The University of Vermont Medical Centerhasreceived a record nine awards to recognize itsleadershipin practicing environmentally responsible health care from Practice Greenhealth, (PGH) a leading national association devoted to that mission. Runner-up was the Cleveland Clinic with seven awards.
This is the 6thyear in a row UVM Medical Center has been selected by PGH for its top awards, which recognize health care facilities that set the highest standards for environmental practices. Special recognition was given this year to “greening” operating rooms, energy efficiency projects and sustainable food service. (See full list of awards below.)
Highlights
- National leadership recognized for 6thyear in a row
- Fanny Allen campus highlighted for multiple efforts
- Two campuses recognized for sustainable food service leadership
Vermont’s academic medical center has implemented dozens ofinitiatives in the past 20 years from using “green” cleaning products to composting to recycling. 2014 highlights include:
- All parking lot and site lighting converted to LEDs at the Fanny Allen Campus
- Reprocessing specific operating room equipment previously discarded or recycled to at least as-new specifications. Implemented in the fall, this initiative has already saved $200,000 and earned the Operating Room teams their first PGH award.
- Replaced more than 100 faulty steam traps with payback in 8 months. These traps sigificantly increase the efficiency of the steam energy systems used in the facilities.
“We’re very proud that our commitment to continuously improve our green performance is being recognized again byPractice Greenhealth,” said Wes Pooler, director of Facilities Management. “This is the result of taking small steps every day to be the most environmentally responsible organization possible, and the credit goes to our leaders and employees who enthusiastically embrace this mission.”
“This award recognizes UVM Medical Center’s ongoing role as an innovator in sustainability and their deep commitment to doing right by their patients and community,” said Laura Wenger, RN, Executive Director of Practice Greenhealth.
UVM Medical Center –Main Campus
Top 25 Environmental Excellence Award – one of the top 25 hospitals leading the field with innovation in sustainability, demonstrating how sustainability is entrenched in their respective cultures.
Circles of Excellence
Leadership Circle: represents the top performers committed to a healthier environment through organizational structure, reporting data tracking, communication and education.
Chemicals Circle: sound chemical reduction policies and practices, including educating hospital staff and the public about hazardous chemicals.
Less Waste Circle: hospitals with high recycling rates, low regulated medical waste generation and low rates of total waste generated per patient day.
Greening the OR Circle: hospitals with demonstrated leadership in green efforts in the surgical suites.
Healthy Food Circle: hospitals that demonstrate leadership in reduction of meat and sugar-sweetened beverage product use, healthier meat procurement practices, local sourcing and food waste reduction and overall sustainability management practices.
Green Building Circle: hospitals with a documented commitment to LEED-level construction standards who have received LEED and other green building recognition over the past five years
UVM Medical Center –Fanny Allen Campus
Greenhealth Emerald Award: presented to applicants with advanced green programs and exemplary scores in a range of Greenhealth categories.
Healthy Food Circle (see description above)
Multimedia Resources
For more on Fletcher Allen’s sustainable food program read thisblogfrom Nutrition Services Director Diane Imrie.
About Practice Greenhealth
Practice Greenhealth is the source for environmental solutions for the healthcare sector and lends support to create better, safer, greener workplaces and communities. Practice Greenhealth is a nonprofit membership organization founded on the principles of positive environmental stewardship and best practices by organizations in the healthcare community. Visithttps://practicegreenhealth.orgfor more information.
About the University of Vermont Medical Center
The University of Vermont Medical Center(formerly Fletcher Allen Health Care), is a 447 bed tertiary care regional referral center providing advanced care to approximately1 million residents in Vermont and northern New York. Together with our partners at the University of Vermont College of Medicine and the College of Nursing and Health Sciences, we are Vermont’s academic medical center.The University of Vermont Medical Center also serves as a community hospital for approximately 150,000 residents in Chittenden and Grand Isle counties.
The University of Vermont Medical Center is a member ofThe University of Vermont Health Network, a four hospital system established to deliver high quality academic medicine to every community we serve. Our partners are:
- The University of Vermont Health Network – Central Vermont Medical Center
- The University of Vermont Health Network – Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital
- The University of Vermont Health Network – Elizabethtown Community Hospital
BURLINGTON, VT –The University of Vermont Medical Center6.9.2015