KVHC expansion continues

Houlton Pioneer Times Photo/Joseph Cyr
GOING UP — The expansion at Katahdin Valley Health Center in Houlton is proceeding on schedule. The $1.8 million project will bring expanded dental coverage to the greater Houlton area.
By Joseph Cyr
Staff Writer
    HOULTON — A major expansion to the Katahdin Valley Health Care facility’s Houlton location is proceeding without delay. And once complete, the project will add a new dimension to the type of services offered at the health center.
    According to Durwood Humphrey, chief executive officer for KVHC, the renovations were made possible thanks to a $1.8 million loan from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development. The loan was given to KVHC in partnership with Bangor Savings Bank.
    “Construction is on schedule,” said Humphrey. “About 8,000 square feet is being added to the building, which will essentially double the size of the facility. Everything has gone smoothly and there have been no major issues with construction.”
    Humphrey said the project is targeting an Aug. 5 completion date. A grand re-opening will take place sometime in late August or early September.
    Devoe Construction is the general contractor for the project, with additional work done by local subcontractors. Part of the construction is classified as a renovation, which is being completed by Buildings Etc. of Houlton.
    Once complete, access to the upper floors will be achieved through the rear of the building. An expanded parking area behind the facility will also be created. Access to the health clinic, located in the lower section of the building, will still be achieved from the front of the structure.
    “S.W. Collins donated some property to us so we can expand our parking area,” Humphrey said.
    A new reception and waiting area, along with dental offices will be located in the new structure added to the back of the existing building.
    “We will be bringing in a full-time dentist and full-time hygienist, three dental assistants and front office staff to accommodate clients,” Humphrey said.
    Two new medical doctors will also be added to the staff once renovations are complete.
    Additional clinical space is available to add four dental exam rooms, laboratory, waiting room and a reception office. Expanding services to the Houlton area will allow low-income and uninsured children, adults and seniors, for the first time, to have access to comprehensive primary oral health services regardless of ability to pay.
    The decision to expand into dental care was not a difficult one, Humphrey said. Currently, KVHC’s dental clinic in Millinocket is regularly seeing patients from the Houlton area.
    “The need for dental in Houlton was astronomical,” Humphrey said. “We opened our dental practice in Millinocket and every time we run reports to see who is using our service, we see that Houlton and locations north are using about 60 percent of our capacity. It’s to the point where people who live in Millinocket, Patten and Sherman can’t get an appointment. That told us there was a definite need.”
    Humphrey said the bulk of the patients are children, since KVHC is believed to be the only site north of Bangor that accepted children under the Maine Care program.
    Humphrey said the town officials have been extremely cooperative, allowing for temporary parking along the road.