A message from Thomas F. Zenty III, President and Chief Executive Officer, University Hospitals:
I am pleased to announce that University Hospitals Health System, in our role as a regional healthcare leader, has launched the Clear the Air - Because Everyone's Health Matters initiative. This program will improve the health of our patients and employees by declaring our Health System completely smoke-free, effective November 17, 2005.
Clear the Air will not only improve the health of our employees, but also optimize the healthcare experience for our patients. In addition, by ensuring that the hospitals, facilities and properties of our Health System - including all parking lots, sidewalks and green space areas - are entirely smoke-free, the Clear the Air campaign demonstrates our respect for the rights of our patients and employees while supporting our efforts to become the patient-centered employer of choice.
Changes that will be visible to our patients, our employees and visitors to our facilities, include the removal of smoking huts and signage indicating designated smoking areas throughout the Health System.
Thank you for your support of this important change to our Health System, which will improve the work environment for our physicians and employees while ensuring the optimal healthcare experience for our patients and their families.