MDI Hospital

03/20/2026

Happy Business Friends Friday! 🤝🏻 We’re grateful to Darling's Insurance Agency for their generous support as a Champion of Care member of MDI Hospital’s Business Friends Society! 👏

As one of the fastest-growing insurance agencies in Maine, Darling’s Insurance Agency stands out by putting customers first—offering better hours, better service, knowledgeable agents, and an incredible attention to detail.

As part of the Darling’s family of businesses, they carry forward the same vision and values that have made Darling’s a trusted and cherished name across Maine.
Thank you, Darling’s Insurance Agency, for helping support the health of our community! 💙

If you're looking for coverage for your home, auto, or business, learn more at:
🌐 www.darlingsagency.com

03/19/2026

Ever wonder why some nurses have so many letters after their name?

Those letters represent advanced training, specialty expertise, and a deep commitment to providing the best possible care. Today, on National Certified Nurses Day, we celebrate nurses who go the extra mile to earn and maintain professional certification in their field.

At MDI Hospital, Health Centers, and Birch Bay Retirement Village, we are proud to have over 30 Certified Nurses who have accreditations that include: Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), Certified Operating Room Nurse (CNOR), Registered Nurse First Assistant (RNFA), Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA), Pain Management Certified, Certified Emergency Room Nurse (CEN), Vascular Access Board Certified (VA-BC), Would Care Certified (WCC), Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE), Certified Medical-Surgical Nurse (CMSRN), Oncology Certified Nurse (OCN), Certified Medical Surgical RN (CMSRN), Instructor Certified for BLS, ACLD, and PALS, Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist (CCHt), Certified Hospice and Palliative Care Nurse (CHPN), Resident Assessment Coordinator (RSC), Certified in Executive Nursing Practice (CENP), Registered Nurse Certified in Electronic Fetal Heart Monitoring (RNC-EFM).

Each set of letters represents additional training, rigorous testing, and a commitment to lifelong learning, all in service of safer, higher-quality care for our community.

💙 Today we celebrate the expertise, professionalism, and dedication of our Certified Nurses. Thank you for everything you do.

03/18/2026

In recognition of Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, we’re reminding our community that colorectal cancer is one of the most common cancers worldwide, but it’s also one of the most preventable and treatable when caught early.

At Mount Desert Island Hospital, we’re here to help you take control of your health. Routine screenings can detect colorectal cancer before symptoms appear and even prevent it by removing polyps early.

Did you know? Colorectal cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in men under 50 and the second leading cause in women under 50.

Don’t wait for symptoms, make screening a priority. Contact your primary care provider to get started. It could save your life. 💙

03/17/2026

🌟 BRIGHT BODIES: Family Healthy Lifestyle Program 🌟

Looking for a fun way to help your child build healthy habits? Join us in Southwest Harbor for this FREE program for kids ages 10–14 and their families!

💚 All shapes, sizes, and fitness levels are welcome
🥗 Learn about healthy nutrition together
🏃‍♀️ Enjoy fun physical activities, games, and lessons
✨ Build confidence and self-esteem in a supportive group

📅 March 24 – May 21
(No classes April 21 & 23)
⏰ Tuesdays & Thursdays | 3:10–4:00 PM
📍 Pemetic Elementary School, Southwest Harbor, ME
💻 In-person and virtual options available

🍎 Healthy snacks provided during in-person sessions

📞 Sign up or learn more:
Sarah O’Neil
207-460-4628
Sarah.Oneil@mdihospital.org

Bring the whole family and make healthy living fun! 💪

03/16/2026

Sveva Brown, MD is a trusted Family Medicine Physician and Hospitalist at Mount Desert Island Hospital and our Lisa Stewart Women’s Health Center.

This February, MDI Hospital was pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Brown as Director of the Mount Desert Island Hospital HRSA Family Medicine Residency Program.

As Residency Program Director, Dr. Brown will lead the development of a fully operational, ACGME-compliant Family Medicine Residency Program supported by Health Resources and Services Administration funding.

Her colleagues at Lisa Stewart shared their appreciation for her work: “Dr. Brown provides exceptional primary and perinatal care to our patients at Lisa Stewart Women’s Health Center, working closely and collaboratively with every team member to make sure our patients receive timely, coordinated care. Even when she is not onsite, she is always accessible to us every day the center is open, allowing the collaborative work to continue seamlessly. She truly is a gift.”

In honor of National Doctors Day, we invite you to recognize physicians like Dr. Brown who are shaping the future of rural healthcare. Consider making a donation at mdihospital.org/givenow to support our doctors residency education, and the care they provide to our community, today and for generations to come.

Read more about Dr. Brown, her work as HRSA Family Medicine Residency Program Director at MDIH, and National Doctors' Day here: https://www.mdihospital.org/featured/doctors-day-sveva-brown-md/

03/13/2026

Happy Business Friends Friday! 🤝🏻 Thank You, The Acadia Corporation! 💙 MDI Hospital is grateful to The Acadia Corporation for their generous support as a Connectors of Care member of our Business Friends Society.

Locally owned and operated for more than 90 years, The Acadia Corporation has been a cornerstone of the Mount Desert Island community. Since 1932, their family of shops in downtown Bar Harbor has welcomed visitors from around the world with authentic Maine hospitality.

Today, The Acadia Shops operate eight retail stores and an ice cream shop, offering everything from quality outdoor gear—like the perfect pair of hiking boots—to locally crafted Maine products and specialty gifts that capture the spirit of coastal Maine.

Rooted in tradition and committed to quality, each shop provides a unique experience that celebrates the natural beauty and craftsmanship of our region.
We’re proud to partner with businesses like The Acadia Corporation that help strengthen the health and wellbeing of our community. 🌲

Learn more about their shops:
🌐 www.acadiashops.com

03/12/2026

📣Beginning Monday, March 16:

Guided by feedback from patients and community members, our teams have identified additional parking options for Emergency Department patients that allow quick access to the ED pedestrian tunnel entrance, along with an updated traffic flow to ease the expected congestion in the warmer months.

These updates are designed to improve wayfinding, reduce parking challenges, and ensure clear access for emergency vehicles and patients. Please refer to this map, as this change will take place on Monday, March 16th and is expected to remain in place until 2027.

Read more:

03/09/2026

Gabriel Plourde, MD, MPH specializes in family medicine, providing both outpatient and inpatient care at the hospital and at Cadillac Family Practice. With strong interests in public health, chronic disease management, and the treatment of substance use disorders Dr. Plourde is an incredible patient and community resource.

“So much of what influences our health is seemingly outside of our control, from what is affordable at the grocery store, to how we get around this little island, to what our health insurance will pay for. But we are not powerless in defending our own health. I hope to be a partner and advocate for my patients’ wellbeing. I’m very grateful to have this opportunity in this special place among such wonderful people.”

This National Doctors’ Day on March 30th, help us honor physicians like Dr. Plourde by sharing this post, leaving a comment, or making a donation that supports patient care and keeps quality healthcare strong in our community. Make a gift today at mdihospital.org/giving.

03/06/2026

For a patient like Henry, accessing cutting-edge care would typically require going to a major academic medical center, hours away in a major city. But Henry’s journey for cutting-edge cancer care kept him closer to home, much closer. The only hospital on the island, MDI Hospital, and the only community oncologist, Philip Brooks, M.D., were only 10 minutes away from the Grandgents’ home.

Brooks is part of The Jackson Laboratory’s Maine Cancer Genomics Initiative (MCGI) oncology practice network, which meant he was able to get advanced testing for Henry. He brought Henry’s case with those tests to one of MCGI’s Genomic Tumor Boards, where an interdisciplinary panel of experts (including oncologists, pathologists, geneticists, and researchers) reviewed his case and analyzed his unique genetic mutations. With the help of these experts, Brooks was able to determine the treatments that would give Henry the best chance of success.

“It's within three miles, this world-class operation,” said Henry. “There are a lot of people that say, oh, well, you should go down to Boston and see so-and-so … but, I can get in the car and be in the doctor's office in ten minutes.”

Watch the full video from The Jackson Laboratory here 💙

Diagnosed with stage four prostate cancer, Henry Grandgent expected a future of long hospital drives and distant specialists. Instead, the Maine Cancer Genomics Initiative (MCGI) brought world-class cancer care to his island community.

03/06/2026

Happy Business Friends Friday! 🤝🏻 We’re proud to celebrate our incredible partnership with Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania — a valued Champion of Care member of Mount Desert Island Hospital’s Business Friends Society.

Consistently ranked among the nation's top research medical schools, the Perelman School of Medicine has been shaping the future of medicine since 1765.

Since 2011, our groundbreaking partnership with Penn Medicine has become a national model for urban–rural collaboration. Together, we’ve strengthened emergency medicine and critical care services on Mount Desert Island — establishing MDI Hospital as a premier rural hospital for emergency and ICU care.

This first-of-its-kind collaboration connects professionals across the full continuum of care — from Emergency Departments and ICUs to behavioral health, pediatrics, neurology, cardiology, oncology, diabetes management, medical imaging, and more. Penn Medicine’s internationally renowned Level 1 trauma center brings world-class expertise to our community, enhancing care close to home.

💙 Thank you to the Perelman School of Medicine and Penn Medicine for your vision, partnership, and commitment to advancing healthcare — together, we are building a stronger, healthier future for our community.

Penn Medicine researchers have been awarded $25M to conduct a trial using smartphones to fight heart disease.

03/02/2026

Join us in celebrating our amazing doctors this month as we look ahead to National Doctors' Day on March 30th!

Tanya Hanke, DO, a physician specializing in integrative and family medicine at our Community Health Center in Southwest Harbor, is known for her expertise and exceptional compassionate care for patients at all stages of life.

One patient had these sentiments for Dr. Hanke: “Thank you for being one of the guides on my husband’s end-of-life journey. You treated what you could, made quick referrals, and, most importantly, treated us as humans. From clearly explaining options, to always keeping us informed, to answering every question with honesty and compassion.

Because of you, my husband had quality of life in his final months, something neither of us thought was possible. You treated us with dignity, patience, and care every step of the way. You are truly a special treasure, and we will never forget the impact you made on our lives.”

In honor of National Doctor’s Day, please join us in showing your support for Dr. Hanke. We invite you to leave a message of thanks, make a gift in honor of a provider at mdihospital.org/giving, share this post, or take a moment to recognize a physician who makes a difference through compassion and care.

02/27/2026

Happy Business Friends Friday! 🤝🏻 We’re proud to recognize Kozak & Gayer, P.A. for their generous support as a Circle of Care of MDI Hospital’s Business Friends Society! 💙

Founded in 1995, Kozak & Gayer has dedicated their practice to serving healthcare clients across Maine and New England. Their mission is simple yet powerful: deliver top-quality legal services at the best value — with honesty, respect, and teamwork at the heart of every client relationship.

Their commitment to strengthening healthcare in our region makes a meaningful difference for our patients, staff, and community.

Thank you, Kozak & Gayer, for being such an important part of our Circle of Care!
Learn more about their work: www.kozakgayer.com