By Renee Worthing

Staff Writer

Officials representing Sanford’s Goodall Hospital and Kennebunk’s The Medical Group formally announced a partnership during an Aug. 19 press conference.   

Goodall Hospital acquired The Medical Group, buying its assets and medical resources. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. While Goodall will employ staff members and physicians of The Medical Group, the care providers will not merge, continuing to function as independent departments of Goodall Hospital.

The Medical Group, established in 1975 by Jonathan Shill, will move from its current location at 3 Shape Drive. The two facilities will now reside at 7 Shape Drive in Kennebunk as The Medical Group and Goodall Health Center.  

Goodall Health Center, the site of the former manufacturer Shape, Inc., is slated to open in the winter.

The Medical Group’s affiliation with Goodall Health Center means patients and doctors will have access to diagnostic services, including mobile MRI and CT units, digital mammography, an endoscopy suite, minor procedure rooms, sleep labs and stress and respiratory testing rooms when Goodall Health Center opens.

Goodall Hospital President Darlene Stromstadt said health care providers in each facility share a common vision in community health care, to “make comprehensive medical care easily accessible to people where they work and live.”

Shill took the podium, holding his hands to imitate talking on a phone.

“Oh, you have a fever and you’re sick?” he said, pretending to be a physician’s receptionist. “I’m sorry, the next available appointment is in two weeks.”

Shill smiled.

“That won’t happen anymore,” he said.

The Medical Group will hire several new doctors, reducing patients’ wait time for an appointment and Shill said The Medical Group is “very pleased” to be associated with Goodall Hospital.

“When we met with the people of Goodall Hospital, we discovered a compatible attitude toward healthcare. We believe the union will provide quality care,” he said.

“It’s been a long time in planning,” Shill said. “I can’t believe we’ll be open in two weeks.”

While much of the work has been completed in The Medical Group’s portion of the 120,000- square-foot project, carpets still need to be installed and furnishing and equipment must be moved in.

Tim Harrington, manager and developer of the project, said his company, Atlantic Holding, is “happy” to bring this type of health care service to the community.

He said Atlantic Holding, based in Kennebunk, is looking for health specialists to complement the health services at the new facility.