The third Thursday of each November we celebrate the American Cancer Society’s Great American Smokeout. Our patients and employees are encouraged to quit smoking, or to plan to quit, or to give up smoking just for the day. Smoking remains the number one cause of preventable death in our country. The financial costs impact the smoker and their families. Its impact on the health and well-being of Americans is well documented.
I care about your health and well-being. You owe it to yourselves and to your family to at least give it a try. If going “cold turkey” doesn’t work for you, then why not stop just for the day? If you need help, UMass Memorial has an excellent Quit Smoking ambulatory program. You can schedule an appointment by calling 508-334-5393. UMass Memorial employees can contact Greg Seward director of our Tobacco-Free initiative and Tobacco Consultation Services, for help today.
Employee gifts
This year has been exceptional for our healthcare system in terms of growth. None of it would be possible without your invaluable commitment to our mission, our patients and to each other. The implementation of over 13,000 frontline staff ideas has enabled us all to work smarter, reduce waste and eliminate redundancies while improving the quality of care we deliver our patients.
As a token of our sincere appreciation for your efforts, the board of trustees and senior management team are giving you a gift.
Polo Shirt
Performance Jacket
Some of you may have already received a letter in the mail with instructions to help you order you free gift online. The deadline for you to place orders via the website is still a few weeks away – midnight on Sunday, December 6, the site will officially close.
Once closed no orders will be accepted. Our contractors and volunteers are also included in this year’s gift.
Microfleece
They are being asked to return their order forms to their managers by Monday, November 30. Again, on behalf of the Board of Trustees, we sincerely appreciate all of your support and tireless effort in 2015!
Thanks for all your great ideas and for taking great care of our patients and one another,
Eric