Mercy Hospital receives $1M gift from Gormans

COURTESY / RICHARD SAWYER PHOTOGRAPHY Northern Light Mercy Hospital in Portland has received a $1 million capital campaign gift from local philanthropists James and Maureen Gorman.

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By Staff

Northern Light Mercy Hospital, in Portland, announced Wednesday it has received a $1 million capital gift from local philanthropists James and Maureen Gorman.

Less than a year ago, Mercy launched the public phase of a $20 million capital campaign to support the hospital’s consolidation project, according to a news release. The Gormans’ pledge is among the largest individual gifts in that portion of the campaign.

“As longtime residents of southern Maine, we know Mercy serves an important role in caring for so many in our community,” the Gormans said in the release. “We are pleased to support the Sisters of Mercy’s continuing mission of compassionate care, which is the same today as it was when they founded the hospital over 100 years ago.”

The Gormans are supporters of many Maine organizations. Gorman is the grandson of Leon L. Bean and has served as a member of the L.L.Bean Inc. board of directors for more than 50 years.

“On behalf of Mercy and the patients we serve, we are deeply grateful to the Gormans for their tremendous support,” Charlie Therrien, president of Northern Light Mercy Hospital, said in the release.

Earlier this year, Mercy received state approval of its certificate of need application to complete consolidation of services and hospital operations at its campus on Fore River Parkway. As part of the plan, Mercy is selling its State Street campus and plans to announce details of the sale later this year. Construction to expand the Fore River campus is expected to begin in spring of 2020 and to be completed in 2022.

When complete, Mercy’s Fore River campus will feature an addition to the hospital for inpatient and emergency services, convenient parking for patients and staff, a new outpatient surgical center and other services and practices in one location.

The $74.7 million project will be funded by the capital campaign, financing, and the proceeds from the pending sale of the hospital’s State Street property.

Mercy, a member of Northern Light Health, is a nonprofit community hospital established in 1918 by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland and the Sisters of Mercy.

The hospital currently includes 230 inpatient beds and is one of Maine's largest employers. Last year, Mercy provided nearly $12 million in community benefits, ranging from unreimbursed and pro-bono medical services to health education and prevention outreach.