Awards and Highlights

The UPMC Center for Sustainability is committed to advancing environmental stewardship across our health system and communities. This page highlights awards, recognitions, featured projects, and sustainability achievements that showcase the impact of our work.

Awards

2026 Sustainability Champion Award

UPMC Northwest received the Sustainability Champion Award, recognizing its leadership in health care sustainability and its commitment to advancing environmental stewardship and sustainable practices.

2026 Sustained Performance Award

UPMC Mercy and UPMC Northwest earned the Sustained Performance Award for their ongoing commitment to advancing sustainability and creating healthier, more resilient communities.

2026 Greenhealth Champion Award

UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital and UPMC Shadyside earned the 2026 Greenhealth Partner for Change Award, recognizing their leadership and achievements in environmental sustainability.

2026 Pennsylvania Recycling Stewardship Award

UPMC Center for Sustainability received the 2026 Pennsylvania Recycling Stewardship Award, recognizing its outstanding commitment to sustainability, recycling, waste reduction, reuse, and environmental innovation across Pennsylvania.

UPMC Sustainability Center Honors Three Departments

The UPMC Center for Sustainability recently launched the Sustainable Unit Designation Program, recognizing departments and employees for their efforts to reduce UPMC’s environmental impact.

2025 Honorees

The first three departments recognized are:

• UPMC Presbyterian and UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh Radiology Departments – launched a reusable blood pressure cuff initiative to reduce disposable cuff use. This resulted in a 40% reduction in disposable use within two months.
  • UPMC Presbyterian: Reached 100% elimination of single cuff ordering one year after implementation.
  • UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh: 60% reduction in quarterly average in single-use cuff ordering since implementation in Q1 2024.
• UPMC Mercy Neural Engineering Lab – introduced the Kick the Can initiative, reducing trash bag waste by encouraging staff to use central trash containers instead of individual office cans.

Award-winning departments were celebrated in small ceremonies with hospital leaders and Center for Sustainability staff. Teams received plaques and were highlighted across UPMC via Viva Engage, town halls, and leadership meetings.

Featured Sustainability Projects

Explore sustainability initiatives from across UPMC that highlight innovative approaches to environmental stewardship, operational improvement, and community impact. These projects showcase how teams throughout our organization are advancing sustainability in meaningful ways.