Hospital exploring partnership with EMHS
By Nick McCrea
BDN Staff
DOVER-FOXCROFT — Mayo Regional Hospital is in the midst of partnership discussions with one of the state’s largest health care organizations.
At its July meeting, Mayo’s trustees voted to sign a letter of intent to “explore collaborative opportunities” with Eastern Maine Healthcare Systems, according to James Godley, Mayo’s vice president of human resources.
“The decision to more closely align with EMHS came in large part as a result of several collaborative programs that are already in place between Mayo Regional and EMMC/EMHS, and the strong clinical benefit these have provided to our region,” Godley added.
EMHS has similar “strategic partnerships” with Northern Maine Medical Center in Fort Kent and Down East Community Hospital in Machias, according to EMHS Chief Communications Officer Suzanne Spruce. Those agreements took effect in May.
“Essentially, strategic network participants purchase select EMHS services to help improve the cost and quality of the care they provide locally,” Spruce said. “Services might include such things as education and training, peer review and supply chain.”
Hospitals that form these partnerships retain their independence but aren’t precluded from joining EMHS in the future if conditions are right, Spruce added. EMHS has nine member hospitals and more than 30 member nursing homes, home health groups, transportation groups and other organizations.
Godley said the partnership will improve Mayo’s programs and help control the cost of health care in the region. He said more information would be shared as officials from EMHS and Mayo discuss the details of the plan.
“We are confident that the resources and expertise of EMHS will assist Mayo in retaining access to local services, and will improve the health of our population in Piscataquis, Penobscot and Somerset Counties,” Godley said. “As these discussions progress, we will do our very best to be as transparent with information as possible and keep our employees, patients and communities apprised of the progress.”