We are very proud to be among 28 Health Organizations Celebrated for Leadership through Annual Gold Star Standards of Excellence Program
The annual Gold Star Standards of Excellence Program Awardees have been announced for 2023. The program of the Maine Health Center for Tobacco Independence’s Breathe Easy Initiative recognized twenty-eight hospitals, healthcare organizations, and behavioral health organizations and one individual Gold Star Champions for efforts to address tobacco use and secondhand smoke exposure. Celebrated organizations received a plaque for their achievements in advancing their campus smoke and tobacco-free policies as well as promoting tobacco-free lifestyles.
HOMETOWN Health Center was recognized for meeting the Platinum Award Level through the 2023 Gold Star Standards of Excellence program for efforts to prohibit smoking and tobacco use on campus and addressing client tobacco use. HOMETOWN Health Center has participated in the initiative for many years showing a longstanding commitment to addressing tobacco use and exposure and is continually dedicated to helping people become tobacco free.
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,” says Sarah Rines, Senior Program Manager for the Center for Tobacco Independence. He continued, “Advice and assistance from healthcare providers are powerful tools to help individuals to quit tobacco products, 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 Maine Health 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.