Sparrow Ionia Hospital

479 Lafayette St. Ionia, Michigan  48846

1-616-523-1400   or    1-800-237-2572

"Serving Ionia County for over 65 Years"

ICMH GOES TOBACCO-FREE JANUARY 1, 2008

Dear Patients, Visitors, Staff and Vendors,

As you may already know, Ionia County Memorial Hospital, along with other Mid-Michigan hospitals are going tobacco-free on January 1, 2008. As of that date, no tobacco use of any kind will be permitted – inside or outside – anywhere on our property. This initiative will eliminate designated areas outside Ionia County Memorial Hospital where our staff, patients and visitors currently use tobacco products.

Ionia County Memorial Hospital has joined most hospitals across Michigan in an effort to become tobacco-free. As a healthcare organization, we are committed to the health and safety of our employees and patients. We believe that we have a responsibility to take a leadership role on this major health issue and allowing people to use tobacco products defeats this purpose.

ICMH’s decision to go tobacco-free is not an attempt to force anyone to quit using tobacco products. Rather, the tobacco-free initiative is a concrete way we can demonstrate our ongoing commitment to healthy living. We are encouraging people to use nicotine replacement products when on our campus and will provide those products free of charge when our patients aren’t able to leave the grounds.

We are asking for your support in Ionia County Memorial Hospital’s Tobacco-Free Initiative. We appreciate your help and support as we move into the new year.  If you have questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me at 616-527-4200.

Sincerely,

William Roeser, President/CEO

Ionia County Memorial Hospital