EvergreenHealth has been selected as the winner of a Practice Greenhealth Environmental Excellence Award for the sixth consecutive year. The award, given each year to honor outstanding environmental achievements in the health care sector, recognizes elite hospital systems for their dedication to transforming health care worldwide.
EvergreenHealth was honored for its ability to continually reduce its environmental footprint and promote sustainability as a leader in the global movement for environmental health and justice. The Practice Greenhealth Partner for Change Award recognizes health care facilities that continuously improve and expand upon their mercury elimination, waste reduction, source reduction and recycling programs. At a minimum, facilities applying for this award must be recycling 15 percent of their total waste, have reduced regulated medical waste, are well along the way to mercury elimination and have developed other successful pollution prevention programs in many different areas. Last year alone, the EvergreenHealth system diverted 44 percent (851 tons) of its total waste into recycled or reused material.
“Part of providing the highest levels of care and service for our patients and our community means caring for the environment with effective programs and conservation efforts,” said Bob Malte, CEO of EvergreenHealth. “Receiving this award for the sixth consecutive time is a reflection of our staff’s dedication to drive sustainability efforts across the entire EvergreenHealth system.”
EvergreenHealth’s environmental efforts are led by a dedicated “Green Team,” which is accountable for leading the way to protect public health and preserve the environment. Through cost-effective green practices, continuous communication and strategic planning, they work to promote and sustain the environmental health of local and global communities. The group is volunteer-based and comprised of EvergreenHealth employees from hospital administration, nursing, construction management, the EvergreenHealth Care Network, environmental services, facilities, food services, infection control, laboratory, marketing, operational excellence, pharmacy, purchasing, physicians, professional services and safety departments.
EvergreenHealth and its network of two hospitals, medical staff and 250-physician medical group, urgent care centers, home care and 24-hour nurse navigator service, has also been recognized as being among the best hospitals in the nation by Healthgrades and U.S. News & World Report for quality and clinical outcomes as well as the health system’s patient-centered approach to care. EvergreenHealth was most recently named one of the nation’s 100 Top Hospitals® by Truven Health Analytics for outstanding achievements in patient care, operational efficiency and financial strength.
To learn more about Practice Greenhealth, visit www.practicegreenhealth.org. For more information about EvergreenHealth, visit www.evergreenhealth.com.
