MaineHealth Lincoln Hospital in Damariscotta celebrated the opening of its new Infusion Center and Oncology & Blood Disorder Practice on Aug. 31 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by hospital leaders, care team members, board members, elected officials and community partners. The new center brings infusion services together with oncology and blood disorder care in one centralized location, expanding access to specialized treatment and improving convenience for patients receiving care close to home.

Located on the third floor of MaineHealth Lincoln Hospital in the renovated Wellness and Therapy space, the new center was designed to meet growing demand for oncology and infusion services in Lincoln County while making care easier to access and navigate for patients and families. The facility offers chemotherapy, immunotherapy, IV infusions, medication injections, blood product transfusions, therapeutic phlebotomy, central line care, oncology and hematology appointments, chemotherapy education and social work support.

The project also increases infusion treatment capacity, helping more patients receive timely appointments locally while strengthening coordination between oncology providers and infusion care teams. Patients can register directly within the department, reducing unnecessary stops and streamlining their care experience.

By increasing infusion treatment chairs from five to nine, the new center will help more patients receive the care they need sooner and closer to home. With more than 600 infusion patients served last year, the expanded space is expected to increase treatment capacity by 40 percent.

The new center reflects MaineHealth Lincoln Hospital's continued investment in services that meet community needs and expand access to specialized care close to home. The project was supported in part by a $4.5 million Congressional Directed Spending award led by Senators Susan Collins and Angus King to expand oncology and infusion services in Damariscotta.

“This new center reflects years of planning, investment and collaboration on behalf of our community,” said Cindy Wade, RN, BSN, MHA, President of MaineHealth Lincoln Hospital. “We are grateful for the support of our US Senators, donors, care team members and community partners who helped make this project possible. Most importantly, this investment strengthens access to care for people throughout Lincoln County by allowing more patients to receive oncology and infusion treatments close to home, reducing travel burdens and making care easier to access and navigate for patients and families.”

“Bringing oncology and infusion services together in one space allows us to provide more coordinated care and better support patients throughout their treatment journey,” said Melissa Brown, Lincoln Hospital Manager of Infusion Services. “The new center improves efficiency for patients and care teams, expands our capacity to serve more people locally and helps ensure patients can access the specialized services they need.”

Hospital leaders recognized the many individuals and teams whose work helped bring the project to completion, including members of the infusion and oncology care teams, hospital operations and leadership teams, and partners involved in the design and construction of the new center.