Regional Health Command-Atlantic, medical facilities receive awards for environmental stewardship

By Regional Health Command-AtlanticApril 20, 2017

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(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT BELVOIR, Va. -- Regional Health Command-Atlantic was named a recipient today of a 2017 System for Change Award from Practice Greenhealth, the nation's leading organization dedicated to health care environmental sustainability, in recognition of the region's standard-setting sustainability achievements.

The System for Change Award recognizes health systems that are working cohesively and across its hospitals and facilities to set and meet goals related to sustainability, from reducing energy use to increasing recycling to establishing green building practices.

RHC-A, the largest of the U.S. Army's four health care regions, developed a year-long sustainability plan using last year's Practice Greenhealth performance to build specific military treatment facilities' sustainability plans. As a result, all six of the region's acute care hospitals earned the Practice Greenhealth Environmental Excellence Partner for Change Award.

In addition to receiving honors as a region, Moncrief Army Health Clinic at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, was named an Emerald Award recipient for setting the sustainability standard among medical facilities. Moncrief Army Health Clinic has established waste and recycling processes that demonstrate superior sustainability achievement.

Thirteen other regional medical facilities received Partner for Change Awards for improving and expanding programs to reduce and recycle at least 15 percent of their total waste.

"It is important that we reduce our environmental impact and find ways to make environmental sustainability a part of the organizational culture," said Regional Health Command-Atlantic's Commanding Gen. Brig. Gen. R. Scott Dingle. "Our programs continue to develop and every member of our team can play a role in our efforts to create sustainable work environments and healthier communities. To be honored by Practice Greenhealth for our efforts confirms our commitment to both the environment and our patients."

The awards will be presented at the Practice Greenhealth Environmental Excellence Awards Gala, set for May 18th in Minneapolis, Minnesota.