有鉴于美国格伊辛格卫生医疗系统(Geisinger Health System)要求新进员工须通过尼古丁测试才能任职之后，日前善待动物组织(PETA)也去信美国费城宾州医院(Pennsylvania Hospital)，由「主动吃素比被动戒烟更有益健康」的角度，建议院方未来只聘用素食员工。
　　此封信系由PETA的执行副总崔西‧雷曼(Tracy Reiman)致予格伊辛格企业的CEO格伦斯蒂尔(Geisinger CEO Glenn Steele)。信件内容提到，考虑此法能减少肉类消费所产生的各式疾病，且有助于省去医疗保健费用，并引用名言「一天一苹果，医生远离我」来说明这句话同样适用于医疗职员，强调素食带来的益处。
　　崔西‧雷曼表示，「若院方能采纳我们所提供的建议，这将会是一个双赢的局面。因为这项决策不仅能为素食者创造良好的就业机会与环境，也正面宣扬了素食健康饮食的重要、减少耗费医疗资源，更拯救了成千上万的动物!」此外，为了帮助荤食者顺利过渡到素食，PETA也建议院方实行每天提供无肉餐的方式，鼓励员工树立健康的饮食习惯，而自然使员工意识到：素食原来如此容易!
　　原新闻报导暨信件原文
　　PETA to Pennsylvania Hospital: Don't Stop at Non-Smokers—Hire Only Vegetarians
　　A 'No Meat' Hiring Policy at Geisinger Health System Would Improve Employee Health and Morale, Says Group
　　For Immediate Release:
　　January 11, 2012
　　Contact:
　　Kristin Richards 202-483-7382
　　Danville, Penn. -- On the heels of the news that Danville-based Geisinger Health System is now requiring that new hires test negative for nicotine, PETA sent a letter to Geisinger CEO Glenn Steele with a suggestion that would aid the hospital in its mission to cut health-care costs and create a healthier work environment: Require that all new employees be vegetarian. In the letter, PETA explains that vegetarians are less prone to heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and cancer than meat-eaters are and suggests that Geisinger encourage current employees to embrace a healthy vegetarian lifestyle.
　　"Eating an apple a day can keep the doctor away, and that goes for hospital staff too," says PETA Executive Vice President Tracy Reiman. "It's a win-win decision. By promoting a vegetarian work environment, Geisinger will send an important message about healthy eating, reduce health-care costs, and save the lives of thousands of animals."
　　For more information, please visit PETA.org.
　　PETA's letter to Dr. Glenn D. Steele Jr., President and CEO of Geisinger Health System, follows.
　　January 11, 2012
　　Glenn D. Steele Jr., M.D., Ph.D.
　　President and CEO
　　Geisinger Health System
　　Dear Dr. Steele:
　　On behalf of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) and our more than 3 million members and supporters, I’m writing regarding your announcement that Geisinger Health System will no longer hire employees who test positive for nicotine. This move is commendable. May we suggest the next logical step, i.e., no longer hiring anyone who eats meat?
　　As you may know, vegetarians (and in particular, vegans) are significantly healthier than meat-eaters. The American Dietetic Association (ADA) conducted a comprehensive review of scientific studies on meat-free eating and concluded that vegetarian diets “provide health benefits in the prevention and treatment of certain diseases.” The ADA also stated, “Vegetarians have been reported to have lower body mass indices than nonvegetarians as well as lower rates of death from ischemic heart disease; vegetarians also show lower blood cholesterol levels; lower blood pressure; and lower rates of hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and prostate and colon cancer.” Vegetarians get all the protein, vitamins, and fiber that they need without the artery-clogging cholesterol and saturated animal fats found in meat, eggs, and milk.
　　To help staff members who currently eat meat transition to a healthy diet, we recommend providing all employees with a delicious meat-free lunch every day. Once employees sample tasty meals like vegetarian shepherd’s pie and Buffalo wing–style “chicken” nuggets (made from plant protein)—and as they shed unwanted pounds and feel more energetic—they will realize how easy it is to eat healthy foods. This perk would cost a fraction of the money that Geisinger would save as a result of lower health-care costs. We’d be happy to consult with you on food preparation or suggest local restaurants that could provide you with these meals, and we’ll gladly provide each staff member with a free copy of our vegetarian/vegan starter kit.
　　By hiring only vegetarians and encouraging current staff to go meat-free, Geisinger would reap the benefits of healthier, happier employees while reducing the company’s health-care costs. Please let me know of your decision.
　　Thank you for your consideration.
　　Sincerely,
　　Tracy Reiman
　　Executive Vice President