Northern Light Sebasticook Valley Hospital recognized for tobacco-free efforts

Date: 06/21/2023

Northern Light Sebasticook Valley Hospital in Pittsfield has earned a top award for its tobacco-free efforts.

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, healthcare organizations, and behavioral health organizations and one individual Gold Star Champion for efforts to address tobacco use and secondhand smoke exposure.  

Sebasticook Valley Hospital was recognized for meeting Platinum Award through the 2023 Gold Star Standards of Excellence program. This is the tenth year that Sebasticook Valley Hospital  has participated in the initiative showing a longstanding commitment to addressing tobacco use and exposure.

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

“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. She 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.”

2023 Gold Star Standards of Excellence Awardees in Northern Light Health listed below:

Platinum Level Awardees:

Northern Light AR Gould Hospital
Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center
Northern Light Mercy Hospital
Northern Light Sebasticook Valley Hospital
 

Gold Level Awardees:

Northern Light Inland Hospital
 

Individual Gold Star Champions:

Jennifer K. Bartlett, RN – Northern Light AR Gould Hospital