Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE — What began in 2007 as an idea for The Aroostook Medical Center to streamline local health care and improve patient services is quickly taking shape as work continues on what will serve as office space for a variety of services at North Street Plaza.
Construction got under way at the beginning of this year on North Street Healthcare, TAMC’s new family health care center and medical mall. The site is scheduled to open sometime this spring.
“The move to providing more services outside of the hospital is a trend that is happening around the country,” said Steve Poitras, senior vice president of facilities and risk management. “In the more than 25 years I have worked at TAMC, there has been a shift. When I started here, about three-quarters of patients stayed overnight for the services they received.”
Poitras said that figure has dropped considerably over the years.
“Today, only about one-quarter are in the hospital overnight, and the rest receive care in outpatient areas. We’re seeing more facilities like this in other places. It’s a project that makes sense for Aroostook County,” said Poitras.
TAMC’s vision for North Street Healthcare was shared with the public in early 2008. Plans for the new facility immediately became a top priority, according to Poitras.
“TAMC (officials) reviewed its facilities with an engineering and architectural firm in 2007 to assess our ability to meet the future needs of the community,” Poitras explained. “What the planners found was that we have a growing need to provide outpatient services. Their recommendation was that we look to find other places to provide outpatient services, freeing up some of the space we currently have at the hospital for other services.”
At the direction of the Board of Trustees, said Poitras, TAMC officials began planning for North Street about a year ago.
“We have been working hard on the project ever since,” he said.
TAMC’s Presque Isle-based family practice and pediatrics services will be consolidated on North Street in the part of the building that formerly housed Smythe’s IGA. Plans also call for walk-in care to be available with evening and weekend hours. Several other offices will also call the new site home, including TAMC’s Patient Billing Department. County Dialysis and County Physical Therapy currently occupy space at the plaza and will remain in their current locations. Pat’s Pizza, a long-time tenant at North Street, will also remain. The rest of the structure will be available to meet future growth needs.
Poitras described the North Street building as being a “perfect fit.”
“What we were looking for,” he said, “was a space that would be easy to renovate and convenient to the public. The facility will be designed with energy-efficiency in mind. We have asked the architect to look at making the building as energy-efficient as possible. That includes using natural lighting, which also makes the space more comfortable. There will be significant savings because of this.”
The facility is being designed with patient comfort in mind.
“One of the unique things about this facility is the design,” said Glenda Dwyer, vice president of physical practice services. “Patients will be walking into a very open, comfortable space. But the exam rooms are very private. The building has been designed to protect confidentiality in the registration areas and beyond. Patients will enjoy easy access to parking, and the location is easy to get to. It will provide one-stop shopping for health care.”
While the economy has factored into some decisions, hospital officials viewed this project as a priority.
“The state of the economy has caused the hospital to re-evaluate some planned projects, but the North Street project remains a priority,” said TAMC President and CEO Dave Peterson.
“Times are tight right now for most individuals and businesses. Health care is no different. We have had to postpone other projects, but it’s essential that we move forward with North Street. We need to be prepared to meet the needs of the community now and make sure we will be able to do so in the future. This project will help us make sure that the right care is available in Aroostook County when it is needed. That’s why this project is so important,” said Peterson.
North Peak Architecture, of Presque Isle, was selected to design the new facility. A&L Construction, of Presque Isle, is the general contractor for the project. Poitras said construction is estimated to be completed in about five months.
Poitras indicated much of the work being done involves interior renovations, “so construction should move quickly.”
“We expect to complete the project and relocate in May. It’s a significant move for us. We have been planning this for a while to make sure that the move results in the least amount of inconvenience to our patients,” said Poitras.
The project involves renovating the interior and exterior of the former grocery store, constructing exam rooms, physician offices and registration areas, as well as completing heating, ventilation and electrical work.
TAMC is a member of EMHS. Members of EMHS work to ensure the highest quality of care is available to all who need it, especially those in rural Maine.
Staff photo/Kathy McCarty
WORK IS PROGRESSING on the North Street site that will serve as the home to several medical offices. The Aroostook Medical Center made the decision last year to consolidate several facilities at the North Street location, closing some of its outreach clinics in the process, to improve efficiency and patient services.
