Evergreen Healthcare's Community Health Education Coordinator Wins International Smoking Prevention Award from Nicotine Solutions

KIRKLAND, Wash., Sept. 2, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Evergreen Healthcare today announced that Shelly Henderson, Evergreen's lead health education coordinator and director of production, is the recipient of the first Annual Smoking Cessation Community Prevention Award from Nicotine Solutions for her outstanding dedication to helping people in the community quit using tobacco products.

Nicotine Solutions is a California-based world leader in smoking cessation programs.  Its international prevention award recognizes groups or individuals who make a significant impact in promoting and supporting community members in their efforts to stop smoking.

Evergreen and Nicotine Solutions have partnered for 12 years to offer Eastside residents tobacco cessation classes, with Henderson leading the program coordination, facilitation and community outreach.

"Our work together would not be so successful without Shelly's dedication to each class and each individual, which shows her deep passion and commitment to the community," said Nicotine Solutions founder Lela Bryan. "Shelly has truly been a superior partner to us, and it is a pleasure to work with someone who is instrumental in helping so many people."

Henderson, a certified health education specialist (CHES), has coordinated smoking cessation programs for the Eastside community at Evergreen Hospital Medical Center since 1999.  Her work has helped hundreds of residents stop using nicotine products through her efforts to bring cessation programs to area companies, community centers, senior centers and health fairs.

"We are so proud of the exceptional work that Shelly has done to positively affect the lives of so many in our community by targeting the most preventable cause of health problems," said Evergreen Hospital CEO Robert Malte.  "At Evergreen, we place a considerable emphasis on leading treatment with prevention and education, and Shelly's work with Nicotine Solutions is a prime example of that care philosophy."

Nicotine Solutions' classes take a multifaceted approach to treating nicotine addiction, and the program helps tobacco users quit using proven behavioral modification techniques throughout an eight-week course.  Participants attend live, interactive classes that meet as a group either in person or via teleconference.  By the end of the course, 90 percent of Nicotine Solutions' students successfully quit smoking or chewing, with 70 percent reporting a tobacco-free lifestyle after one year.

Evergreen participants in the Nicotine Solutions program experience similar success, as described by one class member: "After 33 years of smoking and using nearly every means available to quit, I finally managed to do so on October 25, 2005. For this reason, I want to thank Evergreen Medical Center and Shelly Henderson, for they not only taught me how to quit, but how to stay that way."

To learn more about Evergreen's community health education services, visit www.evergreenhealthcare.org or call the Evergreen Healthline at 425.899.3000.  

About Evergreen Healthcare

Evergreen Healthcare, a public hospital district and community-based health care organization established in 1972, offers a breadth of services and programs that is among the most comprehensive in the region. More than 950 physicians provide clinical excellence within more than 80 specialties, including  cardiac, oncology, surgical care, orthopedics, a Neuroscience Institute, Women's and Children's services, hospice care, pulmonary care, a Sleep Disorders Center and Home Health services care.  Evergreen serves more than 400,000 residents in its primary service area of northern King and southern Snohomish counties with Evergreen Medical Group, a network of primary and urgent care practices, and Evergreen Hospital Medical Center, its main hospital campus in Kirkland, Wash. Evergreen also provides emergency care at two sites; its main hospital campus and the Evergreen Redmond Medical Center.  In addition to clinical care, Evergreen offers extensive community health outreach and education programs, anchored by Evergreen Healthline, a 24/7 nurse consultation service. For more information, visit www.evergreenhealthcare.org.

About Nicotine Solutions

Nicotine Solutions offers a multifaceted group approach to quitting smoking or chewing tobacco. Students learn to deal with stress, handle emotions in different ways and even discover a breathing technique that they can substitute for smoking. Smokers also learn how to change behaviors and routines so that by the time their quit day arrives, they are prepared, detoxified and actually looking forward to quitting. Nicotine Solutions also provides long-term follow up after the class is completed to give added support.

Lela Bryan, the founder of Nicotine Solutions, quit smoking June 4, 1978 and has been teaching people to stop smoking ever since. To learn more about Nicotine Solutions' programs for individuals, workplaces and hospitals visit www.NicotineSolutions.com or call either 425-444-6616 or toll free 866-735-3580.

CONTACTS:

Kay Taylor
VP of Marketing
Evergreen Healthcare
425.899.2604

Kristi Clough
Firmani + Associates Inc.
206.443.9357
[email protected]

SOURCE Evergreen Healthcare