Date: 05/06/2022

Northern Light CA Dean Hospital celebrates groundbreaking


On May 4, CA Dean and Northern Light Health leaders and staff gathered with donors, local and regional officials, and community members to celebrate the start of construction on the Moosehead Lake Region’s new hospital.

“Today we reflect on our roots in the booming lumber industry of a century ago while focusing on the future of healthcare in our region, anchored by a modern, patient and family-focused hospital that will serve our community for decades to come. We’ve been anticipating the start of construction for a long time, and now, the day is finally here,” says Marie Vienneau, FACHE, president, CA Dean Hospital and senior vice president, Northern Light Health.

The new main hospital building will house five private rooms with acute/swing beds, a 24/7 emergency department, and imaging and lab services. A new, separate ambulance station and an FAA-approved helipad will also be built. The existing East Wing will be renovated to house 10 private rooms with swing beds. The design and technological capabilities of the hospital will streamline care provided by the CA Dean team and provide rapid access to experts in Bangor and beyond, when needed.

“The new hospital will provide us with better tools and a modern space that meets today’s standards of care. The best part is the long-term commitment it represents for our patients, communities, and staff. We know that CA Dean will be here today, tomorrow, and far into the future,” says Joseph Babbitt, MD, a CA Dean physician and Chief of the Medical Staff.

More than $6.2 million of the $23.1 million project is supported by philanthropy through the Preserving the Promise capital campaign, which was completed in just ten months. Hundreds of individuals, local businesses, foundations, and CA Dean team members donated to the campaign, including the late philanthropist Dr. Peter Buck, who provided $4 million in support. Both the new main hospital building and the ambulance station will be named in honor of the Buck Family.

“We’re grateful for Dr. Buck’s extraordinary generosity, and thankful to every person who contributed to the campaign. We would not be here today celebrating this special moment without an engaged community that understands how important this hospital is to our region. Their support will touch the lives of year-round and seasonal residents and visitors to our beautiful corner of the world for decades to come,” adds Vienneau.

Sitework is now underway at the CA Dean campus. The new hospital is expected to open in the summer of 2023, and renovations to the East Wing and site demolition will be complete in 2024. WBRC, Inc. is the project architect and Dunbar & Brawn is the general contractor.