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TV producer Dick Wolf gives $10M lead gift to MDI Hospital upgrade

An illustration shows the inside of a building with a ramp and stairs. RENDERING / COURTESY SMRT, MDI HOSPITAL Under plans in the works at Mount Desert Hospital, the emergency department will triple its footprint.
By Laurie Schreiber

Mount Desert Island Hospital received a $10 million lead gift from television producer and philanthropist Dick Wolf to the Building Our Future campaign. 

The contribution — the largest from an individual in the hospital’s history — will accelerate construction of a state-of-the-art emergency department, upgraded surgical suites, and a Main Street entrance.

A person poses for a headshot.
Photo / Courtesy MDI Hospital
Dick Wolf

“This gift not only advances our vision for a modern, patient-centered campus, it inspires others to join us in building a healthier future for our island community,” said Chrissi Maguire, the hospital’s president and CEO. 

“MDI Hospital is a cornerstone of this community,” said Wolf. “I’m proud to help ensure that the people of Mount Desert Island and beyond have access to the best possible care, now, and for generations to come.”

The $55 million campaign is an initiative to modernize MDI Hospital’s campus. The project will nearly double the size of the emergency department, add advanced surgical and diagnostic capabilities, improve patient flow and privacy and create flexible space to meet evolving health care needs. 

One of television’s most prolific producers, Wolf is best known as the creator of the “Law & Order” franchise. He also created the hit “Chicago” and “FBI” franchises, producing more than 2,500 hours of network television and earning multiple Emmy Awards, a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and induction into the Television Academy Hall of Fame.

Wolf champions numerous health, education and arts initiatives.

Bank donations

Closely following on a $250,000 donation from First National Bank and $100,000 from the Bangor Savings Bank Foundation, two more banks have contributed an additional $375,000 toward Mount Desert Island Hospital’s campus improvement project.

Bar Harbor Bank & Trust made a $350,000 commitment and Machias Savings Bank donated $25,000 to the hospital’s $55 million Building Our Future campaign.

SEven people pose in a line with an oversize check.
Photo / Courtesy MDI Hospital
From left, Bar Harbor Bank & Trust’s Jack Frost, Lisa Parsons and Curtis Simard and MDI Hospital’s Chrissi Maguire, Michelle Smith, Oka Hutchins and Robyn Clark.

Bar Harbor Bank & Trust’s commitment was directed to one of the campaign’s priorities: charity care. Each year, MDI Hospital provides approximately $200,000 in free and uncompensated care to local individuals and families. 

The donation is expected to help offset that growing cost and in turn support the campus improvement project, said Curtis Simard, the Bar Harbor Bank & Trust's president and CEO.

Matt Horton, vice president and branch manager at Machias Savings Bank, is a local resident.

“Having served with the fire department for many years, I’ve had countless professional interactions with the emergency department, and I am always impressed by the care they provided,” he said.

Five people pose in a line.
Photo / Courtesy MDI Hospital
Machias Savings Bank donated $25,000 to the hospital’s $55 million Building Our Future campaign.

The project is underway to expand and modernize the emergency department, reorient the hospital’s main entrance to provide easier access from Main Street and revitalize the existing structure.

Landry/French Construction, of Scarborough, is managing the upgrade. The architect is SMRT Architects and Engineers, of Portland.

It’s expected that the 42,600-square-foot expansion and modernization will be completed in 2028.

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