Recognized for Leadership in Environmental Stewardship

Hospital Wins Fourth Straight Excellence Award from Practice Greenhealth

May 29, 2012

NEW YORK

NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital has been honored with a 2012 Environmental Excellence award for its commitment to environmentally responsible operations in areas such as waste reduction, source reduction programs and mercury elimination.

The award was presented on May 2 by Practice Greenhealth-a national membership organization dedicated to sustainability in health care-at the 10th annual CleanMed conference in Denver. The awards honor outstanding environmental achievements in the health care sector each year, and it is the fourth straight year NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital has received an award. Over the last year, the Hospital has expanded programs to recycle, significantly reduce regulated medical waste and grow staff engagement in environmental initiatives.

"It is wonderful to see more and more of our employees participate in our sustainability programs, as even the smallest efforts can conserve resources and protect the environment, while benefitting the health of our patients, staff, and community," says Dr. Steven J. Corwin, CEO of NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital. "We are delighted to be recognized by Practice Greenhealth for the fourth straight year for our commitment to environmental stewardship."

In addition to reduction programs, CleanMed recognized NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital's efforts to expanded programs in food nutrition, energy savings and sustainable cleaning. Moreover, the Hospital recently led an online seminar organized by Practice Greenhealth that offered tips on launching a successful composting program at a hospital.

NewYork-Presbyterian is a dues-paying member of Practice Greenhealth.

Practice Greenhealth

Practice Greenhealth is the nation's leading membership and networking organization for institutions in the health care community that have made a commitment to sustainable, eco-friendly practices. Members include hospitals, health care systems, businesses and other stakeholders engaged in the greening of health care to improve the health of patients, staff and the environment. Practice Greenhealth is a source of environmental solutions for the health care sector. For more information on Practice Greenhealth, www.practicegreenhealth.org

NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital

NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, based in New York City, is the nation's largest not-for-profit, non-sectarian hospital, with 2,353 beds. The Hospital has nearly 2 million inpatient and outpatient visits in a year, including more than 220,000 visits to its emergency departments — more than any other area hospital. NewYork-Presbyterian provides state-of-the-art inpatient, ambulatory and preventive care in all areas of medicine at five major centers: NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center, NewYork-Presbyterian/Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital, NewYork-Presbyterian/The Allen Hospital and NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Westchester Division. One of the most comprehensive health care institutions in the world, the Hospital is committed to excellence in patient care, research, education and community service. NewYork-Presbyterian is the #1 hospital in the New York metropolitan area and is consistently ranked among the best academic medical institutions in the nation, according to U.S.News & World Report. The Hospital has academic affiliations with two of the nation's leading medical colleges: Weill Cornell Medical College and Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons.

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