AUGUSTA, Maine — 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 Nov. 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 were highlighted for their achievements in advancing their organizations’ smoke and tobacco-free policies as well as promoting tobacco-free lifestyles.
Houlton Regional Hospital was 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.
The hospital has participated in the program since 2012.
The Aroostook County District Tobacco Prevention Partners, Jo-Ellen Kelley and Kara Barnes, recently visited Houlton Regional to present Gina Brown, director of nursing, and Ingrid Black, cardiac rehab manager, with the hospital’s Platinum Level Gold Star Standard of Excellence Award plaque.
