AUGUSTA– The 9th 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 September 27th 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-two hospitals and three individual Gold Star Champions were highlighted for their achievements in advancing their campus smoke and tobacco-free policies as well as promoting tobacco-free lifestyles.

Waldo County General Hospital was recognized for meeting the Gold Level in the 2018 Gold Star Standards of Excellence Program for efforts to prohibit smoke and tobacco use on campus and address client tobacco use.  This is the eight year Waldo County General Hospital has participated in the initiative showing a longstanding commitment to addressing tobacco use and exposure. 

“We are proud that Waldo County General Hospital has been recognized at the Gold Level since 2012, demonstrating our ongoing commitment to the community,” said Rachael McCormick, regional manager of community health and wellness for Pen Bay Medical Center and Waldo County General Hospital. “We continually strive for the highest level of excellence in providing a smoke-free environment for patients, employees and visitors, including comprehensive access to resources.”

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.

At the celebration event, Kenneth I. Lewis, Senior Director for the MaineHealth Center for Tobacco Independence stated that, “Tobacco use remains the leading cause of preventable disease and death; we applaud these 32 Maine hospitals for taking proactive steps to address tobacco use and exposure within their organization.”

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