MRH Board of Trustees announce decision to decommission White Birch Medical Center
MILLINOCKET, ME – In a move aimed at ensuring the long-term sustainability of local healthcare, the Millinocket Regional Hospital (MRH) Board of Trustees has made the difficult decision to phase out operations at White Birch Medical Center and relocate the services provided there to the hospital’s main campus.
The long-term viability of White Birch Medical Center has been significantly challenged by high operating costs associated with maintaining a facility that is underutilized and on average, only 50% occupied. Recognizing this growing financial strain, the MRH Board of Trustees undertook a careful and extensive deliberation process, leading to the difficult decision to phase out operations.
“This decision was made with the future stability of MRH as our foremost consideration. We understand the impact the decommissioning of White Birch will have on our community, and we want to assure everyone that this decision was not made lightly. Essential services currently provided at White Birch will be relocated and continued without interruption,” said Dr. Robert Peterson, CEO.
As part of this transition, the pool at White Birch Medical Center, which has been out of commission for several months due to a mechanical system failure, will be permanently closed. Repair costs for the pool were estimated to exceed $70,000, an expense the Board determined was not defensible in light of the current economic challenges facing Maine hospitals.
White Birch Medical Center has been a valuable part of the community for years, offering important services such as hydrotherapy, rehabilitation, and the LIFEstyle Fitness center – a place where many in Millinocket have come together for exercise, health, and connection.
The current services at White Birch – Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Community Wellness, and LIFEstyle Fitness – are planned for relocation to the hospital’s main campus. While the goal is to maintain all these services, the smaller space at the main campus may necessitate some changes, primarily affecting LIFEstyle Fitness. Additional details will be shared as plans are finalized.
Like many hospitals across the State, MRH faces serious financial challenges fueled by lower insurance reimbursements, rising operating costs, and increasing labor expenses to address rural workforce shortages. These factors necessitate strategic decisions like the decommissioning of White Birch Medical Center to manage current financial challenges without sacrificing essential care.
The relocation process is expected to be completed within the next year. This decision, while difficult, is about ensuring the future of healthcare for Millinocket and the Katahdin region.
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About Millinocket Regional Hospital
Millinocket Regional Hospital (MRH) is a 25-bed Critical Access Hospital nestled at the base of Baxter State Park that provides vital healthcare services to those who live, work, and play in the Katahdin Region. Beyond the friendly staff and award-winning, individualized patient care, MRH provides acute inpatient and outpatient services as well as an impressive range of general and specialty services from orthopedic and general surgery to cancer care.
Providing jobs to approximately 250 people, MRH is the largest employer in the Katahdin Region and a crucial economic driver within its community. For more information, visit mrhme.org or find us on Facebook!