Health center underlines
Fort Fairfield’s commitment to local medical care
Contributed photo/Nicole Duplessis
Fort Fairfield’s Kimball Community Health Center opened last week with a special program and ribbon-cutting ceremony. Staff members from Pines Health Services who will oversee the day-to-day operations of the clinic include, from left, Jim Davis, CEO; Penny Wickstrom, human resources; De’Angela Cyr, MA; Gloria Sund, MA; Kim Cousins, FNP-C; Libby Cummings, Health Center supervisor; Ashlee Bubar, RN; Debbie Leighton, MOS; Rebecca Bowmaster, MOS; Melinda Brown, medical student; and Tony Lahey, director of finance.
By Nicole Duplessis
Student Intern
Contributed photos/Nicole Duplessis
The new health center is dedicated and named after Dr. Herrick Kimball, who was an engaged community leader especially committed to quality health care in Fort Fairfield. Taking part in Friday’s official dedication ceremony were members of Dr. Kimball’s family, from left: John and Carolyn McNamara and Dr. Philip and Janet Kimball.
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A painted portrait of the late Dr. Herrick Kimball hangs in the health center entrance. 
FORT FAIRFIELD — Friday marked a very special day for the community of Fort Fairfield. Although the weather didn’t seem promising at first, skies soon cleared and allowed all attendees to celebrate the success of the newly completed Kimball Community Health Center.
The health center is dedicated and named after Dr. Herrick C. Kimball. Kimball was an engaged community leader, whose dedication to health care in the community of Fort Fairfield was astounding. He truly left a mark on this community.
“He was more than just a man with a vision, more than a community leader; he was a man that genuinely cared about people,” Dan Foster, town manager of Fort Fairfield, said upon delivering the dedication.
A photo of Dr. Kimball (1902-1966) along with a dedication plaque is located in the entrance of the health center in his memory.
Located at 11 Harmony Lane, this primary care health clinic now offers citizens of Fort Fairfield access to medical care and also allows them to cut back on traveling for routine appointments and screenings. Sowmya Thadisina, MD and Kim Cousins, FNP-C have moved their practices here, and are now seeing current patients, and are also accepting new patients of all ages.
“Our doors are always open to anyone, even if you are not able to pay,” Norman Collins, chairman of the Board of Directors for Cary Medical Center, said.
Indeed, their doors are open, and the vibes of all those involved in the success of this new facility are positive, as they strive to meet the needs of the community. As of now, the hours of the facility are Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday hours will be considered based on feedback of local residents.
“The town of Fort Fairfield has always held a special place in our hearts at Cary Medical Center,” Kris Doody, RN and CEO of Cary Medical Center, said. “We feel privileged to be part of this community and it is our intention to really be engaged with you, to constantly look at improving or expanding services, and to listen to you both in terms of how we are doing and what your needs are.”
Those in charge of making the Kimball Community Health Center happen, wanted to create a space where a health care provider could come in without high occupancy costs as well as something that would allow the community and health care provider to come together. This has all become possible, thanks to the partnership between the town of Fort Fairfield and Pines Health Services.
“This really was personal for me, and became much more than me just doing my job,” Foster said. “What you’re looking at right now is a process that has taken over five years. It was a process that really wanted to define success.”
The success was celebrated upon the cutting of the ribbon, making the opening of the Kimball Community Health Center official.
“We believe that having a new and beautiful health center and the incredible new Senior Housing Project that will open soon, shows a community on the move,” Doody said.
After the completion of the ceremony, lunch was prepared and served by Troop 194 Boy Scouts, and people ventured in and out of the health center to see for themselves what the facility entailed. Tours were later given by the Pines Health Services staff, and citizens were able to observe and explore what will now be their new health center.
“We’re open for business and very happy to be in the community,” Collins said.
For any further information regarding the Kimball Community Health Center, send an e-mail to contact@pineshealth.org.
