Central Maine Healthcare replaced its CEO the day after the system was acquired by Prime Healthcare Foundation, a California-based health nonprofit.

Central Maine Healthcare, which owns Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston, Bridgton Hospital, Rumford Hospital and other facilities across western Maine, was acquired by Prime on Feb. 16. Aside from a new logo, the transition has appeared quiet.

But according to the health system’s website, Steven Littleson, CEO since 2021, is no longer in that position. His last day was Feb. 17, and Allen Stefanek, a longtime Prime executive, started as interim CEO the same day, a Prime spokesperson said.

The spokesperson did not confirm whether Littleson resigned.

Stefanek, who is based in Lewiston, “had been closely involved in supporting Central Maine Healthcare’s transition and ongoing operations in the months leading up to this appointment,” the spokesperson said.

His previous leadership roles were at hospitals in California, which are among more than 50 facilities in 15 states operated by Prime Healthcare, which owns the 501(c)(3) foundation. Earlier in his career, Stefanek was Prime Healthcare’s vice president of operations.

Littleson said in late January he was anxiously awaiting the acquisition by Prime Healthcare Foundation.

“This is a great answer for our health system, for the communities that we serve and the state of Maine,” Littleson said. “We’re going to remain not-for-profit, we’re going to get a huge investment, they’re going to maintain local leadership, maintain a local board — this is all positive, all upside.”

Littleson has been removed from the website’s executive team page. Richard Kropp, senior vice president at Central Maine Healthcare and the organization’s chief people officer for more than three years, has also been taken off the page. There was no news release about the changes.

Although Prime Healthcare Foundation is the parent company of Central Maine Healthcare, the Maine Department of Health and Human Services, in a memo before approving the acquisition, said the health system would continue to be governed by its own board of directors, maintain its own financial statements, and “have its own employees and manage its own payroll.”

Prime officials said they have appointed Marlon Margarejo, a former leader at a hospital in Florida, as chief nursing officer at Central Maine Medical Center. He started in mid-March.

“Our focus has been on ensuring quality, stability, continuity of care, and support for patients, caregivers and staff during the transition,” a Prime spokesperson said Friday. “At this time, there are no significant staffing changes or layoffs to share.”

The foundation has vowed to invest $150 million in the three Maine hospitals and other facilities over the next five years. Stefanek’s goal as interim CEO is to improve access to care. A Prime spokesperson said investments are underway to implement a new electronic medical records system and expand emergency departments and behavioral health services.

Another goal is to continue trauma care “with efforts to re-establish trauma center designation” at Central Maine Medical Center, which lost its status late last year, leaving Maine with just two accredited around-the-clock trauma destinations.

“Central Maine Healthcare will benefit from the strength and resources of a nationally
recognized, mission-driven system with a proven track record of saving hospitals and preserving access to care,” the Prime spokesperson said, “particularly for vulnerable populations.”