The annual Gold Star Standards of Excellence Program Awardees have been announced for 2023. The program of the MaineHealth Center for Tobacco Independence’s Breathe Easy Initiative recognized 28 hospitals, health care organizations, behavioral health organizations and one individual Gold Star Champions for efforts to address tobacco use and secondhand smoke exposure. Pen Bay Medical Center and Waldo County General Hospital were recognized at the Platinum Level for efforts to prohibit smoking and tobacco use on campus and addressing client tobacco use. PBMC and WCGH’s yearly participation in the initiative shows a longstanding dedication to addressing tobacco use and exposure.

“We are honored to be recognized with a Platinum Level award,” said Jemma Penberthy, director of Community Health for PBMC and WCGH, in a hospital news release. “This award highlights our team’s commitment to furthering the health of our communities by bringing awareness to the harm tobacco and secondhand smoke exposure causes.”

All Maine behavioral health organizations, hospitals, and healthcare organizations were encouraged to apply for recognition. Organizations are recognized at the Platinum, Gold, Silver, and Bronze 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 ongoing efforts of Maine hospitals and healthcare organizations to address tobacco use, secondhand smoke exposure and nicotine dependence by meeting the Gold Star Standards of Excellence,” said Sarah Rines, senior program manager for the Center for Tobacco Independence. “Advice and assistance from health care providers are powerful tools to help individuals to quit tobacco products, and these awardees are taking key steps to support their patients, clients, and communities.”

For more information about the Gold Star Standards of Excellence, please visit BreatheEasyMaine.org/GSSE.

The Breathe Easy 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. Learn more at BreatheEasyMaine.org. This initiative is supported through a grant from the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Department of Health and Human Services.

Pen Bay Medical Center

Pen Bay Medical Center is part of MaineHealth, a not-for-profit integrated health system consisting of nine 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, please visit pbmc.org.

Waldo County General Hospital

Waldo County General Hospital is part of MaineHealth, a not-for-profit 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, please visit wcgh.org.