The Lebanon VA Medical Center (VAMC) has been recognized for its significant efforts toward environmental sustainability in the healthcare sector, receiving the Partner for Change Award from Practice Greenhealth for the seventh consecutive year.
The award is part of the annual Environmental Excellence Awards by Practice Greenhealth, a leading organization advocating for environmental sustainability in healthcare. The Partner for Change Award commends healthcare facilities that have successfully improved and expanded initiatives to minimize environmental impact.
To qualify, facilities must show they recycle at least 15 percent of total waste, have reduced medical waste, are on track to eliminate mercury, and have successfully implemented sustainability programs in various areas.
The Lebanon VAMC has far exceeded the recycling benchmark, recycling 58 percent of the waste it generates. It also partners with hospital services to use greener products and actively works to implement sustainable designs in new engineering and construction projects. A Green Environmental Management System committee has been established by the Lebanon VAMC to continue to explore and implement sustainability initiatives.
“Sustainability is at the core of our healing mission and central to protecting the health of our patients, staff, and community,” said acting medical center director Margaret G. Wilson. “We take pride in our sustainability programs and the positive impacts they have on the environment and the communities we serve.”
The Lebanon VAMC serves a nine-county area by providing medical care to the country’s veterans living nearby. The Lebanon VA also oversees community clinics in Lancaster, Mechanicsburg, Pottsville, Wyomissing, York, and Fort Indiantown Gap.
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