Mercy celebrates centennial and historic gift 

At a ceremony marking its centennial May 21, Mercy Hospital announced a $2.75 million capital campaign commitment from the family of Dr. Harry E. Davis, Mercy’s first and longtime chair of pediatrics. Dr. Davis’ daughter, Patricia Klingenstein and her family have supported many efforts to improve health care in Maine. The Klingenstein’s gift is especially personal and honors Portland’s beloved and well-known “Dr. Harry.”

“We are grateful for the Klingenstein’s transformational and historic philanthropic commitment in our centennial year,” said Charlie Therrien, president of Mercy Hospital. “It’s truly an investment in Mercy’s future, the care of our community, and a continuation of their strong partnership with Mercy”

Founded in 1918 by the Sisters of Mercy to heal those affected by the Spanish flu pandemic and to care for the city’s poor and disadvantaged, Mercy has served as greater Portland’s community hospital for 100 years. The ceremony is the first in a series of events that are planned throughout the year to commemorate Mercy’s centennial and to celebrate the hospital’s next century of care.

Last year, the hospital launched the “One Mercy” capital campaign to consolidate services and operations on its Fore River campus. The Klingenstein family’s campaign gift is the largest one of its kind in Mercy’s 100-year history. In recognition of their contribution, an existing wing at Mercy’s Fore River hospital has been named in honor of Dr. Harry E. Davis.

Davis served as chief of pediatrics at Mercy Hospital from 1943 until his death in 1963.

“My father loved his patients and his many years of work at Mercy. He had a special bond with the Sisters of Mercy, and he would have been pleased we have honored him during this historic time at a place he loved so very much,” said Klingenstein.

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Hires, promotions, appointments

Jim Bouchard of Topsham has joined the American Red Cross as the executive director of the Central and Mid Coast Maine Chapter. Bouchard brings experience in fundraising, communications and volunteer engagement to the position. Bouchard previously worked at Maine Preservation in Yarmouth, and also held leadership positions at Androscoggin Home Care and Hospice, the United Way of Mid-Coast Maine, Maine Medical Center and the YMCA of Greater Portland. His offices are located in Lewiston and Topsham.

Verrill Dana maritime attorney Benjamin Ford has been selected to join the Arctic Economic Council Maritime Transportation Working Group. Ford was nominated by The Maine North Atlantic Development Office, the first AEC member from the United States’ lower 48, due to his experience in both maritime and Arctic law.

“Maine’s participation brings 100 years of maritime knowledge and experience to the table,” explained Ford, “I am eager for the important role we will play in working to provide safe and sustainable transportation and logistics throughout the Arctic.”

Robert L. McCarthy, Ph.D., professor of pharmacy practice and dean emeritus in the School of Pharmacy at the University of Connecticut, has been chosen as the next dean of the University of New England College of Pharmacy. He will start on Aug. 1. Under McCarthy’s leadership, the UConn School of Pharmacy made significant progress in becoming one of the nation’s premier colleges of pharmacy; US News & World Report ranked the school first in New England and 26th nationally.

Recognition

Bill Linnell, of Portland, has received the Emmy Brown Philanthropist of Time Award for his work with the youth at the Long Creek Youth Development Center. In presenting the award for volunteer of the year, Recreation Director Kim Deering called Linnell “invaluable and an asset to the Long Creek Community for many years and in many ways” as a mentor and coach “who has spent countless hours making an impact on many lives.”

Milestones

Deacon Patrick Finn, a Bath native, will be ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Robert P. Deeley on Saturday, June 16, at 10 a.m. at St. John the Baptist Church, 39 Pleasant St., Brunswick. After graduating from Morse High School, Finn attended Franciscan University of Steubenville in Ohio. During his time with the friars, he worked at a small Catholic elementary school, at a fraternity of secular Franciscans and for a group for people with special needs and their families. Finn also served at an inner-city parish in Maryland and lived among the Yankton Sioux in South Dakota.

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New Ventures

Ogletree Deakins a labor and employment law firm that represents management, announced that the firm is opening its 53rd office, which will be located in Portland. Byrne Decker, who joins the firm from Pierce Atwood, will serve as the office’s managing shareholder

Juiced, a  juice and smoothie cafe in Hallowell, officially opened a new cafe in Portland on May 26 on Forest Avenue.

Mid Coast Hospital Auxilians Mary Sue Stoner of Woolwich, left, and Cyndy Bush of Harpswell at the Grand and Glorious Yard Sale held May 18-20 in Brunswick, at which $60,000 was raised.

Bouchard

Finn

Matthew Tice of Scarborough, second from left, was unanimously confirmed by the Maine Senate as a district court judge for Cumberland County on May 31. Tice had worked in the District Attorney’s Office since 1997. From left are Sen. Amy Volk, R-Scarborough, Elizabeth Campbell, Phebe Tice and Harrison Tice.


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