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Health Care’s Environmental Leaders Receive Nation’s Top Honor

Visionary programs show dedication to the health of patients, workers,communities,
and the global environment.

Washington D.C. (May 7, 2007) – At its annual meeting, Hospitals for a Healthy

Environment (H2E) recognized 128 hospitals, health systems, and health care organizations

today for their outstanding achievements in reducing waste, eliminating mercury, and

improving environmental performance. H2E announced a total of 146 awards, including the

inaugural inductions into H2E’s Environmental Leadership Circle – permanently recognizing

sustained commitment to environmental excellence in health care. A formal awards

presentation will occur at the 2007 H2E Environmental Excellence Summit scheduled for

May 14-15, 2007 in Minneapolis.

“These organizations are at the forefront of the trend toward a health care system that

recognizes the fundamental link between healthy people and a healthy environment,” said

Laura Brannen, Executive Director of Hospitals for a Healthy Environment. “H2E’s vision of a

healthy health care system is steadily becoming a reality because of the remarkable

achievements of organizations like these.”

The H2E Environmental Leadership Award is the highest award given to health care facilities

for outstanding environmental performance. Recipients are distinguished by pioneering

efforts to reduce the health care industry’s environmental impact. From increasing recycling

rates from 3 to 26 percent, to decreasing regulated medical waste from 19 to 10.5 percent,

and disposing of up to 300 lbs per week of food waste using a worm bin, this year’s

Environmental Leadership Award winners are setting the industry’s highest standards. Eight

new facilities joined 11 repeat winners to win the award and be inducted into the H2E

Environmental Leadership Circle. They are:

2007 Environmental Leadership Award Winners

• Gundersen Lutheran, La Crosse, WI

• Harris Methodist Fort Worth Hospital, Fort Worth, TX

• Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR

• Ridgeview Medical Center, Waconia, MN

• St. Mary’s Hospital Medical Center, Green Bay, WI

• University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada

• University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX

• University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle, WA

2007 Environmental Leadership Circle Inductees

• Affinity Health System, Appleton, WI (2006)

• Baystate Health, Springfield, MA (2006)

• Borgess Medical Center, Kalamazoo, MI (2006)

• Bronson Methodist Hospital, Kalamazoo, MI (2003, 2004, 2005, 2006)

• Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, NH (2003, 2004, 2005)

• Dominican Hospital, Santa Cruz, CA (2006)

• Legacy Health System, Portland, OR (2006)

• Mercy Hospital – Mercy Health System, Janesville, WI (2006)

• St. Joseph’s Medical Center, Stockton, CA (2005, 2006)

• University of Michigan Hospitals and Health Centers, Ann Arbor, MI (2002, 2004, 2005, 2006)

• W.A. Foote Hospital, Jackson, MI (2005, 2006)

In addition to these leaders, 109 health care institutions across the country received honors.

Among other achievements of H2E’s Partners for Change, Making Medicine Mercury Free,

Partner Recognition and Champions for Change Award winners have:

• Reprocessed and reused 88 tons of medical devices saving $2.1 million

• Transferred an entire health system to PVC-free IV bags

• Achieved 56 percent reduction in solid waste through increased recycling

• Implemented an occupancy sensor control lighting project saving $84,000

• Selected low-emitting building materials, adhesives, sealants, paints, and carpet

• Reconfigured all patient rooms to have views of outdoor green areas

This year’s H2E Environmental Excellence Summit, May 14-15 in Minneapolis, is a two-day

event with award presentations, winner case study sessions, learning seminars, and a full-day

pharmaceutical waste management workshop.

About H2E

Jointly founded by the American Hospital Association, the Environmental Protection Agency,

Health Care Without Harm, and the American Nurses Association, H2E is an independent

not-for-profit organization focused on improving health care’s environmental performance.

H2E envisions a health care system committed to reduced waste volume and toxicity,

efficient energy and water use, clean air, safe work practices and safe buildings.

For more information, visit www.h2e-online.org.

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