The medical center is located just south of the Bates College campus, and occupies a triangular lot bounded by Campus Avenue and Golder and Sabattus Streets. Separating the medical center from the campus is St. Mary's d'Youville Pavilion, a senior care facility also operated by Covenant Health. Access to the hospital is via a circular drive on Sabattus Street. The facility's largest buildings are the result of expansion in the 1960s in 1970s.
History
The hospital was founded in June 1888 by the Sisters of Charity of St. Hyacinthe, and was the first Catholic-run hospital in the state. The sisters originally converted the Sarah J. Golder house into a 30-bed hospital and orphanage. Saint Mary's hospital was also known as the Sister's Hospital, the French Hospital, or the Catholic Hospital. The first purpose-built hospital building was constructed in 1902. This Late Gothic Revival building was designed by Lewiston architect William R. Miller, and still forms part of the facility today. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1987 for its architecture and historical significance.
Wall of Shame
In October 2019, an investigation by the Maine Human Rights Commission found that employees of Saint Mary's Regional Medical Center created a 'wall of shame' displaying confidential medical records of patients with disabilities. The commission found that the employees displayed confidential medical records of patients with disabilities detailing issues with their genitalia, body odor and bodily functions, and that the exhibit had contributed to a hostile work environment. The wall of shame was displayed from June 2015-January 2017. On October 3, 2019, Covenant Health President and CEOStephen Grubbs and St. Mary’s Health System President Steven Jorgensen released a statement saying, 'St. Mary's apologizes for employees' 'wall of shame' that showed confidential medical information. Covenant Health and St. Mary’s Health System does not tolerate or condone discrimination or harassment of any kind, for any reason.... We sincerely apologize.'
COVID-19 Pandemic
On April 3, 2020, the Portland Press Herald reported that St. Mary's was "requiring employees to use their own sick or vacation time" if they need to be quarantined for 14 days after coronavirus exposure. By contrast, "Maine's two largest hospital systems are offering employer-paid leave if they need to be quarantined" for coronavirus exposure. St. Mary's spokesperson Jason Gould confirmed the hospital's leave policy as described in the report. Three days after the report, St. Mary's president Steven Jorgensen reversed the policy and in a memo to hospital employees, stating that "employees who are quarantined for COVID-19 work-related exposure will now receive their 'regular pay' and that, 'employees who were previously quarantined and used earned time will have their earned time restored.'"
