SEQUOIA HOSPITAL RECEIVES NATIONAL RECOGNITION FOR HEALTHY ENVIRONMENTAL PRACTICES
National Environmental Organization Practice Greenhealth Honors Sequoia at the
CleanMed Conference in Pittsburgh
Redwood City, CA- May 21, 2008- Sequoia Hospital today announced they were inducted into the Practice Greenhealth Environmental Leadership Circle. This is the highest award given annually in national recognition for outstanding environmental innovation in healthcare by the national organization Practice Greenhealth (formerly Hospitals for a Healthy Environment- H2E).
“Sequoia Hospital has long been a supporter of healthy environmental practices,” said Glenna Vaskelis, hospital president. “I am very proud of Sequoia Hospital’s commitment and the hard work of our staff and physicians who make Sequoia and the environment a healthy place for patients, visitors, and employees.”
Sequoia is being recognized for integrating environmental responsibility into their practices and policies to such an extent that it has become part of the culture at Sequoia. Inductees into the Leadership Circle demonstrate a dedication to the health of patients, workers, communities and the global environment.
In addition to the hospital’s Environmental Leadership Circle award, Ron Sanchez, manager of Environmental Services was also selected for a Stephanie Davis Waste Reduction Award and Scholarship. Ron has documented waste reduction opportunities and has identified innovative pollution prevention opportunities at Sequoia.
Ron is responsible for implementing the system Sequoia currently uses to reduce waste in the cafeteria. Instead of providing one 40-yard container, Sequoia has provided a 20-yard container and four additional 5-yard containers. They are specifically marked: aluminum, glass, plastic, and cardboard. This allows for up to 50% of waste to now be recycled. The idea behind Ron’s system is that it must be easy to use by anyone.
Ron said that winning this award “is the proudest day of my professional life. Sequoia’s 5 year goal is Zero Waste. Stay tuned to find out how we achieve it.”
About Sequoia Hospital
Sequoia Hospital is an accredited, not-for-profit community hospital providing innovative and exceptional healthcare to Bay Area residents. Sequoia, ranked among the top 5 percent of hospitals nationwide, is a recipient of the 2008 Distinguished Hospital Award for Clinical ExcellenceTM, based on a study issued by HealthGrades, the nation’s leading independent healthcare ratings company. Offering a full range of medical, surgical and specialty programs, Sequoia also ranks in the top percentile of hospitals nationwide for patient satisfaction. “Best in California for Coronary Interventional Procedures” in 2008 is another HealthGrades rating for Sequoia Hospital, which also received the HealthGrades 2008 Cardiac Care Excellence Award and 2008 Cardiac Surgery Excellence Award. To learn more, please visit: www.SequoiaHospital.org
About Practice Greenhealth
Formerly known as Hospitals for a Healthy Environment (H2E), Practice Greenhealth is an independent not-for-profit organization focused on improving healthcare’s environmental performance. The American Hospital Association, the Environmental Protection Agency, Health Care Without Harm and the American Nurses Association jointly founded Practice Greenhealth, which envisions a healthcare system committed to reduced waste volume and toxicity, efficient energy and water use, clean air, safe work practices and safe buildings. The non-profit is based in Arlington, Va. To learn more, please visit: http://www.h2e-online.org/
