ROCKPORT & BELFAST— MaineHealth Pen Bay and Waldo Hospitals have earned national recognition with the 2025 Practice Greenhealth Partner for Change Awards, highlighting their strong commitment to environmental sustainability in health care.
Presented by Practice Greenhealth (PGH), the leading nonprofit organization dedicated to sustainable health care, the award honors hospitals that have made significant progress in reducing their environmental impact through comprehensive sustainability programs.
Sustainability initiatives at MaineHealth Pen Bay and Waldo hospitals include the installation of pipe and jacket insulation to reduce thermal energy loss, “Plant-Powered Mondays” to reduce meat purchases, and a systemwide recycling education and engagement program. These efforts reflect the hospitals’ commitment to environmental stewardship and to integrating sustainability into everyday operations.
MaineHealth Pen Bay and Waldo hospitals join MaineHealth Maine Medical Center Biddeford, MaineHealth Maine Medical Center Portland, MaineHealth Maine Medical Center Sanford, MaineHealth Franklin Hospital, MaineHealth Lincoln Hospital, MaineHealth Memorial Hospital, MaineHealth Mid Coast Hospital and MaineHealth Stephens Hospital in earning this award. Out of more than 1,600 participating Practice Greenhealth members nationwide, only about 260 organizations receive the Partner for Change Award each year. This recognition underscores MaineHealth’s commitment to advancing sustainability in healthcare.
“At MaineHealth PenBay and Waldo Hospitals, we believe that caring for our patients means also caring for the environment we all share,” said Tyson Thorton, PharmD, FACHE, vice president of operations at MaineHealth Pen Bay and Waldo Hospitals. “This national recognition from Practice Greenhealth reflects the dedication of our teams at Pen Bay and Waldo Hospitals to advancing sustainability in health care — 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.”
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About MaineHealth
MaineHealth is a not-for-profit, integrated health system whose vision is, “Working together so our communities are the healthiest in America,” and is committed to a mission of providing high-quality affordable care, educating tomorrow's caregivers and researching better ways to provide care. MaineHealth includes a Level 1 trauma medical center, eight additional licensed hospitals, comprehensive pediatric care services, an extensive behavioral health care network, diagnostic services as well as home health, hospice and senior care services. With more than 2,000 employed providers and approximately 23,000 care team members, MaineHealth provides preventive care, diagnosis and treatment to 1.1 million residents in Maine and New Hampshire. MaineHealth hospitals include MaineHealth Behavioral Health at Spring Harbor in Westbrook, MaineHealth Franklin Hospital in Farmington, MaineHealth Lincoln Hospital in Damariscotta, MaineHealth Maine Medical Center in Portland, Biddeford and Sanford, MaineHealth Memorial Hospital in North Conway, N.H., MaineHealth Mid Coast Hospital in Brunswick, MaineHealth Pen Bay Hospital in Rockport, MaineHealth Stephens Hospital in Norway and MaineHealth Waldo Hospital in Belfast. MaineHealth also includes the MaineHealth Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital in Portland, MaineHealth Behavioral Health in Westbrook, MaineHealth Home Health and Hospice in Saco, the MaineHealth Institute for Research in Scarborough, the MaineHealth Medical Group and MaineHealth NorDx in Scarborough. MaineHealth affiliates include Maine General Health in Augusta and Waterville and St. Mary's Health System in Lewiston. It is also a significant stakeholder in the MaineHealth Accountable Care Organization in Portland and a joint venture partner in the New England Rehabilitation Hospital in Portland.