Eastern Maine Medical Center, a Member of EMHS, was committed to the implementation of the Co-Gen project and sharing information and results regarding the plant post-implementation. The Project Team consisted of the senior facilities’ management and engineering staff. The team devoted a significant percent of their time and effort to successfully complete this innovative project and to share the news with other professional groups and medical facilities. In addition, the EMMC Board of Trustees were involved with early planning and approval of the project.
The selected project management approach was design-build. Cianbro, based out of Pittsfield, Maine, was the selected contractor and Vanderweil Engineers, based out of Boston, MA, were hired for the design.
Eastern Maine Medical Center – Leadership and implementation team for EMMC Co-generation Plant development
Deborah Carey Johnson, RN – Eastern Maine Medical Center Chief Executive Officer
Deborah Carey Johnson is currently the EMMC president and CEO and has executive responsibility for EMMC. She began working at EMMC in 1974 as a Staff Nurse in the Critical Care Unit. She then went on to become the Department Head Nurse in Critical Care, the Assistant Administrator of Nursing, the Administrator for Specialty Centers, the Executive VP/COO, and now serves EMMC in her current role as president and CEO. Deborah provided leadership and oversight of the project from start to finish.
Helen McKinnon, RN – Vice President of Administrative and Clinical Support Services
Helen guides the planning and daily operation of all services that support the work done by nursing on the floors. Services like bioengineering keep life supporting equipment operating at the patients' bedsides; housekeeping does the important work of maintaining a tidy and sterile environment; the safety office and security department keep the medical center buildings and grounds safe for patients, families, and employees. Helen also administers the work of The Maine Rehabilitation Center, the Diabetes, Endocrine & Nutrition Center, Eastern Maine Inpatient Care, and Palliative Care. Helen involves herself in nursing leadership at the state level, and was recently awarded Nursing Leader of the Year by the Organization of Maine Nurse Executives. Helen provided leadership and oversight of the project from start to finish.
Kenneth A. Hews – Senior Vice President, EMHS --- Executive
Ken Hews has been with the Eastern Maine system for over 30 years and taken the lead on Facilities and Construction programs for much of that time. During his tenure, EMMC has grown to a 400+ bed hospital and the regional referral center for two thirds of Maine. Ken has been the Executive on three medical office buildings, an integrated surgery and diagnostic center and parking garage, and an integrated medical and radiation oncology center on EMMC’s campus. In addition, Ken has overseen development of the conversion of a strip mall in Bangor to EMMC’s outpatient medical campus and the construction of a multistory office building for 500+ EMMC and EMHS employees.
Ken is well known in the Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA), the largest professional society for Healthcare financial managers, in which he served as National Chair several years ago. The HFMA is interested in the cost savings aspects of co-gen projects. Ken will also share the results of this project with hospital executives in Maine through the Maine Hospital Association and in other States.
Jeff Mylen, PE – Director of Facilities Special Projects, Eastern Maine Medical Center --- Project Manager
Jeff Mylen has a broad range of expertise which was particularly well suited to the development of the EMMC co-gen project. Jeff has worked as an electrical engineer for many years and a key member of many project development teams. In his role as EMMC’s Director of Facilities Special Projects, Jeff oversees many renovation and construction projects, and takes the lead on electrical related projects.
Jeff worked work closely with Cianbro and Vanderweil to assure the project’s timetable and budget were met and that the project was coordinated and completed on time.
Jeff is very involved in regional and statewide engineering and facilities groups. He is well positioned to provide results of the projects to colleagues in Maine and throughout the U.S.
Other EMMC Team Members included:
Joel Farley – Administrative Director of Facilities, Eastern Maine Medical Center
Scott Humphrey, Plant Operations Manager, Eastern Maine Medical Center
Eric Fish, Electrical Supervisor, Eastern Maine Medical Center