As a mission-based organization, Mercy Health has a continued commitment to the health and wellbeing of the patients and communities it serves, according to a news release.
That includes a commitment to developing a sustainable culture through environmental stewardships and working with others to protect the environment and communities’ health now and for future generations, the release said.
Through efforts coordinated by a collaborative council of multi-disciplinary stakeholders across our ministry, Bon Secours Mercy Health (BSMH) and Mercy Health – Lorain implemented system-wide sustainable initiatives that earned environmental excellence awards from Practice Greenhealth, a leading sustainability member organization for hospital networks.
Both Mercy Health – Lorain Hospital and Mercy Health – Allen Hospital were recognized for their sustainability efforts.
“As health care providers, we are called to care for the health and well-being of our communities. This calling goes beyond caring just for patients, but for our Earth and its natural resources as well,” said Father Damian Ezeani, director of Mission for Mercy Health – Lorain and Allen Hospitals in the release. “We know the health of the environment has a direct impact on human health outcomes.
“We believe it is our responsibility to be good stewards of our resources and to implement sustainable practices that leave the Earth a better place for future generations.”
Of note, Mercy Health – Lorain Hospital, Mercy Health – Allen Hospital and the Mercy Health Cancer Center continued the Garden of Hope program, which was designed to foster a connection between individuals and the Earth.
The garden was created in 2021 to promote hope and sustainability as a way of healing through the coronavirus pandemic, according to the release.
The produce harvested from the garden is made available to employees and the community, while other items are also used to prepare meals for patients, the release said.
The garden has become a hallmark project for the Mercy Health – Lorain team, and true to its name, it continues to bring hope and blessings to others each year, according to the release.
Mercy Health – Lorain also convenes a multidisciplinary Green Team that meets quarterly to collaborate on sustainability initiatives and set goals for the market and its facilities, the release said.
The Green Team focuses on maintaining the ministry’s commitment to protecting our environment and sustainability, according to the release.
This year, Mercy Health – Allen Hospital upgraded its exterior façade, installed new windows and building animation system to fortify sustainability and reduce energy use.
Practices also have been implemented in surgical reprocessing, supply chain and waste management to increase Mercy Health – Lorain’s sustainability.
For the second year in a row, Bon Secours Mercy Health won the System for Change Award, which recognizes health systems that are working cohesively to set system-wide sustainability goals, track performance data, benchmark and support intra-organizational learning and implementation within their institutions.
Major health system successes that led to the award include: Achieving system-level recycling at Practice Greenhealth’s median percentage; Bon Secours Mercy Health’s average of 27% exceeds Practice Greenhealth’s target; and successfully confirming system-level elimination of PVC/DEHP from glove, breast pumps and their nutrition accessories such as feeding tubes.
“I am very grateful for all the many diligent efforts exerted to once again achieve this significant recognition and move this important work forward,” said Noah Dunlap, vice president of insights and innovation, Bon Secours Mercy Health and Advantus Health Partners, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bon Secours Mercy Health in the release. “We are unified in a shared concern for Earth and all its inhabitants.
“I feel blessed to be part of an organization doing its part to care for our common home.”