Originially published by UC Davis Health

(Sacramento) For the third consecutive year, national environmental leader Practice Greenhealth has named UC Davis Health one of the top 25 hospitals in the country for sustainability. This is the highest honor for hospitals and is based on a rigorous scoring system measuring leadership in sustainability, including greening the operating room, sustainable procurement, green building, energy, water, climate, chemicals, waste, food and transportation.

UC Davis Health earned recognition in several categories of sustainable performance this year, including:

• The Greening the OR Recognition Award for improving environmental performance in the operating room (third consecutive year)
• Three designations in Practice Greenhealth’s Circles of Excellence, including sustainable procurement, water and green building

“This national recognition reflects the work of sustainability champions and leaders throughout UC Davis Health,” said Kristina Cullen, director of sustainability. “Our most successful programs are initiated and led by individuals within their departments, from the operating room to nursing units and throughout the entire Health campus.”

Cullen added that much of what we see today reflects UC Davis Health's collective desire to "want to be the change we wish to see" and supports the organization's commitment made by signing the White House and Health and Human Services Health Sector Climate Pledge in 2022. The commitment calls for increasing climate resilience and significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.

Since the signing, UC Davis Health has made progress throughout the organization.

By re-engineering recycling from the point of collection through transport and delivery, UC Davis Health increased the volume of recyclable items being diverted to a regional recycling center. It has also reduced energy consumption, created a “fossil fuel free” pathway plan, completed climate resiliency projects, and implemented new clinical sustainability initiatives. This includes the newly launched Sustainability Suggestion Box, encouraging staff to make suggestions for changes that are more efficient and environmentally friendly while still maintaining optimal patient care.

Last fall, the organization hosted its first UC Davis Health Sustainability Summit, generating new ideas for change and recognizing departments for high-impact programs. In April, the organization’s Earth Day Celebration featured free produce samples from local farmers, free bike helmets from the UC Davis Green Commuter Program, and collaborative work with community partners SMUD, Clark Pacific, Sacramento Regional Transit, Commute by Enterprise, Mediline and Republic Services.

Learn more about UC Davis Health's sustainability efforts here.