BELFAST and ROCKPORT — On April 30, 2026, MaineHealth Pen Bay and Waldo Hospitals achieved exceptional results during their Quality Oncology Practice Initiative (QOPI) Certification Program site survey, receiving a perfect survey outcome with no deficiencies cited, according to MaineHealth, in a news release.

This accomplishment reflects an extraordinary level of compliance with nationally recognized oncology quality standards and contributes to MaineHealth Cancer Care’s oncology accreditation and quality improvement across the system," said MaineHealth.

The QOPI Certification Program provides certification to outpatient hematology-oncology practices that demonstrate excellence in quality cancer care and adherence to rigorous safety and clinical standards. 

“Achieving a flawless QOPI survey is a very rare accomplishment, and we are incredibly proud of our Pen Bay and Waldo teams,” said Evelyn Fuller, RN, BSN, OCN, oncology nurse manager for Pen Bay Hospital. "This achievement reflects the dedication of our local teams and the strong collaboration across MaineHealth Cancer Care. We have an exceptional team that loves what they do and takes pride in their work, and it shows."

MaineHealth Cancer Care received initial certification in 2023. To become recertified (every three years), practices submit to an evaluation of their entire practice and documentation standards. The QOPI staff and steering group members then verify through on-site inspection that the evaluation and documents are correct and that the practices met core standards in several areas of treatment, including:

 Treatment planning  Staff training and education

 Chemotherapy orders and drug preparation 

 Patient consent and education

 Safe chemotherapy administration 

 Monitoring and assessment of patient well-being.

This achievement highlights the outstanding collaboration and dedication of providers, nursing staff, pharmacists, administrators and support teams across both sites, highlighting the strength of the broader MaineHealth Cancer Care team. Surveyors recognized the programs’ chemotherapy safety practices, policies, documentation workflows and patient-centered approach to care. Receiving a perfect QOPI survey result is an uncommon distinction and serves as a testament to the commitment of the Pen Bay and Waldo oncology teams to deliver high-quality cancer care to the communities they serve.

"Our oncology team members are committed to providing the best possible oncology care in our local communities,” said Suzanne Chasse, RN, BSN, OCN, oncology nurse manager for Waldo Hospital. “These results highlight the compassion, professionalism and commitment our teams bring to every patient, every day.”

For more information about MaineHealth Cancer Care, please visit mainehealth.org/mainehealth-cancer-care.

MaineHealth is a not-for-profit, integrated health system whose vision is, “Working together so our communities are the healthiest in America,” and is committed to a mission of providing high-quality affordable care, educating tomorrow's caregivers and researching better ways to provide care. MaineHealth includes a Level 1 trauma medical center, eight additional licensed hospitals, comprehensive pediatric care services, an extensive behavioral health care network, diagnostic services as well as home health, hospice and senior care services. With more than 2,000 employed providers and approximately 23,000 care team members, MaineHealth provides preventive care, diagnosis and treatment to 1.1 million residents in Maine and New Hampshire. MaineHealth hospitals include MaineHealth Behavioral Health at Spring Harbor in Westbrook, MaineHealth Franklin Hospital in Farmington, MaineHealth Lincoln Hospital in Damariscotta, MaineHealth Maine Medical Center in Portland, Biddeford and Sanford, MaineHealth Memorial Hospital in North Conway, N.H., MaineHealth Mid Coast Hospital in Brunswick, MaineHealth Pen Bay Hospital in Rockport, MaineHealth Stephens Hospital in Norway and MaineHealth Waldo Hospital in Belfast. MaineHealth also includes the MaineHealth Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital in Portland, MaineHealth Behavioral Health in Westbrook, MaineHealth Home Health and Hospice in Saco, the MaineHealth Institute for Research in Scarborough, the MaineHealth Medical Group and MaineHealth NorDx in Scarborough. MaineHealth affiliates include MaineGeneral Health in Augusta and Waterville. It is also a significant stakeholder in the MaineHealth Accountable Care Organization in Portland and a joint venture partner in the New England Rehabilitation Hospital in Portland.