Washington Hospital Named Charter Member to a National Health Organization Supporting Environmental Practices

Fremont, Calif. – Officials at Washington Hospital Healthcare System are pleased to announce that the Healthcare System has made a significant commitment to environmental sustainability by joining Practice Greenhealth, an organization for institutions and businesses in the health care field who are engaged in reducing their environmental footprints. What’s more, Washington Hospital joins an elite group of 12 other facilities as a charter member to Practice Greenhealth. “Providing health care services with a focus on ensuring that our environmental footprint is as small as possible has become increasingly important to us,” said Nancy Farber, chief executive officer of Washington Hospital Healthcare System. “Our patients come first and reducing our impact on the environment not only makes good operational sense, but it also means our Hospital is a better place to provide care to our patients.”

Practice Greenhealth provides practical guidance, training, consultation, and business solutions to help its members in their efforts to implement environmentally responsible practices at their facilities. More than 800 health institutions have joined Practice Greenhealth in the last year alone, indicating the growing commitment among the health community to reduce its environmental impact.

“As the co-chair of Washington Hospital’s Green Team, we’re looking at environmental improvement opportunities at all levels of Washington Hospital,” said Paul Kelley, manager of Washington Hospital’s biomedical department and chair of its Green Team. “It’s great to be part of an organization that is leading the way with environmental efforts.”

Practice Greenhealth offers a variety of programs to its members, including the Healthcare Clean Energy Exchange, environmental purchasing, sustainable operations, continuing education, webinars, networking opportunities, communications, and annual awards recognizing the achievements of member institutions.

“We are very pleased to welcome Washington Hospital Healthcare System as a Practice Greenhealth charter member,” stated Robert Jarboe, executive director of Practice Greenhealth. “Their membership demonstrates a real commitment to improving the environmental impact on their patients, staff and communities.”

Washington Hospital Healthcare System includes a 359-bed acute-care hospital; the Taylor McAdam Bell Neuroscience Institute; The Gamma Knife® Center; Washington Radiation Oncology Center; Washington Outpatient Surgery Center; Washington Outpatient Rehabilitation Center; Washington Outpatient Catheterization Laboratory; Washington Center for Joint Replacement; the Institute for Minimally Invasive and Robotic Surgery; and Washington West, a complex which houses Washington Women’s Center, Outpatient Imaging Center and additional outpatient hospital services and administrative facilities.

Practice Greenhealth is the nation’s leading membership and networking organization for institutions in the healthcare community that have made a commitment to sustainable, eco-friendly practices. Members include hospitals, healthcare systems, businesses and other stakeholders engaged in the greening of healthcare to improve the health of patients, staff and the environment.