UNION HOSPITAL NEWS

Union Hospital was honored with a "Partner Recognition Award" by  Practice Greenhealth, a national membership organization for health care facilities committed to environmentally responsible operations. The award is one of the organization's Environmental Excellence Awards given each year to honor outstanding environmental achievements in the health care sector. Union Hospital was the only Indiana Hospital to receive the honor.

"Union Hospital has been singled out for their efforts to protect patient health and preserve the environment," said Bob Jarboe, Executive Director of Practice Greenhealth. "Union Hospital's approach to health care demonstrates a keen understanding of the impact our activities have on the environment and a commitment to build on the achievements they have made so far."

Union Hospital has added a new waste elimination process that dramatically reduces the amount of waste they send to landfills. They have also created an employee driven "green team" and undertake many initiatives at the team's direction. The latest being a massive recycling program.

"Improving environmental performance is essential for the health care sector," said Amy Ennen, Green Team Coordinator. "If we want a sustainable future, every facility needs to become involved. Practice Greenhealth created the vision for our industry. For Union Hospital this is just the start of a permanent commitment."

The Practice Greenhealth Environmental Excellence Awards celebrate the achievements and commitment of health care's environmental champions. This year's awards were held in conjunction with CleanMed 2009, a global conference for environmental leaders in health care. Practice Greenhealth will sponsor the planting of 100 trees in Haiti for each award presented.

The Partner Recognition Award is for healthcare facilities that have begun to work on environmental improvements, achieved some progress, and have less than 10 percent recycling rate for the total waste stream.

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. Practice Greenhealth 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.