LETTER: Castine clinic closing is ‘far from the end of this story’

After nearly a century, the clinic in Castine is closing its doors. But the board of the Castine Community Hospital Corporation is working on a new iteration of services. File photo.

Feb. 27, 2026

We regret that tomorrow, March 28, will be the first day since 1928 that our clinic will not be providing access to medical care for residents of this area. While it is, indeed, a disappointing day, it is far from the end of this story. The CCHC board has continued to work to ensure that this facility will once again be a center of community care. As previously announced, we are taking the necessary steps to create a structure which will allow the provision of direct primary care, while also reviewing what services will be offered initially as part of this DPC program. As you can imagine, this process entails a series of interlocking steps and a priority for us is to ensure a smooth transition to this new model. We are grateful that MMA is working with us to determine how closer collaboration with them might support the clinic.

We pledge to work as quickly as possible, but also as carefully as possible in order that this new effort be established on firm footing. We shall provide regular updates as we approach the reopening, with our next occurring within 45 days.

Sincerely,

The board of the Castine Community Hospital Corporation

-Jeff Ackerman

-Patricia Bixel

-Elizabeth LaStaiti  

-Sara Leighton

-Debby Neve

-Mark Morgioni

-Jinnie Perkins

-Bobby Vagt

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