Stephens Memorial Hospital

History

The historical development of Stephens Memorial Hospital SMH provides a good illustration of the strength and determination of its founders to meet the healthcare needs of their community SMH opened on February 4 1957 in what used to be the Foster House on Main Street and contained 25 patient beds Space was very tight but the dedication and hard work of the staff led to the hospitals future growth Ten years later a new wing was added increasing the number of beds to 41 At this time the medical staff consisted of six physicians

In 1968 Harrison Hahn arrived as the new president and CEO and during his tenure of 27 years the hospital dramatically increased its servicessuch as providing 24hour emergency room oncall coverage creating the Special Care Unit adding physical therapy and respiratory therapy services Two more wings were built in 1977 expanding the hospital building to accommodate 50 patient beds

During the late 1970s and 1980s the hospital underwent a tremendous period of growth including

Adding pediatric services

Providing 24hour inhouse ER coverage

Offering nuclear medicine and ultrasound capabilities

Purchasing the building on Danforth Street as permanent site for the Thrift
Shop

The 1980s culminated with the construction of the Ripley Medical Building in 1986 and the formation of Western Maine Health Care Corporation in 1987 Another growth period saw the addition of PACE Paramedic Service Western Maine Family Practice Western Maine OBGYN Western Maine Pediatrics and the Health Information Library

In 1996 Timothy A Churchill arrived as the new president and CEO of Western Maine Health and Stephens Memorial Hospital A significant milestone occurred in 1999 when Western Maine Health joined the states most sophisticated and farreaching health systemMaineHealthreg This invaluable partnership links us and our patients more closely to Maine Medical Center Miles Health Care Spring Harbor Hospital and St Andrews Hospital

Our physicians and employees are working closely with their colleagues throughout the MaineHealth family to ensure that the healthcare needs of our patients continue to be delivered with the highest level of quality