MaineGeneral Health’s imaging and laboratory services — except orthopaedic X-ray services — will move by May 1 from 107 FirstPark Drive in Oakland to the Thayer Center for Health on North Street in Waterville, a hospital spokeswoman confirmed this week.
“We are constantly evaluating the best use of resources so we can continue to offer the full depth and breadth of high-quality services with state-of-the-art technology in Kennebec Valley,” said Joy McKenna, MaineGeneral Health’s director of marketing and communications. “We have invested in cutting-edge 3D mammography technology, which is being installed at Thayer in April. Access to the 3-D mammography will benefit women in the greater Waterville area.”
McKenna said the consolidation will provide efficiencies in imaging services without depleting the quality of services offered. The FirstPark location and the Thayer Center for Health are less than 4 miles apart.
The move comes as the Kennebec Regional Development Authority, which manages FirstPark, announced a week ago that Brad Jackson, executive director of the organization, plans to leave March 31 after four years in the position.
Howard Mette, president of the development authority, said Friday that plans are in the works to find a replacement for Jackson.
“We are working on hiring a new executive director and we’re working on a transition plan,” Mette said.
The 285-acre business park, near Interstate 95, was established in 1998 when 24 municipalities in Kennebec and Somerset counties agreed to invest in it by paying down its initial debt. Those investments were made in exchange for part of the revenue from anticipated business development in the park.
Besides MaineGeneral Health, park tenants include T-Mobile, which employs about 600 people; Perry Boulette Fitts & Fitton, certified public accountants; and Michael R. Nawfel, D.M.D.
MaineGeneral leases three buildings in FirstPark, including the 20,000-square-foot building at 107 FirstPark, which houses MaineGeneral Orthopaedics and the imaging laboratory. MaineGeneral fully occupied the building as of the summer of 2008.
The imaging and laboratory area to be moved to Thayer occupy about half of the 20,000 square feet, according to McKenna.
MaineGeneral Orthopaedics and the X-ray services supporting them will remain at 107 FirstPark Drive, McKenna said. She said MaineGeneral officials are working to determine the appropriate use for the space in that building to be vacated when imaging and laboratory services move to Thayer.
She noted that two orthopaedic surgeons have been added to MaineGeneral Orthopaedics: Dr. Stuart Aiken, an orthopaedic trauma specialist; and Dr. John Bradford, who specializes in joint replacement.
“Later this year, we’re adding a new hand surgeon and a sports medicine surgeon as well,” she said.
MaineGeneral also leases space for MaineGeneral Urology at 11 Evergreen Drive in FirstPark. It leases space for MaineGeneral Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy and Sports Medicine at 2 Evergreen Drive.
Imaging and laboratory services moving to Thayer from 107 FirstPark Drive will be located just inside the main entrance to Thayer, which McKenna described as the most comprehensive outpatient center in the state.
Amy Calder — 861-9247
Twitter: @AmyCalder17
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