CONCORD — Carolinas HealthCare System’s Carolinas Medical Center (CMC)-NorthEast has been recognized with a national award for its demonstrated commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainability.
CMC-NorthEast was honored with the Emerald Partner for Change Award by Practice Greenhealth, a national group that advances environmental stewardship and best practices by organizations in the healthcare community.
A competitive distinction, the award recognizes health care facilities that demonstrate well developed sustainability programs and have achieved an advanced level of improvements in their mercury elimination, waste reduction, recycling and source reduction programs.
“A healthier ecosystem supports a healthier community,” said Christina Vernon, assistant vice president for A Healthy Environment at Carolinas Health System. “By taking on the challenge of environmental stewardship, we are making our community a healthier place to live, work and heal. What’s more, across Carolinas HealthCare System, we’re helping to enhance care for the patients we serve every day. We are proud of CMC-Northeast’s commitment and celebrate this well-deserved recognition.”
To receive the award, CMC-NorthEast demonstrated implementation of a number of successful efforts, including participating in initiatives to foster “green ORs” by reprocessing materials, reducing packaging wastes, converting to LED lights, and diverting waste produced in its operating rooms.
CMC-NorthEast also was cited for environmentally friendly initiatives such as replacing bottled water with filtered carafe water service at all catering events, recycling specialty metals, procuring locally grown produce and dairy products through its food service vendors, and even using corn-based compostable plastic cups. The hospital also is in the final stage of design for a new community garden located on the campus; items from the garden will be featured in the cafeteria’s healthy food recipes and made available for purchase by visitors and hospital teammates.
“We’ve made a concerted effort to strengthen our focus on sustainability, and the benefits have been far-reaching,” said Phyllis Wingate, president of CMC-NorthEast. “In the case of many of our efforts, such as our new garden, we’re having a direct and positive impact not only on the environment, but on our community’s health and well-being.”
Practice Greenhealth also recognized Carolinas HealthCare System facilities Carolinas Medical Center, CMC-Mercy and CMC-University with environmental excellence awards.