Piedmont Medical Center received two awards, the Gold Star and Gold Apple, from Working Well for excellence in employee tobacco cessation programs and healthy food environments. The hospital provides multiple resources to help employees quit tobacco, including nicotine replacement therapy and prescription medications. It also promotes healthier food choices through product placement and pricing in cafeterias and vending machines. Working Well recognized Piedmont Medical Center's efforts as a model for other hospitals and employers.

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South Carolina Hospital Association
Piedmont Medical Center
Receives Two Golds
Jun. 12, 2012
Working Well, a collaboration between the South Carolina Hospital Association (SCHA) and NC
Prevention Partners (NCPP), has recognized Piedmont Medical Center for providing the highest
standard of excellence in employee quit tobacco systems and delicious, affordable healthy food
environments – the Gold Star and Gold Apple, respectively. Funded by The Duke Endowment,
managed by SC Hospital Association, and informed by NC Prevention Partners’ success in
developing infrastructure for effective worksite wellness programs in North Carolina, Working Well is

2. an effort to improve the health of hospital employees across the state of South Carolina by
establishing worksite wellness culture where the healthy choice is the easy choice.
In order to receive the Gold Star recognition, Piedmont Medical Center addresses several
components of an effective quit tobacco system. In hopes of helping all employees become tobacco
free, tobacco users are referred to multiple resources for the best possible chance of a successful
and sustained quit. “Piedmont’s local resources paired with those offered through the Healthy at
Tenet corporate wellness program present a robust and comprehensive system supported by
executive leadership,” said Jen Wright, Working Well Manager at SCHA. Tobacco cessation classes,
nicotine replacement therapy, and prescription medications are just a few things the hospital is
doing to remove barriers to quitting. Piedmont’s 100% tobacco free campus is also communicated
very clearly by signs throughout campus, notifying visitors and guests of their policy.
The wellness team at Piedmont Medical Center and their nutrition service partner, Sodexo, has also
done a wonderful job of developing policies and environments that make healthier food choices
more accessible and more affordable, earning them the Gold Apple. Product placement and pricing
strategies make healthy items in the cafeteria and vending machines more attractive. Third shift
employees also have access to fresh, hot, healthy choices. An important benefit all too often
overlooked. Cooking demonstrations, Meatless Mondays, and weight management programs are
offered to equip employees with skills and knowledge to make healthier decisions.
“The enhancements Piedmont Medical Center has implemented can make a significant impact in
improving population health,” Wright said. “They are serving as a role model to other hospitals
throughout SC, employers in their area, and residents of Rock Hill." Piedmont Medical Center Chief
Operating Officer, Claudia Douglass added, “We are thrilled to receive these awards! Our wellness
team has worked diligently putting these initiatives in place, and they’ve done a great job and have
set a wonderful example for our community. Our employees are our greatest asset, and keeping
them happy and healthy is extremely important to us.”
Jen Wright, Working Well Manager, presented Piedmont Medical Center executive leadership and
wellness team with the Gold Star and Gold Apple awards on June 7, 2012.
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About NC Prevention Partners:
NC Prevention Partners is a leader in reducing preventable illness and early death in North Carolina
caused by tobacco use, poor nutrition, physical inactivity and obesity. We helped North Carolina’s
acute care hospitals go 100% tobacco free campus wide. We help employers create healthier

3. workplaces, reduce costs and increase use of preventive health insurance benefits. Our mission as a
non-profit is “Prevention first for a healthier North Carolina.”
About the South Carolina Hospital Association:
Founded in 1921, the South Carolina Hospital Association is the leadership organization and
principal advocate for the state’s hospitals and health care systems. Based in Columbia, SCHA works
with its members to improve access, quality and cost-effectiveness of health care for all South
Carolinians. The state’s hospitals and health care systems employ more than 70,000 persons
statewide.
About Piedmont Medical Center:
Piedmont Medical Center is a full service 288-bed hospital serving York, Lancaster and Chester
counties. Piedmont has more than 325 physicians on staff, representing a broad range of 40
medical specialties. The hospital’s main campus includes the Heart and Vascular Center, offering
comprehensive diagnostic and treatment services, including an accredited Chest Pain center with
PCI designation. This designation means Piedmont can provide emergency coronary interventions
such as balloon angioplasty and stent placement. Piedmont has offered a heart surgery program to
the community since 1997. Piedmont provides emergency services; an accredited cancer program;
endoscopy; a bariatric medicine program; women’s services; and psychiatric services. The medical
center has several outpatient facilities, including diagnostic services, Sleep Center and Wound Care
Center. Piedmont is affiliated with Piedmont Physician Network, a network of primary and sub-
specialty physician practices.
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