St. Francis Regional Medical Center honors Shakopee senator
Minnesota Medical Association commemorates historic Freedom to Breathe Act
SHAKOPEE, Minn. 07/19/2007--On behalf of the Minnesota Medical Association (MMA) and Hennepin Medical Society, physicians and staff at St. Francis Regional Medical Center presented Shakopee state Sen. Claire Robling with a certificate of appreciation for "leadership in the fight to guarantee clean air in the workplaces of Minnesota."
The Freedom to Breathe Act was signed into law by the governor on May 16 and goes into effect October 1. The new law will prohibit smoking in all indoor workplaces, including bars and restaurants, at all indoor public meetings and on public transportation.
"Minnesota's smoke-free law will protect all Minnesota workers from the negative health effects of secondhand smoke such as asthma, lung cancer and heart disease," said Brian Prokosch, MD, vice president for medical affairs at St. Francis Regional Medical Center. "We're proud that, by voting for Freedom to Breathe, Sen. Robling put the public's health first," he added.
Fifty hospital staff attended a presentation on the Freedom to Breathe Act.
"This is the most important public health advance since 1991," said MMA President Richard Geier, MD. "We're educating physicians about the new law and encouraging them to be prepared for a surge in demand for smoking cessation services."
Partnership for a Smoke Free Scott County
The Partnership for a Smoke Free Scott County, which includes St. Francis Regional Medical Center, is educating the public about the Freedom to Breathe Act at local events throughout the summer and fall. For more information, contact Jennifer Anderson at 612-578-0981.
The Minnesota Medical Association represents more than 10,000 physicians and medical students throughout the state.
Hennepin Medical Society is the west metro MMA component representing physicians in Hennepin, Scott, Carver, Anoka and Dakota Counties.
About St. Francis Regional Medical Center
St. Francis Regional Medical Center is a non-profit hospital jointly owned and sponsored by the Benedictine Health System, Allina Hospitals & Clinics, and Park Nicollet Health Services. This unique structure combines the caring and compassion of a community hospital with the modern medical technology, specialties, and services found in the metro area. St. Francis provides a full range of inpatient, outpatient and emergency care services on a collaborative medical campus with more than 30 other clinics and providers.
St. Francis is located right off of 169 and Marschall Road in Shakopee. For more information visit www.stfrancis-shakopee.com or call 'Ask St. Francis' at 952-403-2000.
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