Hackensack, NJ – Thirty-eight 8th grade students from St. Paul’s Interparochial School in Ramsey, recently turned to author, humanitarian, green expert, and children’s health advocate, Deirdre Imus, president and founder of the Deirdre Imus Environmental Health Center®, for lessons on how to construct a futuristic green city for a state-wide competition they are participating in. The students were joined by teachers Elaine Robinson of Dumont, Chris Gysin of Waldwick, and Vice Principal Elizabeth Carroll, of Ramsey,
Ms. Imus advised the students on building their city, and suggested they look at every aspect, from the food to the building materials. She then took them on a tour of one of the first green hospitals in the country -- the Sarkis and Siran Gabrellian Women’s and Children’s Pavilion. With the guidance of Deirdre Imus the pavilion is one of the first environmentally responsible and sustainable healthcare facilities of its size, and was named one of America’s Top 10 Green Hospitals by The Green Guide. The students saw first hand the cotton denim insulation, and a wall made from eucalyptus. The tour also included viewing a rooftop garden and the Aquarium café where the students clamored to get a look at the beautiful living aquarium.
“I believe a hospital’s environment should be healing, and these students can see first hand what the future of healthcare should be.”
She thanked the students for visiting and shared her insight that sparked thought-provoking discussion among the students.
“Today’s visit with Mrs. Imus delivers her priceless environmental leadership and concern for children and our future,” said Ms. Carroll. “The Environmental Health Center’s mission to educate the children hits a home run because it is clear that they practice what they preach.”
ABOUT THE DEIRDRE IMUS ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH CENTER®:
The Deirdre Imus Environmental Health Center® represents one of the first hospital-based programs whose specific mission is to identify, control and ultimately prevent toxic exposures in the environment that threaten our children's health. The Center’s mission is twofold: to enhance health by educating our children, their parents and the public-at-large about the carcinogens and other environmental factors that occur all too commonly in our lives…and to serve as a voice that can realistically help shape policy decisions that impact the environment and our well being.
About Deirdre Imus:
Deirdre Imus is the Founder and President of The Deirdre Imus Environmental Health Center ® and Co-Founder/Director of the Imus Cattle Ranch for Kids with Cancer. She is a New York Times best-selling author and a frequent contributor to FoxNewsHealth.com and
Foxbusiness.com. Numerous organizations have recognized Ms. Imus’ impact. She was honored with the 2009 Lifetime Achievement Award from the Northeast Organic Farming Association and named as one of Glamour Magazine’s Eco Heroes for 2009. Deirdre serves on the boards of several children’s health organizations, including the National Autism Association, Safe Minds, Generation Rescue, SKIP of New York, East Harlem Council for Human Services, Inc., Boriken Neighborhood Health Center and Gilda's Club - Northern NJ.