MDI Hospital in Bar Harbor officially opened its new main entrance to patients and visitors at 6 a.m. on Monday, October 19. This event signifies a notable milestone in MDI Health’s ongoing campus improvement project, aimed at modernizing facilities and enhancing patient experience.
The newly established entrance, accessible directly from Main Street, provides a more welcoming and efficient arrival space for all general patient and visitor traffic. Key features of this new access point include a dedicated registration area and an adjacent parking lot specifically designated for patients and visitors. Hospital administration is directing all patients and visitors to utilize this new main entrance for their appointments and visits.
With the opening of the Main Street entrance, previous access protocols have been updated. The Wayman Lane entrance, which previously served as a general entry point, is now exclusively for employees and requires a badge for access. It is important to note that the entrance to the Emergency Department remains unchanged and continues to operate as it has prior to these updates.
Chrissi Maguire, president and CEO of MDI Health, commented on the significance of this development. She stated that this opening represents "a meaningful moment for everyone who has helped bring this vision to life." Maguire extended gratitude to the numerous donors, trustees, employees, and community partners whose collective support made this phase of the project possible. According to Maguire, these efforts are instrumental in creating a more welcoming and accessible hospital environment, ultimately strengthening care close to home for current and future generations of island residents.
Specific arrangements have been made for oncology and infusion patients. These individuals should also use the new Main Entrance upon arrival. After entering, they are directed to check in at the main registration area before proceeding to the second-floor Infusion/Oncology Center for their treatment. To further accommodate these patients, designated oncology patient parking spaces are available within the new visitor parking lot.
The introduction of the new main entrance is a foundational component of a broader, multi-phase effort to comprehensively modernize the MDI Hospital campus. This extensive project encompasses a range of improvements, including a significant expansion of the Emergency Department and various enhancements to interior navigation throughout the hospital. Construction activities are planned to continue in successive phases over the coming years. The expanded Emergency Department, a major element of this campus-wide modernization, is currently projected to open in early 2028. This long-term commitment reflects MDI Health's dedication to evolving its facilities to better serve the Bar Harbor and Mount Desert Island communities.
