Transcript

Hello, I’m Denise Needham, President of MaineHealth Pen Bay and Waldo Hospitals.

As we close out 2025, I want to take a moment to reflect on a year of meaningful progress—for our organization, our patients, and our communities we proudly serve.

Health care continues to evolve rapidly, but through strong partnerships, innovation, and a deep commitment to quality, we’ve moved forward in impactful ways, continuing to focus on patient care, expanding services, and supporting our dedicated staff.

Quality and safety remain at the heart of everything we do. In the fall, Pen Bay Hospital earned its third consecutive “A” safety grade from the Leapfrog group, on the heels of being named a 2024 Leapfrog Top Rural Hospital late last year. At Waldo Hospital, our Emergency Department was honored with the “Pediatric Innovator” designation by the Always Ready for Children Program—recognizing our preparedness to care for children in emergency situations.

Sustainability also played a key role this year. Both of our hospitals received the Practice Greenhealth Partner for Change award, underscoring our commitment to reducing our environmental impact and promoting long-term community health.

We made great strides in workforce growth, welcoming nearly 50 new providers in 2025 alone. We also prioritized safety across our facilities with enhanced security measures—because a safe care environment is essential for both our teams and our patients.

Innovation was another major focus. We introduced an AI-powered documentation tool that helps reduce administrative work for providers—giving them more time with patients. And through our Innovation Space, frontline ideas turned into real solutions—from providing reading glasses and hearing aids for patients, to expanding community outreach through partnerships with our Community Health team.

As we look forward, I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve accomplished—and even more excited for about the year ahead. Thank you for your trust, your support, and your continued partnership as we work together to make our communities the healthiest in America.