Good Samaritan Hospital to Go “Smoke-Free” on Independence Day

Suffern, N.Y. (March 22, 2007) – Good Samaritan Hospital will be an entirely smoke-free/tobacco free campus by Independence Day, July 4, 2007.

“As a leading healthcare provider in the region, we continually see the worst effects of smoking – respiratory and cardiac illnesses, strokes, heart attacks, and death,” said Michael Schnieders, Executive Vice President and Administrator of Good Samaritan Hospital. “By eliminating smoking on our campus, we are setting a strong example of good health.”

Second-hand smoke can cause pneumonia, bronchitis, severe asthma, ear infections, heart disease and even lung cancer, noted Michael Prus, Good Samaritan Hospital’s Respiratory Department Director. Prus is leading this initiative and has worked with a multi-disciplinary team to develop a comprehensive program that will help Good Samaritan Hospital achieve this important milestone.

Prus noted that second-hand smoke contains at least 4,000 chemical compounds, 43 of which have been shown to cause cancer in humans. “For these reasons, Good Samaritan Hospital is committed to providing a clean air environment for everyone who enters the facility,” he said.

Good Samaritan Hospital is anticipating the concerns of its staff, physicians, patients and their family members who are smokers and tobacco users. Therefore, the hospital is partnering with the Rockland County Board of Health and the American Lung Association to make smoking cessation programs available to support those that are trying to quit. The hospital also will be building awareness of this program with its visitors as the campus approaches the smoke-free/tobacco-free date.

The road to independence from smoking and tobacco use will involve everyone – not just smokers and tobacco users. “This is an exciting time for the Good Samaritan community as we launch this initiative,” Schnieders said. “We are taking another huge step toward good health for all.”

About Good Samaritan Hospital

Good Samaritan Hospital is a member of Bon Secours Health System Inc., one of the nation’s leading Catholic healthcare systems. It is also part of the regional Bon Secours Charity Health System, which includes St. Anthony Community Hospital in Warwick, N.Y., and Bon Secours Community Hospital in Port Jervis, N.Y. Additionally, Bon Secours Charity Health System provides the services of a Certified Home Health Agency, two long-term care facilities, an assisted living and adult home facility and several other medical programs. For more information about the Active International Cardiovascular Institute at Good Samaritan Hospital, or any hospital program, contact Good Samaritan Hospital at 845-368-5000, or visit www.GoodSamHosp.org.

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