BRIDGTON - Bridgton Hospital has been recognized by Hospitals for a Healthy Environment as a winner of the 2007 Partners for Change Award and the 2007 Making Medicine Mercury Free Award.

Partners pledge to make changes in operations and facilities to protect their communities' health and the environment, including a pledge to work to eliminate mercury, reduce use of other toxic chemicals, reduce waste, conserve resources and implement measurable environmental programs.

Susan Hamel, director of ancillary services, and Michael Fortin, manager of plant operations, submitted the application. Awards will be presented on May 14 at the 2007 Environmental Excellence Summit in Minneapolis, Minn.

Bridgton Hospital's application was one of 130 submitted by health care facilities nationally, and evaluated by a team of 30 reviewers.