Beth Israel Medical Center Receives Grant from Charles Evans Foundation for Integrative Stress Management for Staff

Online, November 15, 2010 (Newswire.com) - The Continuum Center for Health and Healing (CCHH) and Beth Israel Medical Center's Department of Integrative Medicine have received a grant of $450,000 from the Charles Evans Foundation, a private family foundation.

"The three-year award will provide a much-needed integrative stress management program for staff, including doctors, nurses and support personnel at the medical center," said Woodson Merrell, MD, CCHH Director and Chairman of Integrative Medicine.

Charles Evans made a name for himself in the fashion industry as the founder of Evan-Picone and then went on to become a successful real estate developer and movie producer of films like the Oscar-winning "Tootsie." He was a leading supporter of Alzheimer's disease research and the crusade to educate the public about fire detectors. Mr. Evans's father suffered from Alzheimer's disease and he lost close family members in a tragic fire at a time when smoke detectors were not yet widely used. His wife, Bonnie Pfeifer Evans, is also known for founding the pediatric AIDS charity, DISHES, and has raised millions to benefit programs for families affected by HIV/AIDS. She continues Mr. Evans' philanthropy as a trustee of The Charles Evans Foundation.

The Charles Evans Integrative Stress Management Program is designed as a "Mobile Therapy Station" with holistic nurses traveling to each nursing unit to provide monthly sessions in relaxation, stress management and self-care techniques using a variety of integrative modalities, including breathing techniques, imagery, meditation, biofeedback, aromatherapy, reiki and healing touch, as well as restorative/therapeutic yoga.

Stress has a tremendous impact on workers and the workplace - that can lead to poor health outcomes, substance abuse, high medical expenditure and negative behaviors. Studies have shown that stress interferes with mental processes such as memory, concentration, judgment and decision-making. And according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, stress is the single highest cause of worker absenteeism.

The Department of Integrative Medicine plans to work closely with Nursing Administration and Nursing Education to implement the program. A reception to launch the program will be held in January 2011.