Mark Eggena, MD, PhD, attributed that growth to PBMC’s growing reputation. “Our communities recognize that we offer a high level of expertise in gastroenterology right here close to home, and that has led to more people seeking care here rather than traveling to Portland or Bangor,” Dr. Eggena said.
Dr. Eggena tied the increase in referrals to PBMC’s relationship with other hospitals and to an increase in the number of primary care providers at both PBMC and WCGH. “Between PBMC and WCGH, our primary care providers have done a great job caring for our patients by, among other things, screening for gastrointestinal disorders and referring them when necessary.”
The demand is likely to increase. Research shows that there is a need for additional gastroenterologists to care for patients in the 50-mile radius that PBMC serves. PBMC currently has one full-time gastroenterologist and is actively recruiting for another.
Looking Ahead: Walk-In Care, Endoscopy
We have laid the groundwork for two exciting service expansions in 2021.
Both PBMC and WCGH plan to open walk-in care centers during the next fiscal year – examples of our commitment to providing care that improves the overall health of our coastal communities. The benefits of walk-in care include immediate care without an appointment, lowered costs and reduced wait times.
Walk-in care also serves those who do not have a primary care provider. This is important because people who lack a primary care provider at times must seek basic medical care from an emergency department – one of the most expensive places to get health care. The clinic will be able to provide that care at a fraction of the cost.
Walk-in care cannot replace the value of having a primary care provider who looks after your long-term health and well-being. “But they can serve an important role in the overall health care landscape,” said Kent Clark, MD, chief medical officer at WCGH. “Our walk-in care will serve a vital need and help to reduce cost and extend care to a larger number of people in our community.”
In addition, PBMC will expand its endoscopy suite during 2021. The goal is to create a more efficient space for existing providers and to create more room as the endoscopy practice grows to meet increasing demand for its services. We expect this growth to produce positive financial results.
Specialty Services
Cancer Care
Acupuncture
Cardiology
Ear, Nose & Throat
Gastroenterology*
General Surgery
Geriatric Care
Hospice Services
Infectious Disease*
Long-Term Care*
Knox Center
Quarry Hill
Medical & Surgical Skin Services*
Nephrology
Neurology
Orthopedic Surgery
Palliative Medicine
Physical & Integrative Medicine
Physical & Occupational Therapy
Podiatry
Pulmonary
Respiratory Services
Rheumatology
Sleep Services
Speech Therapy
Audiology Services
Pediatric Speech Therapy
Telehealth
Vascular Surgery*
Wound Care
Urology
Women’s Health / OBGYN
Text in blue indicates subcategory
No asterisk – provided both at PBMC and WCGH
*services provided at PBMC only
Coastal Healthcare Alliance | marketing@pbmc.org | pbmc.org | wcgh.org
Waldo County General Hospital
Health Center
The opening of the new 42,000-square-foot Health Center on the campus of PBMC confirms our commitment to expanding primary care as one of the best ways to improve the overall health of our coastal communities.
“We have hired more than 40 providers in recent years, with a focus on primary care,” said Mark Eggena, MD, PhD, chief medical officer at PBMC. “Bringing these providers under one roof allows them to better collaborate to connect patients with the wellness, prevention and specialty services they need, and it makes it easier for patients to access the care they need.”
The Health Center houses Internal Medicine and Family Medicine, Pediatrics and Pediatric Physical and Occupational Therapy, Audiology and Speech Pathology, and the Ear, Nose and Throat practice. It also provides space where specialists from the Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital at Maine Medical Center can meet with patients in Rockport, reducing the need for children with special health needs to travel to Portland.
The Health Center has been funded solely through philanthropic support, including a $2 million gift from MaineHealth and a gift of $500,000 from the Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital at Maine Medical Center. Local corporate donors included Allen Insurance and Financial, Camden National Bank, Horch Roofing and Viking Lumber. Other donors included: The First National Bank, Spectrum Health and CedarWorks. Early foundation contributors include the Sunshine Lady Foundation, the Libra Foundation, the Davis Family Foundation and the Fisher Foundation.
The Your Health Our Future campaign is still raising funds for the Health Center. If you are interested in learning more about the Health Center or the campaign, please visit penbaywaldofoundation.org.
Gastroenterology
To meet growing demand, we expanded Pen Bay Gastroenterology by building a new suite of offices and exam rooms in the Physicians Building on the PBMC campus. The 700-square-foot suite more than doubles the space dedicated to the Gastroenterology Department and includes six exam rooms, waiting room, registration area and administrative offices. Construction started in late winter and was completed in June.
The new suite is an important milestone that highlights the efforts of Kirk Bernadino, MD, who was recruited in 2018 to rebuild the Gastroenterology Department. Before Dr. Bernadino’s arrival, the department provided only limited GI services after the highly respected Neil Smith, MD, retired in 2016 after more than 20 years at PBMC.
“Dr. Smith pioneered gastroenterology in our community,” said Dr. Bernadino. “Establishing a stand-alone Gastroenterology Department and building these facilities are a tribute to his superb clinical skills and his ever-present grace.”
The number of GI visits increased by 58 percent from 2018 to 2019. PBMC Chief Medical Officer Mark Eggena, MD, PhD, attributed that growth to PBMC’s growing reputation. “Our communities recognize that we offer a high level of expertise in gastroenterology right here close to home, and that has led to more people seeking care here rather than traveling to Portland or Bangor,” Dr. Eggena said.
Dr. Eggena tied the increase in referrals to PBMC’s relationship with other hospitals and to an increase in the number of primary care providers at both PBMC and WCGH. “Between PBMC and WCGH, our primary care providers have done a great job caring for our patients by, among other things, screening for gastrointestinal disorders and referring them when necessary.”
The demand is likely to increase. Research shows that there is a need for additional gastroenterologists to care for patients in the 50-mile radius that PBMC serves. PBMC currently has one full-time gastroenterologist and is actively recruiting for another.
Cancer Care
Acupuncture
Cardiology
Ear, Nose & Throat
Gastroenterology*
General Surgery
Geriatric Care
Hospice Services
Infectious Disease*
Long-Term Care*
Knox Center
Quarry Hill
Medical & Surgical Skin Services*
Nephrology
Neurology
Orthopedic Surgery
Palliative Medicine
Physical & Integrative Medicine
Physical & Occupational Therapy
Podiatry
Pulmonary
Respiratory Services
Rheumatology
Sleep Services
Speech Therapy
Audiology Services
Pediatric Speech Therapy
Telehealth
Vascular Surgery*
Wound Care
Urology
Women’s Health / OBGYN