Central Maine Healthcare welcomes new cancer patients following closure announcement of St. Mary’s oncology program

Central Maine Healthcare (CMH) is welcoming patients of St. Mary's oncology practice following last week's announcement that St. Mary's Health System is not accepting new patients, beginning April 1.

The Central Maine Healthcare Oncology Institute offers comprehensive cancer care treatment for central Maine, including surgical, medical and radiation oncology, as well as reconstructive surgery following cancer treatment. Central Maine Healthcare's distinguished cancer care program is accredited by the Commission on Cancer and treats cancer patients at CMMC, Rumford Hospital and Bridgton Hospital.

At CMMC, the new Cancer Care Center is a state-of-the-art facility that opened its doors to patients in the spring of 2022, providing multi-specialty, team-based care in a centralized location. The facility features the newest linear accelerators for radiation therapy in Maine, beautiful infusion suites, an onsite lab, clinical pharmacy and convenient patient parking. A tour of the Cancer Care Center at CMMC can be seen in this video.

"Our center offers a warm and healing environment where our compassionate and expert team can meet our patients' needs, from surgery to radiation to infusion, all under one roof. We want each and every one of the St. Mary's patients to know we are here for them and any other cancer patient in our community," said Hector Tarraza, chief of the CMH Oncology Institute.

Central Maine Healthcare is under agreement with New England Cancer Specialists (NECS), a leading provider of oncology services in the Northeast, to enhance medical oncology and infusion services in the central Maine region.

Recognized as the premier hematology and oncology practice in Maine, New England Cancer Specialists is an independent medical organization that is dedicated to the highest quality team-based care for every patient. Comprised of 18 physicians who are nationally recognized for their expertise and experience, they participate in more clinical trials than any other practice in Maine. NECS is an affiliate member of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

"We feel for the patients who have recently learned their local medical oncology care is no longer available in Lewiston," said Dr. Chiara Battelli, president of New England Cancer Specialists. "As part of this community, our physicians are committed to any patient desiring to continue receiving exceptional care closer to home."