A Culture of Excellence
Members of MaineHealth Pen Bay and Waldo Hospitals’ Sustainability Committee gathered at the Waldo Healing Garden to accept the Practice Greenhealth Partner for Change Award. From left: Bruce Guimond, manager, EVS; Jamie Tozier, EVS team member; and Clae Seekins, MA care coordinator, Population Health.
A Culture of Excellence
Members of MaineHealth Pen Bay and Waldo Hospitals’ Sustainability Committee gathered at the Waldo Healing Garden to accept the Practice Greenhealth Partner for Change Award. From left: Bruce Guimond, manager, EVS; Jamie Tozier, EVS team member; and Clae Seekins, MA care coordinator, Population Health.
In 2025, MaineHealth Pen Bay and Waldo Hospitals earned multiple recognitions that highlight their leadership and unwavering commitment to excellence in patient care, quality, safety, environmental stewardship and sustainability.
MaineHealth Waldo Hospital Recognized as Pediatric Innovator
In June, Maine EMS recognized MaineHealth Waldo Hospital for its readiness to care for pediatric patients, awarding the hospital the Pediatric Innovator designation—the highest recognition offered by the Always Ready for Children (ARC) Program. This voluntary initiative ensures that Maine-based emergency departments are best prepared to care for pediatric emergencies.
To earn the Pediatric Innovator designation, a hospital must:
- Identify a designated physician and nurse pediatric emergency care coordinator (PECC) to support emergency department staff
- Be willing to share resources with other hospitals in Maine to improve pediatric care
- Achieve a score of 80 or above on the National Pediatric Readiness Project assessment, which measures the “readiness” of an emergency department to care for an ill or injured presenting pediatric patient
MaineHealth Waldo Hospital’s emergency department achieved an impressive score of 94 out of 100 from the National Pediatric Readiness Project—significantly above the national median of 71.
“We are very proud of this accomplishment. Caring for children in a rural-area emergency department is a low-frequency, high risk situation where true readiness matters and can be the difference between life and death.
We pay special attention to routine simulation, specialized education, and unique supplies to ensure that we can meet the needs of any child experiencing a medical emergency who seeks care with us.”
– Keith Mitchell, manager, Emergency Services, MaineHealth Waldo Hospital
MaineHealth Pen Bay and Waldo Hospitals Earn 2025 Practice Greenhealth Partner for Change Awards
In August, MaineHealth Pen Bay and Waldo Hospitals received the 2025 Practice Greenhealth Partner for Change Awards, recognizing their strong commitment to environmental sustainability in health care. Presented by Practice Greenhealth (PGH), the leading nonprofit organization dedicated to sustainable health care, this award honors hospitals that significantly reduce environmental impact through comprehensive programs.
Key sustainability initiatives at MaineHealth Pen Bay and Waldo Hospitals include:
- Installation of pipe and jacket insulation to reduce thermal energy loss
- “Plant-Powered Mondays” to reduce meat purchases
- A systemwide recycling education and engagement program
These efforts reflect the hospitals’ commitment to environmental stewardship and to integrating sustainability into everyday operations.
“At MaineHealth Pen Bay and Waldo Hospitals, we believe that caring for our patients means also caring for the environment we all share,” said Tyson Thornton, PharmD, FACHE, senior director of operations at MaineHealth Pen Bay and Waldo Hospitals. “This national recognition from Practice Greenhealth reflects the dedication of our teams at both hospitals in advancing sustainability in healthcare — from reducing energy use to promoting healthier food choices. By taking action today, we’re helping build a healthier tomorrow for the communities we serve.”
MaineHealth Pen Bay Hospital Recognized by the Leapfrog Group
MaineHealth Pen Bay Hospital earned an “A” Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade in both spring and fall 2025—the highest grade awarded—marking its third consecutive achievement at this level.
MaineHealth Pen Bay Hospital was recognized for strong performance in several areas, including hand hygiene, patient experience and hospital acquired infections, among others, reflecting the hospital’s commitment to providing a safe, high quality care for patients.
Leapfrog is an independent national quality evaluator that assigns letter grades to eligible hospitals across the country based on more than 30 performance measures reflecting errors, accidents, injuries and infections, as well as the systems hospitals have in place to prevent them. The scores are based on the previous 12 months in which data has been compiled.
To learn more, visit leapfroggroup.org.