FORT KENT, Maine – Northern Maine Medical Center is pleased to announce its plan to partner with St. John Valley Pharmacy, a well-regarded community pharmacy located on Market Street in Fort Kent. This marks a significant milestone in NMMC’s and SJVRx’s commitment to expanding access to comprehensive healthcare services, by uniting long-standing, local healthcare providers.
This partnership, anticipated by October 1, will enhance the continuum of care for patients in Northern Maine by integrating St. John Valley Pharmacy’s services with NMMC’s existing healthcare network. This move aligns with NMMC’s and SJVRx’s mission to provide high-quality, patient-centered care while addressing the growing needs of the community.
Officials at NMMC and SJVRx emphasize that no services will change at the pharmacy, and there will be no impact on jobs other than SJVRx employees becoming part of NMMC. Charles Ouellette, owner of St. John Valley Pharmacy, will remain in charge of operations. As part of the plan, NMMC will move its Fort Kent outpatient pharmacy operation to SJVRx while inpatient pharmacy operations at NMMC remain unchanged.
“Our partnership with St. John Valley Pharmacy will support the continuation of a locally owned pharmacy that serves the entire community and beyond. Northern Maine Medical Center is an independent health system and Saint John Valley Pharmacy always has been and will continue to operate as it stands today, but will gain the advantages of coming together,” said Jeff Zewe, CEO of Northern Maine Medical Center. “We are honored to embrace the responsibility of continuing the tradition of excellent access, quality and community-based services. Pharmacy has evolved into such a specialty; we are privileged to work with Charlie and the St. John Valley Pharmacy team, leveraging their expertise as we move forward.”
SJVRx has been independently serving the region for 20 years, offering the highest quality service, holding Accreditation with the Healthcare Quality Association on Accreditation. Customers of St. John Valley Pharmacy will see no changes, including service and insurance coverage. Pharmacy services to several long-term care facility clients will remain unchanged as will the hospital’s operations at its Madawaska pharmacy.
“My staff and I are excited about this new chapter and look forward to continuing to serve our community with the added support and resources that Northern Maine Medical Center provides,” said Ouellette. “Bringing together services under one roof creates synergy, efficiency and eliminates duplication of services.” The acquisition helps meet the challenges of the pharmacy arena, where national drug prices continue to rise, and recruitment and retention of pharmacists and pharmacy techs is increasingly difficult. Leadership from both facilities agree, “Together, we are better.”
