A NOTE FROM SUSAN

Innovation runs throughout our history and it will shape our future. As a core value of MaineHealth, innovation is embedded in the daily work of our care team members. In 2020, MaineHealth demonstrated its commitment to innovation by establishing the MaineHealth Innovation division, which is strategically positioned alongside medical education and research, and serves as the connective tissue between research, education and care. I am thrilled to share our inaugural report which celebrates all that MaineHealth Innovation and our partners have built together in just two years.

MaineHealth Innovation achieves the MaineHealth vision of “working together so our communities are the healthiest in America” by leveraging the insights of our 22,000 care team members. Our people are the experts in care who see challenges worth solving every day. We have the insights and curiosity into how we deliver care today, and how we can deliver it in the future. Together, and with the support of our strategic partners across Northern New England, we are transforming care through innovation.

We define innovation as a novel idea that solves an unmet healthcare need. We are discovering that innovation is as simple as a headband to hold oxygen tubes. We are learning that innovation is applying emerging Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology in the primary care setting to transform the way our care team members prevent blindness in rural diabetic patients. Innovation relies on novel ideas and challenging the status quo, thinking differently, researching and testing ideas, and creating a safe space to brainstorm ideas. We serve our brave and passionate MaineHealth innovators by providing connections, education and funding to bring those ideas to life.

Our work will continue to explore new care team models, revenue streams and collaborations. We will foster our culture of innovation from Damariscotta, Maine, to Portland, Maine, to North Conway, New Hampshire. Come join us as, together, we will dream big, inspire and impact care – and have fun doing it.

With gratitude,

Susan Ahern
Vice President of Innovation
MaineHealth

IMPACT

MaineHealth Innovation aims to foster a culture of innovation together. At MaineHealth, innovation is defined as a novel idea that solves an unmet care need through new care team models, products or services. Multi-disciplinary collaboration is key and pivoting is part of the process. Solving problems creatively provides an opportunity to have fun and work better together.

GOALS

SERVICES

2020-2021 IMPACT