St. John's Health receives national award for achievements in sustainability

In recognition of its programs that reduce environmental impact, St. John’s Medical Center received the Partner for Change Award from Practice Greenhealth, the nation’s leading organization dedicated to environmental sustainability in health care. The award is one of the Environmental Excellence Awards given each year to honor environmental achievements in the health care sector.

The Partner for Change Award recognizes health care facilities that continuously improve and expand upon programs to eliminate mercury, reduce and recycle waste, source products sustainably, and more. Winning facilities must demonstrate that they are recycling at least 15 percent of their total waste, have reduced regulated medical waste, are on track to eliminate mercury, and have developed successful sustainability programs in many areas.

“This award is a testament to the work that the sustainability committee has undertaken for the past 30 years, and buy-in from the CEO, the board, and our employees,” said Lisa Smith, sustainability coordinator at St. John’s. “We take pride in our sustainability programs and the positive impacts they have on the environment and the community we serve. We look forward to continuing to grow and expand our programs.”

Highlights of the medical center’s sustainability program include campus-wide recycling, healthful food promotions, and more efficient water and energy use.

Sustainability efforts include recycling 107 tons of materials in calendar year 2016, including paper, plastic, glass, batteries, cans, cardboard, and more. In addition, the medical center’s partnership with Teton County Integrated Solid Waste and Recycling as a RRR Business Leader has saved thousands of dollars in e-waste recycling in 2017 to date.

The focus on sustainable foods include serving antibiotic- and hormone-free, grass-fed beef and bison. Healthy food options, like the salad bar, are now more affordable. Bottled water has been replaced by filtered water stations throughout the campus.

The medical center has developed gardens at the Living Center, Hitching Post Lodge, and child care center. A partnership with Teton Botanical Garden provided seeds and raised-bed wheelchair-accessible planters.

The medical center has switched to LED lighting and uses motion sensors in bathrooms and other areas. The heating and cooling system are engineered for maximum efficiency and include water recovery systems.

The award will be presented at the Practice Greenhealth Environmental Excellence Awards Gala, set for May 18th in Minneapolis, Minn at the conclusion of the CleanMed Conference & Exhibition.

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Media contact: Karen Connelly, 307.739.7380, kconnelly@tetonhospital.org

ABOUT ST. JOHN’S MEDICAL CENTER
St. John's Medical Center in Jackson, Wyoming, offers patient-centered clinical excellence and community wellness services through a full-service hospital, primary care, and specialty physician practices, and a long-term care Living Center.

ABOUT PRACTICE GREENHEALTH
Practice Greenhealth is the nation’s leading health care community dedicated to transforming health care worldwide so that it reduces its environmental footprint, becomes a community anchor for sustainability and a leader in the global movement for environmental health and justice. To learn more about Practice Greenhealth visit For more information, visit practicegreenhealth.org

ABOUT ST. JOHN’S HOSPITAL FOUNDATION
The mission of the St. John’s Hospital Foundation is to secure philanthropic support to advance the mission and strategic objectives of St. John’s Medical Center, including patient-centered care, clinical excellence, and community wellness. For more information, visit stjohnshospitalfoundation.org