Recognition Highlights Organization's Commitment to Environmental Health OAKLAND, Calif., May 20
OAKLAND, Calif., May 20 /PRNewswire/ -- Kaiser Permanente received the
"System for Change" award for environmental performance today at the Practice
Greenhealth Environmental Excellence Summit in Pittsburgh.
The award, which recognizes health systems that have worked to gather
environmental data, set goals, and encourage eco-friendly practices, reflects
Kaiser Permanente's long-standing commitment to protecting the environment.
"Just as we at Kaiser Permanente are committed to the health and safety of
our members and the communities we serve, we are equally committed to the
health and safety of our environment," said Raymond J. Baxter, Ph.D., senior
vice president, Community Benefit, Research and Health Policy.
"If the environments that our members work, live and play in are toxic,
then everything we do in physician offices and medical centers will be
limited."
Kaiser Permanente leads the health care industry in green hospital
building, purchasing green materials, saving energy and reducing waste. For
example, Kaiser Permanente has purged 630,000 grams of mercury (about 1,430
pounds) from its system over the past several years, leaving the organization
95 percent mercury free.
"The award recognizes the tremendous efforts by Kaiser Permanente
employees and physicians who consider environmental protection to be part of
their contributions to improving the health of communities we serve," said
Kathy Gerwig, Kaiser Permanente's vice president for workplace safety and
environmental stewardship officer.
Bob Jarboe, Practice Greenhealth Executive Director, said the System for
Change award recognizes organizations that are focused on environmental
stewardship and see the connection between the environment and health.
"When Kaiser Permanente took a look at the big picture, the organization
knew it wanted to step up its performance," Jarboe said. "The organization
tackled the issue just as it would any other business challenge."
In addition to the System for Change award, Kaiser Permanente facilities
and regions across the country received 11 awards in recognition of efforts to
reduce waste and prevent pollution. The awards include:
-- Partner for Change Award: Kaiser Permanente Fontana (Calif.) Medical
Center, Kaiser Permanente Fremont (Calif.) Medical Center, Kaiser
Permanente Hayward (Calif.) Medical Center, Kaiser Permanente San
Francisco Medical Center, Kaiser Permanente Health Plan of Ohio, Kaiser
Permanente Health Plan of the Mid-Atlantic States
-- Making Medicine Mercury-free Award: Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of
Ohio
-- Partner Recognition Award: Kaiser Permanente Anaheim (Calif.) Medical
Center, Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of Georgia
The Practice Greenhealth Environmental Excellence Awards celebrate the
achievements and commitment of health care's environmental champions. The
awards give special recognition to facilities whose efforts are aimed at
eliminating mercury, preventing pollution and minimizing waste. This year's
awards were held in conjunction with CleanMed 2008, a global
conference for environmental leaders in health care.
About Practice
Greenhealth
Practice Greenhealth is the result of the merger of the two leading
organizations -- Hospitals for a Healthy Environment and the Green Guide for
Health Care -- with a new clean energy and energy efficiency program -
Healthcare Clean Energy Exchange. For more information on Practice
Greenhealth, visit http://www.practicegreenhealth.org/
About Kaiser Permanente
Kaiser Permanente is America's leading integrated health plan. Founded
in 1945, it is a not-for-profit group practice prepayment program
headquartered in Oakland, Calif. Kaiser Permanente serves the health care
needs of 8.7 million members in nine states and the District of Columbia.
Today it encompasses the not-for-profit Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Inc.,
Kaiser Foundation Hospitals and their subsidiaries, and the for-profit
Permanente Medical Groups. Nationwide, Kaiser Permanente includes
approximately 159,000 technical, administrative and clerical employees and
caregivers, and more than 13,000 physicians representing all specialties. In
2007, Kaiser Permanente proudly directed an estimated $1 billion to fund
community benefit programs to serve communities through research, community-
based health partnerships, direct health coverage for low-income families and
collaboration with community clinics, health departments and public hospitals.
For more Kaiser Permanente news, visit the KP News Center at: http://xnet.kp.org/newscenter.
SOURCE Kaiser Permanente
