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For the third year in a row, Mercy Health is being recognized for its commitment to developing a sustainable culture that will protect the environment, according to a news release.
Practice Greenhealth, a leading sustainability member organization for hospital networks, once again recognized Mercy Health — Lorain Hospital and Mercy Health — Allen Hospital with Partner for Change Awards, the release said.
This recognition spotlights hospitals for superior performance in sustainability through a range of different programs and activities, according to the release.
“God our Creator has given us this earth that is so beautifully and wonderfully made,” said Father Damian Ezeani, director of mission at Mercy Health, in the release. “It is our responsibility, not only to maintain this beauty, but to hand over to the next generation a better world.
“I am so happy that our ministry, leaders, providers and associates are so committed to our sustainability efforts in the hospitals.”
In health care, sustainability means looking at how Mercy Health’s operations affect the health and safety of the environment as well as the health of its patients, staff, visitors and the community, according to the release.
Strategies to address sustainability include minimizing and recycling waste, addressing chemicals of concern, lowering energy and water consumption, sourcing food and products sustainably and establishing environmentally preferable purchasing criteria, the release said.
Sustainability projects include:
• Launching a Grind2Energy Food Waste Recycling System, which processes bulk kitchen waste into renewable energy
• Switching from disposable isolation gowns to reusable gowns
• Reprocessing 559 pounds of medical and surgical devices
• Gardens of Hope, including 24 elevated plots at Mercy Health — Lorain Hospital and three big plots at Mercy Health — Allen Hospital to provide practical engagement and commitment to sustainability for staff
“In a 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, founder of Practice Greenhealth, in the release. “Both Mercy Health — Lorain Hospital and Mercy Health — Allen Hospital demonstrate the kind of leadership, innovation and performance that can drive the entire health sector toward more environmentally responsible practices.”
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