4/17/2018
PITTSBURGH – UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital received the Partner for Change Award from Practice Greenhealth, the nation’s leading organization dedicated to environmental sustainability in health care. The award is one of the Environmental Excellence Awards given each year to honor environmental achievements in the health care sector.
This is the 14th Practice Greenhealth award Magee has received since 2006, which recognizes health care facilities that continuously improve and expand upon programs to eliminate mercury, reduce and recycle waste, and source products sustainably. Winning facilities must demonstrate that they are recycling at least 15 percent of their total waste, have reduced regulated medical waste, are on track to eliminate mercury and have developed successful sustainability programs in many areas.
“We take pride in our sustainability programs at Magee because we see the positive impacts on our staff, patients and community,” said Maribeth McLaughlin, vice president of operations at Magee. “We are honored to be recognized and to be part of the momentum that is building around the benefits of green practices within health care.”
Magee previously has earned recognition for its green practices, including recycling; reducing waste, energy and chemicals in surgical procedures; maintaining an organic garden that provides vegetables for patient and cafeteria meals; and incorporating environmental health into community education programs. Additionally, Magee’s inpatient units use recyclable materials and feature flooring, walls and furniture made with materials free of hazardous chemicals. Magee also has reduced its carbon footprint by purchasing local materials and recycling nearly 100 percent of its construction waste.
The award will be presented at the Practice Greenhealth Environmental Excellence Awards Gala, set for May 9th in San Diego at the conclusion of the CleanMed Conference & Exhibition.