DEAR SUN SPOTS: Why didn’t your June 10 reply concerning the heart center referrals contain the real truth that St. Mary’s is affiliated with Maine Medical Center in Portland and that is why they refer to Portland instead of Central Maine Medical Center? — Ron Grant, Rgrant29917@fairpoint.net

ANSWSER: In the June 10 column a reader asked why her St. Mary’s doctor couldn’t send her to CMMC and see her there. For that answer, Sun Spots emailed with Becky Schnur, director of communications for the Maine Hospital Association, who offered a complete response, which said, in part:

“By law, every hospital has to credential and privilege every physician on its medical staff. So that’s why not every physician can admit patients to every hospital — because the hospital hasn’t done the credentialing. The requirement to credential and privilege every physician on a hospital’s medical staff is part of the Medicare Conditions of Participation (federal regulation).”

Sun Spots put Ron’s follow-up question on the subject to St. Mary’s directly and received the following response from Jennifer Radel, community relations manager for St. Mary’s Health System:

“The physicians at St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center support the choices that our patients make when considering their options for cardiac care. That’s why we use the motto ‘Your Voice. Your Care.’

“In Maine, major cardiac procedures are performed at Maine Medical Center, Eastern Maine Medical Center and CMMC. As noted, we are pleased to be affiliated with Maine Medical Center and the Maine Heart Center.

“Maine Medical Center has been recognized as one of the top 100 cardiovascular hospitals in the country for five consecutive years. Our goal, as a care provider, is to offer our patients the options that meet their needs, and then to support their choice.”

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Thank you for sharing my letter about Project Linus (June 3). I was thrilled to hear from so many folks who want to make blankets for children in need.

I heard from one gentleman who lives in Lisbon Falls who won an afghan at a VFW raffle and wanted to donate it to Project Linus. Unfortunately, I have lost his name and phone number. I am hoping that he will read this letter and get back in touch with me. Thank you. — Annette Wilson, Project Linus coordinator, Androscoggin and Oxford counties, 353-7071, annettemw@roadrunner.com

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Master piper Dick Hensold will give a benefit concert for the Wilton Historical Society on Thursday, July 21, at 7:30 p.m., at the First Congregational Church, Main Street, Wilton. This concert will kick off a fundraising campaign to restore the building housing the Wilton Farm and Home Museum.

Dick Hensold is the leading Northumbrian smallpiper in North America, and for the past 20 years has performed and taught in England, Scotland, Japan, Canada and across the United States.

The concert will feature Hensold on Northumbrian smallpipes (a quiet bagpipe from Northeast England), reel pipes (an indoor version of the Scottish Highland pipes intended for Scottish dance music), seljefløyte (Norwegian willow-flute), säckpipa (Swedish bagpipes), pibgorn (Welsh hornpipe) and several other instruments.

He will play music in several traditional and historical styles, with particular emphasis on Cape Breton, early Scottish, and Northumbrian, but also including Scandinavian, medieval, Irish and original music.

Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for those under 12, and are available at the door. Advance tickets are available at Wilton Hardware, Bradley’s Pizza or at the Wilton Farm and Home Museum. Contact Pam Brown at 645-2091 or applepamm@gmail.com for more information. — Al Kaplan, al.kaplan1@myfairpoint.net

This column is for you, our readers. It is for your questions and comments. There are only two rules: You must write to the column and sign your name (we won’t use it if you ask us not to). Please include your phone number. Letters will not be returned or answered by mail, and telephone calls will not be accepted. Your letters will appear as quickly as space allows. Address them to Sun Spots, P.O. Box 4400, Lewiston, ME 04243-4400. Inquiries can also be e-mailed to sunspots@sunjournal.com.

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