MINNEAPOLIS (May 30, 2023) — Allina Health is honored to receive Practice Greenhealth’s System for Change Award which recognizes Allina Health’s ongoing commitment to improving its environmental performance and its efforts to build sustainability and resiliency into the operations and culture of an organization.
In addition, the 2023 Practice Greenhealth Environmental Excellence Awards recognized 13 Allina Health sites with their Partner for Change Award: Abbott Northwestern Hospital, Buffalo Hospital, Cambridge Medical Center, Courage Kenny Rehabilitation Institute in Golden Valley, Faribault Medical Center, Mercy Hospital, Mercy Hospital – Unity Campus, New Ulm Medical Center, Owatonna Hospital, River Falls Area Hospital, St. Francis Regional Medical Center, United Hospital and United Hospital – Hastings Regina Campus.
“Sustainability is core to our healing mission and focus on Whole Person Care at Allina Health. We are honored to be recognized for our ongoing work to impact the health and safety of our environment and the wellbeing of our patients, staff, visitors and the communities we serve,” said Suzanne Savanick Hansen, manager, Allina Health Environmental Sustainability. “We have made great strides as a health care system and our commitment is unwavering as this work must continue.”
Allina Health has pledged to join the Health Care Climate Challenge and has set the ambitious goals of 50% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and net zero emissions by 2050. The health care system’s Rheaply platform has allowed employees to divert 13,500 pounds of supplies and furniture from the landfill or incinerator to be used in other locations. The program earned a U.S. Department of Energy 2023 Better Practice Award. Recently Allina Health opened the Midtown Bike Center near Abbott Northwestern Hospital to encourage a healthy and zero-emission driving alternative. The center also features a large native flower garden to attract pollinators and reduce rainwater runoff into the Mississippi.
“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, Practice Greenhealth founder. “Allina Health demonstrates the kind of leadership, innovation, and performance that can drive the entire health sector toward more environmentally responsible practices.”
The Practice Greenhealth Environmental Excellence Awards recognize health care facilities across the country who have accomplished groundbreaking sustainability initiatives and place a strong focus on environmental stewardship. Allina Health’s award-winning sustainability initiatives span across many different areas, including waste reduction and recycling, energy efficiency, purchasing and sustainable landscaping.
Allina Health is dedicated to the prevention and treatment of illness and enhancing the greater health of individuals, families and communities throughout Minnesota and western Wisconsin. A nonprofit health care system, Allina Health cares for patients from beginning to end-of-life through its 90+ clinics, 12 hospital campuses, 14 retail pharmacies, and many specialty care centers and specialty medical services, home care, and emergency medical transportation services. Learn more at allinahealth.org and join us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.