Peter Trout, Director of Clinton County Mental Health & Addiction Services, and Steve Valley, Director of Essex County Mental Health, were recently recognized as this region’s 2015 Health Systems Change Community Champions for a Tobacco Free NY. Glens Falls Hospital, in partnership with North Country Healthy Heart Network, selected the two based on the tremendous commitment each agency has made to prioritize the treatment of tobacco use by consumers.
In 2015, each administrator oversaw a multi-staged process that included: passage of a tobacco treatment policy with associated protocols; expansion of electronic health record systems to improve documentation of tobacco interventions, clinician training to support effective delivery of tobacco treatment and the development of performance improvement plans for 2016. In January, each mental health system began implementing an institutionalized tobacco treatment program that will contribute to their constituents’ health and wellness.
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