The new 3D mammogram machine provides women in the area with better access to better scans. Author: Hannah Yechivi (NEWS CENTER Maine) Published: 6:30 PM EST January 7, 2021 Updated: 6:33 PM EST January 7, 2021
BLUE HILL, Maine A new tool in the fight against breast cancer for certain patients is now being used at Blue Hill Hospital.
The new 3D mammogram machine provides women in the area with better access to better scans, these 3D scans let doctors more easily detect cancers at their earlier stages. What the 3D tomosynthesis does is it essentially takes the breast tissue and separates it for us, so you can really look in between underlying breast tissue and overlapping breast tissue, Natalie Stanley, director of imaging at Northern Light Blue Hill Hospital, said.
Saying goodbye to those we lost
ELLSWORTH 2020 was a year full of loss, thanks in part to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Hancock County recorded its first death of a person who tested positive for coronavirus in May, a man in his 60s, according to the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Since then, as of Dec. 30, eleven Hancock County residents have died due to the coronavirus. However, locals have lost many more family and friends who lived elsewhere to the virus.
Meanwhile, Hancock County lost several community leaders due to other causes during 2020.
Longtime lawman Alan Brown of Ellsworth died on Oct. 16.
Northern Light updates council on vaccine rolloutÂ
ELLSWORTH â Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Centerâs director of clinical education, Dr. Jim Jarvis, presented COVID-19 vaccine information to the City Council on Dec. 21. He was joined by Senior Physician Executive at Northern Light Blue Hill Hospital Dr. Mike Murnik and Director of Communications Kelley Columber.
The information session followed Councilor Robert Millerâs COVID-19 Education slideshow he said would be made available on the city of Ellsworthâs website. Miller has been a pharmacist for 25 years and a disaster pharmacist since 2002.
The Northern Light team attended the meeting virtually to âlet the community know what to expectâ with vaccine distribution, potential allergic reactions and other questions arising out of the emergence of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines.
Blue Hill named a top hospital
BLUE HILL Northern Light Blue Hill Hospital has been named a Top Rural Hospital nationally by The Leapfrog Group.
“I am incredibly proud of Blue Hill Hospital’s providers and staff,” said John Ronan, president of Northern Light Blue Hill and Maine Coast hospitals. “The health-care team working at this hospital is certainly deserving of this recognition. Quality and safety efforts are a top priority as we do our best to put our patients first every day in all that we do.”
The Top Hospital designation is bestowed by The Leapfrog Group, a national organization of employers and other purchasers that evaluates health care safety and quality. Over 2,200 hospitals were considered for the Top Hospital Awards. Among those, Blue Hill Hospital, along with 18 others, received a Top Rural distinction.