Hospital and town officials in Presque Isle broke ground Saturday on a new cancer care center, which they describe as a "$4 million dollar investment" in Aroostook County.
Jason Parent, spokesperson for The Aroostook Medical Center says the heart of the project will be the over-due acquisition of a new linear accelerator.
"The linear accelerator is the piece of equipment that helps to shrink a patient's tumor through radiation therapy," explains Parent, "and it's the only one of its kind north of Bangor, so it's a very critical service to the people of Aroostook County."
The hospital's current cancer space has become inadequate, says Parent, and its equipment is outdated.
The project was one highlighted last year by hospital administrators as a necessary upcoming investment, upon receipt of a $12 million dollar check from the state- TAMC's portion of the state's MaineCare reimbursement payout.
As part of the project, TAMC also plans to implement a new electronic medical records system that will dovetail with the linear accelerator. According to hospital officials, the integration of computer software and equipment will mean that when a treatment plan is made, that plan will automatically be communicated to the new radiation machine, enabling a '100% accurate treatment'.
The new building will also house a space for families and provide a more "home-like" atmosphere for those undergoing radiation therapy, says Parent.
