American Lung Association’s Annual Awards Luncheon

American Lung Association’s Annual Awards Luncheon and U.S. Senate Candidate Forum on Health and Health Care on October 12 Cosponsored with the American Cancer Society’s Cancer Action Network

(AUGUSTA, ME) – On Friday, October 12, the American Lung Association in Maine hosted their annual Awards Luncheon at the Sable Oaks Marriot Hotel in South Portland. Each year the Lung Association hosts the luncheon to honor extraordinary Maine residents who have gone above and beyond when it comes to protecting lung health in Maine. Following the luncheon will be a U.S. Candidate Forum on Health and Health Care, cosponsored with the American Cancer Society’s Cancer Action Network.
The luncheon began 11 a.m. with Jeff Seyler, President & CEO of the American Lung Association of the Northeast and Diane Haskell, RRT, the Leadership Board Chair for the American Lung Association in Maine opening the program. Six awards were given to various individuals and companies, including the annual Roselle Huddilston Award. The award was created in 1957 in the name of a past president of the American Lung Association in Maine, who was also a devoted volunteer, to honor an exceptional individual for improving health in Maine.
The Smokefree Award is given to an organization or individual who has protected Maine residents from dangerous secondhand smoke exposure by creating smokefree environments. This year’s recipient is Bonnie Irwin, LPN, AE-C, TTS-C, a Public Health Educator with Bangor Health and Community Services. Irwin was instrumental in the implementing tobacco-free policies for the Bangor region in the following areas: childcare center campuses, hospitals and health centers, college campuses, workplaces, parks and public housing. She played a large role in the City of Bangor’s Tobacco-Free Environment Resolution and smokefree outdoor public events including the Bangor State Fair.
The Youth Advocacy Award is given periodically to organizations or individuals who, through leadership and role-modeling, have educated their peers about policy change. The 2012 recipient is OOB Youth Tobacco Action Group from the Old Orchard Beach region. Four tenth grade students from the group were responsible for the ordinance making Old Orchard Beach tobacco-free.
The Patient Advocacy Award is given to a Maine individual who devotes outstanding service to improve the lives of those with lung disease. Robert Bach, MD, of Bangor, founder and President of Partners in Health of Maine, will receive the award this year. Dr. Bach has developed a hospital with surgical and delivery capabilities in Nicaragua since 1980 and has largely contributed to their diagnosis and treatment of TB and respiratory infections.
The Distinguished Service Award is given to a Maine individual whose actions have furthered the mission of the American Lung Association by improving the respiratory health of Maine residents. In 2012, Dorean Maines of Augusta, retired Program Manager for the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Department of Health and Human Services’ (DHHS) Partnership for a Tobacco-Free Maine, will receive the honor. Maines has 30 years of dedicated service in Maine state government including 11 years with the Partnership for a Tobacco-Free Maine.
The Healthy Air Leadership Award is given each year for improving lung health in Maine through research, education or advocacy efforts focused on protecting or enhancing indoor and/or outdoor air quality. Receiving this year’s award is Ocean Renewable Power Company, LLC (ORPC) of Portland, led by CEO Chris Sauer. Maine has become the world focal point for clean renewable tidal power and ORPC and its foreign rivals are competing to harness its energy.
The prestigious Roselle Huddilston Award recipient for 2012 is Pat Knox-Nicola of Indian Island, retired Health Director for the Penobscot Nation Health Department. Knox-Nicola is currently serving as the project director for the Community Transformation Grant, to expand Smokefree Communities. The American Lung Association in Maine and the Penobscot Nation Health Department submitted the proposal and will work together with all the Tribal Health Directors and the Maine Center for Disease Control on the 18 month project to increase the number of community venues on all tribal lands that are smokefree.
At 12:45 p.m., immediately following the luncheon, five U.S. Senate Candidates from Maine convened for a forum to discuss health and health care, co-sponsored by the American Lung Association in Maine and the American Cancer Society’s Cancer Action Network. Veteran State House reporter Mal Leary of Capitol News Service served as moderator.


About the American Lung Association of the Northeast
The American Lung Association of the Northeast is part of the American Lung Association, the oldest voluntary health organization in the U.S. Established in 1904 to combat tuberculosis; our mission today is to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease. The focus is on air quality, asthma, tobacco control, and all lung disease. The American Lung Association in the Northeast serves CT, MA, ME, NH, NY, RI and VT. www.LungNE.org