PeaceHealth

Emergency Messages as of 3:22 AM, Sun. Dec 14

No information currently posted.

Subscribe to receive FlashAlert messages from PeaceHealth.

Manage my existing Subscription

News Release

PeaceHealth Southwest Honored With National Environmental Sustainability Award - 08/17/21

In recognition for its achievement and innovation in health care sustainability, PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center has received the 2021 Environmental Excellence Award from Practice Greenhealth, the nation’s leading organization dedicated to environmental sustainability in health care. PeaceHealth Southwest recently completed a four-month effort to baseline operations as they relate to the medical center’s sustainable-hospital strategy.

“This nationally recognized award is an exciting start for our organization that marks the beginning of a more formal sustainability journey,” says Brian Nelson, PeaceHealth Southwest’s Sustainability Programs Coordinator.

“Our commitment to sustainability and reducing the impact of our operations on our communities is something that each of us can help with,” says Chief Medical Officer and Sustainability Executive Champion Lawrence Neville, MD. “The biggest successes from our environmental program will come from the shift in our culture as we each look at how we fit into the care continuum and identify opportunities to reduce our environmental footprint while still taking great care of our patients.”

The Environmental Excellence Award recognizes health care facilities that continuously improve upon programs to address sustainable operations, reduce and recycle waste, lower energy and water use, source more sustainable products, and more. Winning facilities have developed successful sustainability programs in a variety of different areas.

Working with Practice Greenhealth, PeaceHealth Southwest’s baseline worked to capture information for more than 1,300 data points across all areas on how we provide care to our patients including waste management, purchasing, food, energy, water, cleaning and sanitizing chemicals, and Operating Room operations.

“In the shifting health care landscape, a focus on sustainability can help build resilience while better protecting the health of patients and the community,” said Gary Cohen, Practice Greenhealth founder. “PeaceHealth Southwest demonstrates the kind of leadership, innovation and performance that can drive the entire health sector toward more environmentally responsible practices.”

One unique example comes from PeaceHealth Southwest’s Food & Nutrition Services Department which has taken the "Cool Food Pledge,” a commitment for dining facilities – from hotels and restaurants to universities, schools, hospitals, and workplace cafeterias – to cut their food-related greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by increasing and improving their plant-forward menu options. PeaceHealth Southwest is embracing this science-based pledge for food-related GHG emissions reduction and to help build a bigger international movement.

About Practice Greenhealth
Practice Greenhealth is the leading membership and networking organization for sustainable health care, delivering environmental solutions to more than 1,100 U.S. hospitals and health systems. Learn more at practicegreenhealth.org.

PeaceHealth, based in Vancouver, Wash., is a not-for-profit Catholic health system offering care to communities in Washington, Oregon and Alaska. It has approximately 16,000 caregivers, a group practice with more than 900 providers and 10 medical centers serving both urban and rural communities throughout the Northwest. In 1890, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace founded what has become PeaceHealth. The Sisters shared expertise and transferred wisdom from one medical center to another, always finding the best way to serve the unmet need for healthcare in their communities. Today, PeaceHealth is the legacy of the founding Sisters and continues with a spirit of respect, stewardship, collaboration and social justice in fulfilling its Mission. Visit us online at peacehealth.org.

PeaceHealth Southwest Honored With National Environmental Sustainability Award - 08/17/21

In recognition for its achievement and innovation in health care sustainability, PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center has received the 2021 Environmental Excellence Award from Practice Greenhealth, the nation’s leading organization dedicated to environmental sustainability in health care. PeaceHealth Southwest recently completed a four-month effort to baseline operations as they relate to the medical center’s sustainable-hospital strategy.

“This nationally recognized award is an exciting start for our organization that marks the beginning of a more formal sustainability journey,” says Brian Nelson, PeaceHealth Southwest’s Sustainability Programs Coordinator.

“Our commitment to sustainability and reducing the impact of our operations on our communities is something that each of us can help with,” says Chief Medical Officer and Sustainability Executive Champion Lawrence Neville, MD. “The biggest successes from our environmental program will come from the shift in our culture as we each look at how we fit into the care continuum and identify opportunities to reduce our environmental footprint while still taking great care of our patients.”

The Environmental Excellence Award recognizes health care facilities that continuously improve upon programs to address sustainable operations, reduce and recycle waste, lower energy and water use, source more sustainable products, and more. Winning facilities have developed successful sustainability programs in a variety of different areas.

Working with Practice Greenhealth, PeaceHealth Southwest’s baseline worked to capture information for more than 1,300 data points across all areas on how we provide care to our patients including waste management, purchasing, food, energy, water, cleaning and sanitizing chemicals, and Operating Room operations.

“In the shifting health care landscape, a focus on sustainability can help build resilience while better protecting the health of patients and the community,” said Gary Cohen, Practice Greenhealth founder. “PeaceHealth Southwest demonstrates the kind of leadership, innovation and performance that can drive the entire health sector toward more environmentally responsible practices.”

One unique example comes from PeaceHealth Southwest’s Food & Nutrition Services Department which has taken the "Cool Food Pledge,” a commitment for dining facilities – from hotels and restaurants to universities, schools, hospitals, and workplace cafeterias – to cut their food-related greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by increasing and improving their plant-forward menu options. PeaceHealth Southwest is embracing this science-based pledge for food-related GHG emissions reduction and to help build a bigger international movement.

About Practice Greenhealth
Practice Greenhealth is the leading membership and networking organization for sustainable health care, delivering environmental solutions to more than 1,100 U.S. hospitals and health systems. Learn more at practicegreenhealth.org.

PeaceHealth, based in Vancouver, Wash., is a not-for-profit Catholic health system offering care to communities in Washington, Oregon and Alaska. It has approximately 16,000 caregivers, a group practice with more than 900 providers and 10 medical centers serving both urban and rural communities throughout the Northwest. In 1890, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace founded what has become PeaceHealth. The Sisters shared expertise and transferred wisdom from one medical center to another, always finding the best way to serve the unmet need for healthcare in their communities. Today, PeaceHealth is the legacy of the founding Sisters and continues with a spirit of respect, stewardship, collaboration and social justice in fulfilling its Mission. Visit us online at peacehealth.org.