Among only 47 hospitals across the country, WellSpan is proud to announce that five of its hospitals have been honored with the Partner Recognition Award as part of the 2024 Practice Greenhealth Environmental Excellence Awards. This recognition highlights WellSpan's long-term commitment to securing a greener environment for its patients and communities. 

WellSpan Chambersburg Hospital, WellSpan Ephrata Community Hospital, WellSpan Gettysburg Hospital, WellSpan Good Samaritan Hospital, and WellSpan Surgery and Rehabilitation Hospital received the award for demonstrating outstanding progress in areas such as waste reduction, renewable energy adoption, food purchasing, and mercury elimination. 

“Our care for the community we serve extends beyond the exam room as we know that every action makes a difference in the long-term health of our communities,” said Keith Noll, senior vice president and chief administrative officer, WellSpan Health. “These accolades are a testament to our commitment to enhancing community health, not only through preventive care, but also by actively reducing waste, adopting renewable energy, and making responsible purchases to foster a greener environment for our patients.” 

Practice Greenhealth is the leading sustainable healthcare organization, providing environmental solutions to more than 1,700 hospitals and health systems in the United States and Canada. The Practice Greenhealth Environmental Excellence Awards recognize healthcare organizations that are making significant strides in reducing their environmental impact and promoting sustainable practices. To qualify for the Partner Recognition Award, hospitals must also have a recycling rate of at least 10 percent for their entire waste stream.   

WellSpan's achievement of the Partner Recognition Award reflects the organization's dedication to creating a greener future for healthcare. By implementing initiatives focused on waste reduction, renewable energy, and responsible purchasing, WellSpan is actively contributing to the health and wellbeing of its patients and communities. Some examples of our recent sustainability efforts include the addition of hybrid vehicles, elimination of anesthesia gases, adoption of drone delivery, and recycling efforts.

WellSpan’s action to protect the environment is reinforced with its Path to 2030 sustainability strategy, including its commitment to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Health Care Sector Climate Pledge and the Health Care without Harm Climate Challenge, which includes a commitment to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions by 50 percent by 2030. 

For more on WellSpan’s sustainability initiatives, please visit www.WellSpan.org/Sustainability.