Down East Community Hospital

02/23/2026

Down East Community Hospital provider practices will closed at noon today due to weather. That includes:

Arnold Memorial Medical Center
Milbridge Medical Center
Reid Emery Building
Down East Health Center
Women’s Center
Pediatrics
Orthopedics
Rehab

02/13/2026

02/06/2026

DECH and CCH are Included in the Congressionally Directed Spending for FY2026

Down East Community Hospital and Calais Community Hospital are excited to announce that we have received confirmation that requests we submitted last year for CDS funds were approved and are included in the Congressionally Directed Spending for FY2026. This means we will be receiving $4.99 million to renovate and expand the RHC at CCH and $2.2 million towards the construction of six modular town houses near DECH. We can expect to receive the funds by Fall 2026.

The RHC
Expanding our RHC is crucial for meeting the healthcare needs of eastern Washington County. With limited access to medical care, increasing the number of physicians and nurse practitioners is essential. The current size constraints of the clinic hinder our ability to grow and serve more patients effectively. By expanding our facility, we can enhance our services and provide better healthcare options for the community members in need.

We will renovate and increase the size of the RHC by 4,500 sq ft, which will allow for space for 3 additional providers. The expansion will improve ADA accommodations for patients and will provide better patient flows.

We are hoping to break ground with the expansion and begin the renovation process in the Spring of 2027 and have it completed by Spring 2028 or earlier.

The Town Houses
The addition of six modular town houses will provide the access to housing we need to enable us to continue to recruit necessary medical professionals to our service area. The town houses will be used as short-term housing for medical professionals who want to come to the area and work at Down East Community Hospital.

Housing impediments to recruitment will be tempered, and the hospital will be able to alleviate holes in coverage and improve access for urgent/emergent care, and we will be able to greatly reduce the cost on rentals and traveling staff. This also means we will have more funds to invest back into the hospital.

The town houses will be located on hospital owned property; the exact location is to be determined. We plan to start that project in the Spring of 2027 and have it completed sometime in late 2027.

Both projects will improve our ability to recruit and retain medical professionals. The RHC project will also greatly improve access to care for the community and greatly improve the working environment for our staff.

These are exciting times and we are profoundly grateful to Senator Collins for her strong support of both projects and for Senator King who also supported the RHC project.

02/06/2026

Today is National Wear Red Day

National Wear Red Day is an American Heart Association initiative to raise awareness that cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death for women.

Let’s all work together to reduce the number of deaths caused by this “silent” killer. Be sure to talk to your provider about what you can do to reduce your risk or cardiovascular disease.

02/03/2026

Full Time Opportunity at DECH! Apply now at www.dech.org.

01/28/2026

Our Rehabilitation Department on Dublin St. will be closed for the remainder of the day due to issues with the heating system.

01/25/2026

Due to the upcoming storm all DECH provider practices will be closed on 1/26/26. That includes. Down East Health Center, Reid Emery Building, Arnold Mrmorial Medical Center, Milbridge Medical Center, Rehabilitation, Orthopedics, Women Center, and Pediatrics.

Please share this post.

01/22/2026

We are having intermittent connection issues with calls coming into the hospital switchboard. The problem is being worked on by our outside vendor, and we are in hopes they can get everything running smoothly soon.

We apologize for any inconvenience and appreciate your patience.

01/20/2026

Part Time Security Officer Opportunity at DECH in Machias! Apply now at www.dech.org.

01/13/2026

Down East Community Hospital is pleased to announce that Jennifer Jordan, DNP, APRN, FNP-C will be joining Arnold Memorial Medical Center in Jonesport in February.

Jennifer is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner and Doctor of Nursing Practice with extensive experience providing comprehensive, patient-centered care across the lifespan — from newborns through end-of-life. She brings a broad clinical background that includes primary care, wound care, palliative and hospice care, public health, post-reproductive women’s health, and addiction and recovery medicine.

Jennifer is especially experienced in trauma-informed care, approaching each patient with compassion, respect, and an understanding of how life experiences can shape health and healing. She believes healthcare works best when it honors the whole person — body, mind, and lived experience.

She has successfully served as both a clinician and a practice owner, blending evidence-based medicine with integrative approaches and strong clinical leadership. Jennifer is known for her collaborative style and her ability to care for patients with complex medical, emotional, and social needs.

After years of practicing in Massachusetts, Jennifer chose to relocate to Maine to follow her passion for community-based, rural healthcare. She looks forward to working alongside the care team at Arnold Memorial Medical Center and building long-term, trusted relationships with patients and families in Jonesport and the surrounding communities.

Jennifer is married to her husband, Eric, now empty nesters with four adult children located throughout Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Outside of clinical practice, Jennifer enjoys spending time outdoors with her 12-year-old dog, Lily, and feels deeply connected to the rhythms of nature and seasonal living. She loves reading, writing, Pilates and preserving food — especially canning — and finds grounding and joy in simple, intentional practices that reflect her belief in sustainable, whole-person wellbeing.

01/09/2026

DECH First Baby of the New Year Has Arrived

Stephanie Farley pictured with her newborn son Lucas and her first born son Liam. The New Year’s baby basket provided by the hospital was filled with items for Lucas and gift cards for the family.

Lucas Farley, the second child of Stephanie Farley of East Machias was born at 5:52pm on January 8. He was 19 ½” long and weighed in at 7 pounds, 4 ounces. He is a handsome, healthy boy with a loving family, especially mom and his brother Liam. Liam said he was 7 when his mother told him she was going to have a baby and he was very excited about it. He is now 8 and you can be rest assured he will be one of the best big brothers ever!

Nurse Midwife, Donna Waterman, CNM was Stephanie’s provider and Melissa Allen, RN was in attendance throughout the labor and delivery. “I am very happy with the care I received from Donna, (Liam really liked her too) and Melissa was great and very attentive.”

The New Year’s baby basket provided by the hospital was filled with items for the baby and gift cards for the family. Most of the items were purchased from the DECH Auxiliary Gift shop and several were donated by the Auxiliary.

Join us in congratulating Stephanie on the birth of her son!