EvergreenHealth Wins National Award for Environmentally Responsible Healthcare for Third Year in a Row

KIRKLAND, Wash., May 30, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- EvergreenHealth was recently honored for the third year in a row with the 2012 Partner for Change Award from Practice Greenhealth, recognizing the organization for its outstanding environmental achievements and focus on sustainability within the healthcare sector and Eastside community.

As recipients of this award, EvergreenHealth displayed commitment to recycling at least 15 percent of its total waste, concentrated efforts for mercury elimination and successful implementation of pollution prevention programs.

The Partner for Change Award recognizes healthcare facilities that continuously improve and expand upon their environmental programs and initiatives. The award is one of the Environmental Excellence Awards given annually by Practice Greenhealth, a national membership organization for healthcare facilities committed to environmental responsibility and sustainability.

"We are pleased to be recognized for this significant achievement," said James Overton, RN, team leader of EvergreenHealth's Green Team. "On the heels of our recent successful Earth Day celebrations, we are proud to be a model for how elite medical facilities develop and implement programs to improve the health of our patients, staff and community."

"This award demonstrates EvergreenHealth's commitment to their patients and the community to protect public health and preserve the environment," said Laura Wenger, RN, Practice Greenhealth's Executive Director. "EvergreenHealth is truly demonstrating leadership for the future of healthcare."

EvergreenHealth's Green Team was specifically lauded by Practice Greenhealth for organizing the annual Earth Day celebration in Kirkland, which highlighted its green history and coincided with EvergreenHealth's 40th anniversary in 2012.

The Green Team works together to promote and sustain the environmental health of local and global communities though continuous communication, strategic planning and the implementation of cost-effective green practices. It consists of a core group of EvergreenHealth staff, representing hospital administration, nursing, construction management, the EvergreenHealth Care Network, environmental services, facilities, food services, infection control, laboratory, marketing, operational excellence, pharmacy, purchasing, physicians, professional services and safety.

This is the fourth year in a row that EvergreenHealth has received honors from Practice Greenhealth and the third consecutive year it has received the Partner for Change award. Practice Greenhealth bestowed the Partner Recognition Award to EvergreenHealth in 2009.

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. The Practice Greenhealth Environmental Excellence Awards were presented in early May in Denver at CleanMed, the premier national environmental conference for leaders in healthcare sustainability.

About EvergreenHealth
EvergreenHealth, a public hospital district and community-based healthcare organization established in 1972, offers a breadth of services and programs that is among the most comprehensive in the region. More than 950 physicians provide clinical excellence within more than 80 specialties, including cardiac, oncology, surgical care, orthopedics, a Neuroscience Institute, Women's and Children's services, hospice care, pulmonary care, a Sleep Disorders Center and Home Health services care.  EvergreenHealth serves more than 400,000 residents in its primary service area of northern King and southern Snohomish counties with EvergreenHealth Primary Care, a network of primary and urgent care practices, and its main hospital campus in Kirkland, Wash. EvergreenHealth also provides emergency care at two sites; its main hospital campus and the EvergreenHealth Redmond Medical Center.  In addition to clinical care, EvergreenHealth offers extensive community health outreach and education programs, anchored by EvergreenHealth Nurse Navigators and Healthline, a 24/7 nurse consultation service. For more information, visit www.evergreenhealthcare.org.

CONTACTS:

Ken LeBlond
Program Manager – Public Relations
EvergreenHealth
[email protected]
425.899.1886

Kristi Clough
Firmani + Associates Inc.
206.443.9357
[email protected]

SOURCE EvergreenHealth