Page 7 - July 2020 Ulupono

Castle Offers Smoking Cessation Program for Moms-to-Be
by Samantha Zuro, Wellness & Lifestyle Medicine
When Sara Villanueva became pregnant she realized how important quitting was to her and her unborn baby and decided to enroll
in Adventist Health Castle Wellness Center’s BABY & METM – Tobacco Free Program (BMTFP). The smoking cessation program, available at Castle since 2018, is aimed at reducing the use of tobacco products among women, both during and after pregnancy,
by providing free counseling support and resources.
Benefits of BMTFP
Research shows that babies born to non- smoking women are born at a healthy weight, are less likely to be premature, and are more likely to come home from the hospital stay with their mothers. Quitting smoking greatly reduces the health risks associated with secondhand smoke, which is known to cause an increase in ear infections, respiratory issues, allergies, and learning disabilities.
“One of the greatest gifts a woman can give her baby is a tobacco-free pregnancy and a tobacco-free home,” says Allie Hall, certified program facilitator at Castle’s Wellness Center. Another excellent benefit, Hall
adds, is that moms enrolled in BMTFP who successfully quit and stay quit are eligible for
Adventist Health
Castle holds first
virtual "Hui"
An estimated 200 associates tuned in for the June 16 Hui
Castle President Kathy Raethel, and senior leadership provided the following updates:
• Volumes remain significantly lower than prior years and budget estimates for
free diapers for up to one year following the birth of their baby.
“This program has helped me in ways I can’t even describe,” Sara says. “Allie has heard parts of my struggle that I haven’t shared with anyone...the most valuable part of this program is having someone to hear your voice.”
Caring for Our Community
“We are thrilled to see the number of women Adventist Health Castle has assisted in quitting smoking and staying quit,”
2020. Recent increases are encouraging. • As Castle reopens with relaxed vistor
restrictions, masking and social
distancing remain crucial.
• Elective surgeries are open and volumes
are growing.
• Hawaii has seen an uptick in new cases,
but has the lowest per capita Covid-19 rates and the lowest Covid-19 death rate in the United States. Vigilant screening continues.
• Current Covid-19 approaches: promote telehealth, assure community that Castle is safe and open to provide quality medical care and thank the
Laurie Adams, BMPFT Executive Director NS program creator writes. “Allie and the program staff have done a great job in reaching women in their community by providing encouragement and practical and effective steps to help them be successful.”
For more information on the program and how to refer patients, please contact: The Baby and Me Tobacco Free Program at (808) 263-5048. You may also enroll online at https://www.adventisthealth.org/castle/ health-and-wellness/wellness-center/ tobacco-nicotine-dependence/baby-and- me-registration/
community for their support through a sign-waving event and participation in programs that benefit the community.
Associates learned about Castle's current quality metrics, business development and strategic planning, and received updates on new and retiring physicians.
The session ended with a report on mission projects, including food distribution in Waimanalo with the Hawaii Food Bank, the Hawaii Blood Bank Bloodmobile, which will be on our campus through the summer, as well as new spiritual care resources available.