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Acadia FCU has pledged $100,000 to Northern Maine Medical Center’s (NMMC) $12.6 million expansion project. When completed, the expansion will include a new operating room, exercise space for the Child Adolescent Psychiatry Unit, laboratory, and cafeteria.
“Acadia FCU is committed to the health and vibrancy of all the areas we serve, including Fort Kent and the St. John Valley,” said David Desjardins, President & CEO of Acadia FCU. “By making this pledge, we are making an investment in a high-quality medical facility that will continue to provide quality care and good jobs to the people who live in this region.
In exchange for this pledge, NMMC has committed to a 15-year naming opportunity for a portion of the project. The new, modern, and larger hospital cafeteria will be named The Acadia Cafe.
The existing cafeteria, called the Soup Kettle Café, has been in the same space for more than sixty years. The seating capacity stands at thirty and has no ability to expand. Due in part to the physical location of the cafeteria, staffing efficiency is a challenge and is open on a limited schedule. The new Acadia Cafe will be located adjacent to the main kitchen, which will allow for better staffing and longer business hours.
“This hospital serves the entire region,” said Desjardins. “Having a cafeteria onsite that can seat more employees and friends and family members of patients will make the hospital experience that much more welcoming. It’s a necessity, especially during what can be a difficult time for patients’ loved ones.”
The Acadia Cafe will also have a lounge area, electronics charging stations, and a grab and go station for salads and sandwiches. A section of the Café will be open 24/7 for items like coffee and snacks for employees and visitors during later hours.
The NMMC Foundation capital campaign is soliciting five-year pledges to support the historic expansion project, which will ensure top-of-the line, cutting edge healthcare services for the residents of the St. John Valley.
“We are humbled to be the recipient of Acadia’s generous contribution to our capital campaign,” said Peter Sirois, NMMC President and CEO. “Acadia FCU has demonstrated time and again their true focus on support of local people and businesses to ensure healthy, prosperous communities. As we look to sustain the future of healthcare in our region, we strongly believe that this expansion is in the best interest of our patients. We are confident that this will support the increasing demands of healthcare by creating an infrastructure that facilitates the very best in quality services, technology, and experiences for the people of the St. John Valley.”