What a glorious day April 24 was for Lewiston-Auburn! The Central Maine Heart and Vascular Institute became a reality.

Mr. Peter Chalke, president and CEO of Central Maine Medical Center, greeted over 100 visitors who had come to view the new cardiac center. After reviewing all the work involved and thanking all for their efforts, Mr. Chalke suggested that visits be made to the operating room where Dr. Richard P. Cochran, director of cardiac surgery, explained the newest equipment and the features of the “smart operating room” that offers the newest technology in cardiac surgery.

Bill Young, former president of CMMC, was just beaming. This had been a lifelong dream of his and it was finally coming true. Bill’s wife, former Auburn mayor Lee Young, was also ecstatic that Bill’s vision, his dream, had come true.

What a happy atmosphere and what a pleasure to see so many happy faces. How lucky we all are to now have such a modern, state-of-the-art facility, staffed by qualified personnel and equipped with nothing but the best – a true blending of families, staff and patients.

To me, this accomplishment was a front page item for the Lewiston-Auburn community and thanks are due to all who worked to make this dream a reality.

Anna LaRocca, Auburn