AUGUSTA — The Maine Tobacco-Free Hospital Network, in collaboration with the Partnership For A Tobacco-Free Maine, held an awards ceremony at the Maine Hospital Association in Augusta on March 23 featuring an announcement of the 2011 awardees in this year’s Maine Tobacco-Free Hospital Network’s Gold Star Standards of Excellence Recognition Program. Twenty hospitals and eight individuals throughout the state were recognized for their achievements in advancing their campus tobacco policy and promoting tobacco-free living within their communities.
All hospitals in Maine had the opportunity to apply for the Gold Star Standards of Excellence awards at the gold, silver and bronze levels. Award levels are based on criteria such as tobacco-free campus policy, tobacco cessation being easily available to staff and patients, disallowing magazines with tobacco ads in waiting rooms and divestment of all tobacco investments. The Aroostook Medical Center was among hospitals earning a Gold Star Award, while Cary Medical Center received a Silver Star Award.
