A Legacy of Giving Continues: $2 Million Raised Locally In Honor of Bob Bahre

January 25, 2021

Contact: Abbie Graiver
207-744-6049 / abbie.graiver@mainehealth.org

Norway, MaineStephens Memorial Hospital announced today that an extraordinary opportunity presented by a local donor has resulted in the hospital raising $2 million in honor of Bob Bahre to advance the care provided to patients and families at Stephens.

Bahre, an icon and beloved member of the Oxford Hills community, passed away earlier this year. His generosity was legendary and extensive within the greater Oxford Hills community, State of Maine, and beyond. Although his support was often quiet and anonymous, the impact of his generosity was profound. Bahre recognized the importance of an outstanding local healthcare system in Western Maine, and Stephens was among his philanthropic priorities over the years.

In September, Stephens Memorial Hospital was contacted by a donor, who wishes to remain anonymous, that recognized the impact of Bahre’s support and wanted to lead by Bahre’s example. The generous donor offered to match donations up to $500,000.00 given in honor of Bahre before the end of 2020.

All funds raised were to stay local and ensure that Stephens continues to provide top-quality, progressive health care for people living in the Oxford Hills community. In consultation with the donor, funds were designated to the Stephens imaging program in an effort to support the acquisition of a more advanced MRI scanner, ensuring our community has access to state-of-the-art imaging technology.

Stephens, a member of MaineHealth, holds a 5-Star Rating for Patient Experience from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and a 2020 National Top Rural Hospital Award from the Leapfrog Group. “Stephens is a small rural hospital, with highly skilled health professionals who make patient care their top priority. Nothing makes us more proud than to earn the support and trust of this community and our patients,” said Andrea Patstone, President of Stephens.

The hospital is extremely grateful and humbled by the meaningful and record setting support it received. Due to the work of a dedicated committee, local Board and community leaders, the hospital’s fundraising effort exceeded the initial matching goal, resulting in total of $2 million raised, including the funds matched by the generous donor.

Patstone said “This extraordinary opportunity provided us with a chance to reach out to the community and continue Bob’s legacy of support. Along the way, we have met new donors, re-connected with donors and received unwavering support from longstanding donors, all sharing their stories and memories of Bob,” Patstone shared. “This support is a testament of how Bob’s impact continues to live on and make a difference in the community he loved.”

The matching gift initiative’s progress was bolstered by a series of leadership gifts. We would like to extend special recognition to our leadership donors which include: Richard and Wendy Penley, John and Lynn Schiavi, The Schiavi Family Foundation, Dr. & Mrs. William L. Medd and the Sutton Family. The initiative was also supported by local business leadership gifts including; Norway Savings Bank, Paris Farmers Union, Town & Country Mobile Home Park and One Pie Canning, CO.

Thank you to all the donors whose commitment and support made this achievement possible. For a full listing of donors please visit: wmhcc.org.

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About Stephens Memorial Hospital
The hospital employs nearly 700 full and part time workers and provides a full continuum of care, including primary care, OB/GYN and obstetrical care, general surgical services, comprehensive imaging services, a 25 bed inpatient unit and full service emergency care. In partnership with Maine Medical Center and the Tufts University School of Medicine, Stephens is a rural medical education teaching site, helping to educate physicians interested in continuing their careers in rural medicine.

Stephens Memorial Hospital is part of MaineHealth, a not-for-profit integrated health system consisting of nine local hospital systems, a comprehensive behavioral healthcare network, diagnostic services, home health agencies, and more than 1,700 employed and independent physicians working together through an Accountable Care Organization. With close to 23,000 employees, MaineHealth is the largest health system in northern New England and provides preventive care, diagnosis and treatment to 1.1 million residents in Maine and New Hampshire.