The Save St. Andrews Task Force phenomenon ended one chapter and began another last week.

On May 7, the four town task force, which formed last fall to stave off the closing of St. Andrews Hospital’s emergency room and the loss of its hospital license, held its last meeting at the Boothbay Town Office.

But the task forcers are not quitting. Instead, the group will continue its mission to keep the ER open and speak up for local healthcare needs under the auspices of the new Boothbay Region Health and Wellness Foundation.

For the last nine months, the task force, led by Chuck Cunningham (Boothbay), Smith Climo (Southport), Valerie Young (Boothbay Harbor) and Stuart Smith (Edgecomb) and managed by Boothbay Town Manager Jim Chaousis, has dominated the local conversation about proposed changes at St. Andrews.

They raised over $90,000, sifted through reams of information, conducted their own research and obtained legal and expert opinions. They met directly with Lincoln County Healthcare and MaineHealth in closed door sessions and were able to delay any hospital changes until October 1.

Task force meetings have been energetic and emotional affairs and the group's mission and activities have drawn a loyal following.

Looking back over the group’s achievements and road ahead, the task force members offer unique perspectives.

“The fact that we could bring the four towns together to look at an issue as serious as this one has been a real benefit to the region,” Cunningham said. “And we are continuing to work together on other issues going forward.”

“The biggest achievement is that we brought awareness to the shortfalls of what’s been happening in our region for healthcare,” Smith said. “We brought light to what’s been driving decisions.”

Young said that with so many successes it is hard to choose which to highlight. “Probably our biggest success is gathering all the resources in a central place; and that includes all the people who have been involved and the reports we’ve prepared,” she said.

Cunningham said another major accomplishment is the formation of the Wellness Foundation, a nonprofit peopled by task forcers that will continue its active interest in local healthcare. The foundation is still forming but has developed bylaws and will meet during the regular task force time slot at the Boothbay Town Office.

Although each Wellness Foundation meeting will have a closed session, they plan to maintain a regular public dialogue about their work. “There will be a chance for public participation at every meeting,” Cunningham said. “We want the public to hear from us and we want to hear from them.”

“(The Wellness Foundation) has the same job but a lot more flexibility to do that job,” Smith said. “We believe the direction of our healthcare can be changed; it can be turned around. That’s really what I am hoping will happen. Changes can be made and we can save services.”

Young said of the new Wellness Foundation board, “This is the same group of people who have been working with the task force. This board is incredibly knowledgeable, enthusiastic and strategically minded. At this time, we are all very focused on keeping the ER open.”

Although keeping the ER open is a major focus, task forcers see the Wellness Foundation’s mission as larger. “This is not just about saving St. Andrews,” Smith said. “We need to look at what’s best for healthcare in our communities and it's the Foundation’s job to help with those decisions.”

Cunningham said the foundation will work to improve communication with Lincoln County Healthcare, but also plans to be involved with all groups that provide healthcare in the region, including the Boothbay Region Ambulance Service.

How exactly the Wellness Foundation will keep the ER open is not currently known. But supporters are hoping the recent overwhelming support at local polls for St. Andrews may influence the Attorney General to take action. They also say they are not ruling out legal action.

Young said her work with the task force has been a fantastic experience. “When you think about why you get involved, this is what you dream of. People were so enthusiastic, work was accomplished quickly, there was always more information to consider and more work done,” Young said. “And we had tremendous support from the community.”

Task force members will continue as Wellness Foundation board members. However, Jim Chaousis said he has decided not to join the Wellness Foundation board. Although not going forward with the new effort, Chaousis said he is proud of what has been achieved.

“Whatever the topic, I was proud of how our communities came together,” Chaousis said. “We put together a strong organizing effort and turned out strong work products. The spin off is that all of the towns are still working together in a collaborative way. Would that have happened if this hadn’t brought us together? I think not.”

In their final resolution, the task force disbursed $10,000 to the ambulance service, $10,000 to the Wellness Foundation and the remaining (roughly $1,600) to the Town of Boothbay to cover administrative costs.

Southport selectman Smith Climo has been an active and outspoken task force member; unfortunately, he was not reached for an interview prior to his car accident on May 14.