ST. LOUIS, MO - SSM DePaul Health Center Foundation has been awarded $42,529.05 from the Saint Louis County Department of Health through the Communities Putting Prevention to Work (CPPW) grant from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The Community Partner grant is part of St. Louis County’s tobacco-free initiative called Let’s Face It.
“In 2004, SSM Health Care facilities led the way by becoming the first health provider system in the area to go smoke free inside and out,” said Valerie Stricker, Executive Director of the SSM DePaul Health Center Foundation. “With various smoke free initiatives now on the radar it’s vital to offer services to our community to aid individuals with their decision to become smoke free.”
These funds will allow SSM Health Care – St. Louis to offer free, quarterly, six-week smoking cessation classes at SSM DePaul Health Center in Bridgeton and SSM St. Mary’s Health Center in Richmond Heights. The Freedom from Smoking program is being offered to patients, employees and the community. The course will assist participants in determining their readiness to quit smoking and provide the tools necessary to increase their success rate in becoming smoke free. Space is limited for these on-going classes. For more information or to register please contact Director of Outpatient Behavioral Health Services, Paul Geerling at (314) 344-7153.
Each year the SSM DePaul Health Center Foundation raises funds to support the greatest needs of the hospital. Since the Foundation’s inception in 1997, we have provided more than $7 million dollars in gifts to the hospital. These gifts provide our patients, visitors, community and staff with the latest technology and access to exceptional health care. For more information on how you can support exceptional health care services please visit www.ssmdepaulfoundation.org.
Let’s Face It, St. Louis County’s tobacco-free initiative, is funded by the Saint Louis County Department of Health through a Communities Putting Prevention to Work (CPPW) grant from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Funds for this grant are provided by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Please visit www.letsfaceitstl.com for more information.
For media inquires, contact:
Jamie Newell
Director of Communications
SSM DePaul Health Center
314-344-7509 (office)
Jamie_Newell@ssmhc.com