Well, if another magazine is going to beat you to the punch, it might as well be a national publication such as Time.

The June 22 cover story of Time is dedicated entirely to the health and wellness efforts of the Cleveland Clinic. Meanwhile, the cover story of the July issue of CBC is also dedicated to the Clinic’s multi-pronged strategy to improve the health of its employees and patients.

You’ll see as much this week, when CBC’s July issue hits the streets. Both stories have a lot to offer. Time is Time, and CBC is the first medium to reveal the Clinic’s plan to open its debut retail wellness store on its main campus. The Clinic passed out the new issues of Time at Friday morning’s Hospitality Breakfast Event at the Rock Hall. Sponsored by the Fedeli Group, the function was highlighted by guest speaker Toby Cosgrove, MD, president and CEO of the Clinic.

Something Dr. Cosgrove said really grabbed my attention. Since the Clinic stopped hiring smokers in 2007, the smoking rates in Cuyahoga County have dropped from 21 percent to 18 percent. Some of that drop can be attributed to coincidence, as the rate has been falling since 2003. But the Clinic all decade has done its part to curb smoking, including its support of the 2006 statewide ban on smoking in public places and work.

Good for the Clinic. Now if it could just ban soda, I’d be set.