HealthReach Receives Award for Tobacco Prevention Efforts

Waterville — HealthReach Community Health Centers is proud to again be recognized by MaineHealth Center for Tobacco Independence’s Breathe Easy Initiative at the Platinum level for the 2026 Gold Star Standards of Excellence Program. The Breathe Easy Gold Star Standards of Excellence Program recognizes Maine health organizations that address tobacco use and exposure by implementing strategies that support tobacco treatment and prevention.

“Maine’s hospitals, healthcare systems, colleges, and behavioral health organizations continue to be leaders in reducing tobacco use, limiting exposure to secondhand smoke, and addressing nicotine addiction,” said Sarah Rines, Director at the MaineHealth Center for Tobacco Independence. “By meeting the Gold Star Standards of Excellence, these organizations are actively supporting the health of their communities.”

“We are honored to receive the Platinum Level Breathe Easy Gold Star Standards of Excellence Award, the program’s highest level of recognition. This award reflects the hard work, collaboration, and compassion of our teams, who strive to deliver outstanding care and improve the health of the communities we serve.  It demonstrates our dedication to promoting tobacco-free living and ensuring that individuals who use tobacco have access to effective cessation resources, education, and support,” said Tarsha Rodrigue, HealthReach Director of Clinical Quality Improvement.

The celebration for the 2026 Gold Star Standards of Excellence award is scheduled for November 16, with awardees from thirty-four healthcare, higher education, behavioral health, and hospital organizations in attendance.

HealthReach Community Health Centers — founded in 1975 and headquartered in Waterville, Maine — is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating 11 community health centers and 2 school-based health centers with the mission of serving the otherwise medically underserved communities of Central and Western Maine. HealthReach delivers high-quality, accessible healthcare services, including general primary and preventative healthcare, behavioral healthcare, substance use disorder treatment, dental, and podiatric care services. To ensure access for everyone, HealthReach accepts Medicare, MaineCare, and major insurance providers, and there are no eligibility requirements to access care through HealthReach; all are welcome. An Affordable Care Program is available to both uninsured and underinsured people. Assistance is available for applications to programs that help with your healthcare and medication costs, including enrollment support for Maine’s Health Insurance Marketplace.

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