A newsletter of health information from Mayo Regional Hospital * Fall 2000
 The seven-member Plummer Memorial Foundation Board of Directors presented Ralph Gabarro, Mayo's Chief Executive Officer, with a check for $50,000 following their 10th annual meeting. "Our board was is very supportive and happy to help Mayo, and we feel this will be a great kickoff for their campaign and provide some momentum," said Plummer President Richard Pfirman. "We're trying to cultivate and grow our relationship with Mayo because this is our medical facility and where we go for care. By making a significant donation, it helps to reinforce our support for our local hospital, which happens to be in Dover-Foxcroft now." Funds from the Plummer Memorial Foundation originated from the former Plummer Memorial Hospital in Dexter, which closed in 1982 when that community joined Hospital Administrative District 4. HAD 4, comprised of 12 towns in Piscataquis, Penobscot and Somerset counties, owns and operates Mayo Regional Hospital and physician practices. "This generous leadership gift from the Plummer Memorial Foundation underscores the regional nature of Mayo's mission and shows the hospital's strong support from the Dexter community," said Gabarro. Gabarro said a second donation from the Dexter area has boosted Mayo's Capital Campaign to a total of $125,000. The hospital has received a $75,000 unrestricted grant from the final distribution of the Peter S. Plouff Charitable Trust, established by the late Dexter businessman. Fleet Bank of Maine acted as a co-trustee of the Plouff Trust. Mayo intends to raise $300,000 through its Capital Campaign for the Emergency Department portion of a large-scale hospital construction and renovation project scheduled to start in spring, 2001. The entire project is estimated at $6.3 million, of which $1 million has been earmarked for a larger Emergency Department. Gabarro said the Emergency Department expansion was selected as the basis for the Capital Campaign because of its critical role in the regional healthcare system. Mayo's ER is open 24 hours a day and treated 11,138 patients in 2000. Plummer has supported local health-related projects, including previous donations both to Mayo and the hospital's Heartwise and Lifeline programs, but the foundation's $50,000 gift is its largest ever. |
observes 15th anniversary Out of that initial meeting has grown Pine Tree Hospice, a volunteer-based, non-profit group of caring men and women trained to help people who are dealing with terminal illness or grieving the loss of a loved one. Pine Tree Hospice is now fully incorporated, a member of both the National Hospice Organization and the Maine Hospice Council, and licensed by the state of Maine. It is governed by a nine-person Board of Directors made up of community members, employs Theresa Boettner as part-time director and Linda Hall as a part-time bereavement coordinator, and has an active staff of 60 volunteers. Pine Tree Hospice will mark 15 years of growth and service at its annual meeting and celebration scheduled for Monday, Nov. 27, at the Dover-Foxcroft Congregational Church. The annual meeting starts at 5:30 p.m., and the 15th-year celebration will be from 6:30-8 p.m. On Sunday, Nov. 19, Hospice will sponsor "An Afternoon of Beautiful Music" from 1-3 p.m., also at the Congregational Church. And on Saturday, Dec. 2, the Annual Remembrance Service starts 2 p.m. at the Unitarian-Universalist Church in Sangerville. Although much has changed with Pine Tree Hospice since 1985, much has remained the same. Dr. Lesley Fernow has served as volunteer medical director all 15 years. Out of seven members of hospice’s first, interim board, four members -- Kathy Malatesta, Ethel Ayres, Rev. Ken Dale and Dr. Fernow -- are still active. And of the first 25 people to graduate from hospice’s volunteer training in 1986, nine remain active. Hospice receives referrals from physicians, hospital discharge planners, home health care providers, family members and friends. There is no fee charged to individuals. Funding comes from United Way, memorial contributions, donations, membership, an annual variety show, and contracts with two area home health care providers offering the Medicare-approved hospice benefit. Volunteers travel throughout the Penquis region to assist individuals and their families. Hospice volunteers provide no medical, hands-on care, but are available to provide companionship, respite for caregivers, transportation to appointments, meal preparation, shopping and light housekeeping. In addition, volunteers provide bereavement assistance after a death in the family. Bereavement services include a monthly drop-in group for adults; two, six-week grief support programs, "Life After Loss" (structured format) and "Milestones" (unstructured format); and an Annual Remembrance Service. Pairs of volunteers are also available to meet with individuals in their own home on a one-to-one basis for additional support. At this time services to youth are limited, but volunteers are available to families and schools as requested. |
 Mayo Regional Hospital has been granted a Certificate of Need by the state Department of Human Services, clearing the way for a $6.3 million construction and renovation project scheduled to start in April, 2001. "This approval signifies a major milestone in Mayo's proud history," said CEO Ralph Gabarro. "State-of-the-art facilities, coupled with an excellent professional staff, position us well to meet the region's future healthcare needs." In approving the CON, DHS Commissioner Kevin Concannon determined that Mayo Regional had demonstrated a public need for the project, that the hospital is able to provide the proposed services, and that the project is financially and economically feasible. The hospital has already retained DiGiorgio Associates Inc. of Boston as the project architect and begun detailed design and development of construction documents. Monitor Builders Inc., the construction management subsidiary of DiGiorgio, has been selected as project contractor. By working with DiGiorgio and Monitor, Mayo will take a single-source, design/build approach to the project. Construction will begin next spring and take an estimated 18 months to complete, finishing in early 2003. The hospital will remain fully functioning throughout the construction period. The CON project represents the first major renovation to Mayo Regional since the 46-bed inpatient-oriented facility was opened in 1978 by Hospital Administrative District 4. The project will result in no new services and no net change in the number of inpatient beds, but is designed to provide sufficient and appropriately configured space to meet the growing need for delivery of outpatient services. The construction and renovation work will consist of 46,910 square feet in three main components:
Funding for the project will come from bonds to be issued through the Maine Municipal Bond Bank, and a $300,000 capital campaign. |
Hospital Administrative District 4 directors have approved a fiscal year 2001 Mayo Regional Hospital operating budget that projects increases in revenues due to a continuing strong demand for hospital services.
Mayo's 2001 budget, which began Oct. 1, assumes net operating revenues of $19.4 million and expenses of $18.5 million. That leaves the hospital an operating margin of $915,175, or 4.7%. The consolidated net income for HAD 4, which includes non-operating income from the hospital and factors in operations for the Mayo Regional Administrative Services Corporation (MRASC), is projected at $805,811. MRASC, a subsidiary of the hospital, owns, operates or manages seven physician practices in Dexter, Dover-Foxcroft, Guilford and Milo. Net income is reinvested back into the nonprofit hospital to fund depreciation and acquire new equipment. "We are on a much better financial foundation this year for two reasons: we have received some relief from Washington on the Balanced Budget Act, and community use of services continues to expand. Our revenue has increased as regional support grows, and this has offset expenses," said Ralph Gabarro, Chief Executive Officer. Dennis Allen, Mayo's Chief Financial Officer, said the budget anticipates continued growth in hospital usage, particularly in outpatient services, which account for 56% of revenues. The budget estimates an average daily census of 15.1 patients, an average length of stay of 3.3 days, and 1,672 admissions Gabarro said increased availability of medical specialists, such as the recent addition to Mayo's staff of Dr. Betsy Vanderburgh, an obstetrician and gynecologist, has supported hospital revenue growth. Allen expects the hospital's revenues to rise by 6.7% due to a combination of increased usage and an aggregate rate increase of 5%. The rate increase is not across-the-board for all hospital charges and does not include any increase in room rates for the coming year. Hospital expenses are budgeted to increase by $1.3 million. Fully 60% of that increase is invested in employee wages and benefits, including a 3% merit pay raise and wage adjustments. Total salary and benefit costs will top $9 million. Mayo Regional Hospital is the largest employer in Dover-Foxcroft, and has budgeted for 224 full-time equivalent positions in 2001. Total employment, including part-time and per diem employees, is 269. HAD 4 directors also authorized a hospital capital equipment budget of $838,581. The largest single item is $323,000 for the new ambulance garage now under construction on Dwelley Avenue. |