Other great news on the financial end of things in
2017 was the approval of TAMC’s application to
become part of CMS’ Rural Community Hospital
Demonstration Program. This designation will now
allow TAMC to receive a higher reimbursement from
the government as part of the recognition of the chal-
lenges of providing healthcare in rural Amer ica. This
will play a big role in improving TAMC’s budget in the
coming years while under the program.
Community: Making a Difference
Despite the belt tightening effort across the organiza-
tion, TAMC remained committed to the community
in 2017 and continued ongoing efforts such as the Fit
& Fun series to promote wellness as well as other local
support and sponsorships.
New projects were also taken on, such as the hugely
successful Summer Gap Feeding Program. The idea
was born from conversations between Jamie Guer-
rette, TAMC’s community health specialist, and
Sherry Locke, executive director of the United Way of
Aroostook. Soon to join the partnership were the City
of Presque Isle and Presque Isle Housing Authority.
Thanks to the efforts from these four partners, along
with support of a great many community businesses
and individuals, the idea took off. Free lunches and
snacks were delivered five days a week for four weeks
to the families in Presque Isle’s low income housing.
This was to meet an identified need to fill the gap
caused by the split harvest schedule in SAD 1, which
causes an end to the summer lunch program once
high school students return to school, even though
younger students are still at home.
Another food insecurity effort, a “Screen and Inter-
vene” program, had staff in TAMC’s pediatrics and
primary care practices asking two food insecurity
questions at each visit and connecting folks with local
resources as needed. Patients are even provided a bag
of food, courtesy of Good Shepherd Food Bank, to
hold them over until they can access those resources.
“Community commitment will always be important
to us. We take it very seriously, both in our role as
providing for the health and wellness of our friends
and neighbors and in our economic role as the largest
employer in Aroostook County,” says LaFrancois.
Coming Up
Look for more new providers and nurses to come on
board in 2018, along with continued investment in
equipment and services. First off will be a renovated
cardiovascular lab to expand cardiology and vascular
services. New fluroscopy equipment will allow more
pain management procedures to be performed as well.
Two capital campaigns are underway this year, one to
raise funds for imaging equipment and the other to
replace beds at the Aroostook Health Center.
As 2018 kicks off, community members are invited
to take part in TAMC’s new Winter Wellness Chal-
lenge. A dozen different activities are featured in the
challenge event. For each activity, get your “wellness
passport” punched and earn prizes.
Look for much more to come in 2018 at TAMC!
TAMC’s Jamie Guerrette and
New this year, TAMC worked with MSAD 1
United Way’s Sherry Locke led Adult Ed and UMPI to set up a Youth Tri Club
the charge for Summer Gap.
to help kids train for the youth triathlon.
Want to take part in TAMC’s
Fit & Fun Winter Challenge 2018?
Go to www.tamc.org to learn more.
WINTER 2018
27