MADISON, Wis. – For the third consecutive year, Practice Greenhealth awarded UW Health with the Emerald Award for its environmental leadership, along with five other sustainability awards.
Practice Greenhealth is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to sustainability in health care, and it awards health systems annually to celebrate leadership and innovation in health care sustainability.
The three UW Health hospitals in Madison, University Hospital, American Family Children’s Hospital and East Madison Hospital, stood out for widespread efforts to reduce the environmental footprint of the health system.
UW Health is redefining what sustainability looks like in health care, according to Rick Redetzke, system vice president for facilities and support services, UW Health.
“These awards reflect the collective efforts of our staff, from surgical staff to food service teams, who are deeply committed to healthier people and a healthier planet,” he said.
Greener operating rooms
East Madison Hospital received the Greening the Operating Room Award, which highlights institutions making significant strides in reducing the environmental toll of surgical procedures. With operating rooms contributing to nearly a third of a health system’s environmental impact, the UW Health Green Operating Room Council, a multidisciplinary team of clinicians and staff, is actively reshaping protocols to cut waste and reduce emissions.
Culinary leadership with climate in mind
In the food category, UW Health earned two Circle of Excellence awards, an elite recognition given to only 10 programs nationwide. The honors reflect years of work by culinary and nutrition teams to provide meals that are not only nourishing and flavorful, but also climate conscious.
“Our commitment to serving climate-smart, healing cuisine is more than a trend, it’s a long-term investment in patient health and environmental stewardship,” said Brad Ouellet, system vice president of supply chain and support services, UW Health.
UW Health was also the first health system in the Midwest to join the Coolfood Pledge, committing to cut food-related greenhouse gas emissions by 25% by 2030.
National awards for systemwide sustainability
In addition to departmental honors, sustainability programs at UW Health were celebrated at a broader level. All three Madison hospitals earned the Emerald Award, reserved for the top 20% of all Partner for Change applicants, which are hospitals with high scores in multiple sustainability categories.
UnityPoint Health – Meriter also received the Partner for Change Award for its comprehensive sustainability performance and tangible reductions in toxic substances like mercury.
