From its core service area of Piscataquis County, Mayo EMS expanded coverage into Penobscot County in two directions: in the east, to Corinth; and in the south, to Dexter. In both cases, Mayo forged agreements with 'the towns to respond to all ambulance calls, taking over from municipal services that had been experiencing challenges in staffing and training EMS personnel.

Mayo EMS began serving Corinth on Feb. 1, and took over operations of the Dexter Ambulance on July 1.

Brian Mullis, Mayo EMS Director, said both transitions have gone smoothly.

"Better than we could have expected, actually," said Mullis. "I don't think the public has noticed much, if any, difference as a result of the changes."

Mullis said Mayo EMS has always enjoyed a close working relationship with Dexter, which operated a professional municipal ambulance service for over 30 years, as well as with Corinth, which had a volunteer and case management.

Maine has a severe shortage of oral health professionals, with only 589 dentists actively practicing and only 445 practicing general dentistry. One-third of Maine's kindergarten students have been diagnosed with tooth decay -- a preventable disease.

To schedule an appointment with the Miles for Smiles program, call toll free at 1-866-298-0893 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. service organized under the local Fire Department. In many cases, emergency medical technicians from Corinth and Dexter also worked parttime for Mayo.

Mayo EMS coverage of the two Penobscot communities has been structured to meet their individual needs. For Corinth, ambulance coverage is provided from Mayo Regional Hospital's base in Dover-Foxcroft. For Dexter, Mayo EMS has based a crew in that town 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Under Mayo's operation, a paramedic and EMT are stationed in Dexter at the town's ambulance garage from 6 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday through Friday. A call crew covers the rest of the week.

Mayo now provides primary ambulance coverage to 20 communities spread over 720 square miles. Reflecting the growing coverage area, ambulance runs increased 16% over the past year, from 2,155 in 2002 to 2,503 in 2003.

The Imaging Center for Women opening is the final step in an $8 million facility expansion program at Mayo that constructed three new additions and renovated much of the existing hospital over 28-month span beginning in 2001.

The Imaging Center's move to a new, permanent location provides much more room and privacy for patients. The Imaging Center can be reached through the ASU walk-in entrance and is located next to Day Surgery on the hospital's first floor.

The Imaging Center is a self-contained unit that includes a reception/ waiting area, a room for mammography, a room for bone density testing, a patient education room, and a processing area for the technologist and radiologist to view resulting images.

"The area is much more private and spacious than what we've had before, and is attractively decorated to help our patients relax," said Ruby Grindle, Radiology Department manager. "Having a separate room for patient education is a nice addition, since we have space to show films, display educational pamphlets and teach our patients how to do breast self-examinations."

Mayo's mammography service is accredited by the American College of Radiology and provided over 3,000 mammogram screenings last year. The hospital staff includes registered mammographic technologists, as well as sonographers who perform all patient exams including breast ultrasound, if needed.

In addition to constructing new space for the Imaging Center, Mayo is investing over $250,000 in new technology to improve both mammogram screening and bone density testing capabilities.

The largest investment is for a computer aided detection (CAD) system for use in breast cancer screening to assist radiologists in minimizing false negative readings ,during marnmograms. The system will be installed in January, 2004.

"Early diagnosis is the key to surviving breast cancer, and mammography screening with the benefit of the CAD system can detect additional cancers each year," said Dr. Mark Piccirillo, Mayo's Chief of Radiology. "Regular screening mammograms are the best way to detect breast cancer early, when it is easiest to treat. With computer aided detection, it gives the radiologist an extra pair of eyes to identify abnormalities or signs of cancer during our mammogram screening process."

After digitizing a mammogram, the CAD system's specialized processing software analyzes the image and draws the radiologist's attention to suspicious features that may indicate cancer. The radiologist typically reviews the entire mammogram first and then activates the CAD monitor to see if any areas have been highlighted for more review. If an image is marked, the radiologist goes back to the original mammogram to review that area of the image in more detail.

Use of the CAD system in mammogram screening is reimburseable for Medicare and commercially insured patients.

Mayo has also improved its ability to diagnose and monitor for treatment of osteoporosis by adding an axial bone densitometry service. This new equipment, installed in October, is being financed by a $58,000 fundraising campaign undertaken by the hospital Auxiliary.

Osteoporosis is the most common bone disease and occurs as part of the natural aging process when bones begin to deteriorate faster than new bone can be formed. The disease can progress to the point where a fracture can occur in areas such as the hip, spine or wrist.

An estimated 10 million Americans suffer from osteoporosis, most aged 65 and older. Women are most susceptible, and nearly 80% of all osteoporosis patients are women. Osteoporotic fractures are estimated to result in $14 billion in healthcare costs annually in the U.S., and cause over 430,000 hospital admissions.

Bone mineral density testing is especially recommended for women who are age 65 and older, postmenopausal women with one or more risk factors, and all postmenopausal women who have a fracture.

By purchasing the new bone density testing equipment, Mayo can provide patients with a more precise measurement of bone mineral density by concentrating on the hip and spine. This will improve screening for osteoporosis, and also in monitoring the effectiveness of treatments that replace lost bone for women and men. Bone density testing is able to help physicians determine a proper course of therapy to help reduce fracture risk and prevent future bone loss.

Miles for Smiles provides access to oral health services for Maine children who are up to 18 years of age, do not have private dental insurance and meet certain income guidelines. The program is focusing on the state's most critically underserved areas, with a 43-foot-long mobile clinic that visits Pittsfield, Dover-Foxcroft, Millinocket, Houlton, Presque Isle and Native American reservations for week-long stays on a rotating schedule.

The Miles for Smiles van began serving the Dover-Foxcroft area on Nov. 17 and is located in the Mayo Regional Hospital upper parking lot. Mayo provides parking space, electrical hookup and support services at no charge to the program.

The program delivers comprehensive oral health services, including preventive and restorative care performed by licensed oral health professionals traveling with the mobile clinic. Miles for Smiles also provides case management and referral services for ongoing treatment, offers early oral health education and promotes the development of healthy habits, and increases awareness of the importance of good oral health through a community awareness campaign.

Specific services offered in the fully equipped, oral health clinic on wheels include dental screenings, oral health education, X-rays, cleanings, fluoride treatments, examinations, sealants, fillings, root canals, extractions; and case management.

Maine has a severe shortage of oral health professionals, with only 589 dentists actively practicing and only 445 practicing general dentistry. One-third of Maine's kindergarten students have been diagnosed with tooth decay -- a preventable disease.

To schedule an appointment with the Miles for Smiles program, call toll free at 1-866-298-0893 between 8 a.m.and 4 p.m.

The new American Red Cross 37-foot mobile unit made its first trip to Piscataquis County on Oct. 10, when it visited Mayo Regional Hospital. The event collected 39 units of blood.

Launched in August, 2003, the fundraising campaign reached 87% of its goal in just three months. As of Thanksgiving, 138 donors had contributed $43,000 in amounts ranging from $5 to $5,000.

The 2003 Appeal will meet the needs of the hospital's bustling Surgical Services Department, which has expanded into the recently opened Ambulatory Services Unit, by raising $49,500 to purchase a laparoscopy cart that includes laparoscopic instruments and related equipment.

Laparoscopy is the exploration of the body's abdominal area employing a type of endoscope called a laparascope. An endoscope is a device consisting of a flexible tube and optical system for observing the inside of an organ or cavity.

The laparoscopy equipment is versatile and may be used in a variety of general surgical procedures, as well as in orthopaedic and obstetrical cases.

Mayo's Surgical Services Department had a busy year in 2003, completing 2,024 surgical procedures. The great majority of those cases, nearly 1,700 in all, were performed on an outpatient basis, often using an endoscope.

Purchase of this laparoscopy equipment will allow Mayo to continue to keep pace with the medical technology that is so important to the hospital's ability to provide the highest-quality patient care.

Community members wishing to donate funds to this important effort are asked to clip out the card below, fill in the requested information, and mail the card with their contribution to Development Office, Mayo Regional Hospital, 897 West Main St., Dover-Foxcroft, ME 04426.

The Annual Appeal will continue through Feb. 15, 2004. All gifts are tax deductible to the extent provided by law.

The Auxiliary has so far raised over $12,000 of the $58,000 total through a number of fundraising activities: public suppers, raffles, a Summerfest sale, community variety show, bake sale, book sale, beano and the annual Christmas tree lighting project.

The Auxiliary annually raises between $10,000 and $14,000 for projects benefiting hospital patients. Formed in 1977, the 80-member organization has contributed well over $ 100,000 to Mayo Regional since 1989.