CARIBOU, Maine — The Jefferson Cary Foundation, a nonprofit organization raising funds to improve health care services in Aroostook County, recently presented Cary Medical Center with a $40,013.06 donation to be used to purchase new equipment in the Maternal Child Unit. The donation represents proceeds from the Foundation’s Annual Cary Classic Golf Tournament.
“On behalf of the Maternal Child Unit and the families whom we serve, we would like to thank the Jefferson Cary Foundation for the generous monetary donation. We are fortunate to work alongside such caring individuals who recognize how vital our labor and delivery service is for Aroostook County families,” said Jen Plante, RN PCN. “We take seriously the importance of safe and accessible prenatal, delivery, and postpartum care. With this money, we will be able to invest in equipment that will match the incomparable care we provide.”
A new jaundice meter is one of the items requested by the unit. Before being discharged, every newborn must be screened for jaundice. According to Chad Johnson, inpatient manager, the new meter is non-invasive, plus reduces time and added laboratory work. “It improves efficiency by delivering reliable measurements with significantly fewer steps, which frees up more time for direct infant care.”
Cary Medical Center’s Obstetrics is the winner of the Women’s Choice Award for Best Hospitals in 2023. Nearly 200 babies have been born at Cary this year, and more than 700 patient visits in obstetrics alone. The Maternal Child Unit has seven private rooms, including two expanded labor and delivery rooms with one labor tub. Five post-partum rooms, two of which have queen size adjustable beds. The unit also features an exam room, lactation room, regular nursery and isolation nursery and other facilities.
Craig Staples, JCF president, said, “Our board members are happy to be able to make this donation on behalf of so many involved in our golf tournament; our sponsors, golfers, volunteers and the Caribou Country Club. It’s an honor and a privilege for us, and we look forward to the tournament each year. It means a great deal knowing the donation will stay in the community.”
“The saying goes, ‘it takes a village’ and that is certainly the case here,” said Chelsey Anderson, JCF executive director and organizer of the Cary Classic. “The event has been successful for 40 years, because of the incredible community we have. The funds raised each year continue to support causes utilized right here in Aroostook County. There’s going to be an entire generation benefit from the gift made today.”
Plans are already underway for the 41st Annual Cary Classic Benefit Golf Tournament on Saturday, July 12, 2025. For more information contact the Jefferson Cary Foundation office at jcf@carymed.org or 163 Van Buren Road, Caribou, ME 04736.
