Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center’s acquisition of a mobile simulation training ambulance is expected to address a growing regional need for advanced simulation training, particularly in the latest obstetrical and newborn care.
The need for the enhanced training capacity is particularly urgent following the closure of four maternity units in 2025, three of which were within the center’s primary coverage area, according to a news release.
Many remaining rural hospitals continue to provide maternity care with lower patient volumes, which can strain clinical resources. While obstetrical and newborn care are a focus, the mobile simulation ambulance will support a range of training scenarios to strengthen overall emergency preparedness and patient care across the region.
“Health service organizations in eastern and northern Maine have highlighted a significant need for continued training in high-risk clinical scenarios, especially emergency obstetrical and newborn care,” said Dr. James Jarvis, director of clinical education at Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center. “This mobile unit represents a major step forward in our ability to deliver realistic training directly to the communities that need it most.”
Workforce pipeline
The Bangor center’s medical education department received a $35,000 grant from the Consortium for Healthcare Education and Training, in partnership with the Building-ME Network Executive Council, to fund the purchase and outfitting of the ambulance.
The vehicle is expected to roll out this summer, expanding hands-on training for emergency service workers and health care professionals across central, eastern and northern Maine.
Funded by private and public grants, the Consortium for Healthcare Education and Training was founded in the early 2020s as a collaborative support organization for Maine-based partners and programs working to expand clinical education opportunities across rural Maine.
The Building-ME Network, established in 2022, develops clinical learning opportunities for health care trainees in rural Maine.
Currently, Northern Light Health partners with MaineHealth’s mobile simulation team to deliver courses across Downeast and Central Maine. With MaineHealth reaching capacity for training requests, the Northern Light unit will enable expanded collaboration and allow the medical center’s simulation staff to deliver training directly to rural and underserved areas.
The ambulance will support the use of high-fidelity mannequins in realistic field environments, an approach considered ideal for emergency medical services, fire rescue agencies and other emergency responders.
“In addition to clinical training, the mobile unit will support workforce pipeline initiatives through outreach at schools and community events, helping to inspire the next generation of health care professionals,” said Ava Collins, the center’s president.
Closures
In 2025, Houlton Regional Hospital and Mount Desert Island Hospital in Bar Harbor closed their labor and delivery units, and MaineHealth Waldo Hospital in Belfast moved its labor and delivery services to MaineHealth Pen Bay Hospital Family Birth Center in Rockport.
In addition, York Hospital closed its inpatient birthing unit in 2023 and St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center in Lewiston closed its maternity and women’s health unit in 2022.
