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W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 21 J U LY 8 , 2 0 2 4 F O C U S H E A L T H C A R E / W E L L N E S S e municipal building is a remod- eled grocery store that was never prop- erly ventilated, insulated, or sound- proofed to assure privacy. e projected cost for the entire municipal campus project is $4,465,990, with the health center estimated at $3.378 million. e project is fully funded, with donations totaling $1,849,658, and bonds $2,616,332. A federal grant of $845,000 will fund equipment. When Islesboro Health Center moved into the munici- pal building in 1991, it had two physician assistants and a full-time administrative coordinator; the number of patient visits was in the hundreds. In the following decade, Islesboro's population grew, particularly the number of summer residents, and the center increased its emphasis on primary care. By 2020, the average number of patient visits had risen to approximately 2,400 annually. More hires ensued. But for years, lack of space has been an everyday problem. e needs include additional offices and exam rooms and separate rooms for Tele-Health and visiting specialists; blood draws, the lab and the kitchen break area; space for essential equipment such as oxygen tanks and sterilizers; better space for medications, which at present are stored with the cleaning supplies. "e improved facility will be a major step forward in terms of the health care of the island," says Bruce. Four-fold growth Eastport Health Care is in preconstruc- tion to construct and equip a new dental, medical and behavioral health center at 75 Key St. to replace the current facility a couple of blocks away at 30 Boynton St. e goal is to break ground this fall. "It's a great, accessible location," Ellen Krajewski, the center's CEO, says of the new address. Last fall, Eastport Health Care com- pleted an expansion in Machias, com- bining its two Machias clinics, with the redevelopment of a 10,000-square-foot building at 160 Dublin St., for an influx of new pediatric and adult patients. "We've grown four-fold at least in Machias," says Krajewski. "ere's growth opportunity in Eastport as well." e new location will be 18,000 square feet, triple the current facility. Additional services will be a com- munity room and diabetes center and possibly an in-house pharmacy. With about 40 professionals now, the expan- sion is expected to add five to 10 more on a staged timeline. e project, which will be devel- oped in two phases, is estimated to cost $12 million to $14 million. A fun- draising campaign is underway. "We want to provide the best space possible for our patients and for our team," says Krajewski. Laurie Schreiber, Mainebiz senior writer, can be reached at lschreiber @ mainebiz.biz Yes, you. How are you, really? We're asking because, chances are, you aren't asking yourself. So please ask. Really think about it. Then connect with us at northernlighthealth.org/howareyou HOW ARE YOU? HOW ARE YOU? R E N D E R I N G / C O U R T E S Y S T E P H E N B L AT T A R C H I T E C T S Site preparation is underway for an Islesboro Health Center in a standalone building, bringing it out of cramped quarters in the municipal building.

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