KINGFIELD — Coming in second at the annual Chester Greenwood ear muff Farmington festival is the only area NotifyMD's local branch hasn't been first. Out of the company's seven call centers, Farmington is ranked number one and will be adding 25 new jobs in 2009, as well as helping the company's new Winthrop facility train workers.

"In Farmington we didn't really know if everything would work out, the governor knew, we didn't. Now we do. We didn't need to hire a single person outside of Maine. Farmington's truly a Maine company. Their passion for excellence and their community work has distinguished our call center far beyond my wildest dreams," said Ferguson. "The choice to expand in Winthrop was easy."

Ferguson highlighted the community activism events his Farmington call center team participated in; winning back to back first prizes for their Forth of July floats, implementing a weight loss and fitness program for workers, supporting the Greater Franklin Development Corporation and collecting small change for a family in need.

"They did these things, that aren't written in our bylaws, they did them because as a company we believe in making a difference," he said. "My Farmington management team has to leave their NotifyMD shirts behind when they go shopping in town. They need to go in disguise because so many people approach them —complementing the company or looking for jobs. I feel privileged that we are a part of the community and the community is a part of us."

Sharon Cullenberg is the general manager of the Farmington site that employs 80 people. "Nothing but good things are happening in Farmington. We have almost a zero attrition rate, and everybody feels like they are a part of the company. We provide a service for patients and doctor's offices that gives them better communication, which helps with the healthcare being provided. Everybody enjoys coming to work, you get a true sense of helping people," she said.

NotifyMD provides services to physicians and hospitals, including after-hours messaging, daytime business call management, and patient notification amongst other services. The company also provides proactive-care management, like reminding people when it is time for an annual physical, mammogram or other medical procedure.

"This year's growth has been amazing with the people we have been able to bring in," said Mikel Reblin who supervises in the Farmington office. "We've expanded some of the care compliance programs with hospitals, and our specialized daytime call group has grown. This whole year has been one wonderful surprise after another for us."

The company's clients include 4,000 physician practices, which translates to about 20,000 physicians. Their Farmington call center takes care of about 22,000 calls a week. The Winthrop facility will be the largest of the company's seven call centers nationwide.

"Gene made three promises to me: to grow in Farmington, to become the employer of choice in the area, and to look for more opportunities in Maine. He's kept his word with the opening of this new call center in Winthrop. NotifyMD is a tremendous employer. In Winthrop, we anticipate that NotifyMD will replicate the same success they did at the Farmington facility," said Governor John Baldacci.

The Winthrop center will employ 200 people to start and will be pivotal for Ferguson's disease management system project that changes the way this system has been maintained in the past by vendors. NotifyMD will be a fee for service provider with transparency, costing clients a fraction of what they have paid for services in the past.

"Disease management call providers would charge $400 to $500 for a call. We will charge six to seven," said Ferguson. "We will be pioneering this system in Winthrop working with hospital affiliates, and outreach programs. Our goal is to be the No. 1 employer in the region."

Back in 2006 NotifyMD chose to locate in Maine after Maine & Company, the nonprofit firm, specializing in bringing business to Maine and growing businesses already here invited them to visit. "Pine Tree Zone tax incentives got them here," said Mat Jacobson of Maine & Company. Then the state, local officials and economic development agencies all worked together to ensure they stayed. That process was repeated in Winthrop.

"It's truly been a partnership, where everybody worked together to make this day occur," said the Governor. "We were in a national competition again and Maine came out on top. Companies and announcements like this are a real shot in the arm. I know the people in Farmington are doing a great job, I know the people in Winthrop will do a great job. If I can give people anywhere in the state a level playing field to compete they win. Pine Tree Zones level the playing field."

Ferguson concurred, "We couldn't be in Maine if it wasn't for the Pine Tree Zone benefits.

The Winthrop call center is expected to begin operations in late February and will be hiring.

"We're looking for people that want meaningful healthcare careers. We want people with emotional intelligence," said Ferguson. "To work for us you don't need anything more than a high school degree, common sense, problem solving skills, and empathy."

The company offers health-care coverage and good pay. "In Farmington we start people out at $9 an hour and that quickly moves to $10 an hour," said Cullenberg.

Potential job seekers were told to apply for the Winthrop jobs at NotifyMD's Web site at www.notifymd. com.

NotifyMD could also be a leader in transferring medical files to electronic files; ensuring files are shared and patients receive the proper care.