Medical building at Machias hospital dedicated to Emery

The dedication of the Reid Emery Medical Building at Down East Community Hospital in Machias took place on the afternoon of September 17. Family members and friends of Reid Emery, DECH staff and others came together to recognize the tragic loss of Emery's life.
Doug Jones, hospital CEO, told the gatherers that out of the experience came "a new culture where every patient is important; we're a better organization for the lesson." Board Chair Dr. Eric Burke said that the tragedy has led the hospital to develop a culture where each employee is accountable for patient safety and well‑being, including speaking up "if patient safety is jeopardized."
Emery died the night of January 1, 2008, after checking himself out of DECH in the midst of a snowstorm. His death led to a series of events at DECH, including emergency receivership with Eastern Maine Healthcare Systems and a multi‑year effort by the hospital for organizational and policy change.
Maine Senate President Kevin Raye said, "It is with mixed emotions that we gather here. Margaret and her family have lived through an unimaginable ordeal. What Reid went through is something that we must never forget." Raye celebrated Emery's life and encouraged the audience to remember the Eastport man as many knew him: family‑loving, hard-working and well‑liked. "Down East Community Hospital has taken this important step to healing," Raye said -- healing for the family, the community and the hospital.
DECH approached Margaret Emery in 2010 about a memorial to celebrate her husband's life and to honor the lessons learned and sacrifices endured. Margaret chose the medical office building because "Dr. Massad was the physician who helped Reid understand his illness" and provided kind and caring services, said Jones.
Margaret Emery prepared some words for the gathering that were read by DECH Director of Communication Julie Hixson. "I would like to thank everyone who made this dedication possible. Nobody can change the fact that Reid was taken from us," she wrote, noting that her husband was a kind man and, like many who are tired and worn down from illness and medication, who might not be seen at their best by caregivers. Her final words resonated with many in the audience as she wrote of her hope that the dedication would serve as a reminder to everyone of the goodness in each person and the importance of treating them with compassion and care.