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Greene County General Hospital Recognized for Providing Smoke Free Environment

Last updated on Sunday, July 14, 2013

(LINTON) - Greene County General Hospital has been selected as a recipient for the 2013 Rural Indiana Smoke-Free Environment (R.I.S.E.) Award.

Greene County Daily World reports the award, which will be presented Aug. 8 in Indianapolis, is given by the Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Commission and the Indiana Rural Health Association (IRHA).

In conjunction with the Great American Smokeout last November, Greene County General Hospital's campus transitioned to a smoke-free campus.

"We are honored to have been selected to receive this award," said Brenda Reetz, Greene County General Hospital's CEO. "We are committed to providing quality healthcare, which includes prevention of disease. With this commitment comes the responsibility of providing a safe and healthy environment for all people who enter our hospital and our campus."

The honor represents a collaborative effort involving the Indiana Rural Health Association and the Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Commission of the Indiana State Department of Health. Intended to recognize tobacco-free health care facilities serving all rural areas of the state, the award signifies a commitment from ownership, management and staff to take the necessary steps to lead Hoosiers toward a healthier Indiana.

"IRHA is proud to be a part of the annual R.I.S.E awards. We applaud this year's winners for their outstanding efforts in taking an active role in the health and well-being of rural Hoosiers through the implementation of tobacco-free policies," said Don Kelso, IRHA Executive Director."The Leadership at Greene County General Hospital has recognized the rapidly changing responsibility of healthcare providers to provide education and leadership to assist their community by practicing and promoting healthy lifestyles.These decisions aren't always easy to make but the Indiana Rural Health Association is very proud of Greene County General Hospital and its implementation of a smoke-free campus."

In order to qualify for the award, Greene County General Hospital had to show evidence of its comprehensive tobacco-free policy in all buildings, on all grounds and in all organization-operated vehicles. GCGH also submittedan explanation of the process through which the policy was achieved and documentation of signage or other forms of enforcement. The awards honor facilities in Indiana that serve primarily rural populations.

The Indiana Rural Health Associationis a not-for-profit corporation developed for the purpose of improving the health of all Indiana citizens in rural settings. Comprised of a diverse membership, the IRHA is committed to recruiting a diverse, grassroots membership with intrinsic strengths important to the task of providing meaningful forums, all of which involve the delivery of health care services in rural settings. For more information, visit www.indianaruralhealth.org .

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