Winthrop Named "Champion For Clean Air"

In recognition of its commitment to improving air quality in the New York Metro area, Winthrop-University Hospital has been named a "Champion for Clean Air" by the New York State Department of Transportation's Clean Air NY initiative.

Clean Air NY is a dynamic collaboration of organizations and individuals in the New York metro area who are taking actions to improve air quality and combat ozone pollution - a threat that greatly increases risk of respiratory disease.

In order to reduce the number of cars on the road and reduce air pollution, Winthrop has taken the several important steps. Winthrop has:

• offered informational conferences for employees in collaboration with the Long Island Transportation Management (LITM);

• established a guaranteed ride home program through the LITM, which matches employees for carpooling and ensuring that no registered car-pooler will ever be left stranded without a ride;

• established and promoted a pre-tax transit benefit program for employees through Transit Center, which is enabling employees to save money by paying for public transportation with pre-tax dollars;

• applied for a grant through LITM, which will enable the Hospital to further develop, promote and implement its innovative commuter incentive program.

"Winthrop employs more than 5,000 full-time and part-time men and women," said George P. Rainer, Vice President, Human Resources at Winthrop, "and we are committed to supporting them in their transportation needs while also helping to improve the environment."