Sonoma Valley Hospital Receives National Recognition For Environmental Practices

Sonoma Valley Hospital has been recognized for its environmentally-friendly practices by Practice Greenhealth, a national organization promoting environmental stewardship and best practices in the health care industry.

SVH has received a 2014 “Greenhealth Partner for Change” Award from Practice Greenhealth for its efforts to improve environmental practices in a number of important areas including waste reduction, recycling and source reduction programs.

To be eligible for the award, facilities must recycle at least 15 percent of their total waste, and demonstrate that they have reduced regulated medical waste and developed successful pollution prevention programs in a number of areas. Among its achievements, SVH has increased recycling efforts in the past year to achieve a
31 percent reduction in waste.

SVH also received the “Making Medicine Mercury Free” award, given by Practice Greenhealth to organizations that have made significant efforts to eliminate mercury and other chemicals from the facility and patient care.

“Sound environmental practices, like those recognized here, are an important part of our efforts to improve the health of our patients, staff and community,” said Kelly Mather, CEO. She acknowledged the contributions of the Hospital’s Green Team in leading staff efforts, including Laura Gallmeyer, Kimberly Drummond, Karen Clark, James Kohler, Allan Sendaydiego, Lucia Padilla, Nancy Large, Robert Harrison, Norman Gilroy, and Kathy Mathews.