A focus on more sustainable operations supports healthier patients, staff, and communities
In recognition for its achievement and innovation in health care sustainability, Gillette Children’s received the Greenhealth Partner for Change Award and Greening the OR Recognition Award from Practice Greenhealth, the nation’s leading organization dedicated to environmental sustainability in health care.
GIllette Children’s received the Greenhealth Partner for Change Award for superior performance in environmental sustainability, covering a range of different sustainability programs and activities. Winners have also made substantive progress on mercury elimination.
Gillette was also honored with Greening the Operating Room Award, which honors facilities that have made substantial progress in reducing the impact of the surgical environment.
“In a shifting health care landscape, a focus on sustainability can help build resilience while better protecting the health of patients and the community,” said Gary Cohen, Practice Greenhealth founder. “Gillette Children’s demonstrates the kind of leadership, innovation, and performance that can drive the entire health sector toward more environmentally responsible practices.”
The awards are part of Practice Greenhealth’s Environmental Excellence Awards given annually to honor health care’s achievements in sustainability.
Gillette Children’s works to advance sustainability by engaging a cross-departmental team focused on resource conservation, environmentally preferable purchasing, improving health and environmental equity and fulfilling requirements of the Health and Human Services Health Care Sector Climate Pledge.
Recent sustainability projects have included transitioning to recycled paper and utensils, adding reprocessed collection for certain medical equipment, biohazard waste improvement, and new environmental standards for system design and construction policies.
“Climate change is a threat to everyone’s health,” says Beth Risberg, Vice President, Infrastructure, one of the leaders of Gillette’s Environmental Sustainability Committee. “By prioritizing environmental sustainability, we strive to safeguard the futures of the patients we serve, ensuring they grow up in the healthiest possible world. This award reaffirms our commitment to integrating sustainability into every area of our work.”
About Practice Greenhealth
Practice Greenhealth is the leading membership and networking organization for sustainable health care, delivering environmental solutions to more than 1,700 U.S. hospitals and health systems. Learn more at practicegreenhealth.org.