Anthem Award

Marion Health won an award for its efforts to combat tobacco use in Grant County from insurance company Anthem, Inc.

The Smoking Cessation Quitline Award centers around the hospital receiving 79 referrals to its smoking Quitline in the third quarter of 2018. Grant County is tied for second place for the highest amount of tobacco use in the state, according to Kelley Hochstetler, community education coordinator. To curb this statistic, Marion Health has bolstered its efforts to stub out smoking.

"This rewards our efforts…(and) keeps the momentum going to decrease our statistics for smokers in Grant County," said Director of Cardiovascular Services Melo-Dee Collins.

Anthem Medicaid received 79 referrals to its quitline between July and September.

The TORCH Coalition, a group tasked with increasing smoking cessation, partnered with the hospital to set up the quitline.

According to Collins, the quitline has received a recent boost to spread awareness.

The award was presented by Anthem, Inc. Practice Consultant Sheila Bell, who said the hospital’s efforts to stop smoking are “phenomenal.”

According to Bell, quitlines have many benefits. “It’s important to improve patients’ quality of health, and it also helps save money in the long run,” she said.

To stop smoking, smokers can call 1-800-QUIT-NOW. After doing so, smokers will be provided with information and can speak with counselors.