Mid Coast Receives Top Honor as Tobacco-Free Hospital, Health System

Brunswick, ME – Mid Coast Hospital was recognized at the gold level in this year’s Maine Tobacco-Free Hospital Network Gold Star Standards of Excellence Recognition Program. At the awards ceremony held Tuesday in Augusta, Mid Coast received its gold level recognition plaque. Vicki Koehler, RN, COHN-S, and Stacey Schmidt, RRT, were also recognized as individual Gold Star Champions for their hard work in promoting tobacco-free lifestyles to patients, staff, and visitors.

Each year, the Maine Tobacco-Free Hospital Network recognizes hospitals at the bronze, silver, and gold levels based upon how many of the 10 best practice Gold Star Standards they meet. This year, they recognized 31 health care organizations from across the state, as well as seven individual Gold Star Champions.

“Achieving this gold level award has taken a lot of hard work and dedication over the past several years,” said Steve Trockman, MPH, Mid Coast Health Director of Community Relations and Outreach. “Much of this effort predates many of us here and we are honored to accept this award on behalf of all those who believed in this vision.”

In 2001, Mid Coast Hospital became one of the first in Maine to ban smoking on all campuses, a policy implemented by then Tobacco Educator and Community Health champion Marla Davis, RN, MSN. When Mid Coast expanded its policy to become entirely tobacco-free across all of its campuses earlier this year, it became eligible for the gold level by meeting all 10 Gold Star Standards.

“Enhancing our policy and meeting all the identified standards for the gold level recognition signifies our ongoing commitment to provide safe and healthy environments for our patients and staff,” said Trockman. “As a healthcare leader, we strive to not only set an example of healthy lifestyles, but we remain dedicated to improving the health of everyone in our community.”