CMMC decision will leave Maine with two hospital trauma centers

Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston says it will no longer seek verification as a trauma center, effective Dec. 1, 2025.The hospital will still be considered a trauma system hospital, meaning it can provide “effective and efficient clinical decision-making and trauma care, assure appropriate consultation and, when required, effect appropriate transfer to other facilities.” Trauma hospitals are “able to provide a comprehensive array of trauma care and Trauma System support resources, designated by the American College of Surgeons verification as a Level I, II, or III trauma center.”The move by CMMC will leave Maine with only two trauma centers: MaineHealth Maine Medical Center (MHMMC) in Portland and Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center (EMMC) in Bangor. MHMMC is a Level I trauma center and EMMC is a level II trauma center.There are about 30 trauma system hospitals in Maine.According to a Maine EMS clinical bulletin from Nov. 5, 2025, trauma patients at high or moderate risk for serious injuries should be preferentially transported to a trauma center if the total transport time is less than 45 minutes. If the transport time is more than 45 minutes, the patient should be transported to the closest trauma system hospital.

LEWISTON, Maine —

Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston says it will no longer seek verification as a trauma center, effective Dec. 1, 2025.

The hospital will still be considered a trauma system hospital, meaning it can provide “effective and efficient clinical decision-making and trauma care, assure appropriate consultation and, when required, effect appropriate transfer to other facilities.”

Trauma hospitals are “able to provide a comprehensive array of trauma care and Trauma System support resources, designated by the American College of Surgeons verification as a Level I, II, or III trauma center.”

The move by CMMC will leave Maine with only two trauma centers: MaineHealth Maine Medical Center (MHMMC) in Portland and Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center (EMMC) in Bangor. MHMMC is a Level I trauma center and EMMC is a level II trauma center.

There are about 30 trauma system hospitals in Maine.

According to a Maine EMS clinical bulletin from Nov. 5, 2025, trauma patients at high or moderate risk for serious injuries should be preferentially transported to a trauma center if the total transport time is less than 45 minutes. If the transport time is more than 45 minutes, the patient should be transported to the closest trauma system hospital.