Release Date: 04/26/2012

Inland Hospital was recognized for their efforts to provide a tobacco-free campus at an awards celebration at the Maine Hospital Association on March 21st. Photo right: Ellen Wells, Inland’s Community Wellness Coordinator accepted the award for Inland. The Maine Tobacco-Free Hospital Network, in collaboration with the Partnership for a Tobacco-Free Maine, recognized 29 Maine hospitals for taking steps to create tobacco-free hospital environments and supporting tobacco-free lifestyles. Among this year’s honorees was Inland Hospital, a member of EMHS (Eastern Maine Healthcare Systems), receiving a bronze level award. Four other EMHS hospitals were also recognized with 2012 Gold Star Standards of Excellence awards at the celebration.

The Gold Star Standards of Excellence program is an opportunity for hospitals to be recognized for meeting at least six of ten evidence based strategies, including adopting a tobacco-free campus policy, providing readily available tobacco cessation for staff and patients, divesting from all tobacco investments and recommending community lodging that is smoke-free. “By meeting these standards, hospitals all across Maine, both urban and rural, have taken critical steps to provide a healthier environment by addressing the leading cause of preventable disease and death – tobacco use,” said Sarah Mayberry, Director of the Maine Tobacco-Free Hospital Network.

“I’m very proud of the work Inland has done to create a healthy, tobacco-free environment for our staff, patients and community and appreciate the recognition we’ve received for our efforts,” noted Ellen Wells, Inland Hospital’s Community Wellness Coordinator. “We’ll continue to further our efforts to address tobacco use for a healthier community.”