STONY BROOK UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL RECEIVES NATIONAL AWARD FOR ENVIRONMENTAL ACHIEVEMENT
Practice Greenhealth Awards SBUH “Partner for Change” at Global “CleanMed” Conference
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| Left to right: Susan Vickers, Chair, Practice Greenhealth Board of Directors; Jill Kavoukian, Associate Director, Stony Brook University Hospital; Carol Malley, Environmental Manager, Stony Brook University Hospital; Bob Jarboe, Executive Director, Practice Greenhealth. |
STONY BROOK, N.Y.,June 17, 2008 – Stony Brook University Hospital received the “Partner for Change Award” at the 2008
Practice Greenhealth Environmental Excellence Awards. Practice Greenhealth is the result of the merger of two leading organizations – Hospitals for a Healthy Environment (H2E) and the Green Guide for Health Care (GGHC) – with a new clean energy and energy efficiency program – Healthcare Clean Energy Exchange (HCEE). The Practice Greenhealth Awards were presented in Pittsburgh in conjunction with CleanMed 2008, a global conference for environmental leaders in health care.
“The Partner for Change Award recognizes those facilities that are helping to create healthy, healing environments and are committed to eliminating mercury, and reducing waste and pollution,” said Practice Greenhealth executive director, Bob Jarboe. “Going green is clearly the way of the future and the future is looking healthier all the time.”
According to Jill Kavoukian, Associate Director, Environmental Health and Safety at Stony Brook University Hospital, patient care has more to do with the environment than many might think. “At Stony Brook, we realize that by reducing the industry’s environmental impact we are also creating a healthier environment for patients and staff,” said Kavoukian, who along with Carol Malley, Environmental Manager, accepted the Award on behalf of Stony Brook University Hospital.
“Environmental Excellence Awards recognize success stories,” said Jarboe. “Stony Brook University Hospital received the award for developing successful pollution prevention programs and has made quality patient care and the environment a priority. As a result, everyone will see long term benefits.
“Health care generates thousands of tons of waste everyday – by some estimates about 15 pounds per patient per day,” says Kavoukian. At Stony Brook we look at using our resources wisely. We have developed new policies to reduce environmental impact and we are continually monitoring progress to improve performance. Receiving this award is confirmation that we are on the right track.”
In addition to supporting the awards, Practice Greenhealth (formerly Hospitals for a Healthy Environment (H2E), is a source of environmental solutions for the health care sector. For more information on Practice Greenhealth, healthy initiatives, current trends, news and views, and other links to earth-friendly organizations, visit www.practicegreenhealth.org.
