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Dr Gabbe Video Blog Week of May 31, 2010
This week, the World Health Organization celebrated “World No Tobacco Day 2010.”
At OSU Medical Center we have made a commitment to be tobacco free every day of the year,
and I’m so proud of the stance we are taking. Our policy which was originally launched in
2006 prohibits smoking or the use of any tobacco product at all Medical Center locations –
both inside and outside.
I’ve talked with you about this policy and its enforcement in the past. We have received
a number of ideas and questions through Feedback Central about our tobacco-free policy, and
many of you want to know how we can do a better job enforcing this policy and how best to
communicate with those who continue to smoke or use tobacco on our grounds.
Based on your feedback, our tobacco-free task force is working to address several of these
issues. Soon, you will see security guards rounding outside of University Hospital, Ross
Heart Hospital, University Hospital East and the James Cancer Hospital in our most heavily
trafficked areas to aid in the enforcement of our tobacco-free policy. We have also launched
a new smoking cessation program for patients through our Respiratory Therapy Department,
in partnership with the School of Allied Medical Professions.
You will notice new signage, and we have updated patient messaging. Finally, we have developed
tools for you to use to help communicate this policy.
As an organization that values integrity and personal accountability, it is the responsibility
of each of us to communicate and enforce our tobacco-free policy. If you see someone using
tobacco, please remind him or her that our Medical Center campus is tobacco free. This
may seem like it is a challenging thing to do, but you can find talking points and information
on the home page of OneSource to help you. Our information desk staff and security staff
are there to help as well.
This is an issue that will take all of us working together to solve but it is an important
part of promoting wellness for our patients, visitors and for you – our faculty, staff
and students.
I welcome your continued feedback and suggestions about this policy. As an academic medical
center, it is critical that we continue to provide a tobacco-free environment for our
patients, visitors, students, faculty and staff. If you have a question, submit it to
Feedback Central or leave it in the comment section of this blog.
Finally, I want to remind you of the traffic changes that will occur later this month as
part of the State Route 315 construction. Take a few minutes to learn about this on
OneSource so that you are prepared and so that you can assist our patients and visitors
during this time.
As always, thank so much for all you do.
Have a great week.