AUGUSTA — The 10th annual Tobacco-Free Hospital Gold Star Standards of Excellence Awards Celebration, hosted by the MaineHealth Center for Tobacco Independence’s Breathe Easy initiative, was held on November 14 at the Maine Hospital Association.

The event, attended by hospital and public health stakeholders from across the state, recognized efforts by Maine hospitals to address tobacco use and secondhand smoke exposure. Thirty-three hospitals and four individual Gold Star Champions were highlighted for their achievements in advancing their organization’s smoke and tobacco-free policies as well as promoting tobacco-free lifestyles.

Pen Bay Medical Center (PBMC) and Waldo County General Hospital (WCGH) were each recognized for meeting the platinum level in the 2019 Gold Star Standards of Excellence Program for efforts to prohibit smoke and tobacco use on campus and address client tobacco use. This is the ninth year PBMC and WCGH have participated in the initiative, showing a longstanding commitment to addressing tobacco use and exposure, according to the hospitals, in a news release.

In addition to the hospital recognitions, WCGH Tobacco Prevention Coordinator Barbara Crowley was named a Gold Star Champion for her achievements in advancing tobacco-free policies as well as promoting tobacco-free lifestyles.

“Tobacco use continues to be a serious public health issue and we are committed to addressing it, from our prevention work to helping community members find the support they need when trying to quit,” said Rachael McCormick, director of community health  improvement for PBMC and WCGH, in the release. “We are fortunate to have dedicated tobacco prevention coordinators leading the charge in both Knox and Waldo counties and are proud that our hospitals have been recognized for their commitment to being tobacco-free.”

All Maine hospitals were invited and encouraged to apply for recognition; those that met at least seven of ten Gold Star Standards were recognized with a plaque. Award levels are based on best practice criteria such as a smoke and tobacco-free campus policy, annual screening for tobacco use, referral to tobacco treatment and supporting employee education related to tobacco treatment.

“We applaud the proactive efforts of these honored organizations to address tobacco use, which remains the leading cause of preventable disease and death,” said Kristen McAuley, tobacco prevention services director for the Center for Tobacco Independence. “These organizations have implemented evidence based strategies that benefit their staff, patients, and visitors.”

For more information about Gold Star Standards of Excellence recognition program, visit BreatheEasyMaine.org/Gold-Star-Standards-of-Excellence.

About Breathe Easy
The Breathe Easy Tobacco-Free Hospital initiative at the MaineHealth Center for Tobacco Independence is dedicated to providing Maine’s hospitals with the information and resources needed to make all organizations
smoke and tobacco-free.

The program is funded by Maine Prevention Services. Maine Prevention Services is an initiative through the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention working across the state to impact tobacco, substance use, and obesity.

About Pen Bay Medical Center
Pen Bay Medical Center is part of MaineHealth, a nonprofit integrated health system consisting of eight local hospital systems, a comprehensive behavioral healthcare network, diagnostic services, home health agencies, and more than 1,600 employed and independent physicians working together through an Accountable Care Organization. With more than 19,000 employees, MaineHealth is the largest health system in northern New
England and provides preventive care, diagnosis and treatment to 1.1 million residents in Maine and New Hampshire. For more information, visit pbmc.org.

Waldo County General Hospital
Waldo County General Hospital is part of MaineHealth, a nonprofit integrated health system consisting of eight local hospital systems, a comprehensive behavioral healthcare network, diagnostic services, home health agencies, and more than 1,600 employed and independent physicians working together through an Accountable Care Organization.

With more than 19,000 employees, MaineHealth is the largest health system in northern New England and provides preventive care, diagnosis and treatment to 1.1 million residents in Maine and New Hampshire. For more information, visit wcgh.org.