Rumford Hospital

The deal, announced earlier this year, would give a nonprofit acquirer sole ownership of all Central Maine Healthcare services and facilities, including Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston.

As part of the agreement, the buyer has pledged to invest $150 million in Central Maine Healthcare facilities over the next five years.

Stephany Jacques has been interim president of the two Central Maine Healthcare critical access hospitals since May.

Starting Thursday, 38 National Guard members out of 75 that have been called up will be deployed to 10 health care facilities across the state.

The state has consistently scored near the top in national evaluations of hospital quality and safety, conducted by the Leapfrog Group. Now the group is singling out Maine for its high marks.

The Mainebiz roundup of all things construction includes news of a $5.5 million hotel in Rumford — a welcome addition to the business scene there, many say — and an update from the Verdante in Portland.

First announced last November, the $38 million, 50,000-square-foot oncology center will break ground Thursday and is expected to open in the first quarter of 2022.

Central Maine Healthcare had long prepared for emergencies such as the massive outbreak of a deadly disease. But when Maine's first COVID-19 patient entered an emergency room on March 10, things happened fast.