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| Contributed photo Sen. Susan Collins’ who was born at Cary Medical Center in Caribou, displays bib during her pre-recorded video speech that she prepared for Cary Medical Center’s 90th anniversary celebration at the Caribou Inn and Convention Center on Sept. 24. |
Editor’s note: The following is the full text of the special video message sent by Sen. Susan M. Collins to Caribou on the occasion of Cary Medical Center’s 90th anniversary.
Good evening. I am delighted to congratulate Cary Medical Center as we celebrate 90 years of dedication, expertise, and compassion.
Cary Medical Center was built in 1924 as a community hospital with the emphasis on “community.” It was built on the foundation laid by Dr. Jefferson Cary, a physician as devoted to the City of Caribou as he was to the practice of medicine. His bequest enabled the construction of the original hospital and created a legacy of generosity and support from residents and the neighboring communities that continues today.
Throughout its nine decades, Cary Medical Center has been a recognized leader in rural health care. The new medical center, built in 1978, offered greatly expanded facilities and new technology, but the focus on patient-centered care remained unchanged.
One of the most significant milestones in Cary’s storied history came in 1987, when our nation’s first Community Based Outpatient Clinic for veterans was established in Caribou. The commitment by Cary Medical Center, the Veterans Administration, local veterans, and the entire community expanded access to health care for the men and women who have defended our nation.
I have championed the ARCH program to enable our rural veterans to obtain the health care they need close to home. As one of just five ARCH pilot sites in the country, Cary’s outstanding performance serves as a model for rural care nationwide.
From professional education to diabetes care, oncology, and women and children’s health, Cary Medical Center offers an ever-expanding array of services. As with the Women’s Imaging Center two years ago, these expansions are made possible by generous community support.
Nearly a century has passed since Dr. Jefferson Cary practiced medicine. He had a vision that his generous gift to the community would be expanded through the generations. Thanks to the efforts of so many, that vision is a reality.
On a personal note, I would mention that I was born at Cary Memorial Hospital and have the bib to prove it! [Hold up bib.] My congratulations to Cary Medical Center for 90 years of caring, and best wishes for a bright future.
