Stevenson Launches Plans to go Smoke-Free

Everyone has heard the saying "fresh as a daisy," but what does it mean? At Stevenson Memorial Hospital, it means Smoke-free. Stevenson Memorial Hospital has set their sights on cleaner air for all patients, staff and visitors and is launching an information and education campaign to go smoke-free as of July 11, 2011.

"At Stevenson, we recognize that an essential component of delivering quality healthcare to our patients is through disease prevention and education." says Gary Ryan, President and CEO. "As such, we’ve made a decision to follow in the steps of most healthcare organizations in our region and become a smoke-free campus. Individuals come to us to seek quality care and to get better. We have an obligation to ensure that each and every person who enters our doors can do so in a safe, healthy environment."

To assist staff, physicians, and volunteers to quit smoking, Stevenson is making smoking cessation support and education available on site. As well, Stevenson will offer information packages to assist those who wish to access an external support system. A number of initiatives will be offered throughout the next year to support the campaign, including lunch and learn sessions, support groups, and an incentive program.

The Smoke Free committee is working with clinical areas to produce medical directives. These directives will help patients who wish to quit smoking as well as offer support to reduce cravings and to assist throughout withdrawal management.

"The good news is that according to Smoke Free Ontario, the success rate for quitting is increasing and many people are breaking the habit for life," states Karen Maisonneuve, Chair of Stevenson’s Smoke Free Committee. "We understand how challenging it can be to quit and we want to make our staff, physicians, volunteers, and patients as comfortable as possible throughout the quitting process."

To help educate the community about the change that is coming, informational signage displaying the campaign's theme of "Fresh as a Daisy" will be posted in the coming weeks at all entrances and exits. These signs will serve as a reminder to all staff, patients and visitors for the next year at which time they will be replaced with permanent signage.

Smoking statistics: Did you know...?

• The Ontario government spends $817,733,502 on acute care hospitalization for both active and passive smokers.
• It costs over $2,000 a year, to smoke a pack of cigarettes a day.
• Tobacco kills approximately 37,000 Canadians each year.
• Diseases caused by second-hand smoke include: Heart Disease, Lung Cancer, Nasal Sinus Cancer and Non-Malignant Respiratory Disease.

For more information on how to quit smoking contact the Canadian Smokers' Helpline at 1 877-513-5333.

Stevenson Memorial Hospital Introduces Foundation for Success

Hospital introduces new core commitments, strategic plan, and logo

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Alliston, Ontario (April 21, 2010) - Since the announcement of a new governance and management structure in late 2008, Stevenson Memorial Hospital (Stevenson) has implemented significant changes that have resulted in improved patient outcomes and operational efficiencies, exciting development plans for the future, and a renewed sense of pride for the organization by staff, physicians, volunteers, patients, and the community at large.

To ensure its continued success, hospital officials introduced today new core commitments and a three-year strategic plan for Stevenson. A new integrated logo, which has been adopted by the Hospital, Foundation, and Auxiliary, was also unveiled.

According to Board Chair, Ted Vandevis, today's announcement represents the first step in building a solid foundation from which Stevenson can continue to flourish as the provider of safe, quality healthcare services. "The Board of Directors has a responsibility to ensure the continued success of Stevenson. Having everyone working from the same page for the greater good of our community is an essential step in meeting this important mandate."

The hospital's new core commitments - which include the Vision, We Champion Your Care ...every step of the way, a Mission statement, and five Values - articulate the aspirations, purpose, and character of Stevenson. "The new core commitments are more than just words on a page - they define our internal belief system and represent our promise to continuously strive for excellence in everything we do," explains Gary Ryan, President & CEO.

The three-year Strategic Plan is focused on achieving goals that align with Stevenson's core commitments and can be measured against specific targets and outcomes. They include improving patient satisfaction scores; an increased focus on delivering diabetic care; creating a dynamic work environment for staff, physicians, and volunteers; improving information technology at the hospital; and achieving a balanced budget.

Equally committed to the long-term success of Stevenson, the Board of Directors of the Hospital, Foundation, and Auxiliary recently chose a new integrated logo to visually demonstrate the unity that exists amongst the three organizations. Sharing a common graphic element and an individualized word mark, the new logo was designed by Tottenham resident and graphic designer, Leighanna Gordon. In 1999, as a Banting Memorial High School student, Ms. Gordon designed the Foundation's previous logo.

The cost to create the new logo design was minimal and the Hospital, Foundation, and Auxiliary are committed to depleting existing stock of printed materials before ordering supplies displaying the new logo.

"The core commitments, strategic plan, and new logo were created with input from people who either deliver or receive healthcare services at Stevenson," said Gary Ryan. "Although we are pleased with our efforts to date, we have a lot of work ahead of us in meeting the high expectations we have set for the organization."

Since 2008, Stevenson has successfully redesigned and expanded its emergency department and out-patient clinics to better accommodate the growing number of people seeking health care services at the Hospital. The birthing unit reopened and has assisted in the delivery of more than 500 babies, including five sets of twins. In addition, a new, state-of-the-art CT Scan suite opened ahead of schedule in June 2009, and eight new physicians have been successfully
recruited to the area.

- 30 -

Contact:
Tammy La Rue
Community Relations
Stevenson Memorial Hospital
Cell: 289-221-5342
Email: communityrelations@smhosp.on.ca

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - January 25, 2010

The Physician Retention & Recruitment Committee Welcomes Dr. Hassan

The Physician Retention & Recruitment Committee is pleased to announce that
Dr. Hanadi Hassan has recently joined the Family Health Network in Alliston.

Donna Jebb, Chair of the hospitality Committee of the PRRC presented Dr.
Hanadi Hassan with a basket of locally made products recently. She was one
of three new family physicians who received a basket in celebration of their
recruitment to the community in 2009. 

Also pictured left to right are: Luke Tomini, Krista Morris-Tomini, Dr.
Hassan, Donna Jebb & Doug Little Deputy Mayor of Adjala Tosorontio, all
members of the Physician Retention & Recruitment Committee.

Welcome to the community Dr. Hassan!!