STEVEN TROCKMAN, right, director of Community Relations and Outreach, receives Mid Coast Hospital’s 2013 award plaque from Maine Tobacco-Free Hospital Network Director Sarah Mayberry.
Mid Coast Hospital of Brunswick received a silver level award for meeting best practice standards around creating a tobacco-free environment and supporting tobacco-free lifestyles.
Parkview Adventist Medical Center of Brunswick received a gold level award, according to the news release.
“Hospitals should be health and wellness role models for their communities, so it’s important for them to set an example around reducing tobacco use and exposure to secondhand smoke,” said Maine Tobacco-Free Hospital Network Director Sarah Mayberry. “The Gold Star Standards of Excellence program is an opportunity to celebrate the hard work of Maine hospitals to address this issue.”
Tobacco use continues to be the leading cause of preventable disease and death and a major contributor to health care costs.
Steven Trockman, director of Community Relations and Outreach at Mid Coast Hospital said, “Mid Coast is committed to lowering health care costs for our patients and the community. By establishing policies, offering education, providing treatment, we are doing our part to help eliminate unnecessary costs that are incurred due to tobacco-related diseases.”
Mid Coast has met best practice standards including implementing evidence-based treatment strategies, divesting from tobacco industry stock, promoting smoke-free lodging options for visitors, and providing tobacco treatment and medication benefits for employees.
The recognition event for the 31 recognized hospitals included remarks from Maine Hospital Association President Steven Michaud, who shared that the MHA board adopted a position statement supporting tobacco-free hospitals in fall 2012.
The hospitals recognized include:
— Gold Level (met all 10 standards): Acadia Hospital, Calais Regional Hospital, Cary Medical Center, CA Dean Memorial Hospital, Eastern Maine Medical Center, Franklin Memorial Hospital, Goodall Hospital, Maine- General Medical Center, Maine Medical Center, Mayo Regional Hospital, Mercy Hospital, Parkview Adventist Medical Center of Brunswick, Pen Bay Medical Center, Sebasticook Valley Health, Southern Maine Medical Center, Stephens Memorial Hospital, Aroostook Medical Center, Waldo County General Hospital.
— Silver Level (met 8-9 standards): Blue Hill Memorial Hospital, Central Maine Medical Center, Houlton Regional Hospital, Mid Coast Hospital of Brunswick, Miles Memorial Hospital, Millinocket Regional Hospital, Penobscot Valley Hospital, St. Andrews Hospital, St. Mary’s Health Systems, Spring Harbor Hospital.
— Bronze Level (met 6-7 standards): Down East Community Hospital, Mount Desert Island Hospital, Redington
Fairview General Hospital.
Gold Star Champion Awards: Laird Covey (Central Maine Medical Center), Carolyn Burgess (Goodall Hospital), Barbara Perry (Maine Medical Center), Breathe Free Program (Parkview Adventist Medical Center), Jim Fortunato (Redington- Fairview General Hospital), Be Tobacco Free Program (Southern Maine Medical Center), Works on Wellness Council (Waldo County General Hospital).
Comments are not available on this story.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
