Down East Community Hospital

05/08/2026

Full Time Surgical Services Environmental Technician Position Opportunity! Apply now at www.dech.org.

05/01/2026

Full Time Accounting Specialist Opportunity in Machias. Apply now at www.dech.org!

04/27/2026

When Giving Life Touches Home

You never really know how you’ll respond when life places you in a moment that calls for extraordinary compassion—like hearing a desperate plea from someone in need of a kidney to survive.

That moment came for Kandi Robertson of Harrington when she learned that her neighbor and family friend since high school, Jamie Denbow, was starting his search for a life saving kidney before he started dialysis. The news moved her deeply. Without hesitation, Kandi began the process to see if she could become a donor.

She knew the odds were uncertain. The testing process was long, and even if she proved to be a match, there was no guarantee she would ultimately be chosen. Still, she moved forward quietly, telling no one—not even Jamie—so as not to raise hopes prematurely.

Then, one extraordinary day, the call came: she had been chosen. She was a full match.

Kandi later described her joy as equal to some of the happiest moments of her life—her wedding day and the birth of her children. She was overwhelmed with emotion, knowing she had the chance to save a life.

She wanted to tell Jamie immediately but chose to wait until his doctors contacted him first.

Then the phone rang.

It was Jamie.

“So, I hear you have a kidney for me,” he said.

What followed was a moment neither of them will ever forget. They cried together—tears of relief, gratitude, and awe at what had just unfolded.

September 26, 2023 was donation day at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston.

Today, both Kandi and Jamie are doing wonderfully. Their bond remains strong, and they celebrate each anniversary of the transplant together—a reminder of the day their lives became forever intertwined.

They now share their story not only to express their deep gratitude but also to inspire others. Their message is simple but profound: organ donation saves lives, and sometimes, the opportunity to give that gift is closer to home than you ever imagined.

You can learn more about organ and tissue donation through organdonor.gov, Donate Life America at donatelife.net, RegisterMe.org, and the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS). These sites provide information on registering, the donation process, and waiting list data, while local DMVs and state registries offer in-person registration.

04/20/2026

Small Labs. Big Impact. Every Patient, Every Time.

Celebrating Medical Laboratory Professionals Week | April 19-25, 2026

Each year, we proudly recognize Medical Laboratory Professionals Week, a national celebration honoring the skilled professionals who play a critical role in patient care—often behind the scenes.

At Calais Community Hospital and Down East Community Hospital, our laboratory teams are an essential part of the healthcare process. It is estimated that over 70% of medical decisions are influenced by laboratory test results, highlighting just how important their work truly is.

From early morning blood draws to complex diagnostic testing and rapid reporting of critical results, our laboratory staff—including medical laboratory scientists, technicians, and phlebotomists—are dedicated to accuracy, efficiency, and patient safety every single day.

In our rural hospital settings, our lab teams go above and beyond. Their versatility, teamwork, and close collaboration with providers and nurses help ensure that patients in our communities receive timely, high-quality, and personalized care close to home.

During Lab Week, we take this opportunity to recognize and thank our laboratory professionals at both facilities for their expertise, dedication, and commitment to excellence. While much of their work happens behind the scenes, its impact is felt in every diagnosis, every treatment decision, and every patient outcome.

Thank you to our laboratory teams for all that you do—this week and every week!

If you see a member of our lab team this week, please join us in thanking them for the vital role they play in keeping our communities healthy.

04/13/2026

04/09/2026

Full Time Accounting Specialist Opportunity! Apply now at www.dech.org.

04/07/2026

Power and phones have be restored at our Reid Emery and Down East Health Center locations.

04/07/2026

The power and phones are out at our Reid Emery and Down East Health Center Locations. Communications with Versant indicates power will be restored soon. Thank you for your patience during this time.

04/06/2026

April is National Month! Just as trees grow and support each other in a forest, donation connects people – donors, recipients, and their families. Like a tree that grows and stands for generations, a donor’s gift leaves a lasting legacy of hope and life. For 2026 National Donate Life Month, join us to honor and remember donors, and bring new life and inspiration to those waiting for a second chance at life. This National Donate Life Month, join us in helping save and heal lives: register your decision to be an organ and tissue donor at RegisterMe.org.

03/26/2026

James R. Shaw, MD FAAFP practices at the Down East Health Center in East Machias and he is accepting new patients!

Dr. Shaw has 47 years of experience caring for adult patients of all ages with acute and chronic illnesses as well as tending to their preventive care needs. He particularly enjoys caring for complex older patients. He believes everyone should have a primary care doctor who knows them and will listen. He feels listening is the most important skill a caregiver can possess.

If you wish to establish care with Dr. Shaw, we encourage you to initiate the transfer of your medical records by contacting your current provider’s office. If you need assistance, please contact the Down East Health Center at 255-2772.

Down East Health Center
1031 Main Street
East Machias, ME 04630

03/25/2026

Down East Community Hospital is excited to welcome Board-Certified Neurologist, Dr. Marko Reumann, to our team and are happy to announce that he will be opening his full-time practice beginning in May.

With over 20 years of dedicated practice in Neurology across the globe, Dr. Marko Reumann, MD, brings a unique, international perspective to patient care. From his foundational studies at the University of Vienna in Austria to his postgraduate training at Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Temple University, Dr. Reumann combines rigorous academic excellence with decades of clinical expertise.

Having served communities across Pennsylvania – including Penn Highlands Dubois and Geisinger Medical Center – and spent five years in private practice in Hawaii, Dr. Reumann understands that every patient’s journey is unique.

Specializing in:
General Neurology
Headache & Migraine Management
Movement Disorders such as Parkinson’s, Dystonia, Spasticity, and Tremor syndromes
Epilepsy & Cerebrovascular Disease
Neuromuscular disorders
Electrodiagnostic testing such as EMG and EEG.
Chemodenervation with Botulinum toxin for neurological indications

Experience compassionate, board-certified care from a physician who has practiced at the highest levels of medicine.

Dr. Reumann will begin seeing patients at his office in the Reid Emery Building in Machias in May 2026. Patients can be referred to Dr. Reumann by their primary provider calling 255-5600 or sending a fax to 255-5615.